Thinking about buying this fixer upper...

[svpollock]

Hi All,

First time poster to this site. I am thinking about buying a 1990 20 foot overnighter (204c) that has a 1990 200 hp Johnson. The boat has been sitting for 4 years. The motor has just over 600 hours on it. Some of the cabin wood and wodden doors have been eaten by termites (has been treated). I have attached several pictures of the boat. What I need is a ballpark estimate of value. What should I pay if the motor runs... and if the motor doesn't run. Includes boat, motor, and trailer. Is it worth as much as $3000? 5000$ 7500$

http://usera.imagecave.com/svpollock/

 

[gw204]

Oh man, that's Pandora's Box. No telling what else the termites got to (transom, stringers, coring in hatches and floor, etc.).

She will required major work I bet. Only pay what you think your can recoup should you lose interest mid-project (yes, it will be a project) and decide to sell.

$2500 is my vote...but then again I paid $1500 for a 1981 17' Mako with '82 115 Merc, new fuel tank, old trailer and no transom... But I know I could flip it for at least that if I wanted.

 

[svpollock]

whats the best way to look for damage to the transom and floor if it isn't obvious. Should it be easy to see?

 

[gw204]

In most cases, you won't see it...you'll feel or hear it. Bounce on the floor (especially the big hatch over the gas tank) and see if it seems soft or flexes at all. Pull down (hard, repeatedly) on the lower unit and look for signs that the transom is flexing. If it will tilt, let it down about half way, stand on the anti-ventilation plate and bouce. Get a large plastic mallet and tap all over the floor and transom. If they both make clean, crisp sounds, they're most likely OK. If it goes "thud", plan on recoring which isn't an easy task.

Also, look for signs of cracking in the fiberglass where those AL strips meet on the edges of teh transom cutout. Look for brown stains running down from bolts and screws. If present they could indicate a rotten wood core in the area.

 

[svpollock]

Thanks Brian,

Can you come on down to Baton Rouge to check it out for me ?

 

[gw204]

If I drove all the way down there, it would come home with me.

That being said, go over to www.classicmako.com and mention this there. I'm sure there's some guys from that board (most are much more knowledgeable than I) in your area that would be glad to check it out with you.

 

[Michigan Brian]

another thing to do is take a handle of a screwdriver and start lightly tapping the transom with it and listen to the noise it makes. Should be sharp, crisp sound. Tap everywhere, expecially around any bolts or screws in the transom (and everywhere else on the hull) and listen for that tone to change to a duller thud or anything different. After you tap for a while you will understand what a good hull will sound like as compared to a suspect area. You can even try this on a boat with a known good hull so you know the sound you are looking for.

not a foolproof method but it can help to detect problems

 

[striped bass]

I would pass it up. Too old and too many issues. You will spend as much money on this fixer upper as you would a newer vessel in better shape. Even a new vessel or just a year or so old will have issues many of which have been reported on this web site.

 

[plymouthgrady]

Michigan Brian hit nail on the head. The end of a screwdriver is a surveyers best friend.

 

[svpollock]

so if there is no evidence of rotting should I take the plunge?

 

[Michigan Brian]

depends on the price and your level of patience and the depth of your pocketbook.

I think I would look around some for something else, unless he pretty much gave it to you. I voted on the $1000...

we havent even addressed the trailer yet...

 

[Grog]

I went for $3K on the contingence that the motor checks out OK. Bad motor then, $1K.

If you're handy then give the purchase thought if you're not that handy or willing to learn pass it up. Are you shure it was termites and not carpenter ants? I guess you could be unlucky enough for a pair of flyers to land in the boat. If they don't have food and water they die off.

 

[JUST-IN-TIME]

E-Z test for rot

trim motor down
stand on the cavitation plate and bounce up and down
if that transom flexes, run!!!

 

[svpollock]

Dumb newbie question...Would termites actually eat into the deck and transom? Aren't they covered in fiberglass?

 

[BobP]

You are definitely new to Gradys, too!

I would pay a lot more for that boat/motor depending on structural condition, or turn down being paid money to haul it away, depending on structural condition. The motor is not where the value is.

What you want to ask yourself is another question, how much sweat equity or hire out work do you want to invest in this boat to get it into a condition you want it to be? The answer calls for determing first what is wrong and right with it, fully, you can hire the expertise to do that for you.

What is seen in photos, isn't an indicator of what's not seen.

 

[jekyl]

I think striped bass said it well......" a newer boat in better condition will cost less than what you have to spend on repairing this one"

I bought a 2000 265 express which had been shed stored and looks in great condition with well looked after 200hpdi's and i have spent $1000's making it reliable so far.

Your vessel has certainly never been looked after either motor or hull. "sometimes you can judge a book by it's cover"

 

[gw204]

Like I said...ask on www.classicmako.com.

There's a whole different mentality over there. Those guys would rather restore a classic than buy a newer rig. But then again, the older ones are better in terms of build quality and design...so they are worth sinking tons of time and $$$ in to.

 

[drewmorton]

Personally Id buy it if the price were right, say less than 3 grand, and go into it knowing full well that it most likely will be a complete tear down and rebuild. Assuming that you will be doing all the labor. All the supplies, while expensive, are a drop in the bucket compared to the labor costs if you were to get this done by a pro. Its a 1990 boat, not really that old. Theres a ton of 80's and early 90's still out there making waves.

But, thats just me. I like projects, be they boat projects or something else. Id rather be tearing into something and learning something rather than watching TV.

 

[plymouthgrady]

look at "conshykid" post under Tips & Mods.. He's fixing up an '89 w/ similar issues (bulkhead replacement). You may be able to get an honest opinion of what you're looking at work & $$ wise.

 

[downtown]

Unless you are a glutton for punishment or really want to spend an enormous amount of time reconstructing this boat, get something ready to go.

A 1990 Overnighter in real good shape should be in the 8-10 grand range. And with the economy being what it is, I wouldn't be surprised if you couldn't find a nice one for 5 or 6.

If you are in love with the idea of a rebuild, start with the hull and work your way up. See what needs fixing. If you're handy and have the time, most of your money will probably be on a new motor, if you need one.

I'd invest three hundred or so in a surveyor, who can tell you if the stringers, hull, transom is sound. Find one who can also check the engine. If it's rotted out from the ants-forget it.