Help value a Smoker Craft I’m looking at

[SpartySteve]

I’m going to look at a 98’ Smoker Craft Spitfire 162 tomorrow. It has a 98’ Mariner (Merc) 75hp 2 stroke and a 55lb thrust Minkota. New batteries. From pics and talking to the owner it’s in really good shape. One livewell, 4 seats, and all gauges work.

Just having a hard time gauging a value. Any help would be appreciated. He’s asking $5,500. Seems fair but then it’s older, only a shy over 16’, with older motor and electronics. Thanks for the help!

 

[Stinnett21]

Do a good inspection and come back and tell us what you found. Rotten floor? Transom flexing? Evidence of patches on rivet seams? Motor run on muffs ok?

 

[JimS123]

A 26 year old boat ain't worth much. A Mariner engine is worth even less. First do the NADA boat search and see what the reported value is. Then, stand inside and see how bad the deck is rotten. Then do a sea trial and see how it runs. Of course, a compression test on the engine is in order.

One of my boats is 52 years old and I can verify the service record and performance. But that is quite unusual. Spending big bucks to get an old clunker seaworthy is proverbial.

 

[SpartySteve]

Do a good inspection and come back and tell us what you found. Rotten floor? Transom flexing? Evidence of patches on rivet seams? Motor run on muffs ok?

He says the floor is and transom are both in great shape. He agreed to do a lake test. I asked about rivets and leaks. He claims no leaky rivets but when runs the livewell the bilge pump kicks on about twice in a 6 hour day on the water. Sounds like an easy fox at the intake maybe.

 

[SpartySteve]

A 26 year old boat ain't worth much. A Mariner engine is worth even less. First do the NADA boat search and see what the reported value is. Then, stand inside and see how bad the deck is rotten. Then do a sea trial and see how it runs. Of course, a compression test on the engine is in order.

One of my boats is 52 years old and I can verify the service record and performance. But that is quite unusual. Spending big bucks to get an old clunker seaworthy is proverbial.

I’m not too familiar with Mariner outboards. I thought they were just Mercury motors branded as Mariner. What’s the issue with them? Appreciate the help.

 

[roscoe]

Around here, WI or MN, a well pampered boat like this, could easily go for $5500.
Location and condition are key.

A co worker got rear ended in a construction zone last fall. Totaled the boat and trailer.
His boat was a 2001 Sylvan, almost an exact copy of yours seeing that it was made in the same factory. The insurance company gave him $9800, which was more than he paid for it new in 2001.

If you are lucky, it is a gem.

 

[SpartySteve]

Around here, WI or MN, a well pampered boat like this, could easily go for $5500.
Location and condition are key.

A co worker got rear ended in a construction zone last fall. Totaled the boat and trailer.
His boat was a 2001 Sylvan, almost an exact copy of yours seeing that it was made in the same factory. The insurance company gave him $9800, which was more than he paid for it new in 2001.

If you are lucky, it is a gem.

Exactly! I live on the WI/IA/MN border. Any decent walleye boat around here seems to be $7k++

You get in the $4k range it’s even older rigs that need work.

 

[airshot]

If a turnkey boat and everything is in top notch condition then the price is about right in my area. About 26K to replace it with a new one, just shopped for one last spring. But, I would expect everything to work very well and no damage anywhere. Proper inspection is a must. It is not old if taken care of !! My boat is a 1992 and could set in a showroom floor as new. Maintenance is everything !!

 

[Scott06]

the fact that the owner is not hesitant to lake test it means its been taken care of and maintained. due your homework check compression and leaks transom , but I don't think that's a bad price. You will be able tell when you get there if the guy takes care of stuff...

 

[Scott Danforth]

the boats from Minnesota where the 4 seasons are Nearly Winter, Winter, Still Winter, and bad sledding. it probably spent most of its time in the garage waiting for the ice to thaw.