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

[Kwfowler23]

Ok, I'm not very educated in buying boats so I'm leaning on advice. Went and looked at this boat and saw some things that should worry me maybe? There's a 6" gouge above the water line, the very bottom is scuffed, theres a plastic piece on the very back bottom thats broke, there are no registration numbers on the side ( i live in georgia where u only need registration). Will post pictures when i figure out how.

 

[Kwfowler23]

Got it.

 

[Kwfowler23]

One more.

 

[Kwfowler23]

Any advice is appreciated! I hope this is the correct forum...

 

[alldodge]

I think your post is trying to sell your own boat

 

[Kwfowler23]

No... I haven't bought a boat yet. 2400$ is alot of money to me so before i throw it at something i wanted to come to the experienced people for advice. If it was my boat i certainly wouldn't be taking pictures of it through the fence.

 

[Kwfowler23]

I apologize for the confusion. Thank you for looking!

 

[82rude]

Good compression on motor?Glass is easily fixed.90 or 120hp?I didn't notice.Solid floor and transom?Check lower also for water intrusion.

 

[s.hadley81]

It seems a bit steep to me for a boat with basically no interior. With that said it looks like someone replaced the carpet, more than likely due to the floors being rotted. I would make sure that if the floors were replaced that it was done right and not new wood just layed over the old rotted floor and also your gonna wanna check that transom for rot. Have a look at the sticky labeled buyers checklist that will help you a lot. Good luck

 

[Kwfowler23]

Good compression on motor?Glass is easily fixed.90 or 120hp?I didn't notice.Solid floor and transom?Check lower also for water intrusion.

He stated it's actually 150hp. I will go inside the fence for a better look tomorrow.

 

[Kwfowler23]

It seems a bit steep to me for a boat with basically no interior. With that said it looks like someone replaced the carpet, more than likely due to the floors being rotted. I would make sure that if the floors were replaced that it was done right and not new wood just layed over the old rotted floor and also your gonna wanna check that transom for rot. Have a look at the sticky labeled buyers checklist that will help you a lot. Good luck

The open floor is kind of a plus for me considering I have a big dog I am going to be sharing it with. Very good point on the carpet. I definitely will open all the compartments and check them out. I'll take a rubber mallet to check the transom. I think it is a little too steep but he seems firm. I will have more details tomorrow. Thank you for the advice! I actually am going to print the check list off and take it with me. my problem is just knowing what the imperfections or flaws do to the actual price and reliability.

 

[GA_Boater]

Welcome aboard.

Is this boat in Georgia? You absolutely need registration numbers on the hull and that holds true for any state - Title state or not.

Ask why the boat has no numbers, the number is for life as long as it stays in Georgia. You should run the HIN through the DNR.

 

[Heneedsummeelk]

Youd look good in a boat *wink

 

[Kwfowler23]

Welcome aboard.

Is this boat in Georgia? You absolutely need registration numbers on the hull and that holds true for any state - Title state or not.

Ask why the boat has no numbers, the number is for life as long as it stays in Georgia. You should run the HIN through the DNR.

Yes, I'm in Georgia. I will run the numbers through. That is something that I wouldn't have done. That's why I am here. Thanks! I was told the bill of sale and the HIN is all I would need to get it registered.

 

[s.hadley81]

The open floor is kind of a plus for me considering I have a big dog I am going to be sharing it with. Very good point on the carpet. I definitely will open all the compartments and check them out. I'll take a rubber mallet to check the transom. I think it is a little too steep but he seems firm. I will have more details tomorrow. Thank you for the advice! I actually am going to print the check list off and take it with me. my problem is just knowing what the imperfections or flaws do to the actual price and reliability.

Sounds like you got a pretty good plan. Whenever I sell something I won't entertain any offers unless the person is in front of me with cash so maybe he'll bargain with you with cash in hand. As far as the scratches I wouldn't worry too much if they're just minor because more than likely your gonna scratch it here and there so it's a head start. The one thing I would look at is that mark on the lower unit above the drain plug it almost looks like a crack or something but it could just be oil it's tough to tell from the pic. One thing I learned with boats is there is a lot out there so don't fall in love with the first one you see. It helps to look at a few sometimes you see an option or layout on one boat that the others don't have that would be beneficial to your style of boating. One last thing I suggest is when you do go look at it is to take as many pics as possible, take pics inside lockers, motorwell,bilge and so on and then post them back here. The more pics Will help get better feedback from everyone. Good luck and you came to the right place there are a ton of knowledgeable people on here.

 

[R055]

Hard to see from the pick but is the lower unit cracked? If yes then punch the guy for trying to sell you that boat and run away.

 

[s.hadley81]

Hard to see from the pick but is the lower unit cracked? If yes then punch the guy for trying to sell you that boat and run away.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who saw that ! It sure does look like a crack with oil leaking out ! If that's a crack and the guy didn't mention it than that's just wrong and good move by the OP to post pics and ask for opinions first.

 

[Scott Danforth]

speedometer pitot tube is missing
new carpet is a warning sign
no reg numbers is a warning sign
lower unit gear lub on outside of motor is a warning sign

this may be a $1500 diamond in the rough boat, or it is a money pit. use your phone camera to look under the deck where you can. if you simply see plywood screwed to the old floor and covered with new carpet, then pass.

 

[ezmobee]

I'd want to check out that lower unit as mentioned. Otherwise probably pretty tough to get financially hurt on this one as the trailer looks mint so there's $2k worth of stuff there even if there's some issues. I agree that new carpet could be a warning sign. However, boat with metal flake paint jobs like that one tend to chalk up QUICK if left uncovered and neglected outside the this one still looks pretty so maybe it was just work out carpet replacement.

 

[Baylinerchuck]

Like everyone else said, that lower on the Johnson motor is a bit scary. If it is a crack, run forest run!