96' chaparral 1930 sport purchase, good or bad?

[TilliamWe]

Re: 96' chaparral 1930 sport purchase, good or bad?

Dude, you're obsessing about an exhaust bellows, that isn't bad, doesn't need to be replaced, and isn't critical anyway.
There is nothing wrong with the motor mount, either. That's the way Chaparral lag screwed them in.
The hinges on the sunpad are one thing you need to be concerned about. They are just screwed into the wood that makes the seatback/sunpad. If one of the "lifting shocks" wears out, it puts them in a bind. This either tears the screws out of the sunpad, or rips the hinges. Don't ask me how I know!

Of course the price is high, but so is every used boat price. $7500 would be better. I sold my 1997 Chaparral 2135 (cuddy cabin version of the same boat) in 2008 for $7500. It had a 5.7LX EFI Gen + engine rated at 280hp and a Bravo 3 drive (about $7000 more engine/drive than the boat you are looking at, when they were new.). It also had 805 hours on it, and the stitching on the sunpad was separating a bit, and would need to be recovered in a year or two, depending on use.

What condition is the bimini top & windscreen, in? What about the cockpit and bow covers?

You need to test the boat on the water, with your anticipated load. Running it on the trailer tells you almost nothing.

Did you buy the boat? Because the ad is expired.

 

[vipertblck]

Re: 96' chaparral 1930 sport purchase, good or bad?

Dude, you're obsessing about an exhaust bellows, that isn't bad, doesn't need to be replaced, and isn't critical anyway.
There is nothing wrong with the motor mount, either. That's the way Chaparral lag screwed them in.
The hinges on the sunpad are one thing you need to be concerned about. They are just screwed into the wood that makes the seatback/sunpad. If one of the "lifting shocks" wears out, it puts them in a bind. This either tears the screws out of the sunpad, or rips the hinges. Don't ask me how I know!

Of course the price is high, but so is every used boat price. $7500 would be better. I sold my 1997 Chaparral 2135 (cuddy cabin version of the same boat) in 2008 for $7500. It had a 5.7LX EFI Gen + engine rated at 280hp and a Bravo 3 drive (about $7000 more engine/drive than the boat you are looking at, when they were new.). It also had 805 hours on it, and the stitching on the sunpad was separating a bit, and would need to be recovered in a year or two, depending on use.

What condition is the bimini top & windscreen, in? What about the cockpit and bow covers?

You need to test the boat on the water, with your anticipated load. Running it on the trailer tells you almost nothing.

Did you buy the boat? Because the ad is expired.

cool man thanks for your honesty! from what i saw all the covers seemed to be in tact, and not sun faded, as well as the bimini top. I haven't bought it yet. The seller claimed he had a guy comin for a second time this weekend, so I told him to let me know how that went. I was thinking around the 7000/7500 range as well; assuming it's water trial shows no bad signs. only reason i was worried about bellows was cuz if the exhaust one had cracks like that; maybe i should worry about the drive shaft one too; but if you guys think those cracks weren't severe enough to fix this winter, then ill take everyones word....if i buy this one.

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: 96' chaparral 1930 sport purchase, good or bad?

yes the lower or intermediate shift cable goes from the top of the engine linkage to the outdrive and has a bellows where it goes through the transom. Sometimes they can be adjusted back within range and sometimes not, depends on how worn/stretched the cable is. If its ratcheting you need to get that taken care of as it is rounding off the dog clutch ears slowly but surely. Not saying its doing that now just something to be aware of. be firm with putting it into gear forward or reverse dont try to ease it in, its not designed that way thus the clunk when it engages. As to the exhaust bellows dont be too worried about it its not that bad and wont sink your boat or cause damage to expensive parts like the drive shaft bellows will. alot of people are replacing the exhaust bellows with a tube, much easier to install and cheaper too.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: 96' chaparral 1930 sport purchase, good or bad?

Also, an Alpha does NOT really shift properly, unless it's in the water. Again, you can't tell from it being on the trailer. Gotta sea trial it.

 

[vipertblck]

Re: 96' chaparral 1930 sport purchase, good or bad?

yes the lower or intermediate shift cable goes from the top of the engine linkage to the outdrive and has a bellows where it goes through the transom. Sometimes they can be adjusted back within range and sometimes not, depends on how worn/stretched the cable is. If its ratcheting you need to get that taken care of as it is rounding off the dog clutch ears slowly but surely. Not saying its doing that now just something to be aware of. be firm with putting it into gear forward or reverse dont try to ease it in, its not designed that way thus the clunk when it engages. As to the exhaust bellows dont be too worried about it its not that bad and wont sink your boat or cause damage to expensive parts like the drive shaft bellows will. alot of people are replacing the exhaust bellows with a tube, much easier to install and cheaper too.

I'm assuming cable adjustment, or replacement if necessary, is simple as long as there's a tech manual handy to give you specs?