1990 Thundercraft 196, good first boat?

[wakeondude]

Newbie here with a question for all the boat experts.

Been looking at buying my first boat and came across this one. It's in pretty descent shape for a 90. there are a few scuffs here and there, couple tears in the upohlstory but nothing major. Carpet seems pretty good and there does not appear to be any soft spots in the floors. Has a brand new bimmi top which looks to be of good quality but the cover is wasted! The motor is a 305 with a Merc out drive (no hour meter). He said they had to replace some gear part from the motor to the drive last year and has only had it out once since then(I wanna say worm gear but thats not right, may have started with a B). He hooked the muffs up to it and it fired right up. Sounded great and ran really smooth. However we did not engage the drive so I'm not really sure that just because it sat there ideling that that really means that much. Trailer could use some work. The tires are completely dry rotted, many lights on the trailer are broke, and it's pretty rusty.

He was asking 5000.00 obo. I offered 3300.00 and he said no way in a heartbeat. Said this boat is so fast and dependable that he really doesnt even want to sell it but the wife..........

So he said he would put it in the water tonight and I could come take a look at it. What should I look for. listen for, ask? I've been around boats for little 1-2 year stages through my life but never pulled the trigger on one. What do you guys think. Any insight would be much appreciated.

Thanks and have a good day.

John


***EDIT***

He just listed it: sale-nhdcy-1865134998@craigslist.org

 

[wakeondude]

Re: 1990 Thundercraft 196, good first boat?

Anyone? PLease

 

[sheridon]

Re: 1990 Thundercraft 196, good first boat?

Before purchasing the boat I would want to take it for a test drive first. They said they had to replace some part and have only taken it out once since then...

I'm not real familiar with that brand of boat, but before I'd buy it take it for a cruise. I'd be a bit suspicious if the owner said no after you have expressed interest in the boat. Would you buy a car without test driving it?

That's just my opinion though.

 

[wakeondude]

Re: 1990 Thundercraft 196, good first boat?

Thanks for the comment. We were suppose to go out last night in it but the seller couldn't. It's on for a test drive after work today.

Thanks again.

 

[wakeondude]

Re: 1990 Thundercraft 196, good first boat?

The part that was replaced was the gimble(sp) bearing.

 

[sewerrat]

Re: 1990 Thundercraft 196, good first boat?

From your description, that boat doesn't sound worth $5K.
It is 20 years old with some issues.

I got a perfect shape 1996 Four Winns with zero issues for that price last summer.

You don't tell us where your from, some maybe its a tough market for boats.

I'd keep looking.

 

[gozierdt]

Re: 1990 Thundercraft 196, good first boat?

Thunderbird is made by the company that also makes Formula. I think they are both good boats. I had a 17' Thunderbird o/b for many years. Had a great hull design- very soft riding, took rough water well, looked great for that time. Construction was excellent, never had any problems. You've checked the floors, and they seem sound. Be sure to check in the stern corners. Pull the doghouse and look at how the junction with the transom looks. Tap the stringers and transom with a screwdriver handle or some hard object- should get hard tap sounds, not a soft thud. Check all instruments read (but they're not hard or expensive to replace). Check it goes in and out of gear smoothly, and that the trim functions all work (up/down, trailer). Watch the temperature closely, shouldn't get up very high even at moderately high throttle for 10-15 minutes or longer. Should idle smoothly, and accelerate smoothly from rest to a plane (put the I/O trim all the way down to accelerate, then when planing, trim out slightly to go a little faster with better economy).
Good Luck

 

[wakeondude]

Re: 1990 Thundercraft 196, good first boat?

From your description, that boat doesn't sound worth $5K.
It is 20 years old with some issues.

I got a perfect shape 1996 Four Winns with zero issues for that price last summer.

You don't tell us where your from, some maybe its a tough market for boats.

I'd keep looking.

I live in N.E. OH. Our boating season isn't very long but that doesn't really matter when you have that passion ya' know. If all is well with the boat I was thinking around 4250.00. What do you think? Still too much? Also, where the heck do I find how to insert my location in my posts? I thought it was under edit profile but I cant find it.

Thanks for your input.

