How's this boat ?--EDIT, BOUGHT !

[Plasma George]

I posted last week a 1990 Bayliner Capri "L DRIVE" that everyone told me to run away from.....well, here's a local boat to me.
EBAY ID "170366036107".

It's a couple years older, with a Mercruiser outdrive that I know nothing about. I like how this boat seems to come with everything I need, and ready to go in the water. (which is nice considering football season and school is starting soon, so my boating chances are fading as the Summer is closing out).

Please tell me what you think !

 

[ezmobee]

Re: How's this boat ?

Re: How's this boat ?

I would buy that boat NOW. Immaculate.

 

[ziggy]

Re: How's this boat ?

Re: How's this boat ?

that looks like a respectable boat. common engine, common drive, reputable boat.
only thing i'd think is to check the boat for rot the best you can. rot juice stain dripping from the drain hole. all screws in the transom attached firmly with no stains running down from the screws.

looks like a fun boat to me... maybe a little underpowered, but on a 17' boat, a 3.0 might be just fine. respectable fuel consumption too..... looks like an alpha1 drive to me... that's just the ticket. every place has parts and works on alpha1's..

one thing for sure. don't believe the seller when he's selling you his boat. the seller has motivation to lie. and don't buy it w/o a sea trial if at all possible.. if no sea trial is available, to me, that'd be a deal breaker as i'd be suspicious of why i couldn't have one..

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: How's this boat ?

Re: How's this boat ?

That is a really nice looking 21 year old boat, the interior shows how it was taken care of.
Even the seller seems honest.

 

[fishingdan]

Re: How's this boat ?

Re: How's this boat ?

Looks like a good boat at a decent price. The seller also provided a lot of good info. I'm guessing he simply wants what he paid for it a year ago.

See if you can get a test drive. Bring $3000 cash and enjoy the remainder of the summer.

 

[billsnogo]

Re: How's this boat ?

Re: How's this boat ?

Sure looks like it was well taken care of. Me likey

 

[Plasma George]

Re: How's this boat ?

Re: How's this boat ?

Man I gotta say, this is the nicest forum. Fast responses, with honesty and integrity, no flamers/trollers. What's funny is how unanimous it was about DON'T BUY THE L DRIVE, and now it's unanimous that this is a solid boat.
One of the most frustrating things about reading/learning from the internet is getting opinions for and against....which further confuses the situation.

So I'm pretty sold on what you fella's are saying, and I called the owner and setup a sea trial for tomorrow !....15 minutes form my house. Funny thing, we just bought a 2008 Pathfinder for my wife to drive (traded in her Altima), and 2 days later I may be pulling my first boat.

I asked him, if I come with $3000 will you sell it...he asked me for $3200 since he put $1000 into it over the $3200 he bought it for a year ago. (he bought it from the original owner). I told him I'll bring a check for $3200....I want him to happily sell me the boat, give me any extras, teach me how to launch/ and reload, etc. I said I have to goto Pepboys for the ball hitch for the Pathfinder, he said he'll include that. He explained he was a first time owner last year, so he understands where I'm coming from, and he'll take the time to teach me everything I know. Since we both will know where each other lives, I think he wants me to be happy about it.

So my younger brother is going to go with me, so I'll have his ears and eyes on the process too.

I gotta say I'm excited ! If anyone has any last minute pointers,....we're meeting up tomorrow around 3PM, so I'll read up.

He explained he put in a new vobration stabilizer??? that helps smooth out the point while running ?
He said the floor is super solid, and he gets comments on how nice a condition a boat of this age is. Seemed like a very honest guy to do business with.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: How's this boat ?

Re: How's this boat ?

Sounds AWESOME. Good luck with it. Let me know if you get it and want to drag it a little bit east sometime

 

[Plasma George]

Re: How's this boat ?

Re: How's this boat ?

Sounds AWESOME. Good luck with it. Let me know if you get it and want to drag it a little bit east sometime

I think you mean west....I'm in Limerick/Collegeville. We're launching in the Schuykill River in Phoenixville.

I'll post what happened. Thanks for your help and guidance. If I buy it, I'm sure I'll be a frequent poster here. (when I'm not posting on my Fantasy Football board)

Nothing quick last minute for me to go over ?

 

[Plasma George]

Re: How's this boat ?--EDIT, BOUGHT !

FIRST, thanks to the guys who were nice enough to take there time and advise me against teh L DRIVE, and buy this Chaparral as my first boat. I'm super excited, and have a ton of questions. Not real sure where to post them so I'll do it here.

I scrubbed the vinyl seats/padding with a good cleaner and scrubbie pad to really restore the white/red/gray color. Then I polished the exterior with a orbital buffer and polishing compound. It didn't get the oxidation out towards the rear....now what ?

I installed an AM/FM/CD with aux input. A great upgrade that brings a 1988 to more current. I want to buy a pair of bigger speakers (8" or so) for the rears....mount them under the very back seats on either side of the engine. (on the vertical portion thats carpetted). Do I need to buy Marine speakers....or can any do ? Obviously a nice grill will be needed !

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: How's this boat ?--EDIT, BOUGHT !

I would go with marine speakers. Car speakers do not hold up much at all if they do get wet..

Congrats on the new boat!!

 

[SeanT]

Re: How's this boat ?--EDIT, BOUGHT !

Car speakers tend (not always, but tend) to have paper components. But the thing is, unless the speakers are right on the gunwhal where people are climbing, or some other location that is easy to get wet, I would value price over type. My boat has 6x9's mounted such that if they are getting wet, I have bigger problems than buying new speakers!

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: How's this boat ?--EDIT, BOUGHT !

I have some Infinity outdoor speakers in my boat.
They sound great and can be dunked in water with no ill affects.
Actually they are speakers for outside patios or decks but worked great in the boat.Fit perfect in the gunnels.
I agree though if you mount them in a location they don't get wet auto speakers will last for a few years.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: How's this boat ?--EDIT, BOUGHT !

Congrats! When's the first splash?