looking at Tournament 223

[chuckv]

I've been a Grady fan for years and am finally making a move on a 96 tournament. They are asking 7K but acknowledge that the motor "needs" work. It is skipping at all RPM's. This motor was a purchased rebulit in 2005. Boat is claimed to be in good condition and serviced by a reputable marina that I know. I am handy and looking for a project boat with good bones. Good deal or not?

 

[striped bass]

chuck:
The price is certainly low. You could easily be in the $20K area plus by the time you complete the project to make the boat seaworthy. I bought a '98 Tournament which was in very good condition. Normal maintenance and updates added another $10K in two months. This is on a boat in very good condition. You have a notched transom so water may have penetrated the cap and affected the transom. Count on replacing the engine. If the reputable marina was so good the engine should not be skipping that much. Electronics and mechanicals will probably all need to be checked out and some replaced.
Tread carefully. Have the boat hull surveyed as well as the engine. If it were me I might pass and look for another Tournament with less issues right at the outset. I would also get a Tournament with a closed transom.

 

[gonzo007]

In 2006, I spent $16,500 for a '95, with a 200-hp Evinrude Ocean Pro of the same year. The engine remains strong. Great boat, which keeps getting better, thanks to a good mechanic who has helped me fix and replace things that logically needed attention.

They include: replacing plastic thru-hull fittings with bronze, new fuel lines, better (Racor) fuel filter, new fuse block, etc.

All are relatively minor. If the hull, transom and fuel tank are in good condition -- and, yes, have the boat surveyed -- I'd pull the trigger. You have lots of opens for repowering, if that becomes necessary.

It's a great hull that's strong and versitle.

 

[gonzo007]

In 2006, I spent $16,500 for a '95, with a 200-hp Evinrude Ocean Pro of the same year. The engine remains strong. Great boat, which keeps getting better, thanks to a good mechanic who has helped me fix and replace things that logically needed attention.

They include: replacing plastic thru-hull fittings with bronze, new fuel lines, better (Racor) fuel filter, new fuse block, etc.

All are relatively minor. If the hull, transom and fuel tank are in good condition -- and, yes, have the boat surveyed -- I'd pull the trigger. You have lots of options for repowering, if that becomes necessary.

It's a great hull that's strong and versitle.