Advice on purchase of a 1975 22' Super Sport with I/O 165 merc

[bouncefactor]

My son and i are looking at buying a 22' Super Sport with the merc straight 6 engine and I believe is the MC-1 outdrive I only saw the mercruiser outdrive stickers on it. The original owner has passed and his 63 yo son(who is a retired auto mechanic) is not into boating(his 2 deceased brothers and father were the fisherman he said he has been on the boat maybe 10 times in his life) and is settling the estate.

The boat has always been stored inside and has not been on the water in awhile(years). Supposedly has been started yearly on muffs. Floors and transom are rock solid. Has original interior in fair to good condition(no rot,has sagging cushion(driver seat) some small tears and staining/fading, side panels are in similiar shape but with a re-dye would be near perfect. Hull has 2 very minor dents that you can hardly see. Rivets all look good as does the paint. Mechanically all appears good(just on the trailer though), steering is smooth, prop locks up when put in rev and neutral, oil is dirty but not mixing fluids. Seller is willing to get a new battery for it and get it running if we decide that we definitely want it(contigent on it running good and passing compression test). A water test is not really practical(yes I know testing on water is like number 1 rule on buying boat just not in the cards on this one).

Trailer is same year as boat in good shape with just some surface rust in a few spots, no brakes single axle with 75 vintage tires that are not dry rotted(I still am planning on having to change them as they probably are flat spotted) does have bearing buddys not sure if lights work.......................................OK my questions after this long winded post............. What is the boat worth? I can buy it for mid 3s. Second question My son and I are big starcraft fans and have been wanting a vintage one for some time but I was looking more for a 18 foot he loves this titanic sized starcraft. I am concerned with the size in launching it, towing it(tow vehicle is an 89 dodge 1/2 ton pickup with 318 boat weight is well within towing capacity just the length is my concern). Are 22' boats that much more of a hassle than an 18 footer?

Any advice or opinions would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[MikDee]

Re: Advice on purchase of a 1975 22' Super Sport with I/O 165 merc

Remember Boats are - Break Out Another Thousand! But, it does sound like it's in good shape. Get it if you choose to, and don't worry about the size (the bigger, the better!) lol It will handle like a big kidde car.Eventually, you'll be glad you got a bigger boat. My last boat was my biggest, coming from a 16', to an 18', 19, 20', 22',& a 24' Searay cuddy (my Fav!). That "stovebolt six" is a great motor too.

 

[1973Chieftain]

Re: Advice on purchase of a 1975 22' Super Sport with I/O 165 merc

It sounds like a reasonable price for a water ready boat. Go bigger, you will never look back! I got an 18' but immediately wanted bigger and so bought a 24'. From towing both, there's little difference and I doubt you would feel any difference either.

 

[pckeen]

Re: Advice on purchase of a 1975 22' Super Sport with I/O 165 merc

If that boat is water ready, and mechanically sound, then 3k is OK. The big hesitation is not knowing whether it is water tight.

 

[r.j.dawg]

Re: Advice on purchase of a 1975 22' Super Sport with I/O 165 merc

I'm not sure where you are or how important this is, but you haven't mentioned if the Title/Registration is available. Without it, in many states, you won't be able to register it in your name.

 

[bouncefactor]

Re: Advice on purchase of a 1975 22' Super Sport with I/O 165 merc

thanks for responses. He wont sell it for 3k(was originally asking 5000) probably 3400 with new battery is best we can get it for. He says he has paperwork for boat and trailer and POA paperwork so that shouldnt be a problem. I am concerned with outdrive condition(assuming bellows are bad(worried all the seals have dried up also)) . One thing I did not mention is that he has all the original canvas, zip in windows(that look almost new not hazy or scratched). I really wish we could get it in the water.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Advice on purchase of a 1975 22' Super Sport with I/O 165 merc

I know you said years, but how long has it been sitting? Lack of use causes a multitude of problems that don't show up until you put her on the water. Where are you located, which affects price? Unless it is truly exceptional, 3.5K is a lot for a 39 year old boat, even a Starcraft. Pictures would help putting a value on her. IMHO

 

[bouncefactor]

Re: Advice on purchase of a 1975 22' Super Sport with I/O 165 merc

we are in western ny. Boats last registration sticker is 2005. Stored in guys "toy" building which also houses a "show" Peterbilt Tractor trailer truck and show trailer along with 2 car lifts a couple back hoes,bulldozer snowmobiles and other toys(a dream workshop immaculately clean) no rodents or other infestation all concrete floor. We should have taken pics. We will on Saturday when we go to see it run. If it runs good and has good compression we are going to buy it I think.

 

[64osby]

Re: Advice on purchase of a 1975 22' Super Sport with I/O 165 merc

At 3K for a splash ready boat it sounds like a great deal.

There are not many here that have been able pull that off.

Hope all checks out and the deal goes your way.

Welcome to the site and the Starmada (hopefully)!

 

[SigSaurP229]

Re: Advice on purchase of a 1975 22' Super Sport with I/O 165 merc

thanks for responses. He wont sell it for 3k(was originally asking 5000) probably 3400 with new battery is best we can get it for. He says he has paperwork for boat and trailer and POA paperwork so that shouldnt be a problem. I am concerned with outdrive condition(assuming bellows are bad(worried all the seals have dried up also)) . One thing I did not mention is that he has all the original canvas, zip in windows(that look almost new not hazy or scratched). I really wish we could get it in the water.

Pics would help alot.

22 foot SS are pretty rare and if the condition is right then it doesn't sound like a bad deal, not a super deal but a fair deal all around.

 

[bouncefactor]

Re: Advice on purchase of a 1975 22' Super Sport with I/O 165 merc

Well today went terribly wrong. The owner of the boat called friday night and said he got a battery and everything is set. We went with deposit money for the agreed upon asking price of 3400 with a new battery as long as it ran well. We got there and seller was strangely silent as we hooked it up(real talkative when we looked at it). Fired it up and it ran flawlessly. Then the other shoe dropped. He said I know we agreed upon 3400 with it running but I bought the battery and I will "eat that"(like we agreed upon). However i had to buy an fbomb fuel pump and fing solenoids for trim and starter. I need 3700 for it now. We just walked saying that was not agreed upon price and we still need to replace bellows and do a waterpump(preventive). We were so disappointed(and pretty ticked off). He couldn't mention price change on phone we drive nearly an hour each way. What is even sadder is we ended up buying a glasser a real nice condition 19 foot sea ray for 3 grand just not the starcraft we really wanted.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Advice on purchase of a 1975 22' Super Sport with I/O 165 merc

Sorry, bounce. Sometimes the ball doesn't bounce just right.

 

[pckeen]

Re: Advice on purchase of a 1975 22' Super Sport with I/O 165 merc

Well congrats on the boat you did buy. You made the right call. By my count, that was five separate repairs/maintenance things to do before you got the boat in the water. $3400 would have been OK for a water ready boat, but this wasnt.....and I wonder what would have happened when it hit the water.

 

[JD in Milwaukee]

I love my 22. I converted a 22' Islander into a center console that I bought for a grand. Deals are out there if you're willing to look and put some elbow grease in.