First boat is it worth it?

R

Roccafellas

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jun 22, 2021
Messages
36
Hello all. My name is Jordan. I previously posted a thread about buying a Liberator with a damaged KC outdrive. Thanks to your responses I steered clear. Now a few weeks later I have found another boat I’m very interested in.
The seller sent me tons of videos and even was willing to water test it. It’s beautiful. I want it. I want opinions of seasoned boaters as to if this is worth it. Yes it’s my first boat and I am already aware it’s a lot. I have many good friends who are vets at boating and I am a mechanic and more than competent enough to own this and or navigate it.
I just want to know thoughts if the price is adequate for the boat. Thank you!
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cptbill

cptbill

Senior Chief Petty Officer
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Oct 6, 2012
Messages
762
First let me state I am not a go fast guy nor do I need the capacity to be able to play music load enough to annoy every one on the same body of water as I. Looking at the pics the boat looks nice enough and appears well taken care of. But like most things in the go fast world there's a chance it's lead a tough life so I would make sure you have a professional go over the boat(Marine Surveyor) if it checks out and your willing to spend that kind of money on a 30 year old boat then go for it. Larson has always built a nice boat
 
Lou C

Lou C

Supreme Mariner
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Nov 10, 2002
Messages
12,641
It's a cool boat but my concern would be with the wood structure in the transom, motor mounts and stringers. That price is crazy high. For that much here in the US you could get a year old 20' with a modern 4 stroke outboard which would be a far better choice. So my recommendation is to pass on that, just too old and way too much money UNLESS he redid all the structure and can prove it.
 
JimS123

JimS123

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Jul 27, 2007
Messages
8,160
Its a pretty boat. Looks like a perfect fit for a Millennial looking for dates, or an old Boomer looking for a younger date.

Just kidding.

OTOH, its crazy overpriced. It's a 30 year old boat, so it will undoubtedly need some fixing, maybe even be a money pit. The low engine hours indicates a replacement, so obviously something in the maintenance schedule wasn't 100%.

Mechanic or not, its not a good choice for a first boat, unless all you are looking for is something flashy. I surely wouldn't want to pay for the insurance.

You asked for opinions, and that's mine.
 
R

Roccafellas

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jun 22, 2021
Messages
36
Thank you all for the responses and honestly I was kind of getting that feeling. Honestly I love it for the look. And because it’s a v8.. I know it’s a lot for a first boat. But it’s what I want. I want something at least 23 feet and has to be a 454 of bigger. I’m a v8 guy. No I don’t want an outboard or a 4.3 mercruiser.. that being said I know for 35k I can find something way better and I get it. I think really what’s getting me is the wrap. And the interior..

ok maybe the hotties too lol. But up in Sudbury Ontario Canada there is NOTHING as far as boats. And like the housing market everything up here is crazy in prices. Maybe I’ll look for something else or get him down in price.

that being said what do you all think it’s actually worth. And be fair..

also does anyone have time to post some boats they think are worth it? Like I said has to be at least 23’ and 454 or bigger. Yes I’m well aware of the fuel consumption
 
R

Roccafellas

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jun 22, 2021
Messages
36
Lou C said:
It's a cool boat but my concern would be with the wood structure in the transom, motor mounts and stringers. That price is crazy high. For that much here in the US you could get a year old 20' with a modern 4 stroke outboard which would be a far better choice. So my recommendation is to pass on that, just too old and way too much money UNLESS he redid all the structure and can prove it.
Click to expand...
Also that price is in CAD not USD so it’d be around 25k US.
 
JimS123

JimS123

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Jul 27, 2007
Messages
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Yesterday while drifting out in the river with the family a boat very similar to that came by. Verry close. With a 3 foot wake. It was manned by a number of 20 somethings. When I commented about the wake and that he was only 25 feet away, he just did not understand what I was talking about and they all laughed at me.

When I was your age I wanted a chick boat as well. I ended up with a tinny with a 9.9 Evinrude. After talking to Dad he convinced me that saving for a house for me and my impending bride was a better alternative.

A youngin newbie and 23' and a 454 is a bad combination. If you insist, DON'T step foot on it until you have taken a 20 hour boater's safety course....twice.

