Should I buy this boat?

[Tman1971]

Actually, I saw one today that had an OMC outdrive in it. It was a nice boat, it was almost like this one but it was a Cuddy and about 10 years newer. It was also a SRV edition. I wanted it and was in my way to look at it but when the guy said it had an OMC outdrive I turned around and didn’t waste his or my time. He had completely built the motor. It had a 305 Chevy in it and it looked really good but since it had the OMC outdrive I passed on it.

 

[Tman1971]

[No message]

 

[Tman1971]

Maclin, that link helped allot!! I saw the pic of the MC1 and to me it’s definitely the MC1 or the pre alpha as it said it was sometimes referred to.but definitely a MerCruiser which is great! I will sleep well tonight! All you guys have been a great help! Hopefully the motor is a MerCruiser as well. But even if it’s not i wasn’t as worried about it as I was the outdrive being an OMC. But thanks a million to everyone! Y’all are great and this is a great website! Glad I stumbled across it!

Mod Edit - Please read our rules. This is not a sell, buy or swap site.

 

[jkust]

I'd like to see more pics of it. Here's my take on a boat this old. I'd be ok with it if it were say my 4th or 5th boat meaning I already have multiple boats, Bowrider, species boat, tritoon, waverunners and now I am looking for a vintage boat to mess around with but not as my only boat. When I want to boat, I want to boat not be a project manager as our summer will be far shorter than the usual 90 days this year as the ice is still fully on the lakes. My time is so scarce as is most folks' time, that there is not enough to really be rehabbing or repairing. It looks to not be mint on the hull as it would seem to be in need of some fiberglass attention as well.

 

[Tman1971]

Well, first let me apologize for mentioning the fishing boat I’m selling. I did read through the rules and knew that you couldn’t post ads on here. However when I wrote that about the fishing boat I wasn’t thinking about it being looked at as an ad since it was structured more as a “ hey guys. if you know anybody looking send them my way” kind of statement. I really just didn’t think about it at all, my mistake. I should have went back and read it before posting that or better yet, not posted it period. So, I do apologize for that. This is a great forum and my intentions aren’t in anyway to take away from what this forum was meant to be. Sorry about that guys.

Jkust, that’s a very good point. And your right, I don’t want to spend allot of time having to work on the boat. But at the same time, for the money, other newer boats I’ve looked at so far, almost all of them are in worse shape than this one and none of them, so far, are “lake ready”. All of the newer ones in my price range that I’ve looked at need either interior work or minor engine or outdrive repairs. So I thought buying an older boat that is in my range because it’s older like this one but in good shape all the way around might be the way to go. But you definitely gave me something to rethink... maybe my reasoning isn’t quite up to par when it comes to boats.
as far as the hull, I looked at the boat again today and the hull actually looks really good so I’m not sure what your referring to there. Other than just a very little amount of cloudiness down towards the bottom it looks really good. No scrapes or scratches in it hardly at all. Not even on the very middle section where boats usually run aground. I didn’t see any scratches there either. It’s all very slick to the touch.
Heres the only other pictures I have right now.

Thabks!

 

[Tman1971]

What you may have been referring to as far as the hull is something I noticed too. In the picture it looks like the hull has faded spots down the side but I figured out that those were actually the reflection of the fence the boat was setting beside when the pictures were taken. When looking at the boat today I could see my reflection in the hull. It has a really good shine to it.

 

[ajgraz]

I don't think you've mentioned the asking price (more accurately, what you'd pay) yet. I'd think we'd need to know that to answer the question of whether or not to consider this boat.

Just from the pics the hull and trailer look pretty good, that's maybe 2 out of 3 right there!

 

[444]

As the owner of a restored 1978 boat, I would say be very careful. Remember i/o's have a huge hole in the transom for water to penetrate and rot. Most older outboards are rotted out there and i/o's are even worse.

 

[Tman1971]

