question about a boat I want to buy.

[akorcovelos]

so I found a boat that I think seems like a good deal, but I have never had an I/O so I would like some expert opinions.

Here is the descriprion from the seller:

this is worth much more than we are asking
1985 Imperial 202 w/ Trailer
if the seats were in it would sell for 3500.00
buy it to use or finish & make some money
Imperial 202 with Volvo Penta 275 motor
this is a 20 foot boat with trailer
new floor & carpet installed
motor rebuilt new bilge pump & prop
we spent 1300.00 this spring having it tuned up & all the new items
NEEDS SEATS we got this far & we never bought the seats
runs great goes fast
the trailer is in terrific condition also
rebuild was done this summer by reputable marina
she is a great boat that will bring many years of enjoyment to another family



So from my searching it seems that the penta 275 is the out drive, not the motor? Here are a couple pics of the boat/motor, please let me know what I may be getting into here.

TIA!!!

 

[Maclin]

Re: question about a boat I want to buy.

The drive is a 275. The engine looks to be a single carb 4 cylinder with closed cooling (pretty standard for aluminum Volvos of that era), it would have AQ in front of numbers like 125, 130, etc. Would have 120-140 hp most likely. A 20 foot boat is a lot for an engine that size. The drive and engine are serviceable enough, parts still available, that kind of thing. Just need to find a committed Volvo dealer for the parts.

Not sure what the price is, but if it really is just missing the seats then generic 4 place back to back lounge seats can be bought for $350-$500 a pair, and buddy seats for $180-$300 a pair. Better hope that is all though, and hope they did the floor right and fixed anything they found rotten underneath. The ad content makes me wonder how they know it runs so good if it has no seats...! Also if all it needs is seats why would they not just do that and get more money.

The engine does not look all that "clean" for a recent rebuild, but the pic cuts off a lot so hard to tell.

My gut feeling is they are hiding some things that you would need to deal with soon after getting it in the water. Actually that seems to be the norm on any used boat.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: question about a boat I want to buy.

I was thinking the same thing about the motor.It does not look like it was rebuilt recently..You would think it would look much cleaner.Also looks like fuel stains on the manifold from a leaky carb.

Don't expect it to be very fast with the 4 banger in that size boat.

The motor and transom condition is the main worry.
If the floor was replaced chances are the stringers and transom needed it too.

I would use caution on that boat.Look it over very good.

 

[bomar76]

Re: question about a boat I want to buy.

Keep looking.
Obsolete engine
Low power for hull size (it sure as hell does not "go fast" as they claim with that tiny 4 banger).
Very dubious engine "rebuild".
Unknown nature of past floor repairs (throw aspenite on top of rotten floor?).
Unknown condition of stringers (if floor rotted, so did they)
Unknown condition of transom (rot likely in an 85 with other known issues).
Unfinished project (why didn't they go ahead and install seat if that would supposedly raise value so much?)

I notice you neglected to post just how much $$$ they think it it worth.

 

[JustJason]

Re: question about a boat I want to buy.

and like any other boat.... don't buy it untill you test drive it. They all "RUN GREAT" untill you own it.
So go drive it.... even if that means putting a milkcrate at the helm.

 

[akorcovelos]

Re: question about a boat I want to buy.

wow, lots of good responses, thanks guys! They are asking $1600 for the boat. This is their story: They have had the boat for several years with no problems, when the kids grew up it was no longer used for skiing so they pulled the seats to put in fishing seats for more room, then the wife got in an accident, money got tight and the boat was never finished. The ad says it was rebuilt, but on the phone she said it had a complete tune up, and one of the bellows was replaced. Also said mechanically the boat is in good working order, no problems. No idea on the transom or stringers.

 

[KurtG]

Re: question about a boat I want to buy.

No way, not worth it in my area. I got rid of my 20' with a volvo 4-banger. Never again.

 

[bomar76]

Re: question about a boat I want to buy.

$1600 is $1400 too high.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: question about a boat I want to buy.

