What to expect?

[Briman563]

Hi all new here. I'm going to buy tomorrow a 1972 Correct Craft 18 foot ski boat. The entire boat has been redone recently. Seats, clear coat, carpet, engine. The guy then traded it in to a local marina who then replaced every seal possible in the driveline, etc. This boat looks as though it came off the showroom floor and runs excellent. It has a 302 Ford engine 228 HP with the through the hull exhaust. They are asking $4500.00 for it. He will warranty it for a month against breakage or defects. Does this sound like a good deal? Also what can I expect out of this boat as far as reliability goes? Are they high maintenance? The boat looks so cool that I don't want to jump in because of looks only. Also what kind of gas mileage do they get? The dealer said as long as I keep the rpms below 3000, the 2 barrels will only open in the carb and not all four saving alot of fuel. Does this sound about right? Also whats cruising speed and top speed? Thanks in advance, Brian

 

[Coors]

Re: What to expect?

Dunno; my stepson bought an 88 fourwinns 21 ' with a 5.7
So far, I have replaced the long block, the upper unit on the outdrive, misc parts worth $1000, and now find rotten stringers.
Have someone that knows, check the boat.

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: What to expect?

I used to run a Correct craft ski boat in the summer for skiing. I used to drive for (local) advanced slalom skiiers in ski competitions.
Lots of power....lots. Top speed was not that great....maybe high 40's. Did I say lots of power.....it was a 350 vette block tho'.
Still, you should be good for any ski, tube or wakeboard challenges that you and your buddies want to take on.
The 302 is a good motor....try to find out how many hours might be on it.
Your mileage if you keep the revs down will be ok...not great.
As for boat....I hated it. Thumpy, rough and noisy come to mind quickly. After 6 hours in that boat....I needed a week off. New ones are quieter, smoother and better and are definitely better 'day' boats....they are also about $25k +.
Plus the thing was a pig backing up....it would only back up in one direction....so pick your docking angle carefully. However, at speed, it turned and tracked like it was on rails....great for the slalom course...hard to pull around.
Choose your purpose....make sure it suits what you envision for a days boating and be realistic. If you are trying to get good at wakeboarding or slalom skiing, etc. and are going to put in big time on learning the craft...then maybe this is your boat.
If you want to comfortably cruise half the time at reasonable speed....maybe something else.
You're call, good luck.

 

[AguaSki]

Re: What to expect?

Sounds like the engine and the drive have been gone through, but what about the floor, transom, and stringers? You may want an independent professional to check it out.

If your worried about gas usage, you should not own a boat. They use a lot of gas. The most modern marine engines make a large SUV look like an economy car when it comes to gas. You can't try to compare automobile gas mileage to boat gas usage. They are too different. I just fill my tank and try to not look at what the cost at the pump was. You can save a lot of gas by not running at WOT all the time, but even then you will use a lot of gas. Also get ready for the extra gas your tow vehicle will be burning as you tow the boat around.

 

[mike176]

Re: What to expect?

for example on the gas i've go a 3.7 with a 2 barrel and i went 40 miles down river and about 20 miles up river according to gps, doin about half throttel at 30 mhp i ran out of gas about 20 mile short of the ramp. My boat holds 18 gallons of gas and i was full at the ramp so thats 3.3 mpg.

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: What to expect?

It sounds like a ripoff. That boat is to old to pay $4500. Sorry.

If you buy it, make sure to have another $4500 in the bank for repairs. That 302 ford sunds like an OMC setup.

 

[BillP]

Re: What to expect?

Correct Crafts are the benchmark that all ski boats follow and old ones fall into the collector class. $4500 is a deal on any Correct Craft in mint condition with all new gear.

 

[RC]

Re: What to expect?

Briman, check out this website:

http://www.correctcraftfan.com/

Like BillP said, correctcrafts are classic boats and hold their value very well when kept up.

Good luck.

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: What to expect?

....for me, I don't doubt the value. I think it is a well built and well powered boat. $4500 doesn't sound like bad money if its in good mechanical shape.
It was designed with a specific purpose in mind though....and that is not cruising. Its a professional work (ski/tow) boat.
If you can...get it on the water for a good ride....make sure you enjoy what its giving you. Pay for the fuel for the owner...get 30-45minutes in it....try to have a conversation, dock it, the works.
As a contrast get out in a cruise/day boat (ie: i/o Searay, whatever).....and simply go from there. See if you get out with some friends who have similar boats or anything that would give you reasonable alternative perspective.
Don't buy it because its classic, collectable or worth the money or made by Nasa....buy it because you like being out in it.
They are a very good tow boat.