thought on this boat(87 Crestliner w/50hp)

[sod breaker]

So been thinking of a bigger boat for awhile now my current 14ft/9.8hp is a ok for what i do but leaves alot to be desired on the bigger lakes. Was driving the other day and a boat caught my eye. It is a 87 16ft Crestliner with a 50hp Merc electric trim , tiller, electric start, flat floor swivel seats on pedestals. Boat looked pretty clean overall came with a trolling motor and parts outboard. Asking price was $2500. So what do you guys think is it worth looking more into? Edit. The only thing that makes me hesitate is that the bigger outboards are expensive to repair/ replace. The small outboards 20hp and under are a dime a dozen.

 

[82rude]

Location has a lot to due with boat prices .Lets say it all checks out ok where I live 2500 would be an easy sale.2000 better.

 

[ezmobee]

Aluminum or fiberglass hull? Crestliner made both. Price sounds good so far.

 

[Patfromny]

I own a 1977 16 ft. Crestliner aluminium vee hull and love it. I have a 40 hp on it and am flirting with 30 mph. If it is the same hull as mine it is a 90 horse max and the 50 should do just fine on there. The larger engines aren't too expensive to repair. Even though I would consider a 50 on the smaller side still of the outboard world. I have found it is more expensive and tough the older the engine gets, not the size. I would shoot for 2000 if possible just because I'm cheap but 2500 with trailer and engine sounds about right providing the engine and trailer are in good shape. It is a great hull design if the same one as mine (aluminium v).

 

[sod breaker]

Aluminum hull

 

[82rude]

How you liking the 40 etec Patfromny?

 

[Patfromny]

Still up in the air 82rude but thanks for asking. I only had one weekend to play with it myself and it was kind of a waste because we had friends up with us. I threw the 13 pitch prop (6000 rpm) on so I wouldn't lug the motor and just used it. Lots of fun even with the wrong prop on it. Although the 13 pitch was slower at 28, I couldn't get the boat to go slower than 25 even when pulling an adult on a tube. I was very pleased with the engine in every other way but the prop situation. We had some ups and downs and unexpected things go on as usually happens in life so we had to cancel a few planned trips up. I will be going up in a few weeks to close up and take the boat home for the winter. I'll play a little in the cold with a custom prop I had made but haven't been up to try. I'll keep you posted on one of my prop threads...or both lol.

Sod breaker, sorry for the highjack. I love most things about my boat which is more than probably the same hull. The construction is pretty rock solid. Take a look at my thread attached in my signature if you want to see the structure. The one knock I had about the boat was hopefully remedied by 87. All the wood in my boat, (which is a bow rider side consoles model) including the deck and console supports as well as the seat bases, was 5/8 particle board. As you can imagine, the particle board fell apart as soon as it got wet. The floor only lasted a few years (my dad bought the boat new). We installed a plywood deck when I was around 12. The expandable foam flotation was a joke too but alot of boats used it. I gained 5mph by just replacing the foam with new. There must have been a couple hundred pounds of water trapped inside the foam. We had a three piece bimini type top for years and it leaked alot so there was always water in the hull for the foam to soak up. I can't seem to find a pre made cover that fits well but I buy the 50 dollar cheapo silver job from WalleyWorld and it fits ok but only lasts a few years at best. It has been a great little boat through the years though and I would give Crestliners a thumbs up.