Would you buy this?

[ryanr623]

OK, i am looking for an "upgrade" from my 1982 imperial v183, merc 120. Been a good boat, but i want a stereo, and full swim platform for the islands.

I looked at this boat and it is in good running condition, no soft spots, and good interior. The dealer said that he would sell it to me $3200 out the door, with trailer. I only heard it run on the anti-freeze machine, but he states it was water tested and inspected by his techs. BTW the seat behind the drivers side where your butt sits isnt coming apart, its an insert. Really weird seating design.

Is $3200 out the door a good price on this? From looking at other similiar rinkers, it seems to be.

http://www.dlwatersports.com/pre_ow...49878X2K22K2011J2I17I35JPMQ2912R0&veh=1830007

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Would you buy this?

Well that boat seems to be in a little better than average condition for the year. It could probably polish up to looking quite good. That trailer looks rough. Are you sure it's just surface rust and it's not a fully boxed frame one rotting from the inside also? I've made a mistake on that before. I know iboats members are typically pretty harsh on pricing, and even trying my best to not go down that road, I've gotta say that price is average at best considering the year and the 4 cyl.

 

[ryanr623]

Re: Would you buy this?

Well that boat seems to be in a little better than average condition for the year. It could probably polish up to looking quite good. That trailer looks rough. Are you sure it's just surface rust and it's not a fully boxed frame one rotting from the inside also? I've made a mistake on that before. I know iboats members are typically pretty harsh on pricing, and even trying my best to not go down that road, I've gotta say that price is average at best considering the year and the 4 cyl.

Hmmmmm, NADA, im assuming w/o trailer, was 2090 in average condition. Most dealers are asking around 5k for these in similiar shape, but again, we are talking about dealers. I like the idea that it was inspected by techs though. Did not even think to look at the trailer, good catch.

 

[dorelse]

Re: Would you buy this?

Ok...here's my opinion...that trailer looks awful...like ezmobee said...check it out carefully.

Boat seems ok. Here's the thing I'd say...it it worth $1700 to have nicer seats than the Starcraft? Its obviously been sitting for a while...is it currently buried in snow? Or did they cover it for winter?

You can pretty easily put in some replacement back-to-backs in the Starcraft and be ahead on $...if they're truly both solid boat otherwise. (Or maybe that Starcraft was just really much worse than you just described it?)

Rinkers are generally well built.

Price...eh, seems ok. Prices vary by region & season...$3200 is probably in the ball park for IA.

 

[dorelse]

Re: Would you buy this?

How about the Regal w/V6 for $1k more?

 

[ryanr623]

Re: Would you buy this?

How about the Regal w/V6 for $1k more?

I saw that one, but it is smaller and doesn't have a radio. Due to 2-3 footers being a constant on lake erie, unless you have a good hull design, you cant do much more than 25mph anyways.... so the 3.0 will do fine. Its actually 15 more HP than i have now

 

[dorelse]

Re: Would you buy this?

Hmm...I wish mine didn't have a radio. I hate that big hole in the dash, and we never use ours. When I go to the lake, I try to get away from noise, hear the loons & eagles, waves, etc...(But...that's just my way of relaxing.)

Anyway, putting a radio in a boat is not a big deal at all...so don't let that be your deciding factor.

 

[ryanr623]

Re: Would you buy this?

Hmm...I wish mine didn't have a radio. I hate that big hole in the dash, and we never use ours. When I go to the lake, I try to get away from noise, hear the loons & eagles, waves, etc...(But...that's just my way of relaxing.)

Anyway, putting a radio in a boat is not a big deal at all...so don't let that be your deciding factor.

yeah i could do it, just dont want to .... my girlfirend and her friends love the radio, and we use it for more of a party boat, and going to the islands. I would love to be able to boat somewhere that had loons! All we have is GULLS!

 

[dorelse]

Re: Would you buy this?

Yep, ok. If your sure everything's solid then it certainly looks ok. No one will ever accuse the 3.0L of being a gas guzzler, so that should make for cruising the islands & back an easy task.

I had a 96 Glastron GS185 with the 3.0L and it really was a great boat.


And...most importantly...if the GF likes the tunes...you better make sure the boat has a radio! (Been there.)

 

[Solittle]

Re: Would you buy this?

You wrote "- - - but he states it was water tested and inspected by his techs." - - Unless you have it checked out by your techs what the seller says is useless. Remember his objective is to get $$$ out of your pocket and put it into his.

 

[ryanr623]

Re: Would you buy this?

Ok...here's my opinion...that trailer looks awful...like ezmobee said...check it out carefully.

Boat seems ok. Here's the thing I'd say...it it worth $1700 to have nicer seats than the Starcraft? Its obviously been sitting for a while...is it currently buried in snow? Or did they cover it for winter?

