Good Boat???

[Martman]

Hi im new here and I am looking at getting back into boating after a few years off.
First of all I live in western canada so our season is May to Mid september so I do not want to spend a fortune on a boat. Our boats cost more up here new so used ones are also worth more.
I am looking at buying a used 1984 16' swiftsure open bow deep V, with 1988 Mariner 75 HP. The dealer is asking $5900 with trailer. The unit is in average to good shape.
Is a swiftsure a good boat little info on net, and is the Mariner 75 HP a good engine and how fast should it move this boat with 3-4 people.
Also how good or bad will fuel consumption be with this unit.
Thanks alot.

 

[SeanT]

Re: Good Boat???

Canadian prices are completely out of what with what you see in the lower-mid US. That price doesn't sound terrible if what you describe is in good shape and there's no leaks, etc. But someone from Tampa could walk into this thread and have a heart attack at $5900.

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Good Boat???

Welcome to the forum, and good luck at getting back on the water. That seems like a high price to pay for a 25 yr. old 16 footer. We have no pics. to comment further but considering it is late in the season and the age, I would do some serious looking around. Check Kijiji and Craigslist for your area to get some comparison.

 

[4JawChuck]

Re: Good Boat???

I live in Manitoba and the price seems fair...of course without pictures and running condition info it is really hard to say. If you are able to take it out on the water to test it out and see it run and start from cold and the transom is sound (very important!) I would say its a good deal. Just remember in September there will be lots of boats for sale and with the popularity of Bowriders you might find a better deal.

The 1987 Tuffy I bought last year was a similar deal ($5000) but a private sale near Dryden Ontario, it sat all summer long and I went in and bought the boat at the end of August for $2900, I traded in the 87 Yamaha 50HP motor and got a 2003 Merc 90HP in excellent condition for $1900 more. The newer motor is 10 times quieter and uses less fuel at the same speed as the Yamaha and at WOT gets there twice as fast with the same fuel consumption. You may not be satisifed with only 75 HP in your boat...I find a lot of people underpower the boat and there are a lot of fuel consumption advantages to running a bigger motor at lower rpm to get the same speed.

As for speed I would guess around 35-37 mph GPS for your boat with a load, you need 150Hp or more to get over 45 MPH with a heavy bowrider. Start with the transom inspection and bottom end oil check, if it starts well on the muffs a trip on the water would be the next step...electrical problems are usually the biggest problem with older boats. If your not electrically and mechanically inclined I would suggest you look at a newer boat/motor combination.

Post some pics if you can!