What do you think about this?

[JKTrevecca]

I am knee deep in modifying my current boat when I ran across this today. You guys are the experts so I am hoping to get your opinion on this based on what limited information you can see on this ad. My main concerns are...

1. Compression/Engine health - I plan to check compression when I look at the boat.
2. Lower unit - I plan to pull the drain plug to make sure no water comes out.
3. If the plywood was replaced last summer, I want to make sure it was weather
proofed (Did tracker water-proof the original decks on these?)
4. Transom condition.

Any other suggestions for things to check or thoughts on the price/anything else??

Thanks in advance! Please don't go buy this out from under me!! I WILL FIND YOU

http://nashville.craigslist.org/boa/2205712037.html

-- Jason

 

[Lyle29464]

Re: What do you think about this?

The motor is the main thing. I would have it checked out. The hull may need a few things but it can't all bad or cost much to repair.

 

[5150abf]

Re: What do you think about this?

Looks like they did a pretty good job on the rebuild, certianly ask about the wood and check the engine out really well, if it is the same year as the boat it probably has some decent hours on it.

I don't know what they did in the 70s but it has been replaced so you just need to worry about what this guy did to it.

It is an aluminum hull so that is good but check underneath for damage from beaching ect, a couple dents are fine adn you should be able to stand on the engine and have the transom move less than 1/8''.

A transom is pretty easy to do so that wouldn't scare me off the boat.

Mostly check the engine.

All in all it looks like a nice little boat

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: What do you think about this?

Looks pretty good to me... I am sure he will fire it up for ya when you go to have a look(not that running on muff makes a big difference, but some)... If you like it you better hop on it at that price..

 

[ezmobee]

Re: What do you think about this?

Make sure he didn't use pressure treated wood as it eats aluminum.

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: What do you think about this?

Looks like a good deal to me, and sounds like you have a handle on what to look for. I'd ask him to run it on muffs for you, do the compression check, look at the physical condition and make your judgement from there. Price seems very fair for what I've seen. Good luck and enjoy.

 

[shrew]

Re: What do you think about this?

It is an aluminum hull............................................... you should be able to stand on the engine and have the transom move less than 1/8''.

It's an aluminum transom as well. I doubt there is rot in an aluminum transom. The flex is really a cored fiberglass concept to verify whether there is rot in the wood coring. I don't think that is applicable here.

 

[JKTrevecca]

Re: What do you think about this?

Thanks guys... I'm going to look at it today.

I talked to the seller yesterday and he said that he used PT on the deck floors :-(

If the PT is not in direct contact w/ the aluminum, will it still cause corrosion? Is that a deal breaker in your opinion(s)? How long does it take for the corrosion to start? Will it completely ruin the Hull?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: What do you think about this?

PT floors may not be that big a deal as the contact would be limited to the stringer tops and ribs tops. A PT transom though would need to come out and be replaced immediately.

 

[JKTrevecca]

Re: What do you think about this?

I'm gonna but it tonight!

Went to look at it this afternoon. Compression was 150 in both cylinders. It was 25 degrees outside and the motor was stone cold. It started instantly, idled well, and went into fwd/reverse as well as can be detected on muffs. It has a stainless prop. The very bottom corner of the skeg is missing. Maybe 1 inch total. The PT wood is all on the elevated deck portion of the re-build. The floor is marine grade ply w/ 5 coats of sealer before the carpet was laid down. New steering wheel. New seats. 3 batteries... (I suspect at least 1 of these will need replaced. New fish finder on the console. Old fish finder up front on the trolling motor. Lower unit oil was Gray. I wish it had been dark brown but from some other folks I've talked to, the gray is better than white/creamy. I might replace the seals to be safe. Water pump pumped great w/ the muffs.

Transom will need to be replaced. It looks like that will be a pretty good undertaking b/c of the welded corner caps. Anyone ever replaced the transom on one of these? Suggestions? I stood on the motor and bounced a bit to see if there was any flex and couldn't detect any but the wood looks REALLY OLD. Oh yeah... it comes w/ a cover!!!!

I'm pretty pumped. Here are some additional pix I took when I was looking at it. Thanks for all the input/help/advice! Here's to hoping I don't regret this!

 

[JKTrevecca]

Re: What do you think about this?

 

[JKTrevecca]

Re: What do you think about this?

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: What do you think about this?

Yikes it looks cold.If you stick your tongue to the hull you think it would stick?.. How you going to stand waiting till it warms up?

 

[veritas honus]

Re: What do you think about this?

Very nice. Looks like you've got a fun, rest of the winter project. That's probably the best way to alleviate the winter non-boating blues. Have fun, work safely, and good luck!!!

 

[veritas honus]

Re: What do you think about this?

Yikes it looks cold.If you stick your tongue to the hull you think it would stick?.. How you going to stand waiting till it warms up?

You mean with his tongue stuck to the hull:facepalm:

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: What do you think about this?

You mean with his tongue stuck to the hull:facepalm:

Was that hard to understand????