Help! Too good to be true?

[ryanr623]

1988 imperial 200 cuddy cabin http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/boa/1640406463.html

I ran across this boat on craigslist, and have been emailing back and forth with this guy. I remember the boat being on craigslist last year, and he verified he bought it from the guy... WHO TOOK HIM FOR A TEST DRIVE... after he bought it, his wife got pregnant and he let it sit all winter. It has a closed cooling system, volvo penta drive. Do those need to be winterized? The guy he bought it from said no since it uses coolant which wont freeze.

Anyways, before he learned his wife was pregnant he removed the seats, because they were trashed, so it has no seats. He verified that it starts up and runs and shifts fine.

I remember the guy he bought it from was asking 1800 for this boat, but i didnt ask what he wound up paying.

The new buyer has it on craigslist for $800 and said he would take 500 cash!!!!! Fishy? Or someone who needs money? Thing is, the pictures make it look nice actually.

Anyways what should i look for when i go out... besides the transom and floor rot? as long as the engine runs.... would you jump on it or not? He also said there was ice in the bilge, but it isnt touching the engine.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Help! Too good to be true?

Depends on if it needs a full deck/stringer/transom job or not. I think there are still parts of a closed cooling motor that need to be winterized (manifolds or something?) although your chances of damage are probably less, they are still there. For $500 it's certainly worth checking out.

 

[ryanr623]

Re: Help! Too good to be true?

Depends on if it needs a full deck/stringer/transom job or not. I think there are still parts of a closed cooling motor that need to be winterized (manifolds or something?) although your chances of damage are probably less, they are still there. For $500 it's certainly worth checking out.

Thats what i figured. He stated that he went out and started it up and had to keep giving it gas or it would stall out, and that he shut it off quickly because he didnt wanna run it dry. Im assuming this is because of the old gas or the carb needs adjusted.

How are the late 80's closed cooling volvo pentas anyways?

 

[RWilson2526]

Re: Help! Too good to be true?

"he didnt want to run it dry"

or he didnt want to run it dry any longer than he already has. if he's been running it at all without water to it with muffs you may need a new impellar...not expensive if you do it yourself.

I would agree with Ezmobee, if everything is sound for $500 bucks its worth a look....unless you are going to take it for a test drive though I would keep another $1000 in the back of my mind for the what ifs. another few hundred for new seats, carpets, fun stuff and it will be a $2500 boat which still isnt bad.

If it turns out you get totally screwed you could probably part out the trailer and motor parts and get your $500 back.

 

[ddrieck]

Re: Help! Too good to be true?

If I was a whole bunch closer I would jump all over it. Just runnin the numbers in my head all the parts on that boat could bring $1500.00 + on ebay. Spring is coming fast and people are starting to look for good used parts.

Myself, I would buy it and part it out...oh and the local landfill here only charges $23.00 a ton for fiberglass boat disposal.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Help! Too good to be true?

I don't know about too good to be true. Looks like a LOT of work and money can get put into that boat.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Help! Too good to be true?

definately not too good to be true but MIGHT be worthwhile.... the only thing that ddoes not need winterized on a boat with closed cooling is the water jackets of the engine.... the exhaust manifolds, risers, engine heat exchanger, power steering heat exchanger and water supply hose need drained.... check out the price on the above parts and you'll see that if they are cracked this could be several thousand dollars before you even get into the boat interior.... if you shop around you can find a boat like that for under $2000 ready to go.... Alot also depends on how handy you are... If you look at my build thread on my wellcraft the work I have done although all fairly straight forward would cost a fortune if parts were purchased new and another fortune to hire someone to do it.....
My boat is a really good deal for me but if I wasn't able to do it myself it would have already exceded it's value with expenses

This boat could be a decent buy for you but you need to do some real research on the cost..... also I would ask to hook up to water and run it for at least half an hour.... even buy a 6 gallon gas tank and some fuel hose to run it at his place.... if you find that it is junk you will have spent under $50 to find out instead of $500

This doesn't cover the structure or interior so look into that too..... when you go look at it wear old clothes and plan to get a little dirty... take a screwdriver or two and maybe a pair of pliers... you can likely pull a hatch or access panel to look behind it..... Many people selling stuff really don't have a clue and as long as you don't damage their boat will let you look at it in great depth...

Even after all that it is a gamble but at least you can hedge your bet a little