what do you guys think, should I buy this?

[indy440]

The guy agreed on $1800 plus my 1985 90hp johnson motor on trade. The guy said the boat is solid and the floor is good. He did say the floor had one soft spot but it was replaced in that spot and you'd never know it. The motor runs good but doesnt have an hour guage. It has a newer lower unit and new bellows in the outdrive. He said that interior is orignal and that its not quite like normal marine vinyl, its a more durable material but he wasnt sure what its called. For 1800 bucks plus an old outboard I have taking up space it seems like a solid deal.

heres the link:

http://wad20.wantaddigest.com/deale...01&adid=A00420&adclass2=Boats&headsub=INVADER

 

[22E6441]

Re: what do you guys think, should I buy this?

If your 90 is in good shape you should get more for it. At least, it would go for more than that local to me. I'm assuming it has power tnt and runs good? Minimum $1250 to $1500 here for a good motor like that.

So they patched the deck? I'd be curious about the stringers and the transom.

Looks like a nice boat though.

 

[indy440]

Re: what do you guys think, should I buy this?

non-power tilt and the motor hasnt run in almost two years. I've had it listed locally for 600 with very little attention...

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: what do you guys think, should I buy this?

i would rather have a 4.3 v 6, but not a bad boat,

 

[indy440]

Re: what do you guys think, should I buy this?

I'd rather have a 5.7 V8, but they are impossible to find around here...

 

[indy440]

Re: what do you guys think, should I buy this?

The guy said the stringers and foam are good, he checked them when he replaced the spot in the floor.

Im going to pick it up tomorrow for 1875 plus my 90hp motor unless someone gives me a strong reason not to...

 

[NoKlu]

Re: what do you guys think, should I buy this?

Have a good look at the wood if you can. If the deck was soft it generally means there is more damage below deck and a lot of guys don't go to the trouble of a stringer and transom job.

 

[5150abf]

Re: what do you guys think, should I buy this?

How many post have we seen where they start "The guy said...".

Check it out very well, from what I understand it isn't normal for a small spot to go bad, there is usually more involved.

The boat could be a good deal just be careful, I think I would walk personnaly but I hate glass, tin man here.

 

[RickJ6956]

Re: what do you guys think, should I buy this?

Take a hammer with you. Lightly tap on all of the stringers, transom and other structures. Solid structure will click or thud when you tap it with a hammer. Rotten wood under the fiberglass will sound hollow.

 

[indy440]

Re: what do you guys think, should I buy this?

I drove all the way there this morning and left without the boat. It was not as nice as the guy said. The outdrive looked like it had been in saltwater for the last 5 years, the annode fin was 85% gone. There was questionable cracks in the transom around the drive and when I stood on the drive it flexed a little and it sounded like the transom was "creeking"...

I specifically asked if all the electronics worked and he said yes. The horn was broken, the speedo wasnt even hooked up and the oil guage bounced irractically...

Oh well, 50 bucks gone in gas and the hunt continues...

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: what do you guys think, should I buy this?

Which 4 cylinder Mercruiser is it? If it is the 3.0 chevy block that is probably an ok boat. If it is the 470 concoction I would say you should keep looking.

 

[indy440]

Re: what do you guys think, should I buy this?

it sucks driving a distance to pickup a boat then leaving empty handed... I still think I made the right choice though... that boat was questionable at best, and the guy seemed shady...

 

[RickJ6956]

Re: what do you guys think, should I buy this?

Sorry -- double post

 

[RickJ6956]

Re: what do you guys think, should I buy this?

Which 4 cylinder Mercruiser is it? If it is the 3.0 chevy block that is probably an ok boat. If it is the 470 concoction I would say you should keep looking.

My '86 Four Winns had a 470 that ran perfectly for the 20 years I owned it, and I just saw it on plane last weekend. The key is to get one that has the cast iron manifold instead of the original aluminum. (I think they did that change during the '86 model year?)

Indy, you made a smart decision. Many people get all worked up about boats and buy stuff that's questionable because they like the layout, or the seats, or the graphics package. (Really!) It's a buyers market right now, and the decision you make today will be with you for quite some time.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: what do you guys think, should I buy this?

Better safe than sorry, especially with a "creaky" transom.

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: what do you guys think, should I buy this?

This summer alone I have done the following.

128 mi round trip to look at a POS mid 80s Chris Craft that was supposed to be in "Excellent Condition". Soft floor, awefull wiring, dirty, poorly sealed transom holes...just a bad boat, unsafe for use.

140 mi round trip to look at an 86 Starcraft aluminum runabout that was in "near perfect" condition. Soft floor, scratch and dented sides, aweful dock rash, pitted motor....a very useable boat but no where near perfect.

77 mi round trip to look at a 93 Wellcraft Excel that was "like new". This boat actually was the best that I have looked at. However, it did have some issues. The bilge was disgusting. It was covered in this oily, moldy, musty film that reaked. The seats and carpet were above average. The floor was solid. However, just that day they had friends on the boat that poked 3-4 holes in the seats being careless. I made a reasonable offer below his asking price and he refused.

250 miles round trip to look at a 94 Four Winns. This boat looked ok in pictures. The seller knew very little about boats. As it turns out when he bought the boat 4 years ago he got a bum deal. The floors were rotted bad, one of the stringers had a couple of 2x4s screwed to it to keep the floor supported. The boat was just neglected. It looks like it sat with water in it for long periods of time. Too bad because the hull, upholstery and motor were all pretty nice....testimate that the boat was pretty well made with good quality materials.

I am still looking.

You made the right choice.

 

[indy440]

Re: what do you guys think, should I buy this?

I'm amazed I can't find anything.

Here I am, with cash-in-hand, constantly scouring the internet for a decent boat, and I can not find one.

I guess the trick is to just save up until I can buy something nearly new (a year or two old at the most)... but I want a less expensive boat to enjoy while saving for the new one... The kids are only kids once and they enjoy our time at the lake... When my 3-year old overheard my wife and I talking about selling our boat (to buy a bigger one) she got all upset and started to cry... We had to explain we would be buying a bigger boat and she calmed down. But here we are two weeks later with no boat at all...

 

[indy440]

Re: what do you guys think, should I buy this?

Its funny how many people list their boat in "excellent condition" Then when you call they tell you how the floor is squishy, the motor doesnt idle, the seats are destroyed, and 1/2 the electronics don't work.

 

[Numlaar]

Re: what do you guys think, should I buy this?

it sucks driving a distance to pickup a boat then leaving empty handed... I still think I made the right choice though... that boat was questionable at best, and the guy seemed shady...

Chiming in late here, but I agree that you made the right choice... just from the few pictures, I think the boat itself was overpriced, and with the "soft spot" as mentioned, that typically means it's a lot worse where you cant see it.

Funny you have no interest in your outboard, what exactly is wrong with it?

 

[indy440]

Re: what do you guys think, should I buy this?

Nothing wrong with it except its been sitting for almost two years. I sprayed some gas in the carbs and it fired right up but didn't keep running. Its just laying on its side in my workshop right now. I'm thinking about building a stand for it and cleaning the carbs so it runs nice then relisting it.

I have never run it on the water.