Almost a new owner....

[inthedirtagain]

I'm driving a little over 300mi this week to look at a 1986 Larson (16 or 17ft, not sure) with the original Merc 90 O/B. According to the owner, the boat has had extensive maintenance and is kept inside and covered when not in use. He states that it has a new impeller and gear oil, new floor, carpeting, upholstery, paint/gel coat, and vinyl graphics installed. The trailer has new paint, tires, lights, and recent bearing repack. He is selling because of a growing family and the need for a larger boat. I will verify all of this info before I hand over the cash. I also intend to run the motor on muffs and verify compression. His nearby lake is covered in snow, so I can't run it out just yet. He is firm on his asking price of $2500. If the boat checks out and is as nice as he states, I'm thinking that its worth it. Your thoughts?

 

[richw57]

Re: Almost a new owner....

Make sure you test drive it before you buy it. Private owner probably won't guarantee anything. Check nada prices to compare. Most sellers start high to hopefully reduce the price to what they really expect. My two cents.

Good luck

Rich

 

[sutor623]

Re: Almost a new owner....

Good luck man. I hate buying boats and not being able to test run it. That is a really long drive to buy a boat, I mean it is not like you are getting a steal of a deal. I wouldnt do it.......

 

[inthedirtagain]

Re: Almost a new owner....

Couldn't make the drive due to my kid getting the Chicken Pox this week. Will be making the drive hopefully next week. From what I've seen within a 500mi radius of my location, there isn't much worth buying under $3k. Anything worth owning is north of $5k, but I can't swing that right now. I've notices that boats on the Eastern side of the US are significantly cheaper. Don't know why, but if you search Craigslist between Denver and Seattle, there just isn't very many choices unless you are spending quite a bit more $$$.

 

[inthedirtagain]

Re: Almost a new owner....

Had a chance to get over there and check it out. The interior is in fantastic condition, with no rips or tears to be found. The floor was replaced, along with the carpeting, gauges, steering wheel, and a fresh 6-speaker stereo system installed. The O/B is a few years newer than the boat and has been taken care of, as well. Recent link/sink, de-carbing, voltage regulator, impeller, and battery. It fired right up without a hiccup and idles great. He powder-coated the trailer, added bearing buddies and LED lights. This boat was well-worth the drive. I can't find anything close to this in my home town, and I've been looking since Christmas. It towed very well on the way home, so yeah........I bought it. Hope to take it for a spin next week.