Advice for first boat purchase

[GKing74]

I've found what seems to be a very solid 1978 Yarcraft with a 105hp Chrysler. It has 4 seats but a huge open area between the front and back seats. I'm 230lbs and no give in the floors. I couldn't get any wiggle out of the transom either. Anybody familiar with these? The price is pretty good, $1800. I'm a total newbie so any and all advice is appreciated!

 

[JoLin]

Re: Advice for first boat purchase

I wouldn't buy one with a Chrysler on it. Chrysler left the outboard market in the 1970's and sold their tooling to Bayliner, who then built them under their 'Force' division and brand. Force is gone, too. I'd be concerned with finding parts.

My .02

 

[aspeck]

Re: Advice for first boat purchase

I agree about the motor, but if the floor and transom are solid, and it is a boat that you like, then you can always look at it as spending the $1800 for a solid boat with a disposable engine. Just start saving for the new (or used) engine when something goes wrong with the Chrysler. You know, the old, "Pay me know, or pay me later ..."

But if the engine is running and the boat is solid ...

 

[GKing74]

Re: Advice for first boat purchase

I know what you're saying on the motor. It's running just fine now. Parts may be hard to come by in the future. I'm more curious about the boat. I've had a lot of people say watch out for 80's Bayliners and hull issues. I've looked at several Bayliners and standing in the middle I can feel the floor flex underfoot. Totally scares me away from them. Didn't know if there were similar misgivings about certain years of these. I honestly hadn't heard of YarCraft before coming across this one. It's a deep V hull and the trailer has rollers instead of pads. The seating arrangement seems a bit curious. There's two up front, a huge empty space, and then two by the motor. Thanks in advance for the advice.

 

[sYnOnYx]

Re: Advice for first boat purchase

Your going to want to purchase something that parts are cheap and easy to come by for the motor & outdrive. Due to my thousand dollar mistake this year on buying something with an OMC, I would highly recommend getting something with a Mercruiser. It seems pretty easy to comeby parts for them and mechanics know them very well.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Advice for first boat purchase

I agree about the motor, but if the floor and transom are solid, and it is a boat that you like, then you can always look at it as spending the $1800 for a solid boat with a disposable engine. Just start saving for the new (or used) engine when something goes wrong with the Chrysler. You know, the old, "Pay me know, or pay me later ..."

But if the engine is running and the boat is solid ...

To each his own, of course, but I've never really understood that logic. It always assumes that the currently good running motor won't break until 'someday' when the OP is prepared to replace it. And what if that 'made of unobtainium' Chrysler part breaks on the second outing instead? I wouldn't buy it unless I was already prepared to replace the motor and sell off the Chrysler while it's still running.

My .02

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Advice for first boat purchase

$1800 is too much money for an old fiberglass boat (probably a tri-hull) with an obsolete motor.

 

[etracer68]

Re: Advice for first boat purchase

I would say yours is a deep-v-tri-hull, the company is still in business, in WI. Try this site www.yarcraft.com

There are still alot of them around the MI and WI area. I have a 1987 Fish&Ski, and its a good solid boat, with a deep-v (not tri-hull). There is some other info on Yar-Craft, here on IBoats too. In my opinon 1,800 is to much, for a boat of that vintage, with that motor. They go for about 750 - 1000 around here.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Advice for first boat purchase

Do some more looking for a later model boat and motor, especially since you're new to boating and repairs/maintenance(are there will be repairs and maintenance), to boat/motor could be a challenge for you. Try to find a boat that's been used in just fresh water. Take your time, lots of boats around and the longer you look, the more you'll learn and know before you put your $$$ down. Good Luck!

 

[emoney]

Re: Advice for first boat purchase

I would definitely keep shopping. I've owned an old Chrysler before, and while it was a real breeze to work on, the electrical parts are all obsolute, which means very, very expensive if you can find what you're looking for. The coils alone on my 50hp, which it needed both, would've totalled around $450.00 for just the parts. Lower units are in the same category, I'd imagine. For $1800.00, I'd imagine you could find something with an older Evinrude or Mercruiser outboard. Those parts are still readily available in your area, I'd think. Of course, I know nothing of your "market", so things may be different, but around these parts, it's still a buyer's market.