Hey there,<br />I currently have an old 1978 Cobra with a merc outboard and just find it is getting too small to play in. Anyways, I'd like to move up to something a little more modern. So, I've been looking in the local papers for runabouts and here are the current 3 options that I have tested. I was hoping I could get some opinions about the hulls and motors in these boats from you guys. Prices listed are Canadian dollars.<br /><br />1)1993 Campion Allante 170 - 3.0L Merc I/O<br />-Very low hours (only 114!) original owner<br />-Sat on a lake most of its life, no leaks, dry bilge<br />-Nice exterior, no dings, just a little faded.<br />-Interior near perfect shape<br />-Was in storage for 2 years and seamed quite "sluggish" on take off, and only hit around 40 or so MPH<br />-He's asking $14,000<br /><br />2)1993 Bayliner Capri 2050LX Olympic Edition. - 5.0L LX Merc, (205HP)<br />-Nice looking boat, sport seating<br />-Had a wet bilge, possible bad storing? was only covered with a tarp.<br />-A couple of dings in the hull, nothing looks major, except a docking gash on the read swim platform that would need to be fixed. (through the coatings to the fiberglas. A littel faded finish too.<br />-Interior OK. Front seats a little stained.<br />-Sundeck/Engine cover pivot broken, just held on by the gas lift shocks.<br />-not used very often, didn't start right away, took some time.<br />-Didn't seem to come on plane very fast, even with a 21p Hi-5 SS prop!<br />-I like the idea of the V-8, and I think there's more in this boat with a little TLC<br />-asking $15,000<br /><br />3) 1997 Silverline 1755LS - 4.3L LX Merc (180HP?)<br />-Very nice looking boat, great shape inside and out, only one small paint mark.<br />-Newest, and looks like its in the best shape of the bunch.<br />-Dry bilge, even though its stored on a lake tied to a dock.<br />-Second owner. Gauge says 158 hrs, but he thinks it has more than that.<br />-19p Hi-5 SS Prop<br />-Wakeboard tower<br />-CD Player and Dual Battery setup<br />-Started right away and idled well.<br />-Voltmeter dropped to 10v when revving the motor... possible alternator not working?<br />-After driving a bit, it seemed like it should have more.... It hit hard and planed fast, then just petered out.<br />-I'm thinking the low voltage was causing the elevtric fuel pump to not provide the fuel it needs, or weak spark.<br />-Had to cut the test drive short.<br />-Owner gave me name/number of mechanic to talk to him about possible alternator problem.<br />-Asking $15,900<br /><br />So far, I think I like 2 or 3, but both of them have their problems. The boat will be used primarily on the local river, with some time on the large Shuswap lake nearby. Boat will need to move around 5 adults and provide ample power for wakeboarding, tubing etc, as we like to do a lot of that.<br /><br />Thanks for any help, opinions or tips you can offer, either about the hulls, the motors, or the problems noted.
