Is this boat worth $1500? 1993 Astro Fish N Ski

[1974ih]

Hi guys,

I'm brand new to this forum and am looking for a fish n ski. I have found several but they are either too old or too new and therefore more than I can afford to spend. I came across this '93 Astro S-18-FS for approx. $1500. It looks to be in great shape but there are two issues:

1) There isn't an outboard with the boat.
2) The outboard isn't included b/c it was ripped off of the transom and now the transom needs to be repaired.

I don't know enough about boats to know if this one is worth buying and fixing the transom as well as finding an outboard or if I should run from this sucker and buy another boat that is all together.

I haven't seen this thing in person but the pics make it look real good. The trailer is included as well as two fish finders, foot operated trolling motor and 1 year old batteries. The boat is an 8 1/2 hour drive from where I live so that makes it even more challenging.

On another note, there is a guy advertising an '87 Stratos Fish n Ski for $3500.00. It also looks to be in good shape, comes with all the the ammenities, is 17' long, and has a 150hp Mariner on the back. Perhaps I should go with this one instead. I just really like the Astro boats and like the fact that it's 5 years newer than the Stratos.

Main question is: Is the Astro worth the price and time that it's going to take to fix it or should I suck it up and buy the Stratos?

Thanks for all your help and go easy on me, I'm a newbie.

 

[Cheetah 210es]

Re: Is this boat worth $1500? 1993 Astro Fish N Ski

Looks a good trailer.

 

[greenbush future]

Re: Is this boat worth $1500? 1993 Astro Fish N Ski

If you are doing the work, it may be worth it, but a new used motor is going to run some serious coin, controls, glasswork, paint and TIME, if you have experience doing this should all be part of your decission. I would not touch it, I already have a few projects that will keep me off the water, and they are both boats!
Have fun!

 

[GT1000000]

Re: Is this boat worth $1500? 1993 Astro Fish N Ski

The simple answer is YES and NO...

As has already been mentioned, an engine is going to cost a chunk of change and the rebuild is going to take a substantial outlay of coin and sweat equity...you could easily surpass the cost of a turn-key, ready to splash boat...in this economy, there are people getting rid of perfectly good boats for very little money...

Unless you are looking for a labor of love and a considerably lengthy project, I would steer clear of the newer boat, plus add in the cost of a 17 hour roundtrip with fuel, munchies, lodging, making sure the trailer is roadworthy, etc. etc....your choice...

As for the older more expensive boat, if you really want it and you have the money, tell the owner that you want to take it out for a sea trial...IF, everything is in close to perfect working order, make an offer, do some negotiating, and try to bring it home...

If you are not sure what to look for, bring along a knowledgeable friend, or do some reading and asking of questions throughout this Forum, and get yourself some education...what seems like no big deal on a boat can turn into an expensive nightmare, if you don't know what to look for...

This is just some advice from someone who has learned a lot by going through the same thing and reading and learning from the great folks her on iboats...

Good luck on your quest and keep us posted as to the outcome...

Best regards,
GT1M

PS- That transom damage also looks to be indicating rot, the darker colored wood near the bottom...that usually means a complete restoration, including deck, stringers and transom...

If your heart is set on taking on this project, offer the guy a 100 bucks...maybe what the trailer is worth...
definitely not 1500...but again, that's just my nickle.95...

And believe me I am going easy on you...

 

[1974ih]

Re: Is this boat worth $1500? 1993 Astro Fish N Ski

Thanks for the input guys. I just checked the listing and they must have sold the thing because the search turns up zero results.

Perhaps I dodged a bullet on this one. Thanks for your help. I'm going to continue to look.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Is this boat worth $1500? 1993 Astro Fish N Ski

When looking to get on the water cheaply, it's tough to beat an aluminum hull with an outboard. A fiberglass hull that ends up needed structural repairs, can cost $1000 or more just in materials to properly repair.

 

[oops!]

Re: Is this boat worth $1500? 1993 Astro Fish N Ski

Thanks for the input guys. I just checked the listing and they must have sold the thing because the search turns up zero results.

