1986 Kingfisher

[S. Sass]

I have come across a 1986 (I think its a 86') Kingfisher bass boat. Wanted to see if any of you boat gurus knew anything about them. This one has been neglected bad parked under a tree with no cover for 2 years. All the carpet is either ripped up, or out, or is nasty as heck. I didn't see any rips in the seats but there might be a few small ones or weather cracks. It has a 90hp Johnson and a Min Kota trolling motor. Some very small depth finder is there as well but looks like its probably ruined. It looks like a serious cleaning and new carpet would change its appearance dramatically.

But I am no boat expert but want to get in one just to be able to hobby fish from. Not looking for a tournament or to join the Jones club comparing rides. Im just looking for a basic boat that can be fished from on a lake with a friend or two. The old Jon boat is fine but a little more solid vessel would be nice in the open water. 

Do you guys think there is any chance that it is worth saving without going in the red (spending way to much on a old boat)? And if so what roughly would it be worth. I was thinking $500.00 max but I may be way short on what its worth. Just considering I have no clue if anything works I didn't want to spend to much.

This is the only pic I have currently.

[thomas15]

I don't know anything about this particular boat but a 30 year boat that has been collecting rain water for at least 2 years is going the be a complete rehab. In other words, complete demo, rebuild and restore. Figure  2 years of work and 1000s of dollars if you do it yourself. This is the very definition of a project boat.

If the owner wants to give it to you and you have the desire to do  a lot of work and have a place to do the work then it might be worth it. Otherwise, no.

[WIGuide]

I would see if you can get it out and running first. I think it's going to need some major TLC. I don't see much in the way of value there so it's worth whatever you're willing to pay. I will say if you're getting into it, make sure everything is structurally sound. If it's not walk away.

[Zachb6]

I have a 1990 kingfisher 179v with a 150hp Suzuki and it runs like a top I'm very glad with it but in your instance if it's sat under a tree uncovered I'm sure the wood will probably be rotted, the electronics and wires could be shot from the rain water, no carpet like you said, unless he's gonna give you the boat for very very cheap I would just keep on looking 

-Zach 

[S. Sass]

Thanks guys this is sort of about what I expected. Maybe a little worse. 

I for some reason doubt he will "give" me the boat. Assuming what your saying is correct and I believe it probably is rotted some if not a lot. What is the most it would be worth. I'm assuming the 90hp Johnson motor is not hurt maybe a tune up from sitting etc but where would to much be? $100 $200 or $500?

I'm not in love with it just looking for a inexpensive way to have a little more boat. I just fish for fun so there is nothing to validate spending monthly payments for me to float around 60 days a year. 

[Catt]

http://boatspecs.iboats.com/Kingfisher__Bass_Boat__1989/bp/31br1997c11y

[thomas15]

16 hours ago, S. Sass said:

Thanks guys this is sort of about what I expected. Maybe a little worse. 

I for some reason doubt he will "give" me the boat. Assuming what your saying is correct and I believe it probably is rotted some if not a lot. What is the most it would be worth. I'm assuming the 90hp Johnson motor is not hurt maybe a tune up from sitting etc but where would to much be? $100 $200 or $500?

I'm not in love with it just looking for a inexpensive way to have a little more boat. I just fish for fun so there is nothing to validate spending monthly payments for me to float around 60 days a year. 

It doesn't really matter how much you plan to use the boat, if it is waterlogged under the deck then the boat is not worth anything period. Think about it if the boat motor functioned well and the hull was sound two years ago then why wouldn't the owner at least put a $40.00 tarp over it?

Of course it is speculation on my part but my guess is if you are very lucky then a few hundred dollars to get the motor functioning properly but the chances that the wooden stringers and transom is whooped is very high and then you would still need to get the electronics, cosmetics (carpet/seats/ect...), TM, batteries, safety equipment, any trailer issues and so forth paid for. I seriously doubt this would be a  low cost fun boating experience but I'm not looking at the boat, nor do I know it's history, instead I'm looking at a computer keyboard. 

When a boat sits outside uncovered then leaves and debris collect inside and clog up the drain. This assumes the plug is out. If the drain plug was not out or the drain clogged for what ever reason then there is a very high percent chance that the guts under the floor are waterlogged and the transom/stringers basically shot. This makes the boat un-sea worthy by definition. Not trying to be a pain the the *, just telling the truth.

[S. Sass]

Went and looked at it today. I agree there is way more work than fishing involved there. Although the owner never said a price I believe $100 or less would have took it he wanted it gone. 

I passed

[thomas15]

On ‎4‎/‎26‎/‎2016 at 1:04 PM, S. Sass said:

Thanks guys this is sort of about what I expected. Maybe a little worse. 

I for some reason doubt he will "give" me the boat. Assuming what your saying is correct and I believe it probably is rotted some if not a lot. What is the most it would be worth. I'm assuming the 90hp Johnson motor is not hurt maybe a tune up from sitting etc but where would to much be? $100 $200 or $500?

I'm not in love with it just looking for a inexpensive way to have a little more boat. I just fish for fun so there is nothing to validate spending monthly payments for me to float around 60 days a year. 

I don't mean to sound like a broken record but the words "fun" and "inexpensive" do not belong in the same paragraph in a discussion about a 30 year boat left out in the weather unprotected for several years. To put it bluntly, at best, the boat is worth zero dollars. It could be less than zero dollars value if you have to pay to have someone dispose of the body. I'm glad to hear that you took a pass.