Thinking about buying a 1986 Winner ZZ880 Bass Boat.

[Myron3]

Good Morning all,

I found a Winner bass boat on craigslist. I am hoping to go see it later today.

The info I do have is has a Force 125, he recently had it to a marine shop that says it runs and has good compression.

It is dirty from being uncovered in storage and is being sold to satisfy a lien.

The clear coat is in good condition and the seats are in good condition too.

The control dash is pretty worn and I'm not sure if the controls are readable.

My question, What do you recommend I look at to decide if its worth buying?
The outboard is my greatest concern.

I am a new boater and this looks like a decent boat, I have already purchased a older boat that needs too much work and am looking to move up to a better boat.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Thinking about buying a 1986 Winner ZZ880 Bass Boat.

Good Morning all,

I found a Winner bass boat on craigslist. I am hoping to go see it later today.

The info I do have is has a Force 125, he recently had it to a marine shop that says it runs and has good compression.

It is dirty from being uncovered in storage and is being sold to satisfy a lien.

The clear coat is in good condition and the seats are in good condition too.

The control dash is pretty worn and I'm not sure if the controls are readable.

My question, What do you recommend I look at to decide if its worth buying?
The outboard is my greatest concern.

I am a new boater and this looks like a decent boat, I have already purchased a older boat that needs too much work and am looking to move up to a better boat.

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... Bein' that old, My 1st thought is to look for rotten wood in the hull,...
Both the transom, 'n stringers....

And,... Believe nothin' stated by the owner,...
The owner wants yer Money, 'n not the boat....

Verify the condition of the motor, with yer own compression test, 'n general inspection....

 

[Myron3]

Re: Thinking about buying a 1986 Winner ZZ880 Bass Boat.

I understand checking the stringers the question is how? Will lifting all the access doors in the floor give me enough for a good check?

As for the owner, he is not selling the boat the storage lot is. So I know I should be more cautious.

The transom I understand also.

Will any car parts place have a compression tester? Or is it marine specific? And what pressure would be good compression? After a quick look does 120-130 sound about right?

Please forgive all the questions, the more I learn the less I know......Thanks for your help.

 

[jestor68]

Re: Thinking about buying a 1986 Winner ZZ880 Bass Boat.

If it's being sold by other than the owner, who has the title?

 

[Myron3]

Re: Thinking about buying a 1986 Winner ZZ880 Bass Boat.

The lien holder will provide a bill of sale and the state required paper work for issuing a new title.

 

[Myron3]

Re: Thinking about buying a 1986 Winner ZZ880 Bass Boat.

Heres an update for the boat. I have seen the boat and gone over as much as I can. The hull is in perfect condition as well as the transom. I lifted firmly on the motor to check the transom and then inspected for any cracking. I tap tested most of the hull and could find no dead spots or cracking of any kind.

The pedestal seats are dirty but in very good condition. the seats in the bow area are cracked but look fairly simple to recover. There are various holes from antennas and radios and such but nothing significant that need filled or something installed.

The engine was started in a barrel and sounds good and functions normally as far as I can tell, it is a 1989 Force 125. The lower was serviced and refilled.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Thinking about buying a 1986 Winner ZZ880 Bass Boat.

...The engine was started in a barrel and sounds good and functions normally as far as I can tell, it is a 1989 Force 125. The lower was serviced and refilled.

Any chance of gettin' it out on a lake test? (Dunno' how frozen y'all are) Marine engines don't run the same in a barrel as they do under load out on the lake.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Thinking about buying a 1986 Winner ZZ880 Bass Boat.

While a force is a good motor no parts have been made in a very long time 20 plus years I believe. To me furnishing paper work to get a tittle and having a tittle are two way different things.. Not saying its a bad deal just things to think about.

 

[HenryB]

Re: Thinking about buying a 1986 Winner ZZ880 Bass Boat.

You'd be a fool not to buy it. Cleaned up it will be like new. The boat hull is all plastic and will live forever. I have a '88 CC and would not part with it for a gold cow. If you are handy, remove the cylinder head and inspect the condition of the cylinder wall and mating surface. The cyl hd can be shaved down to remove any leak paths. If on the block, its days are numbered. All the info you need is here:

http://forums.iboats.com/search.php?searchid=5433247

 

[HenryB]

Re: Thinking about buying a 1986 Winner ZZ880 Bass Boat.

Jump on the boat quick, now you've posted.

 

[HenryB]

Re: Thinking about buying a 1986 Winner ZZ880 Bass Boat.

I just looked at the boat. It is a dream come true. The trailer alone is worth the asking price. Don't let the motor stop you.