1988 18' Wellcraft w/ Force 125...Should I buy?

[jajaholley]

I am a longtime sailor looking for my first powerboat. Looking for a CC for fishing and family excursions.<br /><br />I have found a 18' Wellcraft CC that I am interested in. The Engine is a 125 hp Force of the same year. The boat is clean and the engine appears to run well (it starts and moves the boat up to around 40 mph). <br /><br />The owner has only owned the boat since spring and he told me he bought it just for the summer and was going to sell. <br /><br />I have a couple of questions.<br /><br />Should I get the boat surveyed?<br />How much should I offer? (he is asking $6,999)<br /><br />I also noted when I opened the well where the battery is the blown foam flotation is exposed. The foam in the transom of the boat is very wet. Is this normal for a powerboat?<br /><br />A couple of comments by the owner has led me to believe he would take a much lower price.<br /><br />He has mentioned to me that he had the engine serviced and the technician told him hopefully he could get 3 years or so from the engine before it needs replace. But that the engine is essentially not worth anything.<br /><br />Any help is greatly appreciated!<br /><br />Thanks.

 

[MurdockJr]

Re: 1988 18' Wellcraft w/ Force 125...Should I buy?

Sounds like alot of money for that boat. 7000 dollars will buy a pretty nice boat around here. Water in the foam would make me wonder what else is waterlogged.

 

[JB]

Re: 1988 18' Wellcraft w/ Force 125...Should I buy?

Moving to Boats.

 

[Solittle]

Re: 1988 18' Wellcraft w/ Force 125...Should I buy?

Well jimbo you need to spend a tad bit of time here on this web site. Lets start out with the red Search function which you will find at the top of the page. When you get there look for the forum block as there are a bunch here. Click the Force forum. Then in the search block enter an arguement like "Force problems" or "1988 125 hp Force" or whatever you like. Then sit back & read what others thought/think about the Force as a dependable motor.<br /><br />As for the boat - you didn't tell us what year??? I have a 1988 23' Wellcraft CC & love it. I did have to replace the transom about three years ago due to rot ($2,000.00 + depending on how you do it). I don't fault Wellcraft for that but do fault the idiots who rigged my motors for not thoroughly calking the mounting bolts.<br /><br />Trailer??<br /><br />Price - Here in south Florida most knowledgeable boaters would value the motor at $0.00 (and figgure in the cost of repowering). If the boat is a 1988 with wet foam below the floor most would walk away real quick. Some might go $1,000 or so amd maybe $1,500.00 if the trailer was good. <br /><br />Also spend some time rummaging around Boat Trader magazine.

 

[93bronco]

Re: 1988 18' Wellcraft w/ Force 125...Should I buy?

for that price you can find a better boat that is not water logged.<br />i like the force motors, i was going to buy a rebuilt 120 from a place that services them here, got there too late.<br />-<br />dont jump on the first boat, go looking. there are thousands to look at.

 

[boatin]

Re: 1988 18' Wellcraft w/ Force 125...Should I buy?

I had a Force 50 (85 I think) with internal damage. Was advised not to put any $$$$$ in it. I tried to GIVE it to mechanics for parts but they werent interested.......finialy sold it along with the boat to my brother in law.(gave him a good deal)

 

[pine island fred]

Re: 1988 18' Wellcraft w/ Force 125...Should I buy?

dont know where you live but here in s.w. florida boats like you discribe are given away. they are in everyones back yard. take your time and look around. have not seen a boat yet that is worth what the owner thinks its is, mine included.