1975 reinell 18'

[Lovinlife9393]

It's an 18 foot 1975 reinell. Guy wants $1,000 and trailer doesn't have title, motor has fuel related issue. Does it look like a good deal?

 

[jbcurt00]

Depends on where you are located and if the boat is in the same state or different.

At 18ft, it can get complex trying to get title for the boat, and trailer.

Beyond that, its a 45yr old boat thats likely to need lots of work, despite the pix....

Have you put hands on it yet?

 

[Lovinlife9393]

The boat is in my state. Going to look at it tomorrow. He has title for the boat, just not the trailer. You really think the boat has underlying issues? It looks super clean and well taken care of.

 

[matt167]

A boat doesent rot, except they really do. You can't see it as the wood structure is below the deck.

It looks at least reasonably well cared for. But it has had to have had some reconstruction done at some point. Possibly a full restoration, possibly a deck- over. You won't know how the repairs were done. that's a $1k boat if it is indeed mint condition, it's a free boat if it shows signs of rot

 

[Lovinlife9393]

So, realistically, if it is damaged underneath the shiny exterior, how long could I expect to safely use it on calm Waters in the Puget sound/lake Washington. Only really going to be using it for fishing and crabbing not too far from the shore. Would I be better off getting a 12-14 foot aluminum skiff and trolling motor?

 

[JimS123]

$1000, 45 years old, no title and motor has issues. Those are the signs of a boat that would cost more to put in running condition than its worth.

 

[Scott Danforth]

So, realistically, if it is damaged underneath the shiny exterior, how long could I expect to safely use it on calm Waters in the Puget sound/lake Washington?

right up to where the transom rips off and the boat sinks.....

realistically, you could have found a gem, or a rotten hull

if you stand on the prop with 2 200# people and jump up and down and there is zero flex in the transom, you may not have rot.

however reality is the boat is past its sell-by date and living on borrowed time now.

only you can see the condition of the hull. stick your head in the bilge and look for any dark-colored fiberglass

also, I believe there should be a ski locker in the floor. that itself is a red flag that there may be a deck-over.

 

[Lovinlife9393]

I stood on the outboard and bounced up and down a little bit on it and the center of the transom moved about a quarter inch. I'm 6'2" 230lbs. I also drilled a small hole in several places along the inside, one on each side of the boat, one near the engine mounting bolts, and on just above the bilge pump, all the shavings were bright and not wet. Is that a good sign??

 

[Lovinlife9393]

No noticeable soft spots on the floor, one spot squeaked a tiny bit though a couple scratches in the gel coat, all fuel lines and hoses still rubbery and not stiff or crunchy at all.

 

[jbetzelb]

No trailer title in 1975 was very common and should not be an issue. See if the registration says home made. My 89 was that way and it was never an issue.

 

[jbcurt00]

No trailer title in 1975 was very common and should not be an issue. See if the registration says home made..

May or may not be accurate for LovinLife's state.

His results in a different state are likely to be different.....

It was harder to reg/title trailers in my state then the titleless boats. Done both mumerous times.

 

[matt167]

I stood on the outboard and bounced up and down a little bit on it and the center of the transom moved about a quarter inch. I'm 6'2" 230lbs. I also drilled a small hole in several places along the inside, one on each side of the boat, one near the engine mounting bolts, and on just above the bilge pump, all the shavings were bright and not wet. Is that a good sign??

make sure you core drill the transom down low. if it comes out dry, I'd feel safe enough putting it in the water for a test. Make sure you have life jackets and a good bilge system because you just do not know.