Perhaps I dodged a bullet on this one. Thanks for your help. I'm going to continue to look.

yep....you dodged a bullet...

the boat was worth nothing......i would have charged himl to haul it off

 

[southkogs]

Re: Is this boat worth $1500? 1993 Astro Fish N Ski

I'm with Oops. That boat wasn't worth $1,500 ... or $500 ... or $5.

This was a fun thread a while back. If you're looking for a boat, and want some help ... kick it off like this guy did and we'll help you spend your money!

Seriously, if you've got a $3,000 budget - you won't need to settle for junk. There's something decent out there that you'll like.

 

[1974ih]

Re: Is this boat worth $1500? 1993 Astro Fish N Ski

Ok, so the Astro is out then. Here is the '87 Stratos that I mentioned in the original post. I think it's overpriced but don't know by how much, and of course I haven't seen it so if it's rotten, it's worth no more than the 150hp Mariner on the back.

The most unfortunate thing is that I live smack dab in the middle of the country (Nebraska) where there are nothing but 10ft deep, man-made, sand pits full of rain water and run off. Anything bigger than a 14 foot alum. flat bottom is a little hard to come by and when you do find one, it's on the pricey side. This is not what you would call a 'boating community' so I believe I have three options: make the real long haul for a decent boat and price, pay a premium for a boat in decent condition, or double my budget. I'm not able to double the budget, but I had to add it so none of you would.

So here's the Stratos:

It's a 17' with a 150hp Mariner. Included is a 60lb thrust Motorguide trolling motor. He states "Excellent fishing boat or starter boat". Do you guys agree? If so, and if there are no major issues such as rot, glass holes (hahaha), or low compression, what do you think is a fair price for boat, motor, and trailer?

Thanks for your help.

 

[1974ih]

Re: Is this boat worth $1500? 1993 Astro Fish N Ski

I forgot to mention that he wants $3500.00 for it. Sorry.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Is this boat worth $1500? 1993 Astro Fish N Ski

I forgot to mention that he wants $3500.00 for it. Sorry.

If not rotted, that's a fair price.

 

[Cheetah 210es]

Re: Is this boat worth $1500? 1993 Astro Fish N Ski

And motor runs/has compression.

 

[iCam]

Re: Is this boat worth $1500? 1993 Astro Fish N Ski

I am in Denver and if you find one down here, I would be more than happy to check out or even pull one up halfway to meet you if you buy one.

 

[GT1000000]

Re: Is this boat worth $1500? 1993 Astro Fish N Ski

I agree with the previous statements, if Not rotted, and the motor checks out...

Let me add that the trailer has to be roadworthy...

Now the hard part...how do you do that from a million miles away?...

Maybe you get lucky and find a fellow iboater, near that rig and make a deal to have him go check it out for you...

Or, maybe you can get hold of some kind of nationwide Marine appraisal company, and pay them to check it out...

Or, do what I ended up doing and line up a bunch of baots to look at on a predetermined path, and spend some vacation time checking them out...realistically, you are not going to be able to look at more than two or three boats a day...
Kind of like shopping for a house...

Just make sure you have enough information with you to make an informed decision, and check with each prospective boat seller and determine if he is ready, willing and able to do a sea trial, if you decide that's the one for you...

Even if you are unable to do a sea trial, on the spot, the eagerness of an owner to show off his "perfect condition" boat, could go a long way in helping you make a decision...

I hope some of this helps and best of luck in making this choice...

 

[1974ih]

Re: Is this boat worth $1500? 1993 Astro Fish N Ski

I might have forgot to mention that the Stratos is only and hour and half away so it would be an easy drive.

 

[GT1000000]

Re: Is this boat worth $1500? 1993 Astro Fish N Ski

I might have forgot to mention that the Stratos is only and hour and half away so it would be an easy drive.

Heck, even better...go check it out and let us know if you bought it...go, go, go man...what are you waiting for...