Looking at a 1971 Fleetwing

[ptbrakefield]

I've done my research and I know that FishtheTide had a response back in 2013 to a question about the history of Fleetwing boats. He said that "in the 70's" they started making better boats with more fiberglass and less wood and were thought to be much better boats.

I'm looking at one here in Alabama that a guy has listed, with a running 65 Johnson and good trailer, for $600. Can I expect a 71, being a really EARLY 70's Fleetwing, to be one of the better manufactured ones? I love the styling, it comes with a bimini top, and he includes pics of it in the water. It needs a shifter cable, which I don't think I'm overly concerned with.

Thoughts on the boat itself?

I understand fairly well what to look for with the engine. I'll take my compression tester and some tools to look at the lube in the lower half for water.

Thanks for any responses,

Paul in Alabama

 

[wahlejim]

Paul, you can have the best boat ever built in the world, but at 46 years old, if it wasn't maintained properly it is a hunk of junk. Condition is key when purchasing a used boat. There is a buyers checklist at the top of the forum that comes in handy for new buyers.

Check for soft spots in the flooring (it is rarely just the floor failing, the rot is coming from underneath) and bounce on the motor a couple of times to check for flex in the transom. It should have none.

With that old of a boat, you are going to struggle to find manuals for anything, so fixing anything but motor related issues will be "custom".

At $600, it could be a decent buy if everything checks out. If there is any rot in the boat, I would run unless you are looking for one heck of a project. Take a look through the restoration forums for an idea of what you may be getting into.

Some on the forum recommend a surveyor, but not for a $600 boat. I have personally never used one.

The one thing that I would personally insist on is a water trial. These can often be arranged after a deal has been made, contingent on the boat performing as promised.

Also make sure he has all of the paperwork in order. Don't buy if he doesn't have the title.

Bottom line, if it has been maintained properly, shows no signs of rot, performs well on the water, and you like it at the price point, go for it!

 

[ptbrakefield]

Paul, you can have the best boat ever built in the world, but at 46 years old, if it wasn't maintained properly it is a hunk of junk. Condition is key when purchasing a used boat. There is a buyers checklist at the top of the forum that comes in handy for new buyers.

Check for soft spots in the flooring (it is rarely just the floor failing, the rot is coming from underneath) and bounce on the motor a couple of times to check for flex in the transom. It should have none.

With that old of a boat, you are going to struggle to find manuals for anything, so fixing anything but motor related issues will be "custom".

At $600, it could be a decent buy if everything checks out. If there is any rot in the boat, I would run unless you are looking for one heck of a project. Take a look through the restoration forums for an idea of what you may be getting into.

Some on the forum recommend a surveyor, but not for a $600 boat. I have personally never used one.

The one thing that I would personally insist on is a water trial. These can often be arranged after a deal has been made, contingent on the boat performing as promised.

Also make sure he has all of the paperwork in order. Don't buy if he doesn't have the title.

Bottom line, if it has been maintained properly, shows no signs of rot, performs well on the water, and you like it at the price point, go for it!

Nice response... thanks! I'll do all of the above. I just love the styling of the 70's Tri-hull boats from many of the manufacturers.

 

[wahlejim]

I know the feeling. I grew up skiing and tubing behind a 1974 Sea Sprite Tri-hull with a 115 Johnson outboard. Loved that boat! Dad totalled it out with the insurance company after the hull cracked on a sandbar on the Mississippi. Insurance totalled it out at $2200 in 2004. Bought brand new with trailer in 1974 for $1900. He kept track of all of the receipts for replacement, non-PM parts. Spent $1200 over 30 years, including a custom cover replacement in 1988. My how times have changed.

 

[ptbrakefield]

The guy with the Fleetwing just messaged me that I can have it for $500... he originally had it for $1000 and put in his original ad that he needed the money to repair his wife's car and was pretty desperate to sell. Either the right person hasn't looked at it or it's a piece of junk. It's just far enough away that I can't run up there really quickly to look at it. Plus, I'm not one to buy in a hurry. I really don't think it's junk... I just think it's not everyone's cup of tea. For $500 you just about can't go wrong. Trailer and motor would be worth that you would think, plus other parts off the boat that are hard to find for someone restoring, etc.

I'm also looking at a 1978 Arrow Glass with a 90 Mercury... it's quite a bit more, but it might be a better buy. It doesn't have the canopy like the Fleetwing, but it appears to be more water ready. The pics have life jackets and skis in the back, and it doesn't need anything except the center, hinged windshield piece.

 

[444]

I don't know anything about fleetwing boats, but I do know a thing or two about old boats. My boat is a 1978. The previous owner had the transom replaced on it along with the floor and had the interior reupholstered. I finished off the resto with new paint, steering controls, engine needed some work. Any boat this old be skeptical of the transom. Mine's solid now and after pulling the plug I get a couple drops after a day of boating, tubing, etc. My previous boat was very similar, and someone had done a very nice job making it look great - nice paint on the outside, freshly reupholstered interior, etc. But the transom was soft and tightening the OB mounting bolts made the water logged wood squish like a sponge. Worse yet, I know someone else who's boat, another 1970's vintage, transom was so rotten on their maiden voyage the outboard ended up at the bottom of the river.