1978 Sea Sprite Sea Bird II Under Consideration

[foxxinabox]

A local person has a 1978 Sea Sprite with a 1990 Mercury Bigfoot for sale for $1,000 obo. I went to look at it tonight and everything appears to be in good shape but I cannot seem to locate much info on this boat online, hence, the reason I'm here asking for an expert opinion.
The floor is sold with me (235#) walking heavily around on it and the seats are solid to the floor. The only spots of concern I have is the space between the seat in the bow is bowed up and water may have been able to get in there. The area behind at the base of the windshield is solid, however. The interior appears to have been under cover (not tarp) for it's life and only has a split in the left rear seat, where one would step on it after climbing up the ladder. The floor there is solid as well. My one concern is the transom. The engine is not original and it appears the Mercury was installed by drilling holes though the hull. Standing and gently bouncing on the plate above the lower unit only produced the smallest of flex at the top (1/16" at most). The rest of the fiberglass on the transom is in good shape (the photo makes it look worse because it's dirty). Is this a deal breaker? Is this something shored up with some reinforcement (large washers or a plate)? Does something like this necessitate a transom replacement?
My only other issue is it appears the controls need connected and/or replaced. Everything has been removed, likely during the engine swap (which was before the current owners). They did have it inspected and everything came out okay, but that was a year ago. At that time, the fuel tank was removed (so no gummy carb), along with the battery. My only problem there is that I won't be able to hear the engine run. That, however, is a different post.
TL;DR - Is this boat worth $1,000 obo?

 

[southkogs]

A little about Sea Sprite HERE. I would call 'em a "garden variety" trailer boat - meaning, everybody was making fiberglass trailer boats in the 70s and 80s and Sea Sprite was in the mix.

I can't tell from the photos what kind of shape the transom is in, but it's suspect for sure. Worse is that you really can't get the boat out and try it. That means you really don't know if the engine even runs. IMHO, that boat is in the $1k - $1,500 category if it's in good shape and running. A suspect transom, pile of controls and motor can't be run reduces it down to nearly valueless. Trailer is probably worth a few hundred bucks, but I wouldn't personally risk much more than that on it.

 

[ondarvr]

You will have several months of work to do on it, plus $2,000+ (maybe much more) in supplies to get it on the water, is that what you're looking for?

​Expect a total gut and rebuild of the hull, which means it's value is zero, the motor and trailer may be worth $1,000, but that's a maybe.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

I can tell you what I have told others looking at a boat that is 40 years old. If you pay a grand double it or triple it and that's what it will cost you to get her on the water, safely. If you have the skills to rip a floor out replace it, chase shorts and rewire the boat, repair unseen leaks, replace a 40 year old transom you are good to go with an additional grand. Lets be positive a bit. From a photo it looks like a nice little project boat. A 90 Merc isn't antique, mine is a 94 and runs like a top. I spend around 200 Canadian on average a year for fluids, plugs, wires, filter, water pump every second year, just must do things to keep her running like new. I along with my more mechanically adept pals do all the work. A new steering cable set me back $250.00 last year. That would have cost me at least $500.00 more in labor if I had the marine do it. Here if I had to replace the trailer wheels and tires we are looking at $300.00. However that boat as is isn't worth $300.00, maybe. And that is a gamble that the Merc will eventually run and the trailer will hold the weight of the boat.

 

[ezmobee]

There's definitely $1000 worth of stuff there. The question is will you be able to get on the water for that amount. I'm not so sure. The motor not being fully rigged would concern me. The transom while maybe not compromised yet is very likely wet and will need to be replaced in the future. Is the boat a tri-hull? Can quite tell from the pick. Nothing wrong with a tri-hull but the they look pretty dated and thus aren't really desirable. Meaning even if you put a lot of time money and effort into a restoration it won't really be worth a lot more.