First time boat buyer!!! PLEASE HELP

[JustWinn]

I would ABSOLUTELY love some advice for my first boat purchase...Im looking at an '89 American Skier 19' w/ and open bow 454 Motor.

The person is asking $5,000 OBO

This is what the ad entails (photos are small enough its hard to tell but nice looking:

"I have a 1989 American Skier boat. Its 19 feet long, and drives great. Seats redone two years ago but not perfect. Boat has some scratches here and there as you would expect from a 20 year old boat. It has a 454 that runs perfect with the Carb rebuilt this summer. The drive shaft has new packing as of a month ago. Radio that is Ipod ready, amp and two batteries. Has a universal ski tower and a bimini top made just last year.

We bought this boat so as our daughter was learning to wake board and wife was learning to drive a boat. They have both out grown it and its time to move up. This is a great reliable starter boat. "

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME

Just

 

[Searay87]

Re: First time boat buyer!!! PLEASE HELP

I bought a 1987 Sea Ray 17 foot bowrider last summer. I've certainly learned a lot in the past year and this forum has been great. The boat was well maintained but not without problems. I paid $3500 and put another $1600 into it. The outdrive bellows were leaking and were replaced. The trailer wiring and lights all needed to be replaced. The power trim motor and alternator belt were also in need of replacement. This summer I replaced the alternator, thermostat and temperature sender. Have not replaced the raw water impeller, that'll be done next spring.

$5000 sounds on the high side for a 1989 as you can expect to spend money on it. My best advice is find a friend that knows boats or hire a marine mechanic to have a close look. Definitely take it out on the water. Caveat Emptor.

 

[Brewman61]

Re: First time boat buyer!!! PLEASE HELP

For sure have someone look it over. If there are some hidden "time bombs" in that boat, you could be into it for thousands more.
Also look at other boats for sale in your area to see if their asking price is in line with other used boats. See what you can get for $5K- boat prices vary so much that this may be a bargain where you live, but expensive somewhere else. That's why its hard to say if that asking price is reasonable.
If the hull is solid and the engine runs well, with no obvious problems, and if it comes with a trailer in decent condition, then $5K isn't too bad if you don't have to spend thousands more in repairs after you purchase. If the boat passes muster, it certainly won't hurt to offer less. Try $3500 and see if the seller is willing to dicker. If it was the deal of the century, it'd be gone by now, probably.
Happy hunting.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: First time boat buyer!!! PLEASE HELP

Will watersports be your primary usage? That wouldn't be the ideal boat for just crusing around the lake (should be pretty awesome for watersports though).

 

[109jb]

Re: First time boat buyer!!! PLEASE HELP

That is an inboard boat, not to be confused with an I/O. As mentioned, that is the kind of boat that water skiers crave, but it is not a good all around boat. Pretty much one purpose, watersports. If you want that then it could be a good deal. Around me, Illinois, the true inboard boats like that tend to hold their value pretty well. $5k might not be a bad price depending on condition and the local market for that type boat. If you are looking for an all purpose cruising with watersports thrown in type of boat, the most popular seems to be the bowriders.