SUBJECT: # 17814: Boat Purchase and Repair Questions

Submitted by Zane from TEXAS on 11/4/2000 1:36:00 PM

I'm seriously considering purchasing a used boat from a guy that lives near me. It'a a 1977 15foot VIP, with a 1977 Johnson Seahorse 55HP, and a galvanized trailer. The boat and trailer both seem to be in pretty good shape for their age. The deck is solid, the hull has some of the expected cosmetic issues, but overall it seems to be in pretty darn good shape for it's age. The trailer is also in good shape. The entire rig has sat up for a few years so the tires will need replacing.

This fact made me a little leary of the motor from some of the previous threads that I've read here. Being cautious, I asked the seller to take it to the local JohnnyRude dealer/repair facility for an evaluation. Their findings and quotation were: needs a new solonoid, carb job (from setting up), impeller, tune up, control cable, and throttle. Cost for all of the repairs, and evaluation, is $700.

The boat's owner wants $1500 for the package which seems reasonable enough. Is this an OK price given the repair cost, or should I attempt negotiations on price? I don't want to be insulting and offer to low of a price. I'm thinking of offering ~$1200 to compensate for the repairs.

I figure that after these repairs are done, all that I'll need to do to make it water ready is a battery, fuel tank/line, and some tires on the trailer. (And some elbow grease cleaning it up.)

Any input is appreciated.

Zane

1. 11/4/2000 9:13:00 PM Submitted by Miss Fishin' (152.163.197.186) from TEXAS says Rule #1: Plan on replacing the motor
   Rule #1 never fails. Do you know if a compression check was done? You will also want to have a new steering system installed, helm and cable. If we put a pen and paper to this, a 23 year old motor has no value. A 1977 15' VIP, we could generously place a $600 tag on it. A decent, used, galvanized trailer can be had from $250 on up to about $400 for that size boat. It does sound a little pricey to me, but if you've inspected the boat and feel confident that it is a good deal, by all means, go for it. But beware of a 23 year old motor. Chances are you'll have to replace it. Also, tilt the motor up and rock it to see if the transom has any give. You want to avoid weak or rotten transoms.

   I would definitely negotiate and $1200 is far from an insult.

   Hope I could be of help.

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2. 11/4/2000 9:16:00 PM Submitted by Campy from CONNECTICUT says RE: Repairs & Boat
   $700 seems high for those repairs. I am not in the repair business, however I feel if you were including the tires & wheels, bearings, fuel tank and lines and a battery the price would be more in line. I would check around at other repair shops and see what they are getting first. THEN, if you ABSOLUTELY love/must have this particular boat use the $700 price estimate AND the tires, battery etc. as a bargining tool. If it was me AND I ABSOLUTELY loved/must have THIS boat, I would offer $900 and MAYBE go as high as $1100. Figure it out - battery $50; tires and wheels (wheels have probably seen better days with corrosion and such) $125; bearings (probably shot from lack of care) $40; fuel tank/line $35. That is an additional $250 ON TOP of the repairs to the engine. Now you are looking at close to $2000 with my top price of $1100. There are a LOT of under 16' boat/motor/trailers in nice shape for that kind of money. I feel you should be able to repair the engine/controls and get all the other stuff taken care of for under $700.

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3. 11/4/2000 10:21:00 PM Submitted by Zane from TEXAS says Compression
   The compression was checked,

   The service folks said it was 160 in one cyl. and 155 in the other.

   Zane

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4. 11/4/2000 10:34:00 PM Submitted by Rusty Nuts (152.163.197.176) from FLORIDA says here is all it's worth
   Length: 15' Model Name/Description: V5 Boat Type: Outboard Boats Hull Material: Fiberglass Beam: 5' 5" Engine: Net Weight: 810 Low Retail: $540 Average Retail: $660 High Retail: $770

   This according to NADA. The motor is worth maybe $300 if it runs good. As stated above I would be leary of that old motor that has sat for that long. Years ago I purchased a 13ft Whaler with a 25hp Johnson 1974 model. It lasted 4 hrs before one of the rings came apart. I fair offer would be $500 for the whole rig. Don't worry about insulting with that low price. For $1500 you can find a boat and motor in running condition, that would need far less tlc. Hey, I know its' my opinion. I think $1500 is way too much.

   If the boat retails for $770 and you spend another $700 just on the motor, then you have a $1300 23yr old motor. The trailer used is worth $100 with rotten tires. Just take these thing into consideration before you buy.