Yeah those rubber gaskets, boots or seals do concern me. They look to be in good shape but I don’t know if they have ever been replaced. The gentleman I’m buying from is a collector and got the boat out of Georgia in the shap it is in now. He says everything’s been redone from the interior to the engine and outdrive. But he doesn’t have anything as far as the paperwork. However everything does look really good. It runs good too but I have no idea how long stuff like that or stuff like the impeller or anything has been in it. I’m sure in 40 years allo of Parts had to be replaced I would think.
As far as the price he is firm at $3500.00 he came down from $4000.00 but that’s as far as he will come down. He definitely doesn’t need the money. He is only trying to make some room in his warehouse and is selling the boat and numerous model A cars. While I was there I actually got to set in the very car that was used in the movie The Christmas Story. The car they used as their family car in the movie this guy has! The car that had the flat in the movie where Ralphie ended up saying the four letter word while helping his dad change the flat. It has a framed picture of the whole movie cast made into the dash with their signatures and the authentication paperwork hanging in the window. It was pretty cool. Funny that car ended up setting in a warehouse in a small town in South Carolina. Who would have thought... but anyway, this is the guy that’s selling the bought. He’s had it about 2 years he said. Has taken it out only a hand full of times but claims he’s never had a problem out of it. The battery I noticed was a 2016 battery but seemed to be holding a good charge. He had told me when he got it he had bought a new battery for it so that lined up since it said 2016. I think he’s shooting me pretty strait.

 

[Tman1971]

If the boat is what he says, would you guys think 3500.00 is a fair price? I’m suppose to take it out to the lake today.

 

[southkogs]

It's about $1k high for my area.

However, if you do some Craigslist lookin' and find comparable things in your area ... and the boat is pretty much pristine ... it can be (not always "is") worth paying a little high.

 

[Bayou Dave]

If it is everything you think it is then I think it is worth 3500.

 

[Tman1971]

Well, I took the plunge today and bought the boat. So far I’m really happy with it but time will tell. But do any of you guys know where I could order a parts book for the 1974 searay SRV 180? Or where I can order OEM parts. I’d like to be able to order an original cleat for it I need too or even things for the motor if need be. I know I do want to have a new impeller put in it just to be safe. Then maybe order a transom seal, u joints, boots or whatever else that wears out over time. Any ideas on where I can get a book with these things in it or a website that might carry this stuff?

 

[82rude]

I think you did ok.My brother just bought a pristine sunbird sprit 170 bowrider with a 115hp Yamaha 4 stroke and it cost 10k cnd.or lets say 7 American.The boat looks like it came out of the factory last year not 22 years ago .I think you will find it hard to get a parts list on a boat that old .I you want to you could get all your parts from iboats or do a search and you will find several parts dealers.Here you could at the very least one stop shop.

 

[Tman1971]

Thanks a bunch. I know I’m happy to have it. As far as getting parts through Iboats I’ll have to do some research on that. I wasn’t aware that you could buy parts on here unless your talking about buying parts from other members. I’m very new to Iboats and this was my first time ever posting in a forum. But as far as getting online I’ve looked a little. Hadn’t had any luck just yet but I’ve just started looking. Maybe somebody will see this and tell me right where to go for stuff like that.
Sounds like your brother got a good deal too. I swear theres just nothing like a nice old vintage boat. Their really neat I think. Everytime I sit in mine I feel like I’m sitting in an old classic car or something. It’s so nice. I can’t wait to take it out for a weekend. I’m sure I’ll get plenty of looks comments from other enthusiasts.

I really appreciate everybodies help on here. If I had not have gotten on here I wouldn’t have known to ask half the questions I asked or looked at half the stuff I looked at before I bought the boat. Everyone was a great help.
Thanks guys and gals!!

 

[82rude]

On the top of the page theres a banner that says from left to right ,Shop,photos,find props,forums,boats for sale.

 

[Tman1971]

Ok thanks a bunch! I found it!

 

[jbuote]

Also, don't forget that iBoats will price match if you find a better price....
Just give them a call, give the details, and they should match it..
Also... Don't forget to use the forum members discount code for another 5% off!!

 

[jkust]

The bummer about boats is that parts can be difficult to find. Even a 2010 model boat/non-engine/non-out drive part can be difficult to find as manufacturers don't continue to make parts as is the case with cars. That boat adds into the list of challenges a long out of business engine manufacturer. I dread when I will need any model specific non engine or drive part for my 2002 as they are in some cases impossible to find and need to be created and my boat was sold up to 2009 and still hard to find. Some parts though were broadly used in many manufacturers' boats such as cleats and hinges and some other parts.

 

[JimS123]

I swear theres just nothing like a nice old vintage boat. Their really neat I think. Everytime I sit in mine I feel like I’m sitting in an old classic car or something. It’s so nice. I can’t wait to take it out for a weekend. I’m sure I’ll get plenty of looks comments from other enthusiasts.

Your boat is still a teenager, relatively speaking. My old 65 year old woodie is a Grandpa. I know what you mean. When I take the cover off her, the fragrance of old wood is just overwhelming. Fiberglass fragrance is neat too, just from a different era.

Parts for your boat are non existent. But the motor parts that you described are readily available.