1989 Arrvia

[Popeyesrevenge11788]

Ok so I have an opportunity to buy a 1989 Arriva - I/O
V8 mercruiser - 1 owner - marina kept- I work with the guy selling it to me - I’ve seen pictures - and I going to meet up with him in 2 weeks to see the boat and drive it on the water- it runs great -I’m told-maintenance has been meticulous - recently reupholstered - instrument panel replaced with new one. Yes I know about the shiny - reupholstered - high grade gloss
( trap) -when the cosmetic looks good but the structural
(stringers and transom and floor) are bad. However I think this one is a steal. I know this guy and he’s a trustworthy -upstanding man. When I asked if we could take it for a spin - when I see it- he said “ I wouldn’t sell it to you if we didn’t .” When I asked if I could Inspect the stringers and transom and floor he said “ inspect all you want - and take your time.” Plus the price oh the price $3000.00! almost unbelievable! I figured at that price if I didn’t like it - I could at least get my money back out of it - or maybe make a little extra back? I have a boat 1992 180 nitro tracker -150 evinrude- problem with my boat is the transom is weak and rotting - could replace it with Seacast and do the work myself , but if the transom is weak and rotting - what do the stringers look like? I’m going to check the stringers this weekend - also I’ve heard it’s near impossible to access the stringers on a 1992 tracker to repair. The tracker is a fish and ski - I really only use my boat as a fishing vessel. I realize the Arriva is not a fishing boat - but the condition and price can’t be beat! And if the stringers are bad in my current tracker boat I do not know if putting thousands of dollars and man hours into fixing it would be reasonable? So what say you good people of iboats forum? Ps: i can’t have both boats so I have to decide.

 

[southkogs]

Welcome aboard:

You won't restore the tracker for less than $3k. If the Arriva is in good shape, then you've got a plan. It may be a little high priced depending on what part of the country you're in - but if it's in really good shape, paying a little extra isn't bad.

Make sure you read the sticky at the top of the forum.

 

[Bondo]

( trap) -when the cosmetic looks good but the structural
(stringers and transom and floor) are bad. However I think this one is a steal.

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,...... If you find Any rot, it ain't a very good deal,.......

For an '89, it's marginal now,.....

 

[Popeyesrevenge11788]

Thanks southkogs for the reply (sticky?) did I post in the wrong place? Also thanks Bondo - I agree with your opinion - in about three weeks the owner and i are going to take it for a spin - and I’ll get a chance to check the stringers and the transom. 3 weeks because either he’s out of town or I am until then. On Nada price value for that boat is high end excellent condition $15000.00 - lowest end around $3600.00. Unless I’m reading it wrong? But y’all are right - if the transom or stringers are rotten - then it’s not a good deal - but an expensive project boat that could turn into a money pit. Another question ( do you know if I could access the stringers in the tracker by cutting out the floor, or do I need to cut the whole top off of the boat? I really like the tracker and don’t want to get rid of it. But i can’t have 2 boats - small drive way - no room.

 

[southkogs]

The sticky I mentioned was THIS topic. It's a boat buyer's checklist.

NADA value isn't the best source to determine a boat's value. Spend a little time dragging through some used boats online in your area. Maybe even looking through a handful at a couple dealerships. You'll want to see what boats are selling for in your area and see from there - NADA may be in the ballpark, but in my area it's usually valued rather high.

Regarding the stringers in the tracker, if you're checking for rot you can try checking the ones you can see in the bilge, or you can drill a core sample through the deck. If you're replacing the stringers, the top cap will need to come off to do it right.