Which one to sell, which one to keep?

[skargo]

Ok, here's a little history. As a kid, I lived on the water for a brief period, and had a couple small boats. We as a family had a couple runabouts and cuddys.

A few years back I went water skiing every few weeks with a friend of mine, who unfortunately got tipsy and lost a lot, and I had to navigate home.


Fast forward to this year. We have been helping a lady who is running a benefit, picking up items, mostly books and furniture for a sale she will be throwing in January.

She calls me a few weeks ago, and asked me if I wanted a boat cheap. I said let me check it out.
It turned out to be an 83' Wellcraft American 180 with a mercruiser sterndrive. Needs some love. Supposedly has a new deck and a rebuilt engine, but I will go through all that. Nice trailer too.

Then this week she tells me she has another boat, I go and check this one out and yup, I have 2 boats now. :redface:

This one is a Starcraft 18' American with a Johnson 115 OB. Years still to be determined.

I got these cheaply, and want to fix one up enough to sell it, and fix the other up to have some safe reliable boat to play with next year.

I'll add pictures tomorrow.

What to do, what to do?

 

[ne7800]

Re: Which one to sell, which one to keep?

ok we need pics like you said but we also need the nuber of that lady so she can call us from now on lol

 

[skargo]

Re: Which one to sell, which one to keep?

ok we need pics like you said but we also need the nuber of that lady so she can call us from now on lol

I'll pass on anymore I hear of!

 

[109jb]

Re: Which one to sell, which one to keep?

If they are in comparable condition, I would go with the outboard powered Starcraft. I'm an outboard guy if you didn't guess, but I have my reasons.

Outboard Pro's
Easy to work on (older ones anyway)
More room inside the boat
No big hole in the transom
No bellows to periodically replace
No bilge blower to worry about
Only a single fuel supply line in the bilge, no carb/fuel pump, etc in there.
No cooling lines in the bilge
Vitrually no winterization costs and little chance of freeze damage
No gimbles to wear out
Fewer moving parts
If replacement needed, you can swap very easily even to different brands or different horsepower.
Generally cheaper to replace because of the availability of used outboards.

Outboard cons
Less fuel efficient (except for modern outboards)
Less eco friendly (except for modern outboards)

 

[MikDee]

Re: Which one to sell, which one to keep?

Not knowing the year or condition of both boats, IMO the Wellcraft is the better boat,,, but the outboard is less maintenance. If you were closer, I'd take the Wellcraft off your hands

 

[skargo]

Re: Which one to sell, which one to keep?

Thanks guys. I'll get those pictures up soon.

MikDee, you're only 3 hours or so from me.

 

[MikDee]

Re: Which one to sell, which one to keep?

Thanks guys. I'll get those pictures up soon.

MikDee, you're only 3 hours or so from me.

Are you right off Rte#81 south? I've been past there on my way to visit my stepson in NC many times.

So then, when should I stop by to relieve you of the Wellcraft?,,,

 

[skargo]

Re: Which one to sell, which one to keep?

Are you right off Rte#81 south? I've been past there on my way to visit my stepson in NC many times.

So then, when should I stop by to relieve you of the Wellcraft?,,,

Actually east of rt83. I am still deciding here. I will spend some time this weekend, and get some detailed pics of both.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Which one to sell, which one to keep?

Is the Starcraft an open bow or a closed?

 

[skargo]

Re: Which one to sell, which one to keep?

Is the Starcraft an open bow or a closed?

It is a closed bow.

 

[MikDee]

Re: Which one to sell, which one to keep?

What engine is in the Wellcraft, is it a 4cyl, 6, or 8?

 

[skargo]

Re: Which one to sell, which one to keep?

What engine is in the Wellcraft, is it a 4cyl, 6, or 8?

2.5 4 banger.

 

[skargo]

Re: Which one to sell, which one to keep?

Turns out the Starcraft is older than I thought. It's a 72, the 115 Johnson is a 72, and the Seal trailer is a, you got it, a 72'.

I'm leaning towards the Wellcraft, one of the reasons is it's 11 years newer.

 

[MikDee]

Re: Which one to sell, which one to keep?

The Wellcraft would be better on gas, smoother, & quieter, and possibly faster. Once everything is checked out, repaired if necessary, & maintained, you would have a good dependable boat.

 

[triumphrick]

Re: Which one to sell, which one to keep?

Fast forward to this year. We have been helping a lady who is running a benefit, picking up items, mostly books and furniture for a sale she will be throwing in January.
What to do, what to do?

Count your blessings. You have put yourself in a good place for good things to happen. This is proof positive that good things do come to those who do good.

 

[skargo]

Re: Which one to sell, which one to keep?

The Wellcraft would be better on gas, smoother, & quieter, and possibly faster. Once everything is checked out, repaired if necessary, & maintained, you would have a good dependable boat.

That's what I'm thinking. The PO replaced the floor, and put a new head on the engine, seems to run good.

Count your blessings. You have put yourself in a good place for good things to happen. This is proof positive that good things do come to those who do good.

Thanks, it's nothing really, all we are doing is hauling stuff for her, she needs help and has her hands full.

 

[skargo]

Re: Which one to sell, which one to keep?

OK, here's the promised pictures.

http://scottkarg.com/boats/boats/

I'm going to clean up the Starcraft, and hopefully get the engine running. It hasn't run in 5 years or more.

I hope to sell it, and use the money to clean up the Wellcraft.

More pics in the link above.

 

[skargo]

Re: Which one to sell, which one to keep?

Bump for the weekday crew.

 

[skargo]

Re: Which one to sell, which one to keep?

Anymore input is appreciated.

I need to clean up the Starcraft and at least attempt to fire up the OB on it for resale.
I will sell it as is of course.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Which one to sell, which one to keep?

I am partial to outboards and I think the Starcraft might get you on the water faster. I don't think either of them is going to have much of a resale value. I do prefer bowriders though and I think the Welcraft is one, yes?