Please read lady wants a boat

[boaterlady]

Hello and thanks in advance I found a 1981 crest pontoon houseboat, 46 foot, with two stroke engine , 25 amps, that uses fuel and oil combo. $12,500 but we agreed on $10, 250. It's in very decent shape. Only kicker is, here at Lake Mead in Nevada, two strokes are banned on PWC under 16 feet long and from what I gather, it's only a matter of time before the law affects all vessels. Obviously, this would be an issue if I purchase this boat, especially since I would be spending most of my time on it. What kind of nightmare would it be if I had to change over to four strokes? That's what I need to know here, both time wise and financially. Would you have to change out the gas tanks too etc, please be detailed and don't hold back. I was thinking if I picked it up for $5000 it might be worth my while but I doubt he'd do that, what do you all think? Blessings.

 

[gm280]

Welcome to iboats :welcome: Glad you joined us and we will try our best to help you out with your questions too.

I'll be the first to admit that I don't know anything about house boats at all. So in that realm I'll leave that to the pros on here to talk about. However, If there is no law presently concerning your prospect house boat, you could always use it if and until such regulations are made. It could be a year, two years, five years or never. So the 2 cycle engine wouldn't be a huge concern with me. And if such regulations are enacted, you could always trade it in on a new 4 cycle, or sell it straight out and buy another 4 cycle engine. NO the fuel tank will not have to be changed, or any of the present wiring if the next engine is compatible. For the rest of you request info, I'm sure others will chime in and explain that to you... Welcome again... others will be here shortly!

 

[redneck joe]

welcome to the forum.

No you would not have to change the fuel tanks and I'm reading up on the actual rules now. More in a bit

 

[boaterlady]

Very helpful and thanks. I feel I got a good price on it. I called a few boat places who said similar. They said Mercury even still makes two stroke and there's too many on Lake Mead for a ban. I also feel the PWC law was too simply restrict the use of all such vessels like jet skis etc as they are seen as a nuisance. Maybe the whole go green thing was an excuse is my point. I heard they tried to ban all PWC. I think I feel ok. Supposed to take down the check today so this is good to know as I do like it.

 

[redneck joe]

Reading up I doubt it will ever affect all vessels. In addition the PWC ban is

a) on older models on water jet powered units only
b) had a 10 year phase in.

So if they did it today on all you would be safe to assume you had 10 years to worry about it. There has been talk of banning all two stoke everythings (mower/weedeater, etc) for years and not happened.


Not really sure what kind of motor state it currently has? Amps is an electrical measurement.

 

[boaterlady]

Yeah that's all he told me. I know it runs on gas and fuel combo that you put in tanks when you fill her up. I think I'll go for it.

 

[alldodge]

Hello and thanks in advance I found a 1981 crest pontoon houseboat, 46 foot, with two stroke engine , 25 amps, that uses fuel and oil combo. $12,500 but we agreed on $10, 250. It's in very decent shape. Only kicker is, here at Lake Mead in Nevada, two strokes are banned on PWC under 16 feet long and from what I gather, it's only a matter of time before the law affects all vessels. Obviously, this would be an issue if I purchase this boat, especially since I would be spending most of my time on it. What kind of nightmare would it be if I had to change over to four strokes? That's what I need to know here, both time wise and financially. Would you have to change out the gas tanks too etc, please be detailed and don't hold back. I was thinking if I picked it up for $5000 it might be worth my while but I doubt he'd do that, what do you all think? Blessings.

:welcome: to iboats

Don't think you have an issue with worrying about the 2 cycle ban on the boat. Don't need to replace the tank if you ever went to a 4 cycle, the engine would burn off the oil and adding more would dilute it more. The thing I would worry about a boat that old is the structure of the deck, top and sides. Find a way to look under things to see if you find some soft wood. Walk all over every spot and see if something gives. Find a 300 pound or more friend to walk around with you.

Good luck

 

[boaterlady]

There old wood on the outside on the decks. It's old and worn away, covered with marine carpet. Is that a deal breaker? I mean, it's worn away quite a bit, which is to be expected. Inside cabin felt solid.

 

[alldodge]

There old wood on the outside on the decks. It's old and worn away, covered with marine carpet. Is that a deal breaker? I mean, it's worn away quite a bit, which is to be expected. Inside cabin felt solid.

No problem with worn wood, or soft wood so long as you know where it all is. Just want you to understand where all the issues are incase some of it needs to be replaced. Any boat can be fixed, it all depends on how much it will cost, and if it's worth it. Finding some worn wood is not a major issue, but if it needs to be replaced that is a cost issue. your looking at it so in the end it's your pocket book which will have to deal with it. Not trying to steer you away just want you to be an informed buyer. :thumb:

 

[boaterlady]

No you're great and I'd read about old wood so that's why I did look carefully when on board yesterday. Let's say I had to replace, is it crazy expensive? The seller said I could lay fresh wood right over old. You think the boat is a good price?

 

[boaterlady]

http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/boa/4812614223.html


They are twin evinrudes 75 hp

 

[alldodge]

No you're great and I'd read about old wood so that's why I did look carefully when on board yesterday. Let's say I had to replace, is it crazy expensive? The seller said I could lay fresh wood right over old. You think the boat is a good price?

Boat looks good in the pics, but I'll say, before I would buy a boat it would have to come out of the water so I could inspect under it. Have a compression test run on the engines to check the health of the motors.

If you do it your self it's not crazy expensive. Marine plywood is around 100 a sheet give or take on thickness and location of purchase. You don't want to lay new over the old, real bad way to go. The wood would need to be removed, support structure under it inspected and or repaired. New wood sealed in fiberglass resin and reinstalled.

