Purchasing a boat

[Fabreezai]

Hello! I am new to this site, please forgive me if I posted this in the wrong spot.
I am looking at purchasing a boat from my neighbor and am trying to determine a fair price for it. It is a 1972 cee bee avenger Jet boat with a 455 olds. I looked it up on NADA. It says on the low $2435 and on the high $2555. I was told that the boat was purchased 8 or 9 years ago for $1800 and in that time has never seen the water although she says the motor was running several years ago. She wants $1500 for it. My dilemma......... The engine has been covered with a tarp but the rest of the boat has not. The paint is faded and chalky, there is no carpeting and no interior. It is literally a trailer, hull, engine, jet drive, steering wheel and throttle pedal, that's it. I understand it is a project boat and that's what I want (for myself and my nephew). I can take some pics if needed. Considering the condition I'm thinking in the $750 to maybe $900 range. Can anyone out there help me determine a fair price for this boat?

Thank you in advance for any replies.

 

[scoutabout]

Re: Purchasing a boat

Welcome to iboats! Sounds like an intriguing project you may have on your hands. And there's certainly a lot of folks here and especially in the restoration section who could help with questions.

I don't know a thing about jet boats but if that drive and engine are in good condition they would be worth some money. Considering how the rest of the boat is, though, I wouldn't bet the farm on it. Is there any way she'll let you spend some time getting the motor running again to give you some idea of what you are facing? The other thing to consider will be the condition of the floor, stringers under the floor and the transom. All are good places for rot to take hold. The fibreglass itself is another issue. Faded and chalky isn't the end of the world, but is it structurally sound?

You say you are getting a trailer with this thing too? When it all goes sideways on the project boat sometimes being able to salvage and sell the trailer goes some small way to getting some money back.

Anyway, if you can post some pics that would be great, as well as try to ascertain the condition of the above items. Myself I certainly wouldn't be wanting to go much more than the opening numbers you suggested. Good luck and tell us how you make out!

 

[Fabreezai]

Re: Purchasing a boat

Thanks scout!

She will let me take the boat to check compression on the engine, check the jet drive, etc. etc. I'm an avid hot rod guy and Mr. Snap On man is my drug dealer , Well versed in engines. But as for stringers and transoms, no clue. Any advice on how to check for rot? I live in CO and there is no humidity here if that helps. I will go out now and take some pics and post (if I can figure out how to attach them.

Thanks again.

 

[Capt'n Chris]

Re: Purchasing a boat

The majority of boat "projects" are never completed. Don't find yourself in that predicament after investing 2K in a "hole in the water into which one pours money". If you just had to have that boat, offer her something ridiculously low...$500. The odds are great that she will sit on it till the cows come home and this is an opportunity for her. A short lesson in boat economics: If its worth nothing to begin with, no matter what you put into it, it will still be worth nothing, unless of course, you have no intention of selling.

Captain Chris

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Purchasing a boat

Welcome to the forum. Sounds like quite a project ahead of you. You didn't say where the boat is located or if the boat is stored with " bow down or bow up ", plug in or plug out. Has water or ice stayed inside the hull for any period of time? Check the floor and transom for soft spots and/or rot. Also I suggest you talk to someone knowledgeable with jet drives to get some idea of what likely problems you would expect with this engine and drive after sitting for so long. If all is good, it's great knowledge to have in convincing the seller to drop the price.

 

[Fabreezai]

Re: Purchasing a boat

Here are some pics. Let me know what you think.

 

[Fabreezai]

Re: Purchasing a boat

Some more....

 

[Fabreezai]

Re: Purchasing a boat

Thanks Chris and Jeep-

Chris: My current boat was a "project" (finished it about 5 years ago, it was in worse shape than this one) that was finished and to this day is running fine. I'm not one to start and not finish, my wife wont let me! LOL!

Jeep: The boat was stored bow up, plug out and the boat has been full of snow that has since melted, engine always covered as I said, take a look at the pics.

 

[toolsinbox]

Re: Purchasing a boat

just from the pics it looks like a lot of work and who knows what shape the pump and engine are in but my son and I did a ground up resto on a 1965 olds 442 ragtop where the body was in terrible shape along with the engine and he just got his learners licence and cant wait to drive that car we did together. It sure kept him out of trouble ( and me ) and he has a great appreciation for it. The experience you will share and the example you will be setting for your nephew will stay with you guys forever. Get the best bottom dollar and go for it. Also it will be a great learning experience for him to be involved in the aquisition of the boat. If he isnt allready. Good luck .

Just my three cents.

 

[Fabreezai]

Re: Purchasing a boat

Thanks Tools-

Do you agree with the approx. of $750? I don't want the hull to be a total loss, if it needs some tlc that's fine. Any advice on how to check the transom and stringers for rot? is there a sticky or post that I have not found that tells me? My nephew (8yo) has had a hard life in Vegas and was diagnosed with brain cancer when he was 3. We took custody of him and his sister about 2 years ago. I want it to be a real project that he can get into and be proud of. He is very interested in electronics and mechanics and wants to know how everything works. He's the only boy out of 4 other girls so he stays glued to me all the time. Thanks again for the reply.

 

[redone4x4]

Re: Purchasing a boat

all the wood should be hard. You can drill a few pilot holes into the stringers and see if sawdust comes out or not, then you can inspect the inside of the drilled hole and see. basically, coring it to see whats underneath. Have you looked into seating/vinyl/interior? for my boat, I have found that to be one of the most expensive parts so far.... it doesnt look like a bad project though, I would definitely consider taking it on.

