1977 Mako 23ft Center Console

[cclements716]

I gave up on the Avenger. i cant get the guy to work with me at all on the price.

I am now looking at a 1977 Mako 23ft Center Console. From what the owner is telling me the boat is made with absolutely no wood. It has a 70 gallon alum. tank in the rear and an added a 40 gallon tank in the front. It has a freshly rebuilt 1996 Johnson Venom 225hp. Now power head and everything. Aluminum I beam trailer. Dual axle. All the boats needs is the rear tank drained and new battery's installed. No electronics. What do yall think that it is worth? I was thinking around $3,500. The guy has 5 boats is quite knowledgeable about the boat. I think if there were a problem he would have addressed it before he took it on a 1.5 hour ride across the gulf. What are yalls thoughts? Any areas to pay attention to? General or recurring problems with the boat or this year model boat? Thanks

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: 1977 Mako 23ft Center Console

Pretty sure that a 1977 Mako has both a wooden transom and wooden stringers.
Nothing bad at all about an old Mako, but it is a 35 year old boat so inspect carefully.

 

[hydra23]

Re: 1977 Mako 23ft Center Console

Transom, stingers, and deck are made out of wood. Visit classicmako.com good learning for a mako owner.
H

 

[cclements716]

Re: 1977 Mako 23ft Center Console

assuming there are no problems what is it worth.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: 1977 Mako 23ft Center Console

potentially

$6000-$8000

roundabout

BUT value can vary GREATLY based on condition and appearance

 

[cclements716]

Re: 1977 Mako 23ft Center Console

The gel actually looks pretty good. Very glossy. T top is in good condition. What about with an 07 225 or 275 verado

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: 1977 Mako 23ft Center Console

I'd recommend that you look on kbb.com... gives ya a starting point. Could be worth more or less based on condition and accy's. Obviously if it has a $6k engine then it's worth $5k more than if it has a $1k motor and outboard engines can be PRICEY. C/L is great to look up comps too....

With no engine or accys at all it could range from $100 to maybe $1000 (WAG) Heck my 20'er with no trailer or engine was free.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: 1977 Mako 23ft Center Console

old mako's are good solid boats. a 96 johnson is a little old but at that price you could repower after a couple seasons if it has major problems.
"Blue book" is worhtless for old boats. Local craigslist is better but you will never find a perfet match.
Go for it.

 

[cclements716]

Re: 1977 Mako 23ft Center Console

I went and took a look today. The engine was just reworked with a new power head. It has been sitting for over a year and started up quite quickly. Idled well and shifted in and out pretty good. The boat needs two batteries, the console does need some work. Its all cosmetic. Instead of redoing the teak they replaced it with teflon or plastic. I would just refit with teak. The boat does have a GPS and a VHF but the head unit of the VHF is not working. It lights up but does not send or receive signal. The T Top was custom made for the boat and is a very good one. The seats are dirty and the vinyl prob needs to be replaced but it wont be over 200-300. Theres only a leaning post and front cushion. The trailer is in good condition but does need 1 new tire and a leaf spring. We talked about price and he agreed to $3,500 but he had to find all the paper work on the trailer. He has everything on the boat and engine but nothing on the trailer and of course the sticker has faded and i can not see the VIN anymore. The trailer is a Tow master. Any thoughts on how i would go about getting a new sticker. I have a majority of the vin but not all of it. Does anyone know how much the boat weights? The guy said that he thought it was around 1800 without the motor.

 

[Dave Abrahamson]

Re: 1977 Mako 23ft Center Console

Not likely on the #1800 lbs.
My cc is just over 20' and it weighs in at #1900 lbs DRY HULL WEIGHT with no motor.
Check NADA, it may show weight

Good Luck!
Dave

 

[cclements716]

Re: 1977 Mako 23ft Center Console

I have another question. These boat originally came with a tan floor. I would like to repaint the floor. I have done some research and alot of people seam to like the bright side topside paint. obviously i am going to be walking on it some i would want something that is durable. What are yalls thoughts? I also thinking of painting all the way to the rub rail on the exterior with the brightside. But i also though of using the Rhino Skin bed liner. Nothing like the rhino liner like you are thinking. It is alot harder and smoother. With the liner my feet would be raw by the end of the day. The skin is smoother and they can color match it. I would only put the skin on the floor and then use the brightside on the verticle and down to the rub rails. Has anyone done this? Any luck? What should i do for the best results?

 

[Solittle]

Re: 1977 Mako 23ft Center Console

Might be a great deal - However - What did the "knowlegable" seller say about the boat having wood when he said that it didn't. That would ring up a flag for me.

Also I didn't see anything about a water test.

 

[cclements716]

Re: 1977 Mako 23ft Center Console

We havent done a water test yet. He lives about 6 miles from the lauch but the carbs are filthy. I would not trust going anywhere with the carbs the way they are. We did run it for a while in the drive way and shifted it in and out of gear and it did everything flawlessly. I would do a water test but it would be in a month and 300 once all the carbs are clean. Anyone have any ideas on how i could get it running like it is so that i could water test.

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: 1977 Mako 23ft Center Console

How did you determine that the carbs were filthy on the inside, where it actually matters?

 

[cclements716]

Re: 1977 Mako 23ft Center Console

The boat has been sitting for 8 months and the carbs were not drained. He put fresh fuel and got it started after four 5 second turnovers. It idled but when revved it was sluggish.

 

[coastalrichard]

Re: 1977 Mako 23ft Center Console

You should open all topside access ports to the outer hull and inspect the foam for water intrusion. My BIL chose to moor his 78 model in the water for extended times and water found its way below the deck. The added water weight caused the boat to sit lower in the water and, over time, finally sat so low that the self-bailing feature was defeated. Your idea to re-paint the deck is a great one as it will help seal all the spider cracks that are no doubt plentiful at that age. Good luck with the deal! Richard

 

[cclements716]

Re: 1977 Mako 23ft Center Console

I am kind of standoff ish now. I am worried that it is going to be more work than its worth. Does anyone have any pictures of one of these taken apart?

 

[dingbat]

Re: 1977 Mako 23ft Center Console

A 37 years old boat is going to be a ton of work. Plan on changing every thru hull fitting and hose on the boat. If it has its original aluminum fuel tank, it’s a way beyond barrowed time and all the fuel hoses will need replaced.

 

[cclements716]

Re: 1977 Mako 23ft Center Console

All fuel hoses have been changed. The previous owner added a 40 gallon tank in the front of the boat. What happens to the tanks? It is a 86 gallon aluminum

 

[dingbat]

Re: 1977 Mako 23ft Center Console

All fuel hoses have been changed. The previous owner added a 40 gallon tank in the front of the boat. What happens to the tanks? It is a 86 gallon aluminum

They corrode.
The average life expectancy of an aluminum tank in a marine environment is only 15 years. Lots of tanks make it to 20-25 years, but 35 years is really pushing the envelope unless the issue was addressed earlier