Trying to buy a boat

[edu01jose]

First of all let me say I'm new to this site and am really liking it, lots of useful information.

I'm trying to find a boat under the 6,000 tab.

I'm looking at a searay 27' cruiser from 1977 Seller is asking $5500 but I could probably get him down to $4***

I have yet to see it, I asked for more pictures and he will send them to me tomorrow.
Boat has twin 140hp outboards and he says they were tuned recently.
Boat needs some work inside cabin (electric stuff, cleaning) I can do all that by myself, I love electronics but don't know much about engines.

I'd like to know how these boats handle. Is Sea Ray a good brand?

Thing I'm scared at are the engines. I have to ask for more info on them on the year and everything and will let you know. I don't want to end up with some hungry motors.
Thanks

 

[NYBo]

Re: Trying to buy a boat

Welcome to iboats!

SeaRay is a good brand but a awful lot can happen to a boat in 34 years. It's all about condition at this point.

Are you sure it has twin outboards and not twin I/Os?

 

[chunkymonkey]

Re: Trying to buy a boat

Hey Ed....this is chunkymonkey from the toyz..... cool to see you on here as well! welcome!

 

[edu01jose]

Re: Trying to buy a boat

Welcome to iboats!

SeaRay is a good brand but a awful lot can happen to a boat in 34 years. It's all about condition at this point.

Are you sure it has twin outboards and not twin I/Os?

Well he said outboards but I'll let you know. Could you tell me the difference from inboards vs I/O? I don't want to deal with the engine crammed into the boat. I would like to do repairs by myself.
Thanks!
EDIT: So after reading a little about i/o and inboards seems like they are pretty much the same but the prop can be raise and thus allowing me to put it on a trailer. I would not like to deal with the inboards or I/O so if it's an I/O I won't buy. outboard seems like a lot easier maintenance and more easier to repair.

Hey Ed....this is chunkymonkey from the toyz..... cool to see you on here as well! welcome!

Hey man! Haven't been on that forum in a long time.

 

[edu01jose]

Re: Trying to buy a boat


that's the picture from the classified listing.
Gauging by the picture it has definitely been sitting there, it's dirty and the inside should be 5 times as much.

 

[rick3rd]

Re: Trying to buy a boat

For $6000 could probably get something in the 1995 to 2000 range - needing a little work - less headaches in the long run. $4000 would be a good price but you might be in for $2000 to $4000 in expense and a lot of time to get it just like you want it.

 

[edu01jose]

Re: Trying to buy a boat

Thing is I'm from Puerto Rico. Trying to find one locally and this one is the lowest priced I've found for the length it has.

 

[25thmustang]

Re: Trying to buy a boat

Let me start by being the bearer of some bad news.

That boat is probably a 1977, but it is not a 27'er. That is a 24' Sea Ray. Truth is, my father owned one. Unles PR has things different, that boat will have Inboard-Outboards (I/O), not outboards. Probably Mercruisers, and being 140 hp, probably not the 470s that everyone has a dislike for.

With that being said, the boat would need to be checked top to bottom for rot, damage, etc... Sea Ray is a well known manufacturer, and there are a LOT of them out there. Being this old, and having sat, there is a good chance it will have issues.

Personally not knowing the market in PR, I would pass on that boat. The price seems high for a 1977 24' project boat that appears to have sat.

BTW, if your really only interested in outboards, this style (express, flybridge or cruiser) does not usually come with outboards. I/Os or true inboards are more likely to be found.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Trying to buy a boat

No offense but buying a 27' for $5500 when you clearly know very little about boats sounds like an extraordinarily bad idea to me.

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: Trying to buy a boat

No offense but buying a 27' for $5500 when you clearly know very little about boats sounds like an extraordinarily bad idea to me.

Agreed - 4 - 5000 for a boat that size is just about giving it away - it most likely has many issues that will need more than the cost of the original investment to correct. If your plan is to spend $10-12K on the boat, then this "might" be an OK platform to start with. If your plan is to drop it in the water and cruise/fish - I doubt it will happen.

 

[edu01jose]

Re: Trying to buy a boat

Let me start by being the bearer of some bad news.

That boat is probably a 1977, but it is not a 27'er. That is a 24' Sea Ray. Truth is, my father owned one. Unles PR has things different, that boat will have Inboard-Outboards (I/O), not outboards. Probably Mercruisers, and being 140 hp, probably not the 470s that everyone has a dislike for.

With that being said, the boat would need to be checked top to bottom for rot, damage, etc... Sea Ray is a well known manufacturer, and there are a LOT of them out there. Being this old, and having sat, there is a good chance it will have issues.

Personally not knowing the market in PR, I would pass on that boat. The price seems high for a 1977 24' project boat that appears to have sat.

BTW, if your really only interested in outboards, this style (express, flybridge or cruiser) does not usually come with outboards. I/Os or true inboards are more likely to be found.

Thanks for taking the time a replying, I will see it in person soon and will calculate the length. He did say they were outboards but I'm doubtful too on that. I was originally looking for a Center Console but found this one at the same time at even a lower price and I wouldn't mind a boat restoration project so I can learn more about them. I've been into cars and restoring them. I love to do so. He said pics would be sent tomorrow morning and I will post them here. I just talked with him about 30 min ago and he said the boat was nasty on the inside and very dirty. He also said that the motors were tuned and had almost everything changed IE Spark plug, filter, and a lot of other stuff done to them. The hull he said is very good and not a ding on it, all meters are working and the cables were changed not so long ago.