I'm not the best to answer the question of cost to repair, need to see if some of the guys on the pontoon thread or boat restoration side will comment.

 

[redneck joe]

find a marine surveyor and spend a couple hundred bucks before you spend many thousands on a really big pontoon boat.

 

[Woodonglass]

It's not "What you can See" that hurts you It's "What you Can't See" that Hurts the most. Pontoon Boats and House boats need to be inspected from the bottom up. I'd really encourage you to get someone to inspect the deck from below. Even if you have to pay them. Repairs on a House boat deck can get expensive in a hurry if they are in hard to get to locations. What Year are the motors? Does the PO have any service records on them? I wouldn't worry for a Minute about the 2-Cylce issue. It's NOT gunna happen!!! They got Other issues like NOT enuf water in the lake to worry about!!! Did he say anything about the condition of the roof? Any leaks?? Pontoons...Do they leak? What about the Plumbing? Toilets? Electrical? Generator? Pumps? She appears to have satellite. Is it in good working condition? I think I see a large antennae of some kind. Is there ship to shore communications equipment? Does it work? Just ask all the questions about every conceivable system. Believe me anything you don't ask about that can go wrong... WILL just as soon as you buy it. From the pics she looks to have good Bones!! But... as we all know LOOKS can sometimes be deceiving. Momma said...Buyer Beware!!!!

 

[boaterlady]

The guy is buying the next boat down. He's not going anywhere so it's not as likely he will screw me as I could blow up his new boat lol he needs a check badly. An inspection would cost $1000....10 % of my purchase price, see what I mean?? If it was leaking it would sink, right?

 

[redneck joe]

The guy is buying the next boat down. He's not going anywhere so it's not as likely he will screw me as I could blow up his new boat lol &#128541

first off, I like your thought process.

he needs a check badly. An inspection would cost $1000....10 % of my purchase price, see what I mean?? If it was leaking it would sink, right?

the first part of that can be a clue. If he needs the money 'badly' sometimes full disclosure takes a back seat. The second part, no not always and it flat out sinking is not the biggest worry - it is the slow things that you don't see right away, the cancers that eat boats that you want someone to help you with.

That said - $1000 seems a bit high but think of this - if you've got him down to $10k, try for another one and potentially save you $5k in repairs you didn't know you needed (and if it is the sinking part that can be $10-100K in liabilities.

 

[alldodge]

The guy is buying the next boat down. He's not going anywhere so it's not as likely he will screw me as I could blow up his new boat lol he needs a check badly. An inspection would cost $1000....10 % of my purchase price, see what I mean?? If it was leaking it would sink, right?

How do they come up with 10% and who gets the money? If this is a certified surveyor then I guess you also get insurance?

 

[boaterlady]

The guy is desperate as he wants to buy another boat here. Now, the surveyors charge $20 a foot. My point was that's 10 % of my total price. Seems like a lot. If I was buying a $100,000 house or boat then fine. But on a $10,000 boat....I called a few places and got the same quote. Okay, but now we have a new dilemma. Yesterday we agreed on $10250. My friend who owns boats told me today to make sure it comes with tanks full of gas as that is how it is done. I called the guy and told him I have your check p,ease make sure it's also full of gas. He paused, and then said we can take care of that. On arriving here I asked him about that and he then said he would bring me gas bit by bit over the next two months. I said, no. That's not what we talked about on the phone. I know I should have cleared this up more yesterday but I'm new to the boat buying process etc. so we went back and forth. I said, how about we just deduct the cost of gas from the price. Being that that would mean several hundred dollars difference he was not happy. I said, you will get the check when it's full. He got angry and slammed the door on us, and stayed inside leaving us sitting there. He came right back out and we went back and forth, me very calm and he finally agreed to knock off $175, I said we will talk, meaning my friend and I. We walked off. The guy was wild because he already planned to make a deal on a boat here for himself. My friend said the guys as out of line as you're meant to get a full tank but I didn't know any better. So, we called up and said I wanted to think about it, as I don't like how I was spoken to. He said ok bye and hung up. I saw him later and he was civil. Buying beer with my $70 deposit lol
Here's the kicker. My boyfriend, not my boat savvy friend, has heard all this and doesn't knowboats but in his mind a deal is a deal and he thinks the guy is right to be pissed and I shouldn't be tripping over a few hundred. He thinks the guy may be useful in the future too as the guy knows boats and as I'm new to this world, why make an enemy so soon. He says the boat was sold as is and gas was not brought up til after we verbally agreed on a deal.

My friend as I said, thinks the guy is wrong. What to do....,...help

 

[redneck joe]

my point about full disclosure also applies to integrity. Yes he has a right to be 'pissed' about $200 in fuel (only 1.9% of the sales price) but to me the attitude/reaction speaks more than the declining of the 'offer' to have fuel tanks filled.


You have the money, you do not 'need' the boat (unless you are trying to find a place to live) he 'needs' the money. Friend or no? Friend gets a pass maybe, not friend gets you a full tank of fuel or whatever deal you are willing to offer - even declining the purchase base on an inspection (recommended even more so at this point)


Keep your emotions (and his) out of it. It is a thing. Basic business deal. Hard to do if you think you 'want' it but trust us old boaters.....

 

[boaterlady]

He did agree to knock off $175 but like you said, it's his reaction and handling of everything. Inspection is just not logical for $10 k boat. $120 an hour to hoist out of water, got to let it sit, pay another $1000 for inspection. Sigh.

Something is amiss but what ........why so desperate.......just to buy another boat right here would make one enthusiastic not desperate. But if he screws me he's still right here sooooo......sigh. I know his slip rent is due right now and he doesn't have it far as I can tell. That may be where the desperation is coming from.