New member question about boat I am looking at

[ReactiveD]

Hello everyone

My wife and I are looking at buying a boat. We are on a budget and want to get something that is reliable with up keep and will last.

We are looking at a 1978 Caprice with a 90 HP Mercury with trolling motor and few other accessories. The seller is asking $2995 for it. The floor has been redone, all the seats look to be in great shape. The motor looks clean. Outside of boat looks to be in great shape. The trailer has new tires including a spare, axle and wires. trailer looks to have no rust or if any very little. Has a new Bimini top. The seller did advise the gas tank has been replaced with (2) 6 gallon plastic tanks.

The seller is getting me the compression readings for the cylinders. We will be going out for a test ride/run tomorrow evening and want to be prepared to look over the boat thoroughly.

Thank you in advance and look forward to a lot of insight.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

Get your own compression test done would be my advice or watch him do it tomorrow, it takes minutes. He could tell you anything. I'm not familiar with a Caprice. 12 gallons isn't a lot of fuel for an old 90 in my opinion depending on your time on the water it might be fine. Is this your first boat? If it is I wouldn't advise a 40 year old boat, it will take the upkeep and won't last too long without upkeep. Would you buy a 38 year old car for 3 grand and not expect some major upkeep?

 

[jbcurt00]

Look thru some resto topics:
http://forums.iboats.com/forum/boat-repair-and-restoration/boat-restoration-building-and-hull-repair

If it seems to good to be true, it might be.

W out pix, no way to judge if $3K is high or low. Based on all the topics posted @ iboats, it is very likely to be too high for a 1978.

Is Caprice the maker or the model?

 

[JASinIL2006]

Capri, maybe? (As in Bayliner Capri?)

 

[mr 88]

At most that is a 1500.00 setup. How many holes have been drilled in the transom ? Can you stand on the lower unit and jump/squat up and down to see if the transom flexs. If the boat came with that engine and no holes were drilled you have a good chance that it is still solid. Floor was redone, original rotted out and maybe was neglected,so what condition are the stringers ? Is there foam under the floor or was that removed,most of the time if its still there its saturated.Are the wires on the engine flexable or dry rotted out,Inspect them closely. I have a 90 hp in line 6 ,same year and it runs great, Used for waterfowl in the fall and winter,never let us down. She will suck gas at the clip of 3 or worse mpg if you have a heavy throttle hand. 4mpg if cruising at 1/2 to 3/4 throttle.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

If it's a Bayliner Capri and not a Caprice I wouldn't touch it for that price. Certainly a Bayliner Capri that old. They sold new at $10,000 for a 18 footer with a 90 Force "L" drive. Sorry Bayliner owners. Now having said that I have seen some nice Bayliners as well. We have been working off and on, more off for a few years on a 21 foot Bayliner cuddy with a small block Mercruiser. It has been a can of worms. To get it in respectable condition the cost will far exceed the worth if done. Why would we even try to get her in shape? It was given to me for a 45 mile tow for the original owner. That's what the owner thought it was worth, nothing.

 

[fhhuber]

If you want reliable... go 4-stroke, aluminum hull and.... NEW.

 

[tpenfield]

Welcome to iBoats ReactiveD

'Budget', 'reliable' and 'longevity' are a hard thing to match up. The new floor (deck) may be hiding some things, as new floors are often added over old rotting decks and sub-structure. Not saying that is the case, but something for you to be aware of, etc. It is almost a 40 year old boat, so expect some issues. The big question would be if it is truly a well-kept boat or just dressed up for 'the dance'. That will be hard for us folks on the Internet to tell, you will have to make the final judegement.

 

[Scott Danforth]

welcome aboard.

read this sticky for buying a used boat http://forums.iboats.com/forum/gene...eeding-help-buying-a-boat-a-buyer-s-checklist

I understand budgets, however $3k for a 40 year old boat does seem high. however the issue with boats is condition, condition, condition.

12 gallons of fuel for a 90hp merc tower of power would not get you very far. that motor is a bit thirsty. wont be bad on a small lake.

as everyone said, check out the boat thoroughly.

