Updated: 4/14 Need Help Buying A Used Bass Boat Off Cl

[rcr1959]

I bought this boat on CL. $800 for boat and trailer, bought a used Johnson motor and had it rebuilt. Under $3k invested.

[rcr1959]

Update: Hey guys I am back at it. No luck last year, I am back at it this year for the season. I still would like to sit at the range mentioned in the title. And most philosophies stand true. I would like opinions on the following stretch-my-budget boat. http://centralmich.craigslist.org/boa/3717511423.html

 

Furthermore, the bass tracker aluminum boats with decks on front and back seem to fit the bill. I missed out on one a couple days a go. Just looking for some input.

 

Thanks all.

 

~Skel

Nice looking! Run a compression test on that motor! Those older mercs also seem to have elec. problems and are hard to get parts. Good luck.

[skeletor6]

I bought this boat on CL. $800 for boat and trailer, bought a used Johnson motor and had it rebuilt. Under $3k invested.

 

Sounds like a nice deal you got!. Thanks for the input.

 

Before the phone call we had a text message And I quote from that "I just put $700 into the motor last year to rebuild carb and tune up. It's a beast, runs great will reach 50mph everything works great except the fish finders. Not willing to go much lower on the price." 

 

I talked to the guy on the phone.(I am paraphrasing)... He bought the boat 4 years ago at an auction (800 bid or something like that). He said he had the motor looked at after he bought it by a boat mechanic and everything checked out good. The mechanic I guess said the motor was in great like new condition. He said this after I was asking about the compression check. I don't know if this was before or after the rebuilding of the carburetor and tuning. Said there was no soft spots in the deck or any repairs made to the hull. He actually was no sure if the boat is a 1980 Scalper because the logo or what not is not visible. He said he did research and that is the closest he could find. Any idea what this boat might be or how I could find out? 

 

Also, he mentioned that some of the clear coat on the fiberglass has/is peeling off and the looks of the boat looks better in the picture than it does in person. The fish finders he said are no good. He thinks they are fried from being left out, which sounded strange, but nonetheless useless. All of the gauges, work except for the speedometer. The trim works, but he said after a long period of sitting it will go down. Any idea if this is a precursor to failure, or reason for?  Also, the livewell's work and they are in good condition and many of the compartments are plastic or polymer based. The steering also is smooth without any hitches and there is not any play in the transom. Also, it does include a cover and was stored inside last year, but was stored outside with the cover on the previous 3 years as he moved a year ago to the place that has a pole-barn currently.

 

I talked to a trusted friend of mine who said he did not enjoy fishing out of of these style boats because he felt like there was little storage space and could fish at most 2 people. Does anyone have any idea of how wide the back deck is on this boat? (I guess that is hard to say w/o knowing the make/model/year).

 

Anyways, he lives fairly close and is willing to let me test-drive it and all of that. Definitely I am going to give it a compression check and the testing indicated earlier in this thread. What would be a fair price for this boat? And is it worth checking into or should I keep searching for something different? 

 

Thanks!

[rcr1959]

If the trim bleeds down it may have a problem. Personally, I would run from the old "Tower of Power" mercs. But that 's IMO. It may be just fine. You will have to test it out and run it. See if it "sputters" on acc. I am not familier with the brand of boat. Any way best of luck. Only you will know if it fits YOUR needs. Old boats are that. OLD. somethings will work and some not. Based on what you told me I would not go over $3000 +/-

 

ck out this one in your area. http://lansing.craigslist.org/boa/3711109878.html

[skeletor6]

Anybody got any advice on this boat http://kalamazoo.craigslist.org/boa/3744589699.html

 

 

It needs a new trim motor as it clicks, but does not move up and down. I can get it $2500 OBO  It is a 1989 Astro Quickfire 17sc

 

Any opinions appreciated. I am going to check it out tomorrow. 

 

Also My price range is now $4000 max

[slonezp]

For and older boat, visually it looks to be in good shape. Merc carbureted motors are notorious for cold start frustrations. 40mph is accurate for a 90hp on a 17ft boat. If 4k is your max, keep a running tab in your head what repairs and upgrades will cost. 

[J Francho]

Definitely check for stringer and transom rot.

[skeletor6]

Definitely check for stringer and transom rot.

 

What is stringer rot?

[slonezp]

The stringers are the supports in the hull

[skeletor6]

The stringers are the supports in the hull

 

Thank you

[dyerfish]

Be careful ,I just traded my Harley Davidson for a 1988 stratos boat,and found water under the floor where the batteries are in the bilge area ,he claimed there is nothing wrong with the boat,at least I can fix it myself,also do a compression test first ,if you can ,but I should of wondered why he had to get rid of it brfore spring, now im afraid to trust anyone anymore