Dilemma - what to do?

[CharlieZulu]

This is my first boat purchase (other than my ancient 12', 6hp aluminum).

A fellow locally here (Canada) is selling a 1984 vintage bowrider and the boat has seen better days -- has been "rebuilt", new floor, lots of fiberglass re-do, etc. Looks pretty from the outside, but judging by the wiring mess, the mods, etc I do not want to touch the boat, it's going to be too much work to get it the way I would like it. I suspect the electrics alone are a mess.

The issue is, the motor sitting on the transom is a 90hp Merc, about 2 years old, with 10-15 hrs on it, max. This thing is just gleaming new.

The current owner took the boat in trade for some work he did (I guess the previous owner couldn't pay or whatever) and has never really used it, maybe once or twice.

The boat is junk. The motor is new. He wants $5K including a decent trailer, and some goodies (transom saver, safety eqpt, tube, extra fuel tanks, etc)

I have to think the motor is worth double that..... (?) The current owner wants it gone.

Comments, ideas?

[/IMG]

[/IMG]

 

[crb478]

Re: Dilemma - what to do?

If you are willing to pay that for the motor then grab it and look for another boat to put it on that better suits your needs. If you get the motor be sure to get the full factory wiring harness with it. The rest of the boat could be sold or swapped for what you really want. Make sure the motor runs good before you commit to it though. Just because it looks good does not mean it will run properly.

Rewiring a boat is really not all that hard and fairly basic. If you take the time to straighten out the wiring the boat may grow on you.

 

[Les Robb]

Re: Dilemma - what to do?

Easy, find out what a brand new with warranty motor will cost you from a local dealer and then what a boat and motor combo would cost. Goes without saying the like new motor tain't much good without a boat in front of it. Now you can weigh the differences between package deal with warranty and finding a new or used boat of your choice to fit your used but like new motor and trailer. Bear in mind most affordable used boats require quite a bit of expensive restoration work and that can figure greatly into the final cost. If you go with new boat get the cost of rigging it out with your motor as it will probably be extra.

Good luck whatever you decide

 

[4JawChuck]

Re: Dilemma - what to do?

The motor alone is worth the asking price, I payed $4200 for my 2003 90 HP Merc 2 stroke used.

I would take it, the wiring is the easy stuff...just tedious. In many ways I would prefer to rewire any boat I bought that way I knew it was good!

 

[thefairlaneman]

Re: Dilemma - what to do?

I would not assume the engine runs well untill after a good hard test drive and check.It wouldnt be the first time someone ruined an engine in "just 10 to 15 hours: now would it?