Doing some used boat research

[DerekB]

Hi everyone! I've been reading posts for a while now (great info. by the way). I have a specific question about used boats.

I'm currently in the used market. I feel I'm quite particular, so I'm in no hurry. I want a good, steady, wide beam with a moderate HP motor (no more than 150HP). It can be glass or aluminum. Under $10k would be ideal.

Here's my question -- how old can you go on outboards to ensure you don't get one on the brink of expensive maintenance? I don't want to buy something on the verge of needing a new power head or something. What is the expected life of an outboard that's been taken proper care of?

I'm currently looking at a 2000 Stratos 283 with a 150HP Johnson. Asking price is $9995, but I think that's a little high.  Would you consider this boat to be too old?

Thanks in advance.

[rodnreel11]

I just bought a 1995 Champion with the original 150 Mariner Magnum EFI.  It runs great.  I made darn sure that the engine was in tip top shape before I bought it though.  I got lucky, too, because the 2 previous owners took very good care of it.  I would not consider a 2000 to be too old at all.  If it has had regular maintenance and been well taken care of it should last for years.  The best money you can spend would be to pay a certified mechanic to look the boat and motor up and down with a fine toothed comb before making any decisions. 

[Grey Wolf]

I just bought a 1995 Champion with the original 150 Mariner Magnum EFI. It runs great. I made darn sure that the engine was in tip top shape before I bought it though. I got lucky, too, because the 2 previous owners took very good care of it. I would not consider a 2000 to be too old at all. If it has had regular maintenance and been well taken care of it should last for years. The best money you can spend would be to pay a certified mechanic to look the boat and motor up and down with a fine toothed comb before making any decisions.

X2 . Great advice.

[DerekB]

Thanks for the great advice.  The boat has evidently already been inspected by a certified mechanic, so I've asked for a copy of it.  I can then determine whether or not I need to enlist my own mechanic.

Rodnreel, sounds like you got a great boat.  A friend of mine owns a 2003 Champion.  They ride like a dream.

[rodnreel11]

I've only been able to take it out once since I got it, but it sure does handle nice!  It's one of those boats that has been "babied" for the past 15 years.  It was owned by recreational fishermen, not tournament guys who usually run their rigs a little harder than most.  I was most surprised that it still had the original seats!!  That is definitely rare for a 15 year old boat.  Here are a few pics of it when I first got it home, bout halfway down the page:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1213554116/180

[DerekB]

That's a great looking rig!  And it looks like it has a flasher at the console.  IMO the best piece of electronics you can have once you learn to read them.

[scrutch]

I just bought a 1995 Champion with the original 150 Mariner Magnum EFI. It runs great. I made darn sure that the engine was in tip top shape before I bought it though. I got lucky, too, because the 2 previous owners took very good care of it. I would not consider a 2000 to be too old at all. If it has had regular maintenance and been well taken care of it should last for years. The best money you can spend would be to pay a certified mechanic to look the boat and motor up and down with a fine toothed comb before making any decisions.

X2 . Great advice.

X3

I just bought a boat too.  AT first, the owner said that my request was a little unusual.  When I explained to him WHY I wanted have a certified mechanic check it out, he understood and allowed me to do it. Learned 2 things going thru that process...

1.  The mechanic might find something the owner didn't know about... no matter how meticulously he might have taken care of the boat.

2. If the owner wont let you have the boat checked out... you don't want his boat...period.  Get your own mechanic, or speak FACE TO FACE with the mechanic that checked out the boat previously. 

Promise you wont be sorry that you did.

BTW...my mechanic found a lower unit seal issue that the previous owner didn't know about.  It wasn't leaking oil, BUT there was water in the lower unit oil.  owner paid for the $375 repairs.  That saved me from ruining a lower unit, which costs around $3000.