The boat was sitting in the shade this morning and even 2 hours after sunup it's still covered with dew. So I just moved it into the sunshine so that it can dry out.
Here's the story...
Saw an ad on craigslist yesterday morning for this old bass boat with motor and trailer for $600. Seller claimed motor runs good. Texted her and got some info and started the process to go check it out. I really wanted that motor if it worked!
The boat was over 100 miles from home and I had to wait for my wife to get home from work so that we could all have a nice little road trip. M'lady arrived about noon and I showed her the pix. She had a very negative look on her face until I explained that it would be a donor boat, not another project and that the value could easily far exceed the asking price even if I paid the full amount. So she replied "Well, why don't you have your shoes on and are not dressed properly? Let's GO ALREADY!!" :lol:
Shortly thereafter we were rolling. Some 3 hours later (with a couple stops along the way) we arrived at the sellers house.
I checked out the motor as best I could. The seller actually did quite a bit of the work.
Four cylinders; three had 130PSI and the last one had 135PSI compression!
Spark testing... did it the old fashioned way with a screwdriver in the spark plug cap held against a grounded bolt. Good spark in all four cylinders and only one of them bit me! :laugh:
Tried to get the tilt/trim to work but we had electrical deficiencies and only got the solenoid to click. Once I get a new battery in there I'll be in a better position to evaluate that issue.
Trailer had 2 flat tires but the seller had a battery powered compressor and got enough air in the tires so that I could get to a gas station on the next block.
So it was negotiation time. I asked the seller to give me his best price. He replied to make him an offer. So I jokingly said $100... and he chuckled and I then offered FIVE bucks... then TEN bucks! He laughed again and said he'd do the deal for $200!!! Agreed!
BOO-YAHH!!! SCORE!! :rockon:
So we exchanged handshakes; I gave him the cash and it was time to roll. Immediately went to the gas station and put air in the slick bald trailer tires. They held up for the trip. Still holding air now.
Boat deck is shot but oddly the transom is solid. I bet the stringers are a mess though. All kinds of junk and trash was piled in the boat. We did a lot of clean out and stowing before rolling. Stopped at an auto parts store to pick up some ratchet straps and the nice folks there were kind enough to allow us to use their dumpster to get rid of the rest of the trash and junk. Trailer lights weren't working right. Both park lights and turn signals worked but no brake lights. Bought some new bulbs and replaced them but still no joy. Decided to just roll on anyway! Stopped about 1/2 way home to check on things and the right trailer light wasn't working at all anymore. So it was down to just the left side park/turn light. Keep on rolling... got home safely and without issue.
Oh! We stopped in our town to pick up some roadside BBQ and a young fella there was all over me about the boat. Told him the tale and he said I stole it... and that's pretty close to the truth! :lol: And that young fella wants to buy the trolling motor off the boat! Gonna pull it off the boat shortly so that I can test it for correct operation. Already starting to recoup some costs.
Enough typing... time to go outside and pull organs outta that donor!! :rofl:
The prize!!
