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

[Tnstratofam]

That lower unit is cracked. If you zoom in you can see the big chunk missing where the oil is leaking. There are more bad things hidding below deck and hidden in the transom. I'd be surprised if this hasn't had a deck over and a quick wet sanding/polish to get the gel coat freshened up.

My opinion RUN AWAY from this money pit!

I speak from experience having paid $2500 for a rotten ski boat.

 

[Kwfowler23]

This is the reason i came here. I don't know if something's missing so i rely on you guys. It does look like oil has came out i could not see a crack but i definitely will take better pics today and update. I was attracted to the look but if it's not functional then I'd rather walk away.

 

[Tnstratofam]

By "Lower Unit" we mean the lower section of the outboard motor. The lower unit holds the gear set and prop. If you look in the picture you will see gear oil leaking down the side.

The picture you show in your last post is of the lower end of the transom showing the drain holes. Just for clarification.

 

[Kwfowler23]

Oh wow. Totallyy missed that. So thats pretty much a deal breaker? I circled two other concerns. Both holes are drain holes?

 

[wrvond]

No Title

I don't think the lower unit is cracked, though something is wrong somewhere. You can see oil on the ground directly under the drive when it is vertical. Also, I see two drips of oil hanging from the cavitation plate above the lower unit.

 

[Kwfowler23]

Do they sell lower units assembled? I just looked at an exploded view of a lower unit and threw up in my mouth a little. Hypothetically if I can talk him down between 1500 and 1700 i'd be willing to put a couple hundred into it including labor if it's not too hairy.

 

[Kwfowler23]

I don't think the lower unit is cracked, though something is wrong somewhere. You can see oil on the ground directly under the drive when it is vertical. Also, I see two drips of oil hanging from the cavitation plate above the lower unit.

You have a point. My feet are getting colder. If the motor is troubled then heck-wit-it.

 

[Kwfowler23]

Keep in mind that it is sitting at a forklift maintenance repair shop.

 

[wrvond]

Do they sell lower units assembled? I just looked at an exploded view of a lower unit and threw up in my mouth a little. Hypothetically if I can talk him down between 1500 and 1700 i'd be willing to put a couple hundred into it including labor if it's not too hairy.

A couple hundred wouldn't cover labor. Most shops charge $100.00 per hour for labor.
I'm not convinced it's the lower unit that's leaking the oil. You're going to have to follow the drip back to identify the source. On the upside, the motor is white and reasonably clean, which should make finding the source of the leak a bit easier.

 

[Tnstratofam]

The broken plastic piece on the right is for the speedometer pitot tube as Scott mentioned above. Thats an easy fix.

One drain hole " The Lowest " should be the main bilge drain. The oil or gas stains are somewhat normal. The other drain hole is probably to a livewell. They both seem okay.

The lower unit could be a pricey fix. I don't know how much one for that model Johnson motor will cost, but if that housing is damaged as bad as I tink you probably won't be able to fix it. You would have to replace it.

I replaced the lower unit on my 75hp Chrysler when I bought it. I knew it was damaged ahead of time. It cost me $450 3 years ago, but it was the only one I could find within 2 hours of me and I bought it from a marina mechanic I knew personally and he serviced it ( Pressure tested and new gear oil ) before I bought it.

All the things being pointed out are fixable, but it could cost a few thousand dollars and allot of hard work. It really all depends on how much you like this boat, and how cheap you can get it. I personally wouldn't pay $1500 for it even if the trailer holds some value. I'm not a trailer dealer so not interested in trying to resell one after I find out the boat it carries is rotten.

 

[Kwfowler23]

No Title

But that's a little too coincidental.

 

[Tnstratofam]

A much more thorough investigation is needed. Trying to decipher from pics what could be damaged is difficult.

 

[Kwfowler23]

A much more thorough investigation is needed. Trying to decipher from pics what could be damaged is difficult.