Something that old!!! RUN THE OTHER WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The starter alone if needed is over 300$ the manifold is 350$ and it gets uglier from there.Jerry

 

[akorcovelos]

Re: question about a boat I want to buy.

lol, thanks guys I passed on that boat. Now I'm looking at a 1979 19' Glastron with a 150hp Johnson, power tilt/trim, pretty clean, asking $1500. I'm much more im my element with this boat as I have owned several OMC outboards, and my last boat was an '69 18' Glastron Swinger with a 115 Johnny. Going to look at it Saturday afternoon, I'll keep you all posted. Here are some pics from the ad.


Thanks for saving me from a potential headache!

 

[chiefalen]

Re: question about a boat I want to buy.

I would tell you like you were my brother, why you looking for trouble with all these old boats.

Get a 2 year old bayliner with a 3.0 18-19 footer. You will do 40 mph easy, tow kids easy, cheap on gas.

First boat thats what i would recommend.

Unless you know alot about boat motors are, a mechanic with loads of tools already.

 

[akorcovelos]

Re: question about a boat I want to buy.

I would tell you like you were my brother, why you looking for trouble with all these old boats.

Get a 2 year old bayliner with a 3.0 18-19 footer. You will do 40 mph easy, tow kids easy, cheap on gas.

First boat thats what i would recommend.

Unless you know alot about boat motors are, a mechanic with loads of tools already.

been boating my entire life, and owned a boat since 16 (which was a long time ago), just never owned an I/O. I am a hobby mechanic, and I have most every tool you could imagine. I have compleatly rebuilt several outboards from Chrystlers to OMCs, so this boat dosn't scare me at all. If I could afford a new boat you bet I would have one, but instead I choose to have an older boat, and two race cars ;-).

 

[ezmobee]

Re: question about a boat I want to buy.

I like the lines of that Glastron. It is also certainly well powered with that 150 and if compression is good it should be easy to fix up and maintain the motor. Power T&T is great to have. However, looking at the interior, I'm sure it's in need of some stringer/deck/transom work. For the right price though I'm sure it'd be worth the effort to fix it up.

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: question about a boat I want to buy.

I'm with ezmobee on this one. If you're mechanically inclined which it appears you are and the motor is in good shape, the hull is the only thing to consider if it's solid or needs work. And... more importantly, if you want to get into deck/stringers/transom should that be the case.

 

[akorcovelos]

Re: question about a boat I want to buy.

yeah, I'll do a compression check and spark check to be sure the motor is sound. The seller claims the hull is sound and the floor is solid. He bought the boat from the original owner last year, and the boat comes with full maint. history. He's asking $1500, not bad if what he says is true. I'll find out tomorrow when I go look at it.

 

[blouderback]

Re: question about a boat I want to buy.

Mmmmm... I just LOVE those old brown and gold boats. Reminds me of my parents' refrigerator from back in the '70s.

 

[seven up]

Re: question about a boat I want to buy.

Unless you're losing sleep over it I would say unfold 8 hundred dollar bills in front of them and make an offer. In my opinion that would be very generous. You'll end up spending another grand on it soon enough. Are you getting a sea trial test run ?

Good Luck

 

[jonesg]

Re: question about a boat I want to buy.

That engine alone will cost $1200-1800 around here, you could throw the boat away and still be in good nick.

unless you really like that boat...
With this mkt I'd keep looking, theres some awesome deals on the list.

 

[akorcovelos]

Bought a boat!

Bought a boat!

So I went and looked at the 19' Glastron, and it was much cleaner than the pics make it look! Transom, and floor is totally solid, and the motor had nice even compression. Fired right up on the muffs, idled real nice and shifted smooth. Power trim/tilt workes like new, and the previous owner installed a nice Poineer stereo with real good sounding speakers. I felt bad making any offer under the $1500 he was asking, but I ended up taking it home for $1200, and I'm very comfortable with that price. The boat really only needs interior work, but is totally usable as it is now, just not the prettiest girl on the block.

some pics the PO took for me, I'll get some of my own up this week.

I Know, its coming off ASAP, and they cleared over the decals to make it fun...

I took it out for a test run today and it performed flawlessly, so tomorrow it's getting winterized until sping time fun!

Thanks to everyone!

 

[trayscool]

Re: question about a boat I want to buy.

that is the most fun you are ever going to have for $1200