1990 pro craft pro caster 180

[Hunter Ferguson]

I have a family friend who has a 1990 pro craft pro caster 180 with a Johnson 150 GT v6 for sale $2000. This will be my first bass boat and I've read my forums about what to look for when buying but I can't really find anything particular on this model boat. Any help would be appreciated on what to look for and is that a good deal. I don't know the hours on motor and if I had to guess it probably hadn't been ran in over a year. 

 

Thanks for any help, 

[fishnkamp]

ProCraft always made a solid boat. Those engines were bullet proof almost. Having said that I would get your friend to take you out in it. See how it operates.  There is some things to expect or be aware of. Look the trailer over good for rust and cracks while the boat is off it. I do not care if the bunks need new carpet but if you purchase it and the trailer cracks you need to spend between $1500 and $2000 to replace it. Expect the hubs will need new bearings and seals to be safe.  Have a mechanic check out the engine including a lower unit service. Make sure they pull the prop and check for fishing line and the condition of the seal. This will cost a few hundred dollars but replacing the engine is much more.

If you decide to purchase it replace all the fuel lines. These new ethanol fuels destroy the old lines from the inside out. Replace any fuel filters too. If all that works out I would budget money to replace every battery in use. More than likely a boat that size had either  2 or 3 12 volt deep cycle batteries. Do not skimp here. The starting battery can be a dual purpose group 27,30 or 31 size batteries. I prefer AGM designed ones.  The one or two used for the trolling motor should be the same size and again I prefer the AGMs but lead acids is okay.  You may end up with a great first boat but be aware and look before leaping.  If you can have someone else that owns a bass boat go with you to check out what you might miss.

Good Luck and keep us up with how it goes. 

[blackmax135]

What fishinnkamp said,  but one thing I will add is to check the stringers and the transom.  You can check the transom with a hammer by lightly tapping in different locations, it should not make a deep thud sound. I have a 94 procraft and its a wood constructed boat.  If he had it sitting in the rain for a while it could be that the wood in the boat has had some water seep into it.  If that has happened then the hull wont be good for long.  See if there is any rot in the floor where you ride and if there is, chances are the stringers are rotten then you will have a boat with no support; thats bad.

In my opinion if everything checks out good 2000 isn't a bad price. 

[Hunter Ferguson]

Thanks for the advice guys! 

[Further North]

I can't comment on the boat, but I can agree with this:

21 hours ago, fishnkamp said:

Those engines were bullet proof almost.

I had one on a 1990 Lund Pro-V 1800, and that thing would pull the bottom of the lake up if you needed it to.

 

...one thing you'll want to know: That motor is a thirsty son-of-a-gun.  The last year I had it, I took a trip to Canada and spent about $550 in gas.  The next year with a Suzuki DF 140 on a Crestliner Pro-Am 1750 I was under $100, and my last few years on Lake of the Woods with Johnson 140 Four Stroke (A Suzuki DF 140 with a Johnson hood on it) on a Crestliner CMV, I've been running somewhere around 165 - 170 miles for the week on about $75 - $80 in gas.

[danover321]

Hello, I own a 1990 ProCraft Pro Caster 180 with a Mercury 150 Blackmax.  I love the boat due to all the amenities included for a 1990 boat.  Things to look for are as stated transom, stringers, and trailer.  This boat is equipped with 2 live wells and 2 bait wells; make sure the pumps for the wells and bilge are operational.  Additionally, check the Bottom Line Depth finder and aerator control on the dash.  $2000.00 is a good deal if everything checks out OK and the motor is in good shape.  I paid $4200.00 for my rig back in 07/17.  Can you post some additional pictures of the interior?

[sfpalatka]

I have a 1996 procraft 200 super pro with a 225 promax and love it. Just make sure you keep up with the maintenance on the trailer

[Hunter Ferguson]

On 8/3/2018 at 4:14 PM, danover321 said:

Hello, I own a 1990 ProCraft Pro Caster 180 with a Mercury 150 Blackmax.  I love the boat due to all the amenities included for a 1990 boat.  Things to look for are as stated transom, stringers, and trailer.  This boat is equipped with 2 live wells and 2 bait wells; make sure the pumps for the wells and bilge are operational.  Additionally, check the Bottom Line Depth finder and aerator control on the dash.  $2000.00 is a good deal if everything checks out OK and the motor is in good shape.  I paid $4200.00 for my rig back in 07/17.  Can you post some additional pictures of the interior?

Danover321 I appreciate the reply and I will definitely look for those things when I go to look at it tomorrow! I wish I had more pictures of the inside but I don't she told me it had new carpet and seat put in last year but she didn't send me any pictures of them so we will see when I get there. Your boat looks great I hope this one is similar.

 

[danover321]

Hello Hunter, did you have the chance to look at the boat in person?  If so, what kind of shape was it in?

[scaleface]

I had an 84 procraft and one of the stringers got wet and completely rotted away . 

[Hunter Ferguson]

18 hours ago, danover321 said:

Hello Hunter, did you have the chance to look at the boat in person?  If so, what kind of shape was it in?

I did and it was in awful shape. I appreciate the help!