I apologize for being so abrupt. Life on the water has been horrid since Covid. Uneducated people with no business owning a boat are crowding our waterways. What used to be a family Sunday afternoon is now relegated to weekdays because its just not safe out there any more. "Regular" family type boaters, for the most part, know the rules and follow them. OTOH, the Gofasts know that they can do whatever they please because the cops look the other way.
 
Lou C

Lou C

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Joined
Nov 10, 2002
Messages
12,641
If you want I can post up pics of my deck replacement that was done 15 years ago and you can judge if you want to risk buying a boat that old and then one day you step on a part of the deck and feel that sickening crunch of a rotted deck. Now mine is still good but no more old boats for me. That one is 30 years old, almost certainly the stringers deck and transom are wood cored. Is the deck gel coat or covered in carpet? Carpet is a gaurantee of rot in a wood cored boat unless you live in a very arid climate like Las Vegas. In Ontario Canada I’m guessing it’s pretty much like the north east US which is bad for wood rot. And are you going to be maintaining this yourself? Can you get to the engine drains for winterizing? If those rear seats don’t come out and you can’t remove that rear bulkhead get used to standing on your head. A starter replacement will probably be tough, might have to pull the exhaust on that side. That’s why I refuse to get another. Want a big block Chevrolet get a Chevrolet!
 
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R

Roccafellas

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jun 22, 2021
Messages
36
JimS123 said:
Yesterday while drifting out in the river with the family a boat very similar to that came by. Verry close. With a 3 foot wake. It was manned by a number of 20 somethings. When I commented about the wake and that he was only 25 feet away, he just did not understand what I was talking about and they all laughed at me.

When I was your age I wanted a chick boat as well. I ended up with a tinny with a 9.9 Evinrude. After talking to Dad he convinced me that saving for a house for me and my impending bride was a better alternative.

A youngin newbie and 23' and a 454 is a bad combination. If you insist, DON'T step foot on it until you have taken a 20 hour boater's safety course....twice.

I apologize for being so abrupt. Life on the water has been horrid since Covid. Uneducated people with no business owning a boat are crowding our waterways. What used to be a family Sunday afternoon is now relegated to weekdays because its just not safe out there any more. "Regular" family type boaters, for the most part, know the rules and follow them. OTOH, the Gofasts know that they can do whatever they please because the cops look the other way.
Click to expand...
Hello! Thank you for the reply, no worries about being abrupt I totally get it and that kid must of been a JackA$&.. I would never do that. And unless I’m alone in a very big body of water I would never even think about making a wake like that.
I appreciate the wisdom.
At 26, I’m a Licensed bodyman now going for my second license as a licensed mechanic. I own my own house. Soon to be an income property and purchasing another home with a nice fancy garage lol.. And two vehicles upwards of $70k both paid off. I’m just trying to say I’ve been saving. I’m very good with saving and finances. I don’t own a payment.. on anything! I have taken the boaters course. I’m very aware of the dangers. I’m not a young punk. Nor do I want “chicks” i’m in a commited relationship and this would be for her if anything. I want a boat of this magnitude this as it’s just what I have been saving and dreamt about for a while.
As all of my friends up here have fountains and scarabs etc..

now talking about the wood. Where is this wood everyone is speaking of? Just the transom? And how can I check it. And what if it is good? Is it possible that it could be good after all these years?
I looked ALL over last night. I can NOT find a single 454 boat at least even 20’ for under 20k that’s not an 88 or older. It’s crazy! Ontario is slim pickings.
Thank you all!
 
roffey

roffey

Commander
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Nov 22, 2012
Messages
2,206
Being from Ottawa, I don't think the boat is over priced. I do think it may be to much for a new boater tho. As far as the wood construction most fiberglass boats are wood construction and fiberglass incased. I suspect the stringers and floors are wood. Condition is everything, that boat may have been a trailer queen with next to no time spend at the dock. Your best option is to have a friend look at the boat with you but Sudbury to Ottawa is a long drive for nothing if it does not work out.
 
roffey

roffey

Commander
Joined
Nov 22, 2012
Messages
2,206
looking further at he ad, the boat is in Johnstown. That is right on the St Laurence and I bet they kept the boat on a trailer and put it in the water when they wanted to go for a zip... chances are its in great condition.
 
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