'96 248 Voyager questions

[Ky Grady]

Been offered to purchase this '96 Voyager for $15K. Guess what I need to know is what should I look out for and avoid.

I've walked all over the deck bare footed and found no soft spots, the transom was redone awhile back as it was a open transom an they closed it in and put a Armstrong bracket on it and hung 2, 175 HP Johnson FICHT's on it. Both '98 models, bought new in '98. Hour meter is showing 338 hrs. It has not lead a pampered life but it's not a totally trashed boat either. Will nee some TLC to bring her back. Has a hard top, I'm assuming factory. Lots of room in cockpit, with the enclosed transom. No pulpit. Don't know condition of fuel tank. Hasn't been run in the last year or so, water pumps I'm sure have dried out, lower unit grease needs replacing, don't know about the HP fuel pumps either. All filters need to be changed I'm sure. Anything else???

 

[seasick]

Fichts have reputation for problems, some pretty severe. Personally I wouldn't consider a boat with those motors although I am sure some folks would disagree. Without a sea trial at a minimum, I wouldn't go near that boat

 

[Ky Grady]

Few more pics

 

[GW VOYAGER]

Wow I understand they were modifacations done but that but that boat looks nothing like my 1996 Voyager.
Deck hatches ???? Step up on my voyager between fish box live well . Just saying my cocpit looks different.

 

[ReelRowdy]

No way that is a 96' model with the wood cabin door and panel under the helm. There should also be a small step up from the aft deck into the cockpit.

 

[family affair]

Unless you have a strong desire to own a boat with those modifications, I would absolutely pass on that rig. Spend 5-8k more and get a lifetime less of headaches. There are WAY better deals on Voyagers for a little more $... and I would also agree that doesn't look like a 96.

 

[paulyjsob]

That boat almost looks like a late 80's vintage grady..
I have Ficht on my boat as well and they have been very good to us. That' being said, the worst of the worst Ficht are on that boat. The 60 degree Fichts from the late 90's were very problematic engines.
The engines on that boat had next to $0 value so you're looking into pricing the boat for hull value only. That is not a $15,000 hull. I'd say more in the $8,000-$10,000 range.

 

[seasick]

The last two digits of the HIN are the model year. The HIN is on the rear transom, usually the starboard upper area of the rear.

 

[Grog]

For $15K? Nooooo way. The motors are ticking time bombs and the hull may have a value of $5K.

It's a buyers market, keep looking.

 

[Ky Grady]

Thank you all !!!!

After the transom mod, they did not re-stencil or stamp the HIN back into the transom. Red flag number one. Red flag number two, the HP at 350 is over what the capacity tag says it's rated for, 300 HP. Insurance Co. will frown on that. Only reason I was going with '96 was NADA does not show a Voyager 248 until '96. Have not seen title yet, but thinking it is '88 vintage GW.

I have walked, no ran, from this rig as it's not for me.

Thanks again.