1988 Bomber Bass/Ski boat w/ trailer 2400$, worth it?

[roffey]

My biggest issue would be the seller trying to sell a boat with large issues and not disclosing. Can't trust him. I can see a few issues like the speedo or scratches.... I agree with most here, next boat please...

 

[ezmobee]

Sheesh people. It's a $2500 boat. That motor itself is worth nearly that (if the lower isn't cracked). And it's obviously been redone. Dude probably didn't rig up a new speedo because of how useless they are and didn't feel like patching holes in the transom if he removed the bracket.

Now there are certainly valid cautions that we have presented to the OP about things he may want to check out and things that may indicate this may not been a water-ready boat (if the deck is new and slapped on top of the old one for example) however I think we're going a little far by accusing the seller of being dishonest.

 

[Kwfowler23]

The lower unit is not cracked. Motor started up first crank. The oil seems to be from the carbs running to rich of oil and draining down. Transom is solid. It has been recarpeted due to sitting out in the weather. Floor is soft as wel. stuck my head in the ski bin and the hull is solid. Floor bad from the top so i believe weather is the culprit. Pictures to come when i get home.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Floor is soft as wel. stuck my head in the ski bin and the hull is solid. Floor bad from the top so i believe weather is the culprit. Pictures to come when i get home.

RUN

the floor is the last thing to rot on a boat. first to rot is the stringers, then the transom, then the floor. if you had a boat that only the floor rotted and not the stringers and transom, you would be the first......EVER..... and should then buy a lottery ticket. it just doesnt happen. spend some time in the hull restoration forum

you are too emotionally attached to the boat. if you do buy it, set aside $2k for materials to replace the floor, stringers and transom.

 

[roffey]

One last thing, just to clarify in my last post I meant to say the speed and scratches are not a big deal. In the pictures it looks like the power trim is off or missing or am I just looking at the wrong place? I suspect replacing the trim would not be a big deal?

 

[Kwfowler23]

RUN

the floor is the last thing to rot on a boat. first to rot is the stringers, then the transom, then the floor. if you had a boat that only the floor rotted and not the stringers and transom, you would be the first......EVER..... and should then buy a lottery ticket. it just doesnt happen. spend some time in the hull restoration forum

you are too emotionally attached to the boat. if you do buy it, set aside $2k for materials to replace the floor, stringers and transom.

lol, i may like it too much. The stringers have been redone as well. So, sitting out in the weather is not the problem? The front platform is solid. Would replacing the decking on onlyy the middle of about an 8x5 area be that costly? Or is there something more sinister going on? The rest of the boat is completely fiberglass other than the decking in the middle.

 

[Kwfowler23]

One last thing, just to clarify in my last post I meant to say the speed and scratches are not a big deal. In the pictures it looks like the power trim is off or missing or am I just looking at the wrong place? I suspect replacing the trim would not be a big deal?

All motor functions work properly including trim

 

[Tnstratofam]

The lower unit is not cracked.

My mistake. Like I said it's hard to tell without seeing it in person. It really looks like a busted housing to me from the pics.

I woud be concerned about the deck being soft. It usually rots from the underside, but maybe not. If someone took the time to correctly replace the stringers and deck, and then let it sit out and rot then they have more spare money than me. Because that's about a $2000 repair.

Good luck with whatever you decide. If you buy it and there are any issues this is the best place to get help and advice. Although some of our responses ( Mine included) might not lead you to believe that.

 

[Kwfowler23]

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[Kwfowler23]

My mistake. Like I said it's hard to tell without seeing it in person. It really looks like a busted housing to me from the pics.

I woud be concerned about the deck being soft. It usually rots from the underside, but maybe not. If someone took the time to correctly replace the stringers and deck, and then let it sit out and rot then they have more spare money than me. Because that's about a $2000 repair.

Good luck with whatever you decide. If you buy it and there are any issues this is the best place to get help and advice. Although some of our responses ( Mine included) might not lead you to believe that.

