1988 Boston Whaler. 17 foot Montauk I believe.

[coolguy147]

Well, I'm looking into buying a 1988 Boston Whaler. It seems to have been sitting for some time but the boat seems very solid. I walked around in it and the floor seems solid. Wood trim just needs to be sanded and re-varnished. The motor does need work as it's been sitting for a while and has some problems with the starter sticking on, trim not working, and control box not coming out of gear. It clearly needs a tune up (carbs, impeller, gear oil). The owner says he has the VRO hooked up but just mixes the gas and oil.

The transom seems solid as i shook the motor violently and found no considerable play in the transom. No visible leaks with the boat in the water. I haven't thoroughly inspected the outside of the hull but it appears that it's clean. Very clean boat for its age.

I'm trying to get a gauge of its value. With a boat like this is pretty stock form, what is its range to for in? What about in the needy help condition? No pictures but its a relatively clean boat.

Thanks for your help!

Another question? Is there any thorough way that i can check the stringers, wood, and foam? The center console and seat seem firm.

 

[saumon]

Re: 1988 Boston Whaler. 17 foot Montauk I believe.

No stringers and not much wood, at least not structural.

From your description, as the engine (of unknown make/model/year) can't be run, you should price it for the hull only; too much potential problems. The starter (a $400 item) may be just "sticking" but can also need to be replaced. A power trim unit could run in the $500-$600 range. The "control box not coming out of gear" could range from a shift cable adjustement to a shot lower unit. And, if the VRO is still hooked and he premixes on top of that, he's been running for how long on 25:1, which is a bit rich...

Any accessories, a trailer? As an example, this one 1984 Boston Whaler Montauk is really clean, fully loaded, with a basically new engine for $12k. Let's say the engine worth $7k, it mean the hull, trailer and accessories goes for $5k...

 

[coolguy147]

Re: 1988 Boston Whaler. 17 foot Montauk I believe.

No stringers and not much wood, at least not structural.

From your description, as the engine (of unknown make/model/year) can't be run, you should price it for the hull only; too much potential problems. The starter (a $400 item) may be just "sticking" but can also need to be replaced. A power trim unit could run in the $500-$600 range. The "control box not coming out of gear" could range from a shift cable adjustement to a shot lower unit. And, if the VRO is still hooked and he premixes on top of that, he's been running for how long on 25:1, which is a bit rich...

Any accessories, a trailer? As an example, this one 1984 Boston Whaler Montauk is really clean, fully loaded, with a basically new engine for $12k. Let's say the engine worth $7k, it mean the hull, trailer and accessories goes for $5k...

It's a 1987 Johnson 90hp. Comes with a trailer but it has a flat tire. He said he would fix it? Doesn't really matter because the boat is a couple doors down. However, i'm thinking something closer 1-2k since i believe the boat, motor, and trailer are worth about 4-5k when it's fixed up. What do you guys think? too low?

Trailer seems to be in good condition. I haven't really totally and fully looked over the outer hull and trailer, nor motor.

The owner isn't to sure on a price but he says he might want 4-5k. He told me that he'd tell his mechanic that he'd like the annual once a year boat run and get charged like 100-200 dollars lol...i'd like to get his mechanic to work for me.

 

[saumon]

Re: 1988 Boston Whaler. 17 foot Montauk I believe.

At $1k-2k, even $3k, definitely get it! The engine "may" be fixable. Or, offer him $4k if he fix everything on the engine before (starter, shifter, power trim, impeller, carbs).

 

[coolguy147]

Re: 1988 Boston Whaler. 17 foot Montauk I believe.

At $1k-2k, even $3k, definitely get it! The engine "may" be fixable. Or, offer him $4k if he fix everything on the engine before (starter, shifter, power trim, impeller, carbs).

So, how much is it worth in good condition?

I did set a limit for 3k for myself.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: 1988 Boston Whaler. 17 foot Montauk I believe.

good advice from saumon here

 

[JB]

Re: 1988 Boston Whaler. 17 foot Montauk I believe.

Ready to launch, with all problems fixed and detailed wood, etc, that boat should sell from $5K to $10K if it is really a Montauk and not a "madetauk" (cobbled up Montauk simulator from another model).

 

[coolguy147]

Re: 1988 Boston Whaler. 17 foot Montauk I believe.

Ready to launch, with all problems fixed and detailed wood, etc, that boat should sell from $5K to $10K if it is really a Montauk and not a "madetauk" (cobbled up Montauk simulator from another model).

This boat, however, is not ready to launch lol. I just need to make sure i can get it low enough to have a little meat on the bone and have enough support in case something big needs to be fixed. This boat i feel would be closer to the 5k range mainly because it has been sitting in boat lift for at least 20 years and was taken in salt water before.

 

[coolguy147]

Re: 1988 Boston Whaler. 17 foot Montauk I believe.

good advice from saumon here

Thanks for all of your help!

 

[saumon]

Re: 1988 Boston Whaler. 17 foot Montauk I believe.

You could try starting at $2000, saying the engine need a lot of work...then, if refuse, counter offer up to $3000.

 

[JB]

Re: 1988 Boston Whaler. 17 foot Montauk I believe.

Give it a try, Coolguy. The estimates I gave you are for calculating how much you can spend after buying it to not go overboard. I once bought an Outrage 18 for $3400 but had to spend about $5K on it before selling it for $8K. Lot of fun, no profit.

 

[saumon]

Re: 1988 Boston Whaler. 17 foot Montauk I believe.

Take a few pics if you can and post them...

 

[coolguy147]

Re: 1988 Boston Whaler. 17 foot Montauk I believe.

Give it a try, Coolguy. The estimates I gave you are for calculating how much you can spend after buying it to not go overboard. I once bought an Outrage 18 for $3400 but had to spend about $5K on it before selling it for $8K. Lot of fun, no profit.

5k? Geez, what happened? I hope this deal won't bite me in the rear!

I'll probably be heading over there Monday after class. We'll see what he has decided upon. I've locked in my head that I always can walk away.

 

[JB]

Re: 1988 Boston Whaler. 17 foot Montauk I believe.

5k? Geez, what happened? I hope this deal won't bite me in the rear!

I'll probably be heading over there Monday after class. We'll see what he has decided upon. I've locked in my head that I always can walk away.

It was an insurance total from BrokeBoats. Had to do a lot of restore and the guy I sold it to had to do a lot more. Finished, it brought $15K.

My point is that if it needs work consider the cost of that work as part of the price.

 

[coolguy147]

Re: 1988 Boston Whaler. 17 foot Montauk I believe.

The guy didn't seem to want to budge from 5k. Not worth my time then. Didn't bother checking it out.