On the very sad news he said steering is not working. Thing is getting parts for this boat will be very hard. Can steering be replaced with other parts from another boat?

No offense but buying a 27' for $5500 when you clearly know very little about boats sounds like an extraordinarily bad idea to me.

Not that I don't know anything but I do know most of it. Just never worked with one before. Of course I've driven them. I already have my license.

 

[25thmustang]

Re: Trying to buy a boat

You shouldn't need to measure the boat, that is a 24. It might actually have a badge on the hull side indicating so (the SRV 240 and 260s did from certain years).

Also, it would be interesting if it was an outboard model. If so it might have been converted over, and that can be good or bad. Good if done right, transom work done at that time, and it's solid. Bad if it's hobbled together and junk.

Let us know what you find.

 

[ryanr623]

Re: Trying to buy a boat

Thanks for taking the time a replying, I will see it in person soon and will calculate the length. He did say they were outboards but I'm doubtful too on that. I was originally looking for a Center Console but found this one at the same time at even a lower price and I wouldn't mind a boat restoration project so I can learn more about them. I've been into cars and restoring them. I love to do so. He said pics would be sent tomorrow morning and I will post them here. I just talked with him about 30 min ago and he said the boat was nasty on the inside and very dirty. He also said that the motors were tuned and had almost everything changed IE Spark plug, filter, and a lot of other stuff done to them. The hull he said is very good and not a ding on it, all meters are working and the cables were changed not so long ago.

On the very sad news he said steering is not working. Thing is getting parts for this boat will be very hard. Can steering be replaced with other parts from another boat?

Not that I don't know anything but I do know most of it. Just never worked with one before. Of course I've driven them. I already have my license.

Find another boat. It looks like it has sat for years without use. It is filthy. And if he did use it recently, he sure doesn't take care of it.

Also, A 1977 27' boat (or 24' as it may be) for someone who knows nothing about boats is a disaster waiting to happen.

 

[Robbabob]

Re: Trying to buy a boat

I think what most are trying to say is: For a project boat, you can spend much less money and have something better.

Good luck with your purchase and welcome aboard!

 

[edu01jose]

Re: Trying to buy a boat

You shouldn't need to measure the boat, that is a 24. It might actually have a badge on the hull side indicating so (the SRV 240 and 260s did from certain years).

Also, it would be interesting if it was an outboard model. If so it might have been converted over, and that can be good or bad. Good if done right, transom work done at that time, and it's solid. Bad if it's hobbled together and junk.

Let us know what you find.

I was seeing pictures of the SRV 240 and I have no doubt it is that boat. Pictures will be sent later today and I will post here.

Find another boat. It looks like it has sat for years without use. It is filthy. And if he did use it recently, he sure doesn't take care of it.

Also, A 1977 27' boat (or 24' as it may be) for someone who knows nothing about boats is a disaster waiting to happen.

Not that he doesn't take care of it. He probably finds good deals and sell the boats for more. He has around 5 boats for sale and a bunch of parts and motors.
Why is it a disaster? My uncle owns a Bertram 37'. I've driven her and parked her. I'm learning with him. This is why I'm trying to buy a boat. He was the one who got me into all this

I think what most are trying to say is: For a project boat, you can spend much less money and have something better.

Good luck with your purchase and welcome aboard!

Thanks man, I still check every day for the classifieds to see what comes up.
I'm still not sure if I'm going to get a CC or a Cuddy.

 

[Robbabob]

Re: Trying to buy a boat

I know you'll find what you're looking for AND get the buy-in from us on your deal

Good luck again!

 

[edu01jose]

Re: Trying to buy a boat

A boat that old would have to be in OUTSTANDING condition before I would even consider it and then it would have to be dirt cheap. Take your time shopping, for $6K you can do a lot better.


FYI: You didn't put any location in your profile so anything said here is very generic. Boats have vastly different values based on style and location.

Fixed it up, I'm from Puerto Rico. Boat deals do not fly by here sadly.

How much would you pay for this one?
Still no damn photos

 

[rrhodes]

Re: Trying to buy a boat

Fixed it up, I'm from Puerto Rico. Boat deals do not fly by here sadly.

How much would you pay for this one?
Still no damn photos

I would not even take guess on what I would pay until I know for sure what motors are hanging off the back if they are O/B and how they converted it. Without steering even if it runs you can't take her on a sea trial which means you could put a lot of work into it, put her in the water and watch the motors sink to the bottom when you throttle up. Or worse the whole boat sinks.

You need to buy that boat with the knowledge that it does not float and does not run. Even if he starts the motors on muffs you won't know if they still run under load or just die out. So how much is a non-running yard decoration worth to you?

Not saying that is what it is but your $5000 boat could turn into a $10,000 project fast.

 

[drrpm]

Re: Trying to buy a boat

I'd say get your uncle involved. The boat doesn't look so good. It will probably turn into a nightmare project. Be patient something better will turn up.

 

[mnewb1]

Re: Trying to buy a boat

Sometimes the least expensive boat can turn into the most expensive nightmare.