 

[ReactiveD]

Thank you all very much for the help. We have always owned PWC but we want something bigger to go fishing and on the water to relax. Here are some pictures. Please if you can let me know if is a good deal. Thank you very much again.

 

[Chris1956]

That motor is newer than 1978. It could be as new as late 80s. If the motor was used in saltwater, I would pass on it, as those motors will have serious corrosion on the exhaust covers, at that age.

I also think the price is high, although the boat looks pretty good. Maybe $2K? With a boat that old it is a bit of a crap shoot.

 

[ReactiveD]

That motor is newer than 1978. It could be as new as late 80s. If the motor was used in saltwater, I would pass on it, as those motors will have serious corrosion on the exhaust covers, at that age.

I also think the price is high, although the boat looks pretty good. Maybe $2K? With a boat that old it is a bit of a crap shoot.

Thank you very, very much. What do you think the compression on the valves should be at? Is there anything specific to look for? I know I can not expect a new boat for this amount and age. I will look at all the wires see if any dry rotted. I will look at the oil, see if it is dark or if any water is in it. Also look at the exhaust to see if there is any corrosion. Cracks on hull and any soft spots on the floor.

If we could afford a new boat like someone else suggested I would buy one in a heartbeat. I want something that is going to be good and we can go out on the water and fish. If we want to go fast we have a 2013 Yamaha Waverunner.

 

[Bayou Dave]

I have to wonder if the gas tank was replaced or left under the deck. And why he switched from a 20 ?? gallon tank to 2 six gallon plastic tanks?

 

[jbcurt00]

Pull all those hatches and make sure the new deck (floor) isnt just laid over the old deck.

And feel around inside the compartments those hatches cover.

Ask for pix of before and during all the repair work.

A new deck done correctly would be a lot of work.

Ask if the transom was replaced.

What wood was used for the rebuild and how was it installed/sealed.

 

[tpenfield]

The boat looks OK from the pictures. Your first hand view will be the deciding factor. The money is OK . . . hard to get anything operational boat, motor, trailer for less. You just want to look into the hatches and the places not readily showing to see if things look as good 'under the hood'. You can decide to negotiate off of the asking price or just meet the asking price.

 

[fishin98]

From the pictures that looks to be a very nice boat, did you take those pictures? You are looking at a 35 year old fiberglass boat, I would follow the above mentioned suggestions and do a THORORGH INSPECTION or you could end up with a MONEY PIT, and a active member of the restoration/repair section. The motor looks to be a late 80's/early 90's make sure it gets a good inspection. GOOD LUCK!

 

[ReactiveD]

I have to wonder if the gas tank was replaced or left under the deck. And why he switched from a 20 ?? gallon tank to 2 six gallon plastic tanks?

Thank you all for your inputs. The old gas rusted out from what the seller had said. I too am wondering if they left the old one under the deck. Good advise to feel around all the capartments.

Is this boat worth looking at or should i pass?

 

[ReactiveD]

The seller just sold the boat. On to the next one

 

[JimS123]

For future reference, that's an MFG. Caprice is the model name. I believe the innards were all fiberglass in that era. Inline Mercs of that vintage were sometimes troublesome. Soince it looks well kept, I would have looked at it, but personally I would want a different motor.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

As they say, a picture is worth a 1000 words, I say " except a picture of a boat." My first impression is that it looks to be a very nice boat on my Laptop but that means nada. Only you can make that call. Asking if a boat is worth the asking price by a few photos is like asking how long is a rope? You measure the rope and make your own call. I wouldn't begin to advise you to buy it or not. And to take someone's advice to go for it on the internet wouldn't be responsible without that person with experience touching the thing. Personally I have never heard of a Caprice, it is not a Capri for sure. It may be a Bayliner though. All in all, nice looking from here a few thousand miles away.

OK I'll say it , buy it. I personally might, or might not. I hope that helps.

should have read clearly. The boat is sold. It wasn't meant to be. I wouldn't have bought it. Too old.