Should I have buyers remorse?

[gtochris]

About 6 months ago we upgraded from a very light Stingray to this Wellcraft Excalibur, it's a 1999 with a 5.7L (carb). Freshwater lake only boat, trailer is newer but fair (under-rated so local/ storage use only). Engine just had new bellows done, I did the Impeller, unknown amount of hours (no gauge), everything works. Runs a bit over 50mph and has great performance! We like the size/ layout.

It required ALOT of detailing (exterior) , wetsanding/ buffing, about 20hours worth but came out looking great! has some scrapes in the gelcoat here and there but for a white boat you don't see much. Inside is great except for 2 slight tears in the buckets where the seams/ stitching is pulling out, about 1" in each seat. We put in a kicking sound system and new speakers + Sirius Radio dock.

My biggest concern, I discovered after owing it-it has a slight list to Starboard, about 1" lower than port when parked in the slip on a calm day :cold: Everywhere I check it appears solid as can be but I can't see under the molded fiberglass floor much since it is one piece. from the ski hatch/ engine compartment it looks like it's spray foam filled insulation/ flotation but I can't see much other than that. The cockpit drains work right but this does make it a nightmare to load on a trailer since it sits ever so slight crooked unless I do some work to get it straightened out (back trailer WAY in, use engine to reverse starboard to hop the boat over). I don't think I'm going to open up this can of worm.

We paid $9,500 Should I feel comfortable with this? I'm always scanning the options out there and unfortunately I've seen a few better deals that have me re-considering my prior good feeling of a good deal.

 

[oldjeep]

Not really that odd that a boat would list to one side or the other when moored. Where are your batteries? I seriously doubt that the list has anything to do with the trailer loading - if you have a driver in the boat doesn't it also lean? On my Malibu the bunks fit so tight to the steps in the hull that it isn't lined up about 50% of the time, on land I just grab the side of the boat and give it a couple good rocks to drop it into place.

As for the other stuff - its a 15 year old boat, there are going to be things that get damaged or need work. Even a brand new boat has issues that you need to stay on top of.

 

[tpenfield]

I don't see that you have any issues to worry about . . . so why any remorse?

V-hull boats will tend to favor one side unless well balanced. So, you can move some stuff around to get rid of the slight list. Trailer loading should not be a problem with minimal list either, so there may be some things you can do with the trailer or the technique to improve things.

I think my 242 had about a 2" list, so I evened it out with moving some stuff around. Then I discovered that it ran through the chop better if I gave it some additional weight in the starboard side. So, back came the list.

As far as trailering . . . I know if I got my boat +/- 2" within center on the trailer, I was good to go.

NADA market estimates are around $10K for that boat w/ trailer . . . so no serious issues there. If you continue to look at boats, there will always be some apparently better deals. But who's to say that they are really better . . . the realities of ownership always lets some of the 'shine' wear off.

 

[gtochris]

. the realities of ownership always lets some of the 'shine' wear off.

That statement probably sums up my thoughts well, thanks. As nice as this wellcraft is- and we do get alot of complements on her, I guess ignorance is bliss?

 

[thumpar]

I think you are ok. Move some of the load if you want to even it out. With our trailer the boat sits over the fenders by about 1.5". We have to pull the trailer out slowly while my watches to make sure it is straight or the bottom of the boat will sit on a fender. If it leans we just back it in and the wife can push or pull to help get it straight. It is usually not a problem unless it is really windy. What kind of trailer do you have? The roller trailers seem to be easier to center on but I like the support of the bunk trailer.

 

[gtochris]

. What kind of trailer do you have? The roller trailers seem to be easier to center on but I like the support of the bunk trailer.[/QUOTE]

Its a single axle wobble roller trailer with 24 rollers total and no keel rollers. The keel goes flat the last few feet which may not be helping me either.. We have tried loading shallow to deep and the results are always the same, boat sits low on starboard side of trailer unless i get it to hop over. I have re adjusted Every roller so the support is off the strikes and not so centered and i spread them out for stability.
looking at brand new boats is a luring at times but my budget doesnt agree...

 

[pckeen]

That price was fine for that boat - nothing here sounds unusual.

 

[rallyart]

Of course you should have buyers remorse! Everybody does. (at least I tell myself that)
That's the reason you never look at what is similar or the price after you buy anything.

The trick to it is never to tell anyone you have buyer's remorse. Have you ever met anyone who did not get a great deal when they bought their house or sold their last house for too little. It would make sense if everyone made a great deal on their houses then everyone else had a bad deal but you never hear about that.

As far as your actual purchase you buy a used boat and you always get some negatives. You just don't know the negatives of the 'other' boat you might have bought.

 

[JoLin]

Buyer's remorse? I bought my current boat in early May of this year. On our third outing the port engine's starter 'boss' (the part of the engine block that the starter bolts into) broke off. It's very unusual, but not unheard of on the GM v-blocks. Rack up one trashed engine right out of the gate. After long and hard consideration of my options I went the expensive route and bought a brand-new Merc crate engine. Yeah, I had plenty of remorse.

Once that was squared away we had a GREAT season. The boat is so well suited to the 2 of us that we couldn't be happier with it. Stuff happens- you just have to grit your teeth and keep going.

Your listing issue is not an issue. It's normal. My boat has a 40-gallon water tank on the port side and a 25-gallon holding tnk to starboard. She'll list a tiny bit to either side depending on which tank is empty/full.

 

[Scott Danforth]

the old saying: two great days to a boater.....the day they purchase.....and the day they sell....


every day in between is up to you.

regarding the list, which side is the batteries on?

 

[gtochris]

regarding the list, which side is the batteries on?

