What would you have done?

[snapshotmd]

A 1990 16' ProCraft 1672 aluminum boat with 1990 25hp Mercury on a 1996 Venture galvanized trailer showed up on CL yesterday. The asking price was $500. Yes, five hundred.

My area just had a snowstorm that had just ended when I went to look at the boat. The boat did not have a cover on and the inside was buried in snow and ice.  The owner says he owned it since it was new and has always put a cover over it but this year.

The hull exterior seemed in OK shape; no dents however there was a small hole in the transom above the waterline. The paint was scratched up and was peeling off the bottom of the boat. I put my weight on the motor while it trimmed up and the transom was solid. The owner turned the motor on momentarily to show operation. I checked the lower unit fluid and it was a thick green color. The steering hydralic line appeared to be frozen, after all it was about 25 deg out!

The trailer was in good shape. Minor rust at the tongue support and on the wheel hubs. The owner said he never had a trailer light go out on him.

He was selling it because he got a bigger boat and needed to clear his driveway. He says that he takes this boat out crabbing and used it last season.

The seats and carpeting definitely need replacing. The owner indicated that the floor was still good.

During the visit the owner's phone was ringing off the hook from people asking about the boat.

I ended up buying the boat. I know the warning about never buy a boat until you get it in the water and a mechanic to look at the motor, but at $500 I just could not let this deal pass me by.

I know I'm putting the cart before the horse, but I'm going to take the motor to the mechanic for a look see this weekend.

What would you have done?

[Dave D]

Good buy!  I would have bought it as well.

If it's not what you want in the end you can clean it up and sell if for a couple hundred profit.

Keep us posted with how it turns out.

[ROCbass]

Good buy! I would have bought it as well.

If it's not what you want in the end you can clean it up and sell if for a couple hundred profit.

Keep us posted with how it turns out.

x2

[Jig Man]

Bring it here.  I'll buy your gas and give you your money back.

You could give it a little tlc and make some bucks if it will float and the motor will start.

[cart7t]

I have a hunch you did good.  At $500 bucks purchase price you've got lots of room for fix up expenditures before you even begin to touch what the boat will be worth after all the repairs.

Good buy IMO and yes, I've bought a boat w/o a on the water test before.  Another deal like yours where the buyer was very motivated to sell and lots of people in line to purchase.

[snapshotmd]

whew!  This is my first boat so I wasn't totally sure if I did a stupid thing or not.  Before getting this boat I did alot of research on what to look for, and there were some checks I couldn't do because the deck was buried under ice/snow and couldn't put in the water.  I was standing there with half of me saying "I want this boat" and the other half "but you weren't thorough".  I couldn't even get most junkers for less than $600... it seems to good to be true, but it looks like I'll end up on the plus side.

I will definitely keep y'all posted on the progress.

[South FLA]

Dude you got a deal!  You can fix up the trailer and get $300 to $400 for it alone.  If the motor runs that is another $1500 to $2000.

[simplejoe]

For $500 bucks you can't go wrong. I think you'll have many fun trips in that boat. If ends up leaking then part the motor and trailer you get your money back. win-win situation in my opinion   ;D

[Culln5]

OMG!  They sure saw you comming!.....  ;D

Even if it needs some work, tins are easily worked on.  Like someone just said, a little TLC, running motor, you could easily turn it around.  Especially with spring comming.

Good luck with it!

[fishfordollars]

Please tell me you got the titles to the boat, motor, and trailer. If so, a great deal. If not, the deal will probably suck.

[CFFF 1.5]

I just recentely did this with a 2004 Carolina Skiff J16 with 2004 Tohatsu 30hp 4-stroke. I paid $750. I have to replace a few things but so far all is well. I have replaced the wiring, switches, hubs, leaf springs, tires and wheels, good cleaning, trailer lights and wiring, general lubing and grease. I still have to get the tilt and trim repaired and shift cable adjustment, but the motor runs and will be an awesome boat.

[surfer]

dude....  

the hull or the motor were most likely worth $500 by themselves.

score.