Understood, I really appreciate the feedback though. Now I can go there knowing way more than I originally did. Might even show him something he didn't know about (Yeah right). I will get more pics and search that oil leak and will definitely be back here for more feedback.

 

[gm280]

Besides the engine issues, the drain area on the stepped transom doesn't look to have a fitting on one hole. What's up with that?

Question you should be asking yourself, am I mechanically inclined enough to work on this engine. And do I know enough to repair any hull problems should I find any? If you can truly answer those two question with YES, then go for it. But understand when you buy a USED boat, looks are so many time deceiving. Looks are important, but the issues under the floor, the transom, the engine and everything else has to be evaluated. And just for the record, hardly anybody buys a $2000-ish boat without something wrong. It just doesn't happen that way. If you do plan on purchasing this boat after investigating the HID and registration numbers and it comes back clean, then understand you will start learning about boats really fast. You can't own one without learning about their upkeep efforts.

If you seriously like the boat, and it seems you do, then do the homework and think it through and understand there will be things you will have to repair. Unless you buy NEW, there is always something to repair. JMHO

I have to admit, it does have some nice lines though.

 

[WIMUSKY]

Have you read this yet?
http://forums.iboats.com/forum/gene...eeding-help-buying-a-boat-a-buyer-s-checklist

I sold a boat and took the reg numbers off. But it went to a different state. He maybe took them off so the boat wouldn't be tied to him after he sold it. At least that might have been his thought process. Shouldn't be an issue getting new numbers.

On the surface, it looks like the motor is your biggest potential issue. Figure out the leak. Run thru the buyers checklist. If he's asking $2500 he'll sell for less........ Most sellers pad the price for negotiating.....

 

[oldjeep]

Looks like the boat has been polished up, likely took the reg numbers off to do that especially if it had those ugly mailbox numbers that some people use.

 

[Kwfowler23]

Have you read this yet?
http://forums.iboats.com/forum/gene...eeding-help-buying-a-boat-a-buyer-s-checklist

I sold a boat and took the reg numbers off. But it went to a different state. He maybe took them off so the boat wouldn't be tied to him after he sold it. At least that might have been his thought process. Shouldn't be an issue getting new numbers.

On the surface, it looks like the motor is your biggest potential issue. Figure out the leak. Run thru the buyers checklist. If he's asking $2500 he'll sell for less........ Most sellers pad the price for negotiating.....

I have and I have it printed off. Yeah, it seems as if the motor is my main focus at this point. I like to consider myself mechanically inclined but the terminology is foreign and I've never touched a boat motor so I don't want to push it. I will hopefully be there this afternoon and I will post a more extensive investigation tonight. I have money to use but I don't have money to waste. As gm280 said, it has nice lines and i'm a sucker for looks. I honestly think the carpet is original. Being over 25 years old the decals and paint are in good shape so I assume it's been sheltered.

 

[82rude]

Do you have a friend maybe that has good knowledge about boats?Do your homework carefully and don't let excitement get the better of you.A reman lower unit could cost 1500 and up if that's a 150hp.Or it could be something as simple as a missing crushwasher on the lower gearlube screw.Due diligence is the byeword here.Personally I wouldn't even think about fixing the speedo.Useless lying piece of junk they are.If you want an accurate speed use a phone ,handheld or mounted gps/fishfinder.

 

[Scott Danforth]

based on the picture, the transom clamp has also been repainted with a rattle can and not proper taping off.

the hull could simply have been buffed to clean it up hence the missing reg numbers

in this picture, the stripe looks like a rattle-can black repaint. the carpet has a unique seam athwartships behind the ski locker and again about 18" aft (as if there is a patch on the floor)

I revise my statement from prior. this is a $300 trailer with a money-pit sitting on it. simply walk away.

 

[oldjeep]

the carpet has a unique seam athwartships behind the ski locker and again about 18" aft (as if there is a patch on the floor)

Looks like a panel that can be pulled in the floor - likely hinged judging by the shape of the back line which has 2 protrusions.