Thunderbird is made by the company that also makes Formula. I think they are both good boats. I had a 17' Thunderbird o/b for many years. Had a great hull design- very soft riding, took rough water well, looked great for that time. Construction was excellent, never had any problems. You've checked the floors, and they seem sound. Be sure to check in the stern corners. Pull the doghouse and look at how the junction with the transom looks. Tap the stringers and transom with a screwdriver handle or some hard object- should get hard tap sounds, not a soft thud. Check all instruments read (but they're not hard or expensive to replace). Check it goes in and out of gear smoothly, and that the trim functions all work (up/down, trailer). Watch the temperature closely, shouldn't get up very high even at moderately high throttle for 10-15 minutes or longer. Should idle smoothly, and accelerate smoothly from rest to a plane (put the I/O trim all the way down to accelerate, then when planing, trim out slightly to go a little faster with better economy).
Good Luck

Perfect. This is the type of info I'm looking for. If all you described is in good order, do you think it would be worth 4250.00?

Thanks for the reply.

 

[wakeondude]

Re: 1990 Thundercraft 196, good first boat?

He just listed it.

http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/boa/1865134998.html

***EDIT*** Correct link now posted

 

[sewerrat]

Re: 1990 Thundercraft 196, good first boat?

That's the email, not the CL ad.

To put in your location, go to "User CP", "Edit your details" and location is 3 up from the bottom.

I'd hold out for a better boat with a better trailer and no rips on the interior.
Should be able to get one for $5k or so in your neck of the woods.

 

[wingmastr23]

Re: 1990 Thundercraft 196, good first boat?

Hold out.....there is better out there....If I were you I wouldn't even go for the boat ride unless you just want an excuse to get on the water.....

If the trailer looks that bad......makes a man wonder doesn't it?

 

[sewerrat]

Re: 1990 Thundercraft 196, good first boat?

I'm going to Cedar Point in 3 weeks .. I'll pull one of these out for ya!

http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/boa/1865574381.html
http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/boa/1828247182.html
http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/boa/1857254634.html

 

[wakeondude]

Re: 1990 Thundercraft 196, good first boat?

That's the email, not the CL ad.

To put in your location, go to "User CP", "Edit your details" and location is 3 up from the bottom.

I'd hold out for a better boat with a better trailer and no rips on the interior.
Should be able to get one for $5k or so in your neck of the woods.

I'm an idiot, fixed it. Thanks.

Here's some pics

 

[wakeondude]

Re: 1990 Thundercraft 196, good first boat?

 

[marktwainsonic]

Re: 1990 Thundercraft 196, good first boat?

Boy. I feel like this price is a little strong for the condition and time of year. There's no way without being right where you are to estimate the true worth of this package, but 5K seems out of line.

 

[wakeondude]

Re: 1990 Thundercraft 196, good first boat?

Thinking of offering 4200.00

 

[marktwainsonic]

Re: 1990 Thundercraft 196, good first boat?

That seems closer. Remember, the only person who needs to think it's a good deal is you. If you're smilin' when you drive off with it, it was a deal.

On the other hand, the more you shop, the more your instincts will tell you what a boat's worth...and prices should become more "seasonally adjusted" as we head to winter here.

Good luck and have fun!!

 

[pokman]

Re: 1990 Thundercraft 196, good first boat?

I have to agree that 5k seems a little high, sometimes though you have to take the people who say "that is way overpriced for the year" it all depends on the state you live in. In WI for 5k you could get a 92-96 bowrider 17-19ft for that price in good condition. Just make sure you look over the trailer really well, it looks a little abused. The boat may be fine but next thing you know your dropping 500 bucks on the trailer repairs. 4k seems like a good offer to see where he is at.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1990 Thundercraft 196, good first boat?

I agree with the others. Looks like a decent boat just the price is a bit high. Prepare to do some maintenance on the trailer.

 

[marktwainsonic]

Re: 1990 Thundercraft 196, good first boat?

For some reason around here you can get an 18 foot bowrider for a pretty good deal, but when they get to this 196 size (which I assume is 19 1/2 ft.) the price jumps by a grand or more. Even a 19 footer with an outboard seems to come in reasonable, but you get a little bigger with a large engine and it's like a whole different class of boat.