Looking to buy a weather worn Lund

[Rairdog]

Hello all. Newbie/greenhorn here. I went and looked at an 88 Lund (160 was all I could find for model) yesterday. It was a 16 footer with a Johnson 40 hp motor. He said it hasn't been started in 2 years but was winterized. The trailer and boat tags were 04' which tells me it sat longer or he took it out w/ expired tags. The carpet had moss growing on it, was well worn but the decking seemed good (flooring LOL). The steering cable seemed locked up or there is a release I couldn't find. Shorelander trailer with some rust. Seats were not in bad shape. A few dings but not bad. Transom seemed sound. Butttt it is a Lund. He wanted $2000 for it but I can probably get him down. It's my neighbors uncle so I can take it out and test drive and keep it for a little while. I tried the blue book and couldn't find the correct model # but most of the values were around $900. I assume this is just for the hull and the Johnson is worth $800-900 if it runs. He bought it off an 81 yo man that cried when it left. It was purchased from brand new from Culver Marina on lake Maxinkuckee in 88'. This is the lake I ice fish and want to buy a boat for soft water, which is a good sign.

1) Is this a good deal at say $1600 or so?
2) Is there possibly more water damage under the decking? ie wet foam, rotten stringers. How can you tell?
3) Is the steering cable easy to fix?
4) Should I take it to the the original Marina and do a compression test and estimate on any other problems? How much does it cost for this?
5) How much to have someone re-wire it if needed?
6) What other problems should I look for?

I really don't have time for another project because I just jacked my house up 8 ft due to flooding and have siding, deck and roof to complete. My thoughts are powerwash it, new carpet/vinyl/spray on bedliner (for you carpet haters lol) and its ready to fish. Then I can spend some time on it in the fall/winter. It's hard to pass up a Lund. I felt like punching him for leaving it uncovered and not taking care of it! Let me know your thoughts, sorry no pics at this time.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Looking to buy a weather worn Lund

Welcome to iboats Rairdog!
Boy sounds like this is a project for sure, price seems a tad high
If there is moss on the decking I would be surprised if the wood is okay and yes the foam is probly wet, there really is no way to tell short of weighing the boat or actually looking.
A steering cable can be easy to fix or not depends.
If you are really interested in this boat I would get it to a dealer or find a Friend that knows boats and have it looked at really good, it could turn out top be a really good boat or it could be a floating nightmare.
Get it looked at by someone that knows boats.

 

[arks]

Re: Looking to buy a weather worn Lund

This statment is the key to your offer:

I really don't have time for another project....

IMO, you should tell the seller you're interested, but only if HE gets it running right (motor, shifter, and steering) and removes the old carpet so you can see all the decking.
And make sure he's got proper titles for boat and trailer.

If you can buy it for $1500-1600 with these conditions, then it's probably a decent deal.

 

[Rairdog]

Re: Looking to buy a weather worn Lund

Thank you for the responses. I agree it needs to be looked at by a professional. I have a contracting business and am comfortable with most all trades except motors and wiring. I just don't see myself redoing the stringers in a timely manner. Give me a screwgun and a powersaw and I can build anything. I have even done automotive paint spaying and some glass work.

This guy did not have the boat on the market. His nephew has been bugging him to sell it because it's rotting away. I don't see him putting any effort into it. Therefore, it is up to me to pick it up and take it to a dealer.

I originally thought there would not be much wood in a Lund except for the deck itself. I lifted the front deck storage compartment lid and it was all aluminum and full of water (no drain holes). After reading some of the other posts I see there are probably full length wood stringers front to back. I always thought an aluminum boat had ribbed alum. stringers. He gave me the Jonson manual and it has the original owners handwritten model #, serial # and date of purchase. Is there somewhere I can find more information on the boats construction of the hull. I tried Lund's website.

Thanks again for your input. To be honest I probably wouldn't have given this boat a second look due to other projects. After reading a lot of posts on here, I see the pride and enjoyment of a new challenge. Great site, tight lines!

Update: We just talked to the seller. He said come get it and do what you want with it and let him know.

 

[arks]

Re: Looking to buy a weather worn Lund

Hmmm.... that sounds like a new project for you. Beware!

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Looking to buy a weather worn Lund

If, as you say, you don't have time for a new project, I'd skip this boat. Your $2000 should buy you a decent boat with a well-running outboard. It would around my parts, I know.

I'd keep looking and buy something that the owner will demonstrate on the water for you. That way, you know you'll be able to use it, rather than feel bad about not having time to work on it.

Just one guy's opinion...

Lunds are nice...no question, but running boats without problems are even nicer.

 

[Rairdog]

Re: Looking to buy a weather worn Lund

Picked up the boat today. He said I can keep it a few days to check it out. I am taking it to the marina tomorrow for compression test. They're a merc dealer but I pulled some strings. Motor had a good feel when I spun it. I imagine it needs a water pump even if the old one works. It appears the only wood on the boat is the decking. I looks like all alum stringers. I can replace the deck in a couple days. Figured 5/8 CDX painted with drylok and rattle can RinoLiner. The only soft spot is on the casting deck. Hopefully the foam isn't soaked. Boat seemed pretty light. I still can't get the steering wheel to move. Mechanic said if you catch it early it can loosened with wd40 but I imagine it will need a new cable. Shifter and Idler were a little tight but not bad. Got a sand blaster buddy right down the road for the trailer. One tail light was working on running lights only. Hopefully the mice haven't done any damage to the boat wiring. Didn't see any signs of chewing. Other than that what am I missing? It is a boat, but I'm trying to be optimistic.

