help on buying this boat

[chongtoulor86]

found this 1988 pro craft 1780v with 150 mecury black max boat, gonna try to get it for 2300, is this a good deal or not, just minor damaged but does not leak, damaged has been repaired. carpet is has little tear, please help before buying it today

[Travis C.]

It seems high to me price wise but maybe some others will chime in as well.

You can probably find a better deal in my opinion.

[thehick176]

$2300 is high for an 88 model in my opinion. I would keep looking

[Halli]

Need to see it but it is probably a $5000.00 boat

Need pics.

[browntrout]

Originally Posted by chongtoulor86

found this 1988 pro craft 1780v with 150 mecury black max boat, gonna try to get it for 2300, is this a good deal or not, just minor damaged but does not leak, damaged has been repaired. carpet is has little tear, please help before buying it today

Make sure you check the compression of the engine. DOnt want to buy someone else's problems. TK will probably offer more and better advice.

Roy

[Jdkxtreme]

Do not but it with out running it down the lake. It will run different on muffs than it does under a load

[tomlida1]

My buddy got one like that and they are good motors

[XxthejuicexX]

Originally Posted by Jdkxtreme

Do not but it with out running it down the lake. It will run different on muffs than it does under a load

X2. plus compression test the engine. I have a 93 Johnson fast strike and it tested at 98-96 on just every cylinder. Pics would help too.

[chongtoulor86]

thanks you all for the advice, but that guy sold the boat already.... another question if ya dont mind, What kind of boat can i get for 3000, thats how much i got to spend on a boat.. this i my first time buying a boat so dont really know what will b a good deal or not

[XxthejuicexX]

Depends on what you want. You can get a really nice Aluminum boat or an older fiberglass. I sold a 14' john boat with a 20hp merc and 50lb trolling motor last winter for 1200.00.

[TNBronzeback]

Originally Posted by chongtoulor86

thanks you all for the advice, but that guy sold the boat already.... another question if ya dont mind, What kind of boat can i get for 3000, thats how much i got to spend on a boat.. this i my first time buying a boat so dont really know what will b a good deal or not

My thoughts on looking at/buying a pre-owned boat is this:
your buying the motor, the boat and trailer are free. the motor is going to account for the bulk of the asking price, which makes having it looked over before ya buy that much more important. Like others have mentioned, have the compression tested. that way your not buying a boat and trailer and getting a free "anchor". have the seller meet ya at the ramp and give it a good test drive. slow, fast, forward, reverse.
if its an aluminum boat, little holes and hairline cracks can be fixed relatively cheaply and easily and perminant. Fiberglass i would imagine can be more money fix, but none the less, fixable., obviously holes/cracks are not ideal, but they are fixable, but a poor running motor is going to be lingering in the back of your mind everytime you cut across the lake or make a down river run.
good quality boats of varying size and material are a fairly plentiful around here if you spend a little time and do some searching.
Just like buying your first car, you didnt care how ugly that thing was as long as the engine was in good shape!
Just my 2 cents. in no way would i call myself a boat buying expert, just my aquired knowledge on the subject.