arks
Lieutenant Commander
- Joined
- Nov 7, 2002
- Messages
- 1,936
Yup, I bought another boat! I just can't help it- this hobby is SO addictive.
Saturday I picked up a 1985 Wellcraft 23 Nova XL in Virginia. It's definitely a project but's 100% complete and IMO a good candidate for restoration. It was repowered in 1997- Merc 260/Alpha. I didn't buy the trailer that was under the boat because I live 200 miles away and it wasn't safe for road travel. I tried but couldn't find someone local to fix what was wrong (which was a lot), so I rented a good working 25' roller trailer.
For those who don't know, I owned this exact year/model from 1986 until 2004- when I came down with a severe case of 2footitis. The ol' Nova was just about perfect for my boating area but selling was necessary to fund the purchase of the big Silverton. The family likes all the comfort and space but we haven't cruised all that much and miss the speed and shallow draft abilities of an I/O.
Anyway, for the past year or so I'd kept my eyes open for a "value-rich" fixer-upper and found this one on CL back in August. I purposely didn't contact the seller for about a month. Turns out the guy had owned the boat for 12 years, relocated to Alaska 3 years ago and left the boat behind. He claims the marina did all the maintenance and fully winterized the boat when last used. He hadn't had any offers so I arranged to make a trip to see the boat in late September with his brother, who lives 2 hours away. Unfortunately, he had to bail on me at the last moment. Since I was in the area I stopped to take a look but was disappointed that I wasn't able to see it run. It also raised a big red flag. After 2 more months of back-and-forth and many e-mails an offer was accepted contingent upon a thorough mechanical test up to operating temperature.
Long story short, I met the brother Saturday morning but he couldn't get the motor to crank, only the solenoid to click. I helped him switch to a new battery, clean the connections, etc. but nothing. I turned the crankshaft manually to confirm the motor wasn't locked up but told him I wasn't interested in a potential repower because I've done 'em twice in the past. As I loaded up my stuff and got ready to leave he said 'maybe we can talk next spring'. I explained the risks of buying a non-running boat but - because I had a rented trailer and driven 3 hours - offered to take it off his hands right now for 500 bucks. He called his brother (in Alaska) but wouldn't accept it because 'the outdrive alone is worth at least 750". I said thanks, but NO THANKS.
I threw back a last take-it-or-leave-it offer (less then 750)- and he took it. Done deal! Keep in mind the current NADA low retail for the boat is 6900 without a trailer. Even discounting for the current economy I should be fine even if I need to do a repower. We'll see. My marine mechanic is looking at it this week to determine exactly what it'll need mechanically.
After purchase I hired the marina to use their forklift to transfer the boat- MUCH easier than launching and switching trailers.
The exterior has some issues but nothing that I can't make right with some effort. The engine and outdrive appear OK and have clean oil. It comes with 2 good props, VHF, stereo, bimini, cockpit cover and Apelco sounder, One of the best parts of the boat as she sits is the cockpit upholstery- it's all in nice shape with no tears or bad stains on the vinyl.
So the new/old boat will be my lawn ornament for awhile. I'm in no rush because I have other boats to use. When I can afford it I'll fix what needs fixin' and find a trailer.
I consider myself fortunate that I have a yard that's big enough and not deed-restricted. The neighbors already think I'm crazy, so no problem there!
Some shots:
Saturday I picked up a 1985 Wellcraft 23 Nova XL in Virginia. It's definitely a project but's 100% complete and IMO a good candidate for restoration. It was repowered in 1997- Merc 260/Alpha. I didn't buy the trailer that was under the boat because I live 200 miles away and it wasn't safe for road travel. I tried but couldn't find someone local to fix what was wrong (which was a lot), so I rented a good working 25' roller trailer.
For those who don't know, I owned this exact year/model from 1986 until 2004- when I came down with a severe case of 2footitis. The ol' Nova was just about perfect for my boating area but selling was necessary to fund the purchase of the big Silverton. The family likes all the comfort and space but we haven't cruised all that much and miss the speed and shallow draft abilities of an I/O.
Anyway, for the past year or so I'd kept my eyes open for a "value-rich" fixer-upper and found this one on CL back in August. I purposely didn't contact the seller for about a month. Turns out the guy had owned the boat for 12 years, relocated to Alaska 3 years ago and left the boat behind. He claims the marina did all the maintenance and fully winterized the boat when last used. He hadn't had any offers so I arranged to make a trip to see the boat in late September with his brother, who lives 2 hours away. Unfortunately, he had to bail on me at the last moment. Since I was in the area I stopped to take a look but was disappointed that I wasn't able to see it run. It also raised a big red flag. After 2 more months of back-and-forth and many e-mails an offer was accepted contingent upon a thorough mechanical test up to operating temperature.
Long story short, I met the brother Saturday morning but he couldn't get the motor to crank, only the solenoid to click. I helped him switch to a new battery, clean the connections, etc. but nothing. I turned the crankshaft manually to confirm the motor wasn't locked up but told him I wasn't interested in a potential repower because I've done 'em twice in the past. As I loaded up my stuff and got ready to leave he said 'maybe we can talk next spring'. I explained the risks of buying a non-running boat but - because I had a rented trailer and driven 3 hours - offered to take it off his hands right now for 500 bucks. He called his brother (in Alaska) but wouldn't accept it because 'the outdrive alone is worth at least 750". I said thanks, but NO THANKS.
I threw back a last take-it-or-leave-it offer (less then 750)- and he took it. Done deal! Keep in mind the current NADA low retail for the boat is 6900 without a trailer. Even discounting for the current economy I should be fine even if I need to do a repower. We'll see. My marine mechanic is looking at it this week to determine exactly what it'll need mechanically.
After purchase I hired the marina to use their forklift to transfer the boat- MUCH easier than launching and switching trailers.
The exterior has some issues but nothing that I can't make right with some effort. The engine and outdrive appear OK and have clean oil. It comes with 2 good props, VHF, stereo, bimini, cockpit cover and Apelco sounder, One of the best parts of the boat as she sits is the cockpit upholstery- it's all in nice shape with no tears or bad stains on the vinyl.
So the new/old boat will be my lawn ornament for awhile. I'm in no rush because I have other boats to use. When I can afford it I'll fix what needs fixin' and find a trailer.
I consider myself fortunate that I have a yard that's big enough and not deed-restricted. The neighbors already think I'm crazy, so no problem there!
Some shots:
