Attn Boat Nuts: Need First Boat Advice

[KMC]

I have been thinking of wanting to get a basic family runabout type boat for a while. Skiing, fishing, etc. Was thinking sometime in the future when we could save up the extra cash.



Now my neighbor who is moving next week wants to unload his old boat on me for about $500. It is a 1969 Glasspar Citation (17') with a 1971 60 hp Johnson that runs (but was having prob's last time he was out, thinks it just needs a tune ) Comes with a trailer and the whole nine yards. The boat actually looks to be in great shape (second owner) but the motor may be questionable - but maybe all it does need is tune, who knows... .



So, should I go for it and make it my "next project" or wait for a couple of years, save some $$, and get something newer?



Any of you boat nuts care to weigh in on this? Pro's & Con's, etc.



Thanks,



Ken

 

[MDW]

Thats a hard one... ... I bought new... ..... Boats don't usually wearout, motors do. How about buying it and repower it with a new motor???

 

[TORQUE THIS]

Buy it and re-power it, if it's good shape, go for it.



This can be used as a test also, learning how to launch, load, come into a dock, etc. Also see how much use you'll get out of it, and if the family really enjoy's it.



Nothing worse than buying a new boat and smacking into a dock, breaking something on the trailer while trying to load it, running in shallow water and banging up the prop, etc.



Take the family to a safe boating course, and enjoy the water!!!





Remember : ALWAYS CHECK THE DRAIN PLUG BEFORE BACKING INTO THE WATER!!!!!

 

[gitchesum]

I would jump on it. Even if the motor is no good, the hull and trailer could be sold for more than $500 if you decided not to persue the project. Like MDW said, you could repower it with either a new motor or a good rebuilt unit.

Or you could have the current motor rebuilt for a few hundred dollars and have a nice boat.

I would look for rotton wood along the floor and transom. That stuff can get pretty expensive to fix as well.



Either way, the price seems nice.

 

[gitchesum]

Originally posted by TORQUE THIS





running in shallow water and banging up the prop, etc.

Hey Michael, pay attention!!

 

[gatoram]

If you want to be able to go out in the boat and not worry about if and when you will get back... save your money. Unless you are outboard mechanically inclined don't get into a motor that old. In addition, the hull has wooden stringers for reinforcement glassed under the deck. In a boat that old the wood is very likely rotten as could be the wood in the transom.



I would suggest getting a "Boat Trader" for your area and educate yourself as far as used prices and figure out just what you are looking for. Ask questions, be careful, and have fun... ... ...



p. s. You can see in my sig. what kind of power my big boat has.



Tom

 

[Skydiver]

Take your time.

KMC have you ever been stranded on the water with no one in sight?

Boats depreciate very fast. I would buy a newer unit. If the neighbor can be trusted and you know the boat did not spend its life outside in the rain it is a good deal.

Never buy a used 2-cycle without getting a compression test. Coat less than $40.

Remember boats spend most of their life sitting around and the gas that is just sitting in the carbs turns to varnish and gum during the winter. My point is on a multi-carb engine if one of the carbs gets clogged and the engine starts skipping from lack if fuel that cylinder is also not getting any oil. Burned piston!

If the engine has points they require more maint.

Tim

 

[Champane Flight]

For that

For $500. 00 you can't go wrong. I would check out the hull and floor for any soft spots. Has it been covered all its life? Most water damage on boats occurs when boat is stored and not covered or cover is damaged. Water collects in hull or transom and rots the stringers/ hull / floor. Check hull for straightness, floor for solidness and transom for waves. Check the compression on the motor and get a manual. They are not that hard to tune.



I have an old 70 Arrowglass with a 71 85hp Johnson that still runs great. Except I never use it enough. It is for sale right now. E-mail me if interested.

 

[Idaho Native]

KMC... you know what a boat is don't you? A bottomless hole in the water into which you pour money and time



If it's what you want, though, have at it... the rewards can be great!



Loren

 

[DMcClellan]

BOAT = Break out another thousand. No, boats are a lot of fun, just be ready, and go prepared!

 

[KMC]

LOL, you guys are scaring me... I allready have enough money pits in my life. The cummins being one of them but I think I am done with the bombs for the immediate future.



Thanks for all the replys and the input. Still not sure whether I will go for it as of yet. The boat has been stored outside and it rains "just a little" in my neck of the woods. So I may have to give it a closer look to check for wood rot as suggested. He did say that the floor is about 8 years old. Original owner replaced it, not sure about the rest however.



Thanks, Ken

 

[The patriot]

That would be a fair price in my area, as long as it's in fair cond.

I bought a boat a while back. It had an Evenrude 140. Didnt run "just right" so I did all the intake, and carb gaskets. (sounds harder than it was). Man, what a difference!!!

You should probibally do the water pump, just to be safe.

Eric

 

[Alan Reagan]

Biggest thing to watch for on that boat is the transom. Make sure there is no dry rot in the transom wood. Probably the only way you will be able to do that is to pull on of the motor mounting bolts and check there. If the transom is dry rotted, you would have to pull the top half off the boat to replace this wood. Not a simple task.