Need advice on first boat purchase.

[JCHAM]

Looking for first boat. Considering a 1996 Chaparral 1930. It's in good cosmetic shape and has around 150 hours (per seller, but no meter, so is probably a bit more). My mechanic looked at it and said good overall shape and good compression on engine but it may need new gimbel bearing. And, if water/rust present, additional work on top of that. Seller wants 7500 for boat. I'm wondering if I need to negotiate further; buy it and suck up the cost of repair; or run from the boat. Thanks.

 

[QC]

Re: Need advice on first boat purchase.

If you trust your mechanic then I think I'd keep shopping . . . There have been good deals all summer and we are just about to the best time of the year to buy a boat. Where are you?

 

[_chris_]

Re: Need advice on first boat purchase.

I would hold off until after the holiday weekend and you will see a whole lot more boats popping up for sale. For $7,500 you should be able to get a sweet boat with no issues at all.

 

[JCHAM]

Re: Need advice on first boat purchase.

Central Texas

 

[QC]

Re: Need advice on first boat purchase.

The price timing applies to Texas, not as much as Minn, but Florida for example is kind of exempt . . .

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Need advice on first boat purchase.

What motor is in it?

 

[jkust]

Re: Need advice on first boat purchase.

That Chap is decent but is based on their old hull design. Unless it was pristine with an mpi/efi V8, I would move on. $7,500 can get a fantastic, turnkey boat of that era maybe just not a Chap.