Hello All,
My first post to the iboats forums, but I have been reading threads by others for a couple of years now.
I grew up going to the lake every weekend and boating with my family on my dad's 16 ft closed bow speed boat. Now I have a kid of my own and would like to create those memories with her now.
So to the reason for my post. I am looking at two boats that are pretty equal in size and age and was looking for some feedback on which I should go for. I tried to get a Marine surveyor to help me out but the only ones in my general area are booked until the third week in June and the way boats are selling I don't think I can wait that long.
The first is a 1998 Larson 186 SEI with a Volvo 4.3, upgraded with a four barrel corroborator (205 hp). The boat is supper clean and looks to be in great condition. Comes with bimini top, smaller bikini top, and bow and cockpit covers. Current owner has had it for 7 years and has stored inside and taken care of it. But there are some issues. First being it needs a new prop as he hit something with it last year. He took it into the marina and the replaced a lot of items in the stern drive (about a $1,000 of work). Second there is a 6 to 7 inch gouge in the keel that is below the water line. The fiber glass is visible so this would need to be fixed. And lastly there is a spot in the floor between the fiberglass floor in the bow and the ski locker that is rotten (its only 3 inches tall and goes the width of the ski locker). Owners explanation was that the previous owner left it outside and the bow and cockpit covers leaked where they came together and let water in which pooled and rotted the floor right there. I have looked over the rest of the boat and the floor is very solid everywhere else and the explanation does fit the type of damage. I am pretty handy and would have no problem fixing the gel coat and floor. He is asking $6500 for this boat so I would knock some off for the things that need to be fixed. (link to craigslist is below).
Sorry this is getting a little long. :embarassed:
The second is a 1997 Chris Craft 19 Concept with the same exact motor less the four barrel Corroborator (190 hp). Pictures of this boat show it to be supper clean. It comes with the bimini top, fenders, life vest and a few other odds and ends, but no cockpit or bow cover. This boat I have not yet looked at, but it has the snap in carpet and the gel coat deck underneath (is this better than carpet over a wood floor?). The owner has moved to Texas and has a friend selling it for him. They just replaced the vinyl on the sunpad and rear bench seat. I spoke to the seller on the phone and he says that the floor is solid and there are no major damage to the gel coat that would require repair and the prop looks like it is brand new. Here is the scary thing with this boat, the engine has been completely rebuilt in 2008 due to a failed winterization (approximate cost from seller $3200). This was not done professionally. It was done by the owner and the seller. The seller seems like he knows what he is talking about and I will definitely take it for a test run before any money is exchanged. He is asking $6750 and I offered $6500 before I looked at it, as that was my max budget when I started looking. (link to craigslist below)
Both Trailers are single axle and have newer tires and working wiring.
So with those facts does one of them stand out as a clear winner? I know that Chris-Craft is a higher end boat, but I just wanted to pick someone else's brain prior to making a large purchase.
Regards, Ben
Larson
1998 Larson 18' 4.3 V-6 I/O Open bow
Chris Craft
1997 Chris Craft 19' Concept Bowrider Boat
My first post to the iboats forums, but I have been reading threads by others for a couple of years now.
I grew up going to the lake every weekend and boating with my family on my dad's 16 ft closed bow speed boat. Now I have a kid of my own and would like to create those memories with her now.
So to the reason for my post. I am looking at two boats that are pretty equal in size and age and was looking for some feedback on which I should go for. I tried to get a Marine surveyor to help me out but the only ones in my general area are booked until the third week in June and the way boats are selling I don't think I can wait that long.
The first is a 1998 Larson 186 SEI with a Volvo 4.3, upgraded with a four barrel corroborator (205 hp). The boat is supper clean and looks to be in great condition. Comes with bimini top, smaller bikini top, and bow and cockpit covers. Current owner has had it for 7 years and has stored inside and taken care of it. But there are some issues. First being it needs a new prop as he hit something with it last year. He took it into the marina and the replaced a lot of items in the stern drive (about a $1,000 of work). Second there is a 6 to 7 inch gouge in the keel that is below the water line. The fiber glass is visible so this would need to be fixed. And lastly there is a spot in the floor between the fiberglass floor in the bow and the ski locker that is rotten (its only 3 inches tall and goes the width of the ski locker). Owners explanation was that the previous owner left it outside and the bow and cockpit covers leaked where they came together and let water in which pooled and rotted the floor right there. I have looked over the rest of the boat and the floor is very solid everywhere else and the explanation does fit the type of damage. I am pretty handy and would have no problem fixing the gel coat and floor. He is asking $6500 for this boat so I would knock some off for the things that need to be fixed. (link to craigslist is below).
Sorry this is getting a little long. :embarassed:
The second is a 1997 Chris Craft 19 Concept with the same exact motor less the four barrel Corroborator (190 hp). Pictures of this boat show it to be supper clean. It comes with the bimini top, fenders, life vest and a few other odds and ends, but no cockpit or bow cover. This boat I have not yet looked at, but it has the snap in carpet and the gel coat deck underneath (is this better than carpet over a wood floor?). The owner has moved to Texas and has a friend selling it for him. They just replaced the vinyl on the sunpad and rear bench seat. I spoke to the seller on the phone and he says that the floor is solid and there are no major damage to the gel coat that would require repair and the prop looks like it is brand new. Here is the scary thing with this boat, the engine has been completely rebuilt in 2008 due to a failed winterization (approximate cost from seller $3200). This was not done professionally. It was done by the owner and the seller. The seller seems like he knows what he is talking about and I will definitely take it for a test run before any money is exchanged. He is asking $6750 and I offered $6500 before I looked at it, as that was my max budget when I started looking. (link to craigslist below)
Both Trailers are single axle and have newer tires and working wiring.
So with those facts does one of them stand out as a clear winner? I know that Chris-Craft is a higher end boat, but I just wanted to pick someone else's brain prior to making a large purchase.
Regards, Ben
Larson
1998 Larson 18' 4.3 V-6 I/O Open bow
Chris Craft
1997 Chris Craft 19' Concept Bowrider Boat