 

[Rairdog]

Re: Looking to buy a weather worn Lund

The good news is....I got the steering to break free. The bad news is...I found more rotten decking.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Looking to buy a weather worn Lund

well thats one of the easiest boats to work on. also check the wood in the transom. it's an easy job now. wiring a boat is not hard. neither is a trailer. i recommend running a ground wire to each light, and connect it to the white wire in the harness,
trailer wiring: http://www.accessconnect.com/trailer_wiring_diagram.htm color code is universal.

2 threads on boat wiring: http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=239445

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=186986

 

[Joe_the_boatman]

Re: Looking to buy a weather worn Lund

Sounds like you're set on getting this boat, but for what it's worth, my dad just picked up a mid-90's 16' aluminum Grumman w/ 45hp Evinrude, bimini top, int good shape, solid deck, roller tilt trailer all for $1700. I got my 19' Starcraft with a trailer for $200 (no engine, and deck/transom was rotten, but easy enough to replace).

Just something else to think about.

For $2K, I would expect not to have to do any work (but as we all know in the boating world, don't ever "expect" that!)

 

[Rairdog]

Re: Looking to buy a weather worn Lund

I can get the boat for $1600 or so. Took it to the marina yesterday. The compression was 130, which is good. Lights on the boat work, bilge and areo pump work, trim works, trolling motor works.... All 5 batteries are junk. I got it home and it fired right up then died. Couldn't get it restarted. Waited a little in case it was flooded and it fired up. Idles fine but when I put it in gear it dies. New gas, but there was probably old in the lines. Pulled the filter and blew threw it. It seemed fine. I thinking of running some seafoam through it. It probably needs the carb rebuilt. So I'm looking at 150 or so in batteries, 200 or so in carb rebuild and new deck.

I've been searching for a boat since fall and looked at several. For 2k all I can find is flat bottom jon boats with tillers or old fiberglass boats that are too heavy for my intentions. This boat runs about 4 or 5k (garage kept) in the upper midwest because its a Lund.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Looking to buy a weather worn Lund

don't waste the seafoam. rebuild the carbs, and then start using seafoam..it does not clean carbs, only dismantling and soaking, blowing them out, cleans carbs, the use rebuild kits. seafoam keeps clean carbs clean.

 

[LORDY611]

Re: Looking to buy a weather worn Lund

I bought an 89 (I think) Lund 16 last fall, 30HP Johnson with tiller steering, steel bunk trailer for $1500 in northern VA. Everything was solid, no repairs per se. I sold the 30 and found a 40 Merc for less, so upgraded. Built a mahogany console and added steering, engine controls, and away I went. The only thing I goofed was how far back I put the console. This spring I get to relocate it one seat forward, new cables for everything, but that should do it. Around DC, I got a good deal. Not to say there aren't better deals out there, but Lund isnt a big name around here, but where I will keep it in Maine, Lunds are recognized as a very nice boat. I agree that doing what work to the floor may be a pain, but perhaps you can postpone that part for now and get it on the water and see if it fits your needs first.

 

[Rairdog]

Re: Looking to buy a weather worn Lund

Just met a former boat re-builder in the neighborhood. More on the lines of stringer replacement and glassing but knows motors somewhat. He's is a painter now so I trading some old sprayers for the labor. This hood has about 100 boats abandoned in back yards. They all need stingers I would assume. Anyway we put the boat in and fired it up. There is fuel/bubbles leaking out of the top of the fuel pump. There is a round tab that has bubbles coming out. We're thinking it had moisture in it and froze damaging the flapper. It didn't hold pressure well at the bulb. It also had some fuel spitting out of the top carb. Perhaps bowl is clogged. So I think a new fuel pump ($50 ?), water pump ($53), clean the carbs, redo the deck and its ready to fish. I think it can all be done for 4-500 bucks. I am considering offering $1500 for the boat. Forgive me if my terminology is wrong on. Thanks again for the input so far and more would be appreciated.
Some Pics.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Looking to buy a weather worn Lund

great boat for the price of $1500.

 

[LORDY611]

Re: Looking to buy a weather worn Lund

here is a shot of mine after the first console installation.

 

[Rairdog]

Re: Looking to buy a weather worn Lund

Your pic didn't show up Lordy. I was thinking of building a new console down the road. Was thinking of maybe a center console if I could reuse the cables and had enough room on the sides. Your right though, it seems weird how this one is so far forward.
Replacing the deck is the only thing I feel comfortable doing on a boat LOL. I noticed the main deck it riveted down and the upper decks are ss screws. Still looking for ideas on a hose-down type deck that can be removed in sections.