You can pretty easily put in some replacement back-to-backs in the Starcraft and be ahead on $...if they're truly both solid boat otherwise. (Or maybe that Starcraft was just really much worse than you just described it?)

Rinkers are generally well built.

Price...eh, seems ok. Prices vary by region & season...$3200 is probably in the ball park for IA.

Yeah it was winterized and shrink wrapped. The reason I will likely get this one is because it is a foot longer, 7 inches wider, and a lot deeper than the starcraft according to iboats.... which makes a difference in erie. Just by looking at how narrow and shallow the eurostar was I knew it would be rough on the big water. By the time I got done buying new seats I would have almost 3 in it anyways.

Do you think I should wait and see what else comes? All the boats around here so far around 3k have been older and in not as good shape.... and it'll get worse come spring. Other dealers around the country that have this boat are around 5k-6k, so I'm thinking I should do it. Whatcha think? Thanks for the honest help, its a big purchase for me

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Would you buy this?

If you think it's a fair price and it's a boat you want go for it. You've been around here long enough to know what to look for rot wise. Check out that trailer real well, maybe get some kind of short warranty or something to force them to back up their "water tested and tech approved" comments. You probably won't find much better in the $3k price range and as I said, that one is in above average condition for the year.

 

[dorelse]

Re: Would you buy this?

Yeah...what ezmobee said...only you can say if its right for you. Prices will obviously be climbing here shortly...but if you like it and you have personally verified its solid...make the decision that's right for you.

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: Would you buy this?

How about the Regal w/V6 for $1k more?

I would look into that one.. At least there isn't any pink seats. Has the slicked back windshield. Snap on cover.. Swivel captains chair Said she has a radio.. It's worth a grand more
At one time I was looking to buy a 3.0.. Rode it around and everything.. I liked it.. Ended up with the getting the V6.. It's a fuel sipper too and the power difference feels like night and day..

Neither one of them have a real large swim platform but I think the regal's looks a bit bigger.. Swim platform sold me on my boat and a big one is nice..

My boat is so old that it has a cassette player(new sony cd with ipod connection is in the garage waiting to go in) Hope the one you are looking at has at least a updated radio...

If ya already fell in love ya better get her..

 

[ryanr623]

Re: Would you buy this?

well now i'm a little upset. Someone just told me that they made a 115hp and a 135hp 3.0 mercruiser in that era. So, in essence, my mercruiser 120, which is 10 years older and half a liter smaller.... makes more hp than some 3.0's. I just emailed the guy asking which it was, but my luck it is the 115hp version. Any way to tell by looking at the engine?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Would you buy this?

If I was a betting man, I'd say it was the 135. Most were. I haven't seen too many 115s since the 60's boats.

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: Would you buy this?

That's not a bunch of HP difference.. You won't be able to tell much difference in power between what ya have and the new rig.. If you want more power that you will notice.. You should get the bigger engine

 

[ryanr623]

Re: Would you buy this?

If I was a betting man, I'd say it was the 135. Most were. I haven't seen too many 115s since the 60's boats.

Yeah i figured. I've heard that for some 3.0's they used left over 2.5l heads. (1990-1994). But why would a 2.5 head on a 3.0, make less hp then a 2.5 liter head on a 2.5 litre? Doesnt make much sense.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Would you buy this?

To directly answer your question, No I wouldn't buy it. I'm quite familiar with early 1980's Imperials, and I wouldn't conside the Rinker an upgrade.

I installed an aftermarket radio in my boat and if I had it to do over again I would have skipped it. Hsn't been used in 20 years! If you really need a radio buy a boombox.

Installing a swim platform is a piece of cake.

Unless your current boat has other issues, I'd just keep it.

That's not a fact based statement, just an opinion, which is what you asked for.

 

[ryanr623]

Re: Would you buy this?

To directly answer your question, No I wouldn't buy it. I'm quite familiar with early 1980's Imperials, and I wouldn't conside the Rinker an upgrade.

I installed an aftermarket radio in my boat and if I had it to do over again I would have skipped it. Hsn't been used in 20 years! If you really need a radio buy a boombox.

Installing a swim platform is a piece of cake.

Unless your current boat has other issues, I'd just keep it.

That's not a fact based statement, just an opinion, which is what you asked for.

Its not just the radio, its newer, and nicer. And bigger. As far as build quality, the rinker is a much nicer boat. I had to reconstruct the entire imperial, and the original owner did as well. Transom even had to be replaced. Rinkers also have a cult following for some reason. I've heard nothing but good things. Its no sea ray or regal, but its heads and tails above the smaller imperials..... and a decent middle of the road boat. I was more asking about if the price is right.... and it seems to be in line