purchasing used boat tommorrow

[iron21]

hi,
i'm going to look at another used boat tomm but dont know what to offer. the model and year is not listed in "NADA" so i'm not sure what a reasonable offer would be. The boat is a 1991 Wellcraft Eclipse sl 20' w/ a 430 volvo i/o. Overall its in decent condition, interior ok, but needs a few vinyl repairs. Owner claims it runs good. he's asking $4900 obo.. I dont see it being worth that, but maybe closer to 4k? what do you think a reasonable offer would be? again i couldnt find this model and year in nada. I'd appreciate any opinions regarding the boat or value. pic attached

 

[KnottyBuoyz]

Re: purchasing used boat tommorrow

We had the same boat. Traded up in '02 and got over $10K for it. A lot depends on the condition of the boat. Ours was just average condition. I guess for me at this point in time $4K would seem a good price for a boat like that. The market for used boats was a heck of a lot better back then. Seems like it's a buyers market now. Offer the guy $4K and he might take it.

 

[MikDee]

Re: purchasing used boat tommorrow

Here you go, but you hafta put in your engine size, & included equipment:
http://www.nadaguides.com/default.a...&m=1849&y=1991&ml=W&gc=MR&gtc=MR&d=1600199220

 

[RyanSS]

Re: purchasing used boat tommorrow

prop looks rough

 

[iron21]

Re: purchasing used boat tommorrow

thanks for the replies... yea the prop looks shot but he has a replacement thats going with the boat. the thing i dont like is the build up of algae on the outdrive. it looks like its been mooring for years, hopefully not in saltwater

 

[mickjetblue]

Re: purchasing used boat tommorrow

I really don't know much about this particular boat, but I do notice that
a stabilizer fin was installed that looks almost new. It was installed a few
inches too far back, and probably resulted in decreased performance instead
of an improvement. The outdrive is curved in that area, and the solution
would have been to cut out the slot in the fin to install it in the correct
position. This can still be done, and would very likely improve performance,
at least better than where it is now.

My feelings are that if you are looking for a lightweight (1 axle) cuddy with
some decent power, this could be as nice an outfit you'll fine in the price
range.

It would be good to at least hear the engine run, for smoothness.
4k would be a good buy if the engine is ok. Good luck!

 

[KnottyBuoyz]

Re: purchasing used boat tommorrow

I didn't see the second pic with the o/d until now. It reminds me that if we had kept our boat I more than likely would have added trim tabs. She wandered a lot at slow speeds and with an odd number of people in the boat we always had a list.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: purchasing used boat tommorrow

Absolutely, positively, without a doubt do a compression check on the engine. The bottom of the boat has gotten and stayed dirty and the boat seemed to be laboring, and that's why they, amazingly & stupidly, incorrectly installed that fin. If they "lugged" that engine for long with the dirty bottom, they have tulipped valves and it will show up as some shockingly low compression numbers.

Also, without bottom paint, check over the bottom of the hull real close for blisters since it sat in the water. May not be any, but still a good idea to check.

It appears they set their asking price at NADA high retail. Definatley doesn't look like a "high retail" boat to me.

 

[KnottyBuoyz]

Re: purchasing used boat tommorrow

Just thinking again, our 20XL never laboured getting up on plane. It just flew out of the hole with 2 adults and 2 teenagers aboard. I'm wondering why they put that fin on the O/D. With that powerplant that boat should just fly. It'd be wise to take it for a sea trial before putting your cash down on the table. If she labours hard to get up on plane I'd have some serious doubts about the health of the engine & O/D.

 

[rlb81]

Re: purchasing used boat tommorrow

I think I saw the listing for that boat and it had some seats that looked water damaged from improper storage. I'd do a good check of the floors and transom to make sure there is no rotting.

Just looked again, inspect it good! I always interpret damaged vinyl as a sign of improper storage, plus the buildup on the hull/outdrive, plus the improperly installed hydrofoil = probably wasn't maintained very well. Though thats my first impressions from reading an ad, for what its worth!

 

[iron21]

Re: purchasing used boat tommorrow

thanks for all the good points! ecspecially the stabilizer fin on the outdrive. its kind of odd to recently add that to a boat after 15+ years. i think my best bet would be try and take it out on a test ride. i'll bring along my hand held gps. what should i see roughly on top end? maybe 35-40 mph? i mean a 4.3 in 20' boat isnt going to be some power house. what would be decent numbers on a compression test?

 

[KnottyBuoyz]

Re: purchasing used boat tommorrow

I don't remember exactly but ours topped out over 40 mph. All I had to go on was the in-dash speedo. Dunno about cylinder compression reedings. Never checked that. It's likely if the engine is suffering you'll find a fouled plug or two. IIRC the 4.3's had issues with intake manifold gaskets leaking so check the back two cylinder plugs first.

Often things like gummed up carb or timing out of whack will lead to loss of power that some resort to fins to compensate for. A carb rebuild isn't expensive. Have a look under the dist cap (look for signs of scoring, cracks etc.) and check the plug wires. IIRC they're electronic ignition so points etc. aren't an issue. You should be able to see if it's been tuned up lately.

 

[MikDee]

Re: purchasing used boat tommorrow

Here's another link, I don't know which of these links pertain to that particular boat? but, this one is for an Eclipse 196:
http://www.nadaguides.com/default.a...&m=1849&y=1991&ml=W&gc=MR&gtc=MR&d=1600199219