1st Post-Buying Used Boat

[Ryan50]

Hello all. My name is Ryan and I am from South Carolina. I have been reading this forum for a while but never posted. I am ready to purchase a used boat. I haven't owned a boat for about 15 years-last boat was a 17 ft Bayliner Capri bowrider with Volvo AQ125A and 270 outdrive. I have found this boat, tell me what you all think about the deal. 86 Regal Cuddy with 1.6 OMC Seadrive. Apparently it is a Johnson/Evinrude engine and lower unit. It fits the bill perfectly. I want an outboard this time and wife wants a cuddy. I don't want to spend more than 4 grand on the initial purchase. I am prepared for the additional expenditures of boat ownership. What do you guys think?

http://greenville.craigslist.org/boa/1672828129.html

 

[cr2k]

Re: 1st Post-Buying Used Boat

I would make them make the engine run and take it for a sea trial. As far as the boat it self goes Regal is a quality boat. I have an 84 Regal Medallion 195 with the dreaded OMC stringer drive. Sturdy hull. That is a nice looking boat.
We did an engine rebuild on an I/O very close to that model last year. I really liked the boat.

 

[jonesg]

Re: 1st Post-Buying Used Boat

I would RUN ,not walk, away.
http://www.outboardrepairs.com/topics/006281.html

With all the boats out there for sale, no way I'd get involved with an orphan.

 

[Ryan50]

Re: 1st Post-Buying Used Boat

Thanks for the quick responses. It is a nice looking boat, but I did need to know the deal with the sea drive. Seems like a good concept, yet poor execution. I've been scanning craigslist and boattrader for a couple of months now and it seems that everything that suits our needs is either an OMC, Merc 470, or rotten. Folks in general do not take care of boats in the southeast. I think next winter I'm gonna just buy ib/ob engines and pick up some of these great boats that were not winterized!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1st Post-Buying Used Boat

Well jonesg is right that the SeaDrives are a bit of an orphan but the powerhead and what not are standard just like the ad states. The only issue is with the bracket. I think it might be worth checking out. I wouldn't necessarily put that motor in the same category as an OMC I/O, Force outboard, Merc 470, etc.

 

[Ryan50]

Re: 1st Post-Buying Used Boat

Thanks gentlemen. If things work out at work tomorrow, I'll go see it on Friday and will update with more pics and details. Also looking at a several others as well.

 

[jonesg]

Re: 1st Post-Buying Used Boat

The engine might run great, bear in mind the resale is very low.
Its similar to the fischt situation.
What is the boat worth without power?
How old is the hull, 25 yrs?
Take a look at the CT Rhode Island and Boston craigslists, you can get a much better boat for same, spend a weekend and come get one.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: 1st Post-Buying Used Boat

IN Greenville, you will mostly find sofa boats for the lakes. Look around the coast, including Wilmington NC, Myrtle Beach, etc. even up into eastern NC southeast Va.