I have 2 batteries and the trim pump- both ARE on the Starboard side however I did pop out the one battery on a calm day and put it on the Port side for comparison but it didn't help settle things... I don't have a cabin or tons of gear on board (anchor is in ski locker low and center) rest is just vests, line, exc...
Some of the posts about rotted stringers/ soaked foam have me a bit nervous.

I am debating seeking out some longer wires and relocating the one battery to the Port side to assist this issue.

I do like the boat otherwise- assuming it keeps running well (and despite the very poor fuel consumption compared to my old 3.0L) it fits our needs nicely. I'm a bit weird about new things- Cars/ boats- I don't get excited at time of purchase and generally the love builds afterwards. My partner was in love with this boat the second he saw it however it took some for me to feel that way.

Picture of her how she is attached:

 

[oldjeep]

I sure wouldn't be moving batteries around because the boat sits a little funny at rest. That thing is a baby whale - tall height, short length, only an 8ft beam and a deep v. Its not going to sit perfectly level.

 

[gtochris]

I sure wouldn't be moving batteries around because the boat sits a little funny at rest. That thing is a baby whale - tall height, short length, only an 8ft beam and a deep v. Its not going to sit perfectly level.

I should probably note it was a single battery boat before- the previous owner had someone add the 2nd battery and switch (which are right next to each-other.
I was cleaning it up this weekend and discovered some screw holes on the Port side compartment that indicated something was screwed down there at one point. (battery?) no idea. I wish the boat would tell me

 

[oldjeep]

I should probably note it was a single battery boat before- the previous owner had someone add the 2nd battery and switch (which are right next to each-other.
I was cleaning it up this weekend and discovered some screw holes on the Port side compartment that indicated something was screwed down there at one point. (battery?) no idea. I wish the boat would tell me

I still wouldn't move them. You don't want to be introducing more wire length into the system. The batteries should be as close to the AB switch as possible. Both of my batteries are factory installed on the left side of the boat behind the spotter seat.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

What you have there is a very good boat....8' beam think very comfortable usally found on 22' and above boat's..it also has a very tall gunwhales to the top of the winsheild it about 5 or 6ft....Think a very dry ride on rough water's again think of 22' boat and above. Truly a great boat for large river's and lakes you never get into trouble in 4/5 swell's....now 6-7 its heads up.....Ok I have a dog in the fight so to speak...a bit updated but the same boat I sneak down to the prop forums read the rules and post your results...there's a bit more performance going on there than 50 about 55/60 I would say assuming that's a 5.7 vortec with a 4 barrel carb.

 

[JoLin]

I still wouldn't move them. You don't want to be introducing more wire length into the system. The batteries should be as close to the AB switch as possible. Both of my batteries are factory installed on the left side of the boat behind the spotter seat.

I wouldn't worry about moving them, and if the list bothered me I'd do it. My factory installed batteries are located opposite each other on the port and starboard beams a couple feet forward of the transom, and the factory installed AB switch is mounted behind one of the cabin steps. There's a good 10 feet of cable between the switch and each battery. The OP should route the second cable so it's as short as possible (maybe even move the switch), but he mostly needs to be sure he has sufficient wire gauge for the length he wants to achieve.

My .02

 

[gtochris]

What you have there is a very good boat....8' beam think very comfortable usally found on 22' and above boat's..it also has a very tall gunwhales to the top of the winsheild it about 5 or 6ft....Think a very dry ride on rough water's again think of 22' boat and above. Truly a great boat for large river's and lakes you never get into trouble in 4/5 swell's....now 6-7 its heads up.....Ok I have a dog in the fight so to speak...a bit updated but the same boat I sneak down to the prop forums read the rules and post your results...there's a bit more performance going on there than 50 about 55/60 I would say assuming that's a 5.7 vortec with a 4 barrel carb.

Nice Wellcraft yourself! I always felt they built a very classy standout craft with a bit of performance in each model.
I'm on a lake but we deal with alot of chop, maybe 2-3ft which I would not hit at full speed but none the less it's a fairly dry ride and it will plow through alot of stuff.
This one is the 2 barrel factory spec 5.7. I don't think they made a 4 barrel at Mercruiser, just the EFI version? It's good enough for our needs.

 

[gtochris]

I wouldn't worry about moving them, and if the list bothered me I'd do it. My factory installed batteries are located opposite each other on the port and starboard beams a couple feet forward of the transom, and the factory installed AB switch is mounted behind one of the cabin steps. There's a good 10 feet of cable between the switch and each battery. The OP should route the second cable so it's as short as possible (maybe even move the switch), but he mostly needs to be sure he has sufficient wire gauge for the length he wants to achieve.

My .02

Next time I'm in the boat I will post a picture of the job this previous mechanic did with the 2nd battery install. Some of the wire is of a thicker gauge... (bad?) it isn't consistent. Another nice feature they did was put 2 screws thru the edge of the hull when installing (out the bottom). Of course I negotiated that factor into my purchase as I needed to repair it prior to launch, it was right on the edge so no water could have penetrated into foam. It was a questionable install job IMO.

Even if I move one to the Port side, I'm still only about 3 feet away from the switch.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

I was really caught between a excaliber and the 186, as you can see I let money get in the way. Ive found they ride the smoothest at about 40 in a 2' chop....sounds a bit crazy but they really do. As to the 4 barrel you would find a whole different boat with it and a SS 4 blade the hull really responds well to lift...think of high strung sports car. Good luck nice boat.:tea:



One thing it would be prudent to strip the boat and a empty gas tank take it to truck weigh in scale and get the weight.....making sure there is no water below the deck.