So, my buddy has been boat shopping for over a year, and may have found one that he wants to pull the trigger on. Trying to help him out a little bit, so trying to get second opinions as to whether or not this is a fair price. What he knows about it now right now, is that the main motor has 1500 hours on it, and the kicker 500. Both motors have good compression. The trailer wiring is in pretty rough shape, and the wash down doesn't work. He understands that he'll be having to put some money into it, but compared to similar boats, this one is WAY less. He's first in line for it, and is going down on Saturday for a look, and to take it to another shop for diagnostics. He's in no huge rush by any means, but if it looks good, he's prepared to jump on it. Wondering what other things might be a concern?

seattle.craigslist.org/see/bod/5140315783.html

My rule with boats is to buy new. With used boats you are buying somebody else's problems. just my two cents.

1. Awesome hull.
2. 1500 hours in 10 years makes me think I don't boat enough.
3. Isn't that, like, half the lifespan of the motor?
4. The second half being the most expensive?
5. What--no downriggers?
6. Would give my left nut.
7. Hell, right, too, given lack of sex life.
8. This is the worst time of year to buy a boat.
9. Hope all end up happily ever after here…
10. …without busting too many nuts.

Inexpensive for an offshore aluminum boat, with that many hours on the main it must've been used trolling for tuna. Go for it, but have the motors fully serviced and have all the wiring ripped out and start from scratch.

That is a solid looking boat, I don't think you can go wrong with that, but you should definately spend $500 for an inspection that you hire out (not the seller)... they will find what you dont see. Honda's are really solid motors 1500 hours is pretty low. If the only problems are trailer wiring and a washdown pump, i think you're doing pretty good.

I've had really good luck with used, but my will say that my luck ran out 2 weeks ago when I broke my tiller handle and while wire tying it together to get back to the ramp I noticed the transom was cracked... I've since welded both up and reinforced the transom, and the next guy is gonna get a boat that is better than it was when I got it...

needless to say, I'm with Dwatkins on this one, its new for me this time around...

True, but that could be said about anything you buy that's used...car, house, boat, etc, or new for that matter. No matter what, it's going to cost money to maintain, but a boat like this new is around $100k (kinda expensive), so that's why he's not too concerned about having to dump some extra money into it.

He's having it inspected on Monday, so hopefully everything checks out....

if the inspection comes out fine you should have no worries... if the hull is solid you'll only have to repower in 5 years, put a hundred a month into a re-power fund and in 5 years you'll have a 6k down payment to a new power plant...

the hull should last you 40+ years

If you don't buy it I will! Great boat, good deal.

When re-wiring the trailer use tinned marine wire and adhesive heat-shrink connecters and sealed LED lights. Same kind of connectors when wiring up the new $200 washdown pump.

Well, got the inspection back. Short answer...he's going to pass on it.

There's a whole laundry list of things that will need to be repaired. Admittedly, a lot of it is superficial, but it's still going to be a lot of money and work to get it in good shape. Sounds like this was a work boat, as you could tell there was a sign bolted to the side of the wheelhouse, and there were LOTS of those holes drilled all over. Not to mention, the sides on the bow are kind of wavy looking...like the Swamp Man's boat. The entire floor will have to be replaced, as it looks like someone took a crow bar to it, and is now rotted out. Any repairs that were made were half-assed, and made with non-marine grade equipment. There was also some paint on one corner of the stern that looks like it was there to conceal a crack? The wiring inside is also a mess. Overall, just poorly cared for, and the inspector valued the boat at just over $30k.

If you have good connections, or just want to do it yourself, it could be a good project boat, but my buddy just doesn't have the time or knowledge to deal with all these things.

Still there on Craigslist...

How about this Jewel

Here's the deal of the month:

http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/boa/5177664657.html

not much info on the ad, but very nice boat for the money...



willy

"needs work"

I forwarded the link for that Northriver Seahawk, which he likes quite a bit, but he seems set on getting a boat with a wheelhouse. He's eyeing this one right now:

http://juneau.craigslist.org/boa/5173458561.html

Yes, it's in Alaska, but what he's finding is that boats like this down here are MUCH more, and the difference would be enough that it's worth the cost of getting it down here. Not to mention, there are just a lot more boats like this for sale in Alaska then in WA. He's already called about it, and just waiting to hear back.

that hewes is in a whole other class of boats. it's a monster!

good luck



willy