Hello Everyone - I'm a Newbie to boating and looking to hear the opinions of others on a boat that I'm set to purchase. For context, in case it affects opinions on price, etc., I'm located in Ontario. I'm looking to close a deal on a 2000 Crownline 180 BR with Mercruiser 3.0 and Alpha One drive. Price is $10,000, on consignment sale through marina. There are very few comparable boats on the market right now, still being a couple months away from being able to hit the water. Not sure if that's good or bad, but I'd love to know your opinions, so here are what I consider as the pros and cons about the boat, so that you can help judge:
PROS:
1) Crownline build quality and reputation.
2) Gel coat still shines
3) Hull structurally solid (no waves, repairs or damage)
4) Exterior is clean
5) Interior upholstery is in almost new condition
6) Wooden floor/deck/stringers are firm and solid - no rot
7) All electronics work
8) Comes with full canvas rain enclosure and bow cover
9) Matching trailer
10) No stress cracks in fiberglass (interior nor exterior)
11) Engine seems average clean
12) Full rear bench seat with sunpad; dual swivel front seats.
13) Marina service records available
14) $2,000 to $3,000 in maintenance conducted last Fall, including new throttle cables and new bellows.
15) Marina to provide full run-though of boat on pick-up
16) free storage until pick-up
17) 30 day powertrain guarantee (in lieu of no water-test).
18) Marina seems decent, reputable and capable.
19) nothing broken, matching trailer in good shape.
20) extras such as fish finder and cb radio.
CONS:
1) wood floor has slight bulge behind front seats (but seems super solid - told this is common...should I be concerned?)
2) carpet on in engine bay is dirty and floor carpet pretty shabby, could be replaced.
3) canvas enclosure is very moldy on inside - needs cleaning.
4) front passenger dashboard is flaking on top.
5) hull has a bit of dock rash - few deeper gel coat scratches and one chip the size of a 25 cent coin.
6) boat wasn't used last year but sat in water all summer when used - any concerns about that?
7) price is about $2,000 to 3,000 higher than a seemingly comparable Rinker and Bayliner that are 2 years older.
8) trailer needs brakes (I have smaller tow vehicle)
9) no fiberglass floor with snap-in carpet
10) no anchor, bumpers or safety equipment included
NEUTRAL POINTS:
1) Boat size/weight - suitable
2) Engine size of 135hp 3.0 liter - adequate & efficient
Marina says they could sell for $12,000 when season starts, I know there will also be more to choose from then, but I don't want to have to wait until June for perfect boat, unknown price, and it's not like it was a few years back when boats were cheap since nobody was buying them and industry was slumping - now, this segment has high demand low supply in this area...US buyers are getting great deals on Canadian boats due to the exchange rate, so many northern freshwater boats going south.
That all said, would really appreciate your feedback. Thanks!
PROS:
1) Crownline build quality and reputation.
2) Gel coat still shines
3) Hull structurally solid (no waves, repairs or damage)
4) Exterior is clean
5) Interior upholstery is in almost new condition
6) Wooden floor/deck/stringers are firm and solid - no rot
7) All electronics work
8) Comes with full canvas rain enclosure and bow cover
9) Matching trailer
10) No stress cracks in fiberglass (interior nor exterior)
11) Engine seems average clean
12) Full rear bench seat with sunpad; dual swivel front seats.
13) Marina service records available
14) $2,000 to $3,000 in maintenance conducted last Fall, including new throttle cables and new bellows.
15) Marina to provide full run-though of boat on pick-up
16) free storage until pick-up
17) 30 day powertrain guarantee (in lieu of no water-test).
18) Marina seems decent, reputable and capable.
19) nothing broken, matching trailer in good shape.
20) extras such as fish finder and cb radio.
CONS:
1) wood floor has slight bulge behind front seats (but seems super solid - told this is common...should I be concerned?)
2) carpet on in engine bay is dirty and floor carpet pretty shabby, could be replaced.
3) canvas enclosure is very moldy on inside - needs cleaning.
4) front passenger dashboard is flaking on top.
5) hull has a bit of dock rash - few deeper gel coat scratches and one chip the size of a 25 cent coin.
6) boat wasn't used last year but sat in water all summer when used - any concerns about that?
7) price is about $2,000 to 3,000 higher than a seemingly comparable Rinker and Bayliner that are 2 years older.
8) trailer needs brakes (I have smaller tow vehicle)
9) no fiberglass floor with snap-in carpet
10) no anchor, bumpers or safety equipment included
NEUTRAL POINTS:
1) Boat size/weight - suitable
2) Engine size of 135hp 3.0 liter - adequate & efficient
Marina says they could sell for $12,000 when season starts, I know there will also be more to choose from then, but I don't want to have to wait until June for perfect boat, unknown price, and it's not like it was a few years back when boats were cheap since nobody was buying them and industry was slumping - now, this segment has high demand low supply in this area...US buyers are getting great deals on Canadian boats due to the exchange rate, so many northern freshwater boats going south.
That all said, would really appreciate your feedback. Thanks!