Thinking about buying this boat

southkogs

southkogs

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I don't know enough about the value of a McKee to comment on price. It seems a little pricey, but that boat has a pretty good reputation. I think that outboard is another that has a good reputation, so if both are in good shape it may be the right price.

If it's in good condition, it's a nice rig.
 
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younggun

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Thanks for the quick reply. The guy said he is negotiable so I am hoping I could talk him down some. The boat seems to be in good shape and he said he just completely went through it and redid everything.
 
southkogs

southkogs

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See this thread: http://forums.iboats.com/forum/gene...eeding-help-buying-a-boat-a-buyer-s-checklist and read it carefully. There's some excellent stuff in there for lookin' at a used boat.

Set yourself up properly to go see it, and by that I mean go in ready to walk away (maybe even start by assuming you're not going to buy it). If you get yourself over amped to buy a boat, sometimes you have a hard time not buying one.

I went and looked at an old bow rider with a friend the other day and it just wasn't worth what the guy was asking - and had too many question marks about it's condition. Chances are we could have talked the guy down (we'd already made it down almost $1,000 from asking), but my friend would still have probably bought a headache. If you can spend a few bucks to take a marine mechanic to look at it (or take it to a tech) or have an experienced parent or friend it would be well worth it to have a good second opinion with you.

After that - if it's in really good shape, and seems well cared for, sometimes paying a little extra for that isn't the worst thing in the world.
 
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younggun

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I have a compression tester and will most definitely check that and also I have some mechanical experience as I have been around an automotive shop for the last 3 years. I will try to find somebody to go with me. Thanks for the link. I will be sure to read through it.
 
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younggun

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Does anyone else know anything about these boats and/or motors?
 
Texasmark

Texasmark

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The engines are legendary, but that model precedes the Loop Charged Induction system which makes a big difference in fuel economy. For a guy your age and first boat that is a whopper. Follow the other's advice and spend a few bucks and have an experienced person/shop look at it.

Mark
 
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younggun

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This will actually not be my first boat, just my first I payed for. I got a 14 ft side console with an old 40 mercury for my 16th birthday that some family friends sold my dad for $200. I have learned the waters and how to operate a boat in a safe and responsible manner over the last 2 years in that boat but I have been looking for something a little bigger but not to give up too much draft to still be able to get shallow. I am actually going over to my dad's friends house later and he works on boats and I am going to talk to him about paying him a little to go look at it with me if I pay him a little.
 
southkogs

southkogs

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Sounds like you're working up a good plan and have a good head about the deal. It's all about condition at this point. Originally, both boat and outboard were respectable products.
 
jigngrub

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My main concerns with that boat would be waterlogged/saturated floatation foam and a rotten transom.

Just in the small pic I see quite a few holes and penetrations (red) that will allow water intrusion:

The weathered hatch and the signs of standing water in the stern (yellow) tells me this boat hasn't been kept covered.

Just because the owner says he's been over the boat from stem to stern doesn't mean diddly-squat, why can I see holes if he's been over the boat? I'm pretty sure all he's done is prep it for a quick sale.

The more I look at and think about this boat, and the ones I've seen like it in the restoration forum... the more I think this boat is going to have issues that will require considerable time and money invested in the hull.
 
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jigngrub

jigngrub

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From what I can see, the Key West rescue (in post#11) looks best... and Key West is a very good brand.

The KW in post #12 mentions cosmetic damage, I'd have to see that damage before I could judge.
 
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