 

[Fabreezai]

Re: Purchasing a boat

Thanks for the advice redone!
I will do as you said. I'm going to start with the engine and jet drive first then move forward from there before I purchase it. I spoke to her yesterday and she seems to be standing firm on the $1500 price. if the engine and jet drive are ok, at least between those and the trailer it might be worth that, even if the hull is a total loss. As for the interior, I have brand new seats, gauges, controls and carpeting from another boat project I started several years ago that I had to stop and sell the boat because of family stuff. I've been carting around all of it for the last several years and this seems like a good opportunity to put it to good use. I would Like to be able to talk her down due to the condition of the hull though. I do want to be totally fair with her, but for a boat that she has had for the last 8 to 10 years that has never seen the water in that time the price seems a little steep. Do you agree?

 

[Fabreezai]

Re: Purchasing a boat

Can anyone here help me with getting a service manual for this boat? I've looked but cant seem to find anything that is specific for this model. Might someone here have one that I can copy or purchase a copy from them?

 

[Arabian180]

Re: Purchasing a boat

Ahhh a jetboat.
Looks like a Berkeley JC bowl. hmmmmm..
Ok so the JCs aren't so bad but modifying them for a diverter is a little difficult.
No way to use wedges either.
If you're expecting to throw a rooster tail at all with it you will probably want to upgrade to a split bowl. A diverter can be added to a C bowl if you rotate it 90* but then the oil fill plugs are sideways. I'm not sure if Place Diverter has a model to go directly on a C bowl or not. It has been a while since I looked up any Jetboat stuff.

Being a mechanic/ hot rod fan I'm sure you are aware of the 455 Olds engines being notorious for pumping the oil pan dry on extended high rpm runs. There are several modifications, restrictors, return hole mods and several other tricks to make the engine perform well in a jet. I see it does have the Hardin hardware so it may be Ok but then again you can drop any 455 in there and bolt Hardin hardware up to it. So it may be just a car engine in which case it wont last long at all.

If the engine runs and the jet is tight then 8~$900 would be a good price.
If the wood, stringers, transom, interior is in good shape it's a steal at that price.

On the other hand if this is your first boat. It should be your last choice as a first boat. Jets are strange animals and can get you and or someone else hurt.
Not to mention there is always something to work on.
Your inlet water pressure is a major thing to pay attention to as it is supplied by the jet and the pressure created can and will blow head and intake gaskets left and right until you get it dialed in. There's a lot more to running a jet than gassing up and going boating.
They can be safe , reliable, fun machines but not for a beginner.

Good Luck.

Berkeley JC <---clicky

 

[Fabreezai]

Re: Purchasing a boat

OK-

I have the boat and in looking at it, being a jet drive (which I have never owned), I've went through the basics on the engine, want to fire it up (if it starts) however should there be a "connection" where I hook up a hose to?? for my other boat I use a set of "rabbit ears" but there is no where to put them. I do see a hose connection on what looks like a cooling hose for the engine that has a spigot like yo would see on the outside of a house but is that the connection or a drain to get all the water out of the block? It has a male connector on the end of it instead of a female connection, as if it was an output as oppose to an input? Do I need an adapter?

Thanks again in advance.

 

[Arabian180]

Re: Purchasing a boat

OK-

. I do see a hose connection on what looks like a cooling hose for the engine that has a spigot like yo would see on the outside of a house but is that the connection or a drain to get all the water out of the block? It has a male connector on the end of it instead of a female connection, as if it was an output as oppose to an input? Do I need an adapter?

Thanks again in advance.

That is the pressure line from the jet. that's where you get your coolant water from. the hose bib is used to adjust the flow from the jet to the engine. Do not open it wide open and take off across the lake you'll blow every gasket in it.

You can disconnect that hose and feed it with a garden hose to run it at idle only. revving the engine with the pump out of the water can destroy the wear ring in the pump. If it has a "Whirl-A-Way" disengage it so the pump doesn't turn.

One more thing. concerning running it on a garden hose. Start the engine THEN turn the hose on. Turn the hose off BEFORE stopping the engine. That will keep water from the exhaust from back flowing into and or through the exhaust valves.
It may or may not but better safe than sorry.

 

[Fabreezai]

Re: Purchasing a boat

Thanks once again guys!

Arabian- Can you tell me where I can find more information on the jet drive and engine? As far as a rooster tail, would be cool but I would be happy to just go and be able to wake board.

Thanks.

 

[Arabian180]

Re: Purchasing a boat

Thanks once again guys!

Arabian- Can you tell me where I can find more information on the jet drive and engine? As far as a rooster tail, would be cool but I would be happy to just go and be able to wake board.

Thanks.

Sure man, be glad to. Check your Private Messages

 

[Fabreezai]

Re: Purchasing a boat

Thank you so much! This site is the best! Do you think instead of attempting to fire it up on land it would be better to put it in the water? there is a lake a few miles from me where I can do so. That way I can see if it not only runs but floats. LOL!

 

[Capt'n Chris]

Re: Purchasing a boat

Fabreezai...

Everyone has there own motivation or reason for doing things. Maybe I am a bit too practical. If I were starting a boat project, a restoration of sorts, it would be a high demand boat and certainly not one found in a NADA book. Ex: If a boat's value is documented at $2500 today, with $10,000 in repairs and such were spent on it, that boat would still be worth $2500.

Captain Chris