I'm new to the forum and boat ownership in general and hoping for some advice on a potential boat purchase. I'm on a limited budget so older stuff is what I can afford.
The boat is a 1986 16 or 16.5 Edson Commander with trailer and a 1982 Johnson V4 115. The boat appears decent but paint is faded, seats are useable but I would likely redo in the future. The floor and transom seems solid based on my limited experience.
The trailer will need paint soon and I'd likely redo the bearings etc. but it seems solid.
I can get the whole setup for $1000CAD(about $750US) which seems pretty good.
He supposedly spent $300 getting it tuned up about a year ago. My concern is on the Port side cylinder bank it says 140 140 in felt marker and on the Starboard side it says 110 or 115 and 125. I assume this is what the compression was when the motor was tuned up. Obviously I'm concerned about the lowest but also 140 seems high for it's age and I thought the 115's were suppose to be around 125 new.
I've worked on classic and muscle cars for 30 years so I can do all my own work excluding machine work.
The trailer would be worth $300-400 by itself, the local boat place said the lower unit is worth $500 even if the powerhead is shot. He also put a $300 fish finder on it last year that comes with it. So even if the transom and powerhead are pooched, I likely would be able to recoup my investment. With $1000($750US) in the whole setup and being able to do my own work, is the 115 worth fixing the compression issue??
I have to make a quick decision because he has others wanting to buy it. He's 70 and the Edson is too much work for him. He has a 14 Lund he uses now.
Thanks.
The boat is a 1986 16 or 16.5 Edson Commander with trailer and a 1982 Johnson V4 115. The boat appears decent but paint is faded, seats are useable but I would likely redo in the future. The floor and transom seems solid based on my limited experience.
The trailer will need paint soon and I'd likely redo the bearings etc. but it seems solid.
I can get the whole setup for $1000CAD(about $750US) which seems pretty good.
He supposedly spent $300 getting it tuned up about a year ago. My concern is on the Port side cylinder bank it says 140 140 in felt marker and on the Starboard side it says 110 or 115 and 125. I assume this is what the compression was when the motor was tuned up. Obviously I'm concerned about the lowest but also 140 seems high for it's age and I thought the 115's were suppose to be around 125 new.
I've worked on classic and muscle cars for 30 years so I can do all my own work excluding machine work.
The trailer would be worth $300-400 by itself, the local boat place said the lower unit is worth $500 even if the powerhead is shot. He also put a $300 fish finder on it last year that comes with it. So even if the transom and powerhead are pooched, I likely would be able to recoup my investment. With $1000($750US) in the whole setup and being able to do my own work, is the 115 worth fixing the compression issue??
I have to make a quick decision because he has others wanting to buy it. He's 70 and the Edson is too much work for him. He has a 14 Lund he uses now.
Thanks.
