Need advice on buying a boat

[ReddRidder]

Take a look at this add and tell me what you think. http://stlouis.craigslist.org/boa/614707044.html.

I've owned a couple of small fishing boats in the past but never anything this large. If you have any knowledge/experience on this brand please chime in. I would also like to know what to look for [in general] when inspecting these older boats. What to steer clear of, etc. Thanks.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Need advice on buying a boat

he tells us the engine is a 350 chevy, but what is the outdrive system? you want to stay away from an OMC drive system. also was the motor and drive winterized. you have had outboards in the past, there is alot more maintenance for a inboard outboard, such as winterizing, servicing the outdrive, bellows, etc, all this can be costly unless you do it yourself, and have a winter storage place for it.

Buying a boat

1st you need to decide what you want to use it for, fishing, cruising, or water sports.

2nd how many people adults, children you want on board of the average outing.

3rd outboard, inboard-outboard, or inboard power plant.

4th Budget, what you want to pay, and what you are willing to pay, when you find
Exactly what you want.

You can hire a marine surveyor, to inspect the boat, or you can do it yourself.

You are mainly looking for soft spots in the deck, transom, cracks, all signs of a rotten, under frame.

The motor should be clean, no spots where the paint is discolored, or pealing from heat, having run hot. Compression should be atleast 100psi, and within 10% of each other,
Spark on all cylinders, good pee stream, check lower unit for water in oil.

The overall condition of the boat will tell you a lot, as to how it has been maintained.

A 30 year old boat motor combo, may be in better condition, than a 3 year old.

 

[ReddRidder]

Re: Need advice on buying a boat

Thanks for all the info and quick reply. The boat is still in the slip and was winterized. I haven't inspected the boat yet but have talked to the owner at length. Right now i'm waiting for him to have it de-winterized so we can take it for a run. He said the new engine only has 20 hrs on it and the outboard was replaced two years ago. I'll have to do some research reference the OMC cuz honestly i have no idea. I'm also thinking the boat will need to be pulled out of the water at some point for complete inspection.

 

[rndn]

Re: Need advice on buying a boat

Welcome to the forum. It looks like a lot of boat for a single 350 engine. As stated above if it's an OMC outdrive system, stay away from it as parts are very hard to get.

 

[Dave K.]

Re: Need advice on buying a boat

welcome, thought i'd chime in. personally i can't afford that much boat, but if i could i would take into consideration the amount of general maintenance required & then any problems that i didn't expect. it's a LOT bigger then a small fishing boat & problems will probably cost a LOT more. not trying to discourage you - really i'm not! tell ya' this, those big boats are really nice to sleep on & great for spending a lot of casual time on, not to mention having a gally/ head/ maybe even a aft cabin (didn't look that close). if i could afford one i would but like i said, that's a lot of boat... gd luck!!!

 

[ReddRidder]

Re: Need advice on buying a boat

welcome, thought i'd chime in. personally i can't afford that much boat, but if i could i would take into consideration the amount of general maintenance required & then any problems that i didn't expect. it's a LOT bigger then a small fishing boat & problems will probably cost a LOT more. not trying to discourage you - really i'm not! tell ya' this, those big boats are really nice to sleep on & great for spending a lot of casual time on, not to mention having a gally/ head/ maybe even a aft cabin (didn't look that close). if i could afford one i would but like i said, that's a lot of boat... gd luck!!!

Yes, i'm well aware of the maintenance headaches associated with boat ownership, especially the older models. I'd love to have a large cruiser like this one to spend weekends on the river but unfortunately i can't afford a new one. $9k doesn't sound like a lot [to me] for a boat of this size if it's in good shape. Plus it comes with a trailer, which isn't always the case with these larger boats. I will probably take a look at the boat myself and if it looks good hire someone [expert] at the marina to go through it.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Need advice on buying a boat

get maintenance records. also before spending time to look at it ask straight out, what drive system it has. if it is OMC, i would not waste the gas. merc or volvo are OK.

 

[Dave K.]

Re: Need advice on buying a boat

i agree, 9k isn't much for a 26 footer w/ trailer. if the outdrive is a good one (tashasdaddy recommend) & the boat is in good shape w/ a new motor - yes it looks like a good deal....i would love a big cruiser especially w/ the kind of boating i do...(i'm in a 16' cuddy & stay on it most weekends). i simply can't afford the fuel in the big ones. i see them all the time on lake george where i go & they definitly are nice...let us know if you buy it. the fellas' on this forum are great!!! very skilled & helpful. no matter what boat any of us have. check back w/ us!

 

[Mike H]

Re: Need advice on buying a boat

I think its a merc drive. cruzer makes a vary nice boat.
and i think it price right GO FOR IT Mike H

 

[ReddRidder]

Re: Need advice on buying a boat

Thanks for all the responses/advice. This is a great site! Lots of activity. I just checked into getting a survey [inspection] done on this boat. $17 a foot, with 26ft that comes to $442. I hate to pay that amount for a boat that i may not even buy - if it has problems. I could see paying that much if it was $50k boat but not for a $9k boat. Still, i don't want to get stuck with a boat that needs expensive repairs. Any advice appreciated.

 

[dcg9381]

Re: Need advice on buying a boat

Thanks for all the responses/advice. This is a great site! Lots of activity. I just checked into getting a survey [inspection] done on this boat. $17 a foot, with 26ft that comes to $442. I hate to pay that amount for a boat that i may not even buy - if it has problems. I could see paying that much if it was $50k boat but not for a $9k boat. Still, i don't want to get stuck with a boat that needs expensive repairs. Any advice appreciated.

I'd have it inspected, not survey'd. I'd think you could get away with about $250 (at least in my area) for a compression check and pulling the out drive. You'd be on your own for the "cruiser" accessories - maybe those could be included for a bit more taking that total to 442, maybe something you could do yourself.