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5. 11/4/2000 11:37:00 PM Submitted by Dunk (209.71.67.148) from NEW JERSEY says The Deal...
   Engines like that can be an excellent find. The compression sound's right so she's probably worth looking into. If you can do your own work a solinoid is worth 20 bucks, water pump 50 for the whole kit not just the impeller. The tune up is a new set of plugs and control cables are 25-30 bucks apiece. The problem is the throttle control, but if you get on Ebay they are not hard to find. Like the rest have stated 700 is too much to put into that engine....then again if you do it(through the dealer) and if she runs for 3 years you got your money back twice over. You can do it yourself for about 150 including the carb kit. You will be dealing with a an older engine and it wouldn't hurt to know a little about it. http://www.kencook.com/ has the shop manuals for that engine, makes working on them real simple...Just because she's 23 years old doesn't mean she has many hours on her.... and the compression tells me she's not a high hour engine. Did anyone pressure/vacuum check the gearcase on the engine??

   The boat, as long as the transom is solid. Check around any screw holes in the splash well area. Remove a screw or two and dig around with an ice pick. Get down on your knees and sight across the transom gloss and look for any bulges in the gelcoat. Look from both directions. This can be a good indicator of soft wood in the transom.

   The Trailer and it's galvanized, as long as it's not rusting is worth 250-300, even needing tire and "springs"

   I'd say the way it sit's from what I get out of Zanes description and figuring the seller wants to sell it as is, a fair price would be about 900 bucks.

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6. 11/5/2000 4:31:00 AM Submitted by shoes (216.64.57.42) from MAINE says offer
   Zane, I'm with Rusty...but "tell" him you'll can only go $500 based on what the experts on the boating board said about such an old boat/motor/trailer. Make your first offer sound like the most you're willing to pay, and see what he says, and blame it on the experts' opinions to take the onus off you. Then you can always go up in stages to Dunk's $900. Don't be afraid to start low to preserve feelings. It's a bad time of year for him to be selling a boat. IMHO.

   shoes

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7. 11/5/2000 8:16:00 AM Submitted by Local Motion (152.163.213.81) from NEW YORK says Zane...
   Those little boats are great. A friend has one with a 70hp, we use it for a boat to throw in the water for cruising around/fishing in the bays during the rare nice days when the bigger boats are all high and dry.

   It is a complete setup and know it would not sell for more than a thousand dollars.

   Dunk says that compression is good in that motor so it will run a long time, asking nothing in return. Those are the type of boats that need the least care and don't break down every other week.

   As far as the repairs go, the 700 is mostly labor, which boaters cannot afford to pay and should not be necessary to do anyway. The kind of work the motor needs is normal maintenance type work that you should do on your own. It is good to know a little about your motor anyway. Anyone can do the work that motor needs. Carbs frighten some people but 2-cycle carbs are very easy. All it takes is cleaning them and putting them back together, not many parts inside them.

   A manual and this board will help you get through any work you are doing.

   I personally would pay less than a thousand for the boat, it needs a few bucks before it is turn-key.

   I hope it works out for you. Good luck, whatever you decide.

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8. 11/5/2000 10:10:00 AM Submitted by r.s. (198.133.22.68) from NEW YORK says controls
   Is that the 55hp with the electric shift ?? If it is I have a set of controls in excelent shape that you can have. I have no use for them.

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9. 11/5/2000 12:17:00 PM Submitted by Zane from TEXAS says Update
   This is all really great advice,

   I was kind of reluctant to do carb work, as I've had some bad experiences in the past with automotive carb work. I'm fairly handy, but my motor stuff is mainly change oil, belts, plugs and such. If you are all convinced that I can do this, then I'll give it a try. (Heck, I've got a thread going over on the Texas board on ribbonfish. If I'll try eating that, then I'll try anything, huh?)

   I'll take another look at the transom but, if I remember correctly, it was quite solid. I was acually impressed at the solidity of the deck as well. (I expected it to be mushy.) I'll try removing a screw or two as Dunk suggested. As far as a price, I'll offer the seller $700 and deal from there.

   So, expect to see some more messages from me about this motor in the near future. I KNOW that I'll run into situation where I'll have absolutely no idea of what to do. If any of you folks have a favorite online parts house that you buy from, let me know and I'll send some business their way. And R.S, thanks for the offer, please send me an e-mail about the throttle controls. Zane@Ellzey.Org

   I'll let you all know if I buy it or not. The shop is closed till Tuesday.

   Thanks again to everyone for all of the advice,

   -Zane

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10. 6/18/2010 5:52:00 PM Submitted by Jagner from NORTH CAROLINA says hydrolic fluid
    Waht kind of fluid goes in the hydrolic system that raises the lower unit on my 1993 Ebbtide 190 with Mercruiser 4.3L V6 inboard engine?

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