Believe you me, i came here and have gotten alot of help. I'm trying to give it due diligence cause as u can tell i kind of like it alot. I'm also trying to make sure i dont pass it up when it could be a good deal. I understand its hard to take in the size and condition of the boat and im sure i suck at communicating on here. It's a fairly small boat thats mostly fiberglass. To me the wood that is rotten is the decking of which is about an 8x5 area. I appreciate all the feed back no matter of ur telling me something i dont want to hear.

 

[Kwfowler23]

I literally shook the motor with all its weight and the transom never moved while the whole boat and trailer did. Sounded solid. As far as the decking, as long as it doesnt compromise the rigity of the boat im certain i can replace it cheaper than 2000$. But whether or not the integrity is compromised is my only hang up at the moment.

 

[Tnstratofam]

Keep in mind boats are built with wood core stringers, transoms, and decks. Especially mid to lower end boats from the 80's 90's and even today. So fiberglass that seems solid can hide rotten wood especially the transom and stringers as they are the hardest to inspect.

 

[Tnstratofam]

My Stratos ski boat had one soft spot on the deck right where people tend to get in and out. Once I started tearing in to her I found the stringers were shot as well as the majority of the deck.

I still haven't pulled the motor ( Inboard 350 Chevy) to get to the transom to drill test holes. By the way it's a 1988 as well.

I've owned that boat for nearly 4 years and still haven't really torn into her yet. She is 20ft that will probably take $2500-$3000 in materials to make right. It has been put on the back burner due to my wife's health issues. Plus we have a 16 foot Starcraft to keep us on the water for now.

If I can pass on anything to a pesron interested in buying a used boat it's to be patient and thoroughly inspect any potential purchase. Also be ready and willing to walk away even from your "Ideal" boat.

 

[Kwfowler23]

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Heres a better pic of the inside of the fuel tank compartment back to the transom

 

[Kwfowler23]

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And heres the one that im going to get yelled at for. This is in the ski bin looking towards the back of the boat

 

[oldjeep]

And heres the one that im going to get yelled at for. This is in the ski bin looking towards the back of the boat

2x6 treated floor supports are normal, right? . You bought a 2500 boat. Use it enjoy it and I wouldn't go tearing it apart.

 

[Kwfowler23]

Oh no, haven't bought it. That's why i created this post to decide whether or not to. They have me leaning no.

 

[gm280]

My $.02 cents worth, seems you seriously like the boat. And there is certainly nothing wrong with that. If you really like it and have the funds to afford it, then buy it understanding you do have some issues with rot. The under floor picture shows mold and fungus on the floor underside meaning ROT! Is that a serious problem? Maybe, maybe not. If you do understand that you can repair most anything that is rotted and/or wrong with it, then at least you go into this with that knowledge. And when you do need to address such rot issues, this is the absolute best place to get help, assistance, suggestions and guidance. You won't be do those repairs all by yourself. So let your decision be all yours. JMHO

 

[Kwfowler23]

My $.02 cents worth, seems you seriously like the boat. And there is certainly nothing wrong with that. If you really like it and have the funds to afford it, then buy it understanding you do have some issues with rot. The under floor picture shows mold and fungus on the floor underside meaning ROT! Is that a serious problem? Maybe, maybe not. If you do understand that you can repair most anything that is rotted and/or wrong with it, then at least you go into this with that knowledge. And when you do need to address such rot issues, this is the absolute best place to get help, assistance, suggestions and guidance. You won't be do those repairs all by yourself. So let your decision be all yours. JMHO

Thank you. If i was certain that the integrity of the hull wasn't compromised by the deck rot I'd make an offer. It is a 28 year old boat. Clear coat redone and a solid motor but that means a hill of beans if it doesn't float. I can get it for 2k.

 

[gm280]

Thank you. If i was certain that the integrity of the hull wasn't compromised by the deck rot I'd make an offer. It is a 28 year old boat. Clear coat redone and a solid motor but that means a hill of beans if it doesn't float. I can get it for 2k.

Oh, I am sure it floats. But with any rot you have extra weight as well. So it all boils down to your decision. There is not one person on these forums that can make that decision but you. We all only have opinions via a few pictures to go by and not one of us has seen it in person to evaluate it. So it is up to you!