Thinking about buying a boat

[Drewster2010]

Hi all, looking at getting a boat, I don't live on a lake so immnot going to spend tons of money on s boat but something that can have some fun with, a friend of mine is selling a 1990 glastron v8 5.0 305 engine. The issue is The issue with it is the drive shaft snapped in the alpha one gen one drive. its the drive shaft on the stern drive itself
Looked online and the shaft is only 150$

He's asking 500$ and it comes with a 2 axle trailer, what do you think could it be worth it? I know the fixes are prolly worth more than the boats worth but could it be a good deal?

 

[NicoPags]

good price for a trailer

 

[fhhuber]

good price for a trailer

If the trailer is in good shape....

How many parts will you have to replace to be able to replace that shaft?
What caused the shaft to snap? It takes a LOT to break that thing.
What else got damaged in the process? There are normally parts between the engine crankshaft and the gears designed to break long before the shaft breaks.

Then we get to looking at the hull....

And the engine itself

 

[SkaterRace]

If he was careless enough to break the prop shaft then I would not consider buying anything from him. I broke a prop shaft when I was 13 on my first boat wow was that dumb. I hit rock bottom at bout 30 or so. Not only was the prop and prop shaft broken most of the lower end was and the gears between it and the motor section.

 

[Drewster2010]

3 people on a giant tube and a boat filled with people Is how he broke the shaft, I should rephrase not really a "friend" but someone I know but don't talk to often,
I looked and even if the lower end needs to be replaced that isent too bad. Really just looking for a boat to have some fun this summer

 

[NicoPags]

I honestly speak from experience here when I say I bought a lemon. If your comfortable doing ALL the work than yea go for it, for $500 whats to lose. Worst case you make a utility trailer. I thought the same thing, a nice project boat to go out in the summer in. 3 years later, I finally got it running on Thursday. Overspent, will never break even but hey, I have a running boat. I learnt my lesson. fhhuber makes a valid point, you will have to fix whats visibly broken before you even know what else is/could be wrong. assume the whole lower end is toast

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercruiser-...m5d630d60e5:m:me5SLRmYWJ2fZl9E0be84Eg&vxp=mtr

 

[jbcurt00]

There are other concerns w buying a 27yr old boat.

How long ago did the shaft break?

Hows it been stored since breaking the shaft?

 

[Drewster2010]

I just texted him to get some more info, he let a family member use it and they hit a rock with the prop, not sure if that helps any?

 

[Drewster2010]

Maybe I'll just wait and find a 3-4K dollar boat.. Just doesn't seem practical to me when I'm going to have to drive 2 hours to use it.

 

[southkogs]

Risk vs. reward - $500 isn't awful risk, if you can get that back out of the parts or the trailer if you can't get it running. Then again, it chops $500 outta' your boat budget to get something that you can run. IF you're into taking on the difficulties of rehabbing a boat, and you think you've got a rough idea of the extent of the rehab ... then $500 is a reasonable risk (assuming the boat itself is in decent shape - transom, sole, stringers, etc.)

If, on the other hand, you want something in decent shape that you can just hook up and go with when you have the time to go to the lake ... and ya' don't wanna' spend a buncha' time in the garage with it ... wait for the more expensive option.

Welcome aboard.

 

[R055]

Risk vs. reward - $500 isn't awful risk, if you can get that back out of the parts or the trailer if you can't get it running. Then again, it chops $500 outta' your boat budget to get something that you can run. IF you're into taking on the difficulties of rehabbing a boat, and you think you've got a rough idea of the extent of the rehab ... then $500 is a reasonable risk (assuming the boat itself is in decent shape - transom, sole, stringers, etc.)

If, on the other hand, you want something in decent shape that you can just hook up and go with when you have the time to go to the lake ... and ya' don't wanna' spend a buncha' time in the garage with it ... wait for the more expensive option.

Welcome aboard.

3-4k for a boat isn't exactly a guarantee that it won't be spending alot of time in the garage/shop.

 

[southkogs]

3-4k for a boat isn't exactly a guarantee that it won't be spending alot of time in the garage/shop.

LOL ... neither is $30k, $60k or $200k. Boats are what they are, they all soak up attention, money and maintenance.

BUT as a generality, you can find reasonably "water-ready" boats in the $3k range. You typically can't find that at $500.

 

[JASinIL2006]

You can buy an entirely new SEI outdrive - drop-in replacement for an Alpha One - for about $1300. If (and it's a big IF), the rest of the boat is OK, you could be on the water for less than $2000. You would really have to check out the rest of the boat carefully, though. A boat of that age is likely to have other issues as well.

If the guy's just wanting to get rid of a broken boat because he doesn't want to deal with it, you might get lucky.

Do you have any friends who know boats? If you do, I'd take them along to look at it.

 

[recka81]

I was *given* a FREE, running boat and still had to put money into it right away (new plugs, wiring on trailer, carb adjustments, new prop, etc.). I would do it over again but as other have said, there is probably more wrong with the boat than just the driveshaft. You can count on it. I'd spend some time trying to find out what those might be before spending anything.

 

[Drewster2010]

I eneded up buying a solid boat. Now in about to register it, here's where I'm stuck and could use some help,
I live in MA so I have to register the trailer in MA, I plan on using the boat up in NH on lake Winnipesaukee. So I would register it in NH correct? Now the other part in 17, so would I have to take the nh boat safety course even though I live in ma? Thanks

 

[Old Ironmaker]

Any boat selling for the price of a trailer has a reason behind it. I would think that reason usually comes with a $4000.00 price tag he needs to get the boat seaworthy. It usually is. At that price you are buying a trailer that comes with a free boat. It is 26 years old and that comes with 26 years of someone elses "fun". If this is your first boat I would suggest you pass because it may become a nightmare not a fun day with friends on the water. Or buy it to part it out. Is the 26 year old trailer able to make the 4 hour return trip without issues?

 

[D1vemaster]

You live in Mass so you register boat and trailer in Mass. As an out of stater in NH you will have to buy an out of state fishing license.

 

[Drewster2010]

You live in Mass so you register boat and trailer in Mass. As an out of stater in NH you will have to buy an out of state fishing license.

I know I have to register the trailer in MA, I wasn't sure about the boat Becuase I only plan on using it in NH

 

[Drewster2010]

Any boat selling for the price of a trailer has a reason behind it. I would think that reason usually comes with a $4000.00 price tag he needs to get the boat seaworthy. It usually is. At that price you are buying a trailer that comes with a free boat. It is 26 years old and that comes with 26 years of someone elses "fun". If this is your first boat I would suggest you pass because it may become a nightmare not a fun day with friends on the water. Or buy it to part it out. Is the 26 year old trailer able to make the 4 hour return trip without issues?

What four hour return trip?? And thanks but I don't live in a lake so speeding 10k on a boat is stupid, I spent 2500 and got one with a solid transom and floors, in great condition always garaged when not in use and think I got a good deal, but we will see!

 

[redneck joe]

Needs to match your state on your drivers liscense i would suspect