Looking at a 1993 Crownline, need opinions

[Friscoboater]

I was poking around on Cl today and found this boat. It is a 1993 Crownline 196BR. I sent a message to the owner and got some info on it. It is a 5.0 V8 and has been used almost every season (barring the drought we had here a couple of years ago) and has about 250 hours on it. The guy told me that they have a local marina do all the service on it every season and this year they told them they had water in the gas tank and it would be a ton of money to fix. So they are selling it, and getting a bigger boat. They are asking $3500 for the boat but said it is negotiable. To me that sounds really low for a boat that looks this good. Now I have not seen it yet and will not be able to until Saturday. He travels and will not be home until Friday. So is this a good price for a boat like this if it is in good condition? Do you think the marina was trying to squeeze some money put of these folks? I love the look of this boat, but my gut tells me to look deeper.

Now I am not a newbie and I know what to look for, but I just do not know anything about these boats.

Are the Crownlines a good boat, and do they age well.

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Looking at a 1993 Crownline, need opinions

No way that rig just needs new fuel. $3500 IS low. Look hard.

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: Looking at a 1993 Crownline, need opinions

That is what I am thinking. I winder if the mechanic meant water in the oil??????

 

[dorelse]

Re: Looking at a 1993 Crownline, need opinions

That is what I am thinking. I winder if the mechanic meant water in the oil??????

First, Crownline's are awesome boats (ok, IMO). Love them. $3500 is a great price. I find it hard to believe that water in the gas tank would be a major issue to fix if...they know the tank isn't leaking.

You could pull the gas sender and suck the tank out dry it out and be on the water again in no time...so its got to be the engine. Just my thoughts.

Love it though. That would be a great boat!

Let me know (seriously) if you don't buy it...I might be interested.

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: Looking at a 1993 Crownline, need opinions

I would not think water in the gas would not even be all that expensive to fix, water in the oil yea now that could get pricey.
$3500 seems low for bad gas, $3500 seems right if it needs a motor.

While I'm not a huge fan of the black and gold I think it could grow on me and I sure do love that little crown on the side, it is a very sleek and slick looking boat.
Looks like it was a top of the line model in its day and looks like someone took very good care of it.
Good quality to start with.

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: Looking at a 1993 Crownline, need opinions

The guy told me it has been kept in a storage unit when not in use since 96. It could be rotten to the core for all I know. I will see it first thing on Saturday.

 

[superpop]

Re: Looking at a 1993 Crownline, need opinions

Actually that seems like a fair price for a boat of that year, if it has water in the tank. You can always pressure test the tank, and if it is leaking cut it out at that point and not be out too much, some fiberglass work, the new tank, and new carpet. If it is water in the oil that is a different story and it makes the boat not worth as much. Still if you could pick it up for a few thousand and then put a new long block and manifolds in it for another few grand, you would have a sweet boat. I have heard Crownlines are good mid level boats.

 

[superpop]

Re: Looking at a 1993 Crownline, need opinions

Has a ton of petential though, you could do some cool graphics, and maybe throw a tower and swim platform on that puppy and have a sweet ski machine.

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: Looking at a 1993 Crownline, need opinions

Yep, I know about the engine stuff, just check out my signature for my rebuild. That is my other problem. I am 2/3s of the way finished with my 81 Glastron restoration. I really love my Glastron, but that Crownline is just Sexy! I have put so much work into my boat, I would hate to cheat on her.

 

[BobsGlasstream]

Re: Looking at a 1993 Crownline, need opinions

Hey friscoboater,
Just looking at the pic's, I can believe that it has been stored inside. It looks great. Just remember to take a small rubber hammer to check the transom and inside the bilge area.
3500 seems like a pretty good price.
Nice find.
I have to stay away from CL. I keep getting into trouble.
Bob

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: Looking at a 1993 Crownline, need opinions

I hear that Bob. I am going to take my little Milwaukee scope camera too so I can look under the deck.

 

[Triton II]

Re: Looking at a 1993 Crownline, need opinions

Good luck frisco... she looks a real sweety for 3.5K.

 

[system-f]

Re: Looking at a 1993 Crownline, need opinions

I would be very careful. Then again, I know my boat sat outside for quite some time, but it had the bow up and the rot was minimal after 39 years so if it was garage kept... The first thing I would do is pull the dipstick, but you know what to look for.

 

[sprintst]

Re: Looking at a 1993 Crownline, need opinions

Shop work for the glassing after pulling and replacing the tank might be reason enough to sell. Do it yourself you are familiar with.

I like the looks of it for sure. If that's all that's wrong with it... It looks like he kept that thing in his house. Very nice shape.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Looking at a 1993 Crownline, need opinions

Not that you shouldn't still carefully check....but I optimistically would find it hard to believe it would be rotted when the interior looks that good.

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: Looking at a 1993 Crownline, need opinions

I just hope it is what it looks like. A good boat.

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Looking at a 1993 Crownline, need opinions

Crowns are very good boats, quality components. $3,500 is WAY low for that boat. That said, if it can be had for that, even having to do a short block for a couple grand or some glass work to swap the tank you'd still be in a good boat for a reasonable price.
IMHO...

90 Carver Montego 21' "Suspicious Behavior"

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: Looking at a 1993 Crownline, need opinions

Thanks for all your opinons guys. I can do a full resto on a boat, but I have already done one this season. if the boat turns out to be in good shape and the person just is looking to get rid of it, I will buy it. If it needs alot of work I will walk away.

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: Looking at a 1993 Crownline, need opinions

I have the exact same boat, different color and seating layout than that one but the same boat. Mine also has the 5.7 merc. I love mine its a great boat and is a rocket ship. $3,500 is a great deal on that boat even if it needs a bit of work(imo) but I may be a bit bias. I have a tower on mine which I love for the kids and myself as I'm getting alot better on a wakeboard. But my true love is slalom have been at it for 30+ years and still love it. At 33-35 mph with a bit of trim up the wake is tiny which I love. The beam is wider on these boats than on most which makes interior space very nice. The ladder on that one is different than mine not as concealed, and the crown on the side looks solid on mine its the fresh air intake for the bilge. The wing windows are kind of a neat option I use mine when all buttoned up and just cruising. The hulls are real solid compared to some, I'm surprised its only a single axle trailer mine is a double. Since that one has the "sport" seating I'm not sure how to access the tank but on mine there is an inspection hatch right in front of the doghouse. It does have a plastic tank in it so if it needs to be repaired you would probably nedd to replace with new, I've not heard good luck repairing plastic tanks. I run a merc hi-5 stainless prop 21p it tops out at about 45mph with that prop but will yank trees out coming out of the hole. With a 23p three blade 50+mph easy. Dual battery setup was standard on mine, not terrible on gas if you keep your foot out of it.

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: Looking at a 1993 Crownline, need opinions

I am wondering if it might be a 182BR not a 196BR. But the 182 did not have the V8 option.