What do you guys think of the Wellcraft 24 walkaround?

[capecodtodd]

My wife is really excited about getting a boat now and I should probably strike while the iron is hot! The door has been shut on getting that cheap Proline project because in the end it will cost just as much to bring it back as a boat that is already in better condition and ready to go.
I have always liked Wellcraft boats and the 24 walkaround seems like the perfect boat for us. There are several for sale in our area but 2 I am really keen on. They are a 99 for $8500 and a 2000 for $18,000 .
The 1999 for $8500 looks clean with a Mercury 225 EFI offshore engine and a trailer that needs lights, fenders and brake work but the owner says the boat is clean, solid and the engine is good.
The 2000 for $18,000 looks like a dream with all the bells and whistles and a 225 yamaha 2 stroke salt water series engine. The boat and trailer look to be mint but $10,000 more than the other for the same boat one year newer ! That seems like a lot .

What do you guys think of the Mercury against the Yamaha engine? My first 2 boats had Evinrudes on them and that was in the early 90's and they were from the 70's so I'm sure things have changed.
It would be great to have a motor with fuel injection and not have to fiddle with a carb anymore like I do on my Stingray.

I might be dreaming about the $18,000 dollar boat but maybe if it doesn't sell by the end of the year he will have a big sale? who knows the motivation but the other boat that is under $10,000 is something we could probably do.

Thanks in advance for your comments.

 

[tpenfield]

They are decent boats and both of those engine brands are fine. I tend to favor Mercury.

some comments on THT about the transom being cut too low and water getting into the boat while fishing off of the stern.

The $8500 price seems way low and the $18000 price seems a bit high. Check out other price listing on the web for comparison. Usually folks who want to sell their boat lower the price until it sells. The ones that don’t love their boat more than money.

definitely get a survey as part of the sale.

 

[tomhath]

Sounds like the trailer on the '99 is eaten up from being in saltwater. I'd be very careful about the boat and motor if the guy hasn't maintained the trailer.

 

[capecodtodd]

The one for $8500 was the low point and the $18,000 was the high that I found somewhat locally. There were others in between those prices.
My wife called the guy with the lower priced one to ask him some questions and I believe your suspicions are correct tomhath. The guy lives very close to the ramp so I bet he just shoots over to drop the boat in. The lights are usually the first to go with constant dipping into salt water the brakes the second. I also wonder about the rest of the boat if he let the trailer go.
This dream of getting a bigger more sea worthy boat might be slipping away because my wife is now talking about getting an airstream trailer. I think she is having a mid life crisis. LOL I'm on board with either choice but right now I want to go cruising and fishing.

 

[dingbat]

Nothing has changed. Your fast approaching end of serviceable life on a boat pushing 20 years old. Same issues I laid out for the Proline.

When was the fuel tank last pulled and inspected? Have all the fuel lines and fuel fill been replaced? How many hours on the motor

Dont know how the market is up there, but the $18k Welcraft guy is dreaming. Anything with a 2 stroke (except DFI) is considered to need repowered and priced at hull value.

If all the updates have been done, you’re looking at $12k tops.

 

[tpenfield]

Aluminum/galvy trailers can be had for not too much $$$$. I just put new wiring and lights on an old trailer, not a bad job, cost nearly $100

new brakes might be $400. . .

 

[capecodtodd]

Nothing has changed. Your fast approaching end of serviceable life on a boat pushing 20 years old. Same issues I laid out for the Proline.

When was the fuel tank last pulled and inspected? Have all the fuel lines and fuel fill been replaced? How many hours on the motor

Dont know how the market is up there, but the $18k Welcraft guy is dreaming. Anything with a 2 stroke (except DFI) is considered to need repowered and priced at hull value.

If all the updates have been done, you’re looking at $12k tops.

I hear you about a 20 year old boat. My Stingray is a 1998 with a 3.0 mercruiser I/O and it is still a great boat (despite the coon remodeled seats) and the engine is strong but I have been taking good care of that boat for 15 or so years now.
It is hard to tell how a 20 year old boat/engine will fare and how the owner has taken care of it over the years so it is a bit of a gamble to buy such an old boat but the newer ones are just crazy.

I don;t know where you are located but prices in Mass. seem high. A 24' Wellcraft 1998-2000 is generally under $15,000 but jump up to the same boat that is a 02-2005 and they are $30,000 ! Crazy stuff and way out of my budget.

I know there is a boat out there with my name on it that is solid with a good motor and I will eventually find it.

 

[capecodtodd]

Aluminum/galvy trailers can be had for not too much $$$$. I just put new wiring and lights on an old trailer, not a bad job, cost nearly $100

new brakes might be $400. . .

I have no experience with trailer brakes but I did rewire with new lights and a designated ground the trailer I have now and it was easy enough.

I'm starting to think that I might have to cast my lines further away to find a boat that has been kept well and hasn't spent it's life in saltwater.

 

[tpenfield]

Lots of boats spend their life in salt water. so, if you are looking at outboard engines, then it is just a matter of how well kept they are. If you were looking at I/O engines with open cooling that would be a different story.

 

[wahlejim]

Just my .02, I would stay away from a 20 year old EFI engine. Not as easy to work on as the carbed ones, a lot more expensive repairs too.

 

[dingbat]

I hear you about a 20 year old boat. My Stingray is a 1998 with a 3.0 mercruiser I/O and it is still a great boat

As is my 1997 Grady but all systems have been replaced or upgraded in the past 10 years.

I don;t know where you are located but prices in Mass. seem high. A 24' Wellcraft 1998-2000 is generally under $15,000 but jump up to the same boat that is a 02-2005 and they are $30,000 ! Crazy stuff and way out of my budget..

Maryland, Chesapeake Bay

The year isn’t the price factor, it’s the power.
That same 2000 Welcraft will bring $20K with a 4 stroke on the back.

The advertised price is never the sale price.

Wait until fall and be patient. It took me almost 2 years to find mine. Got a steal...guy bought a bigger boat and had to get rid of it in a hurry.

Got it for payoff value on the loan. Five years old..full enclosure canvas and seat pads still in OE boxes.

 

[capecodtodd]

As is my 1997 Grady but all systems have been replaced or upgraded in the past 10 years.

Maryland, Chesapeake Bay

The year isn’t the price factor, it’s the power.
That same 2000 Welcraft will bring $20K with a 4 stroke on the back.

The advertised price is never the sale price.

Wait until fall and be patient. It took me almost 2 years to find mine. Got a steal...guy bought a bigger boat and had to get rid of it in a hurry.

Got it for payoff value on the loan. Five years old..full enclosure canvas and seat pads still in OE boxes.

I agree that Fall will be the best time to find a deal. The boat I have now is my 4th and I have always bought in the Fall and sold in the Spring. My wife is not happy with that plan because she does not want 2 boats sitting the yard but you know what they say, Buy Low and Sell High and that is the way to do it.

I have been in sales for years now from cars to houses and there is no telling what someones motivation will be and I can be patient.

Thanks for your advice.