A unique website dedicated to fishing information from Florida's Northern Big Bend. This includes the area from the Econfina River west to the Apalachicola River
It has been a long hard hunt for a boat, and it has taken me
from new boats to used boats and from flat bottoms to V hulls.
I have made an offer to purchase this craft, and may close the
deal thursday.
Does anyone know anything I should know about this boat
before I sign the dotted line? Your comments, insight
and experience in these areas would be deeply appreciated-
Thanks
MJ
Here's the boat someone else got to it before me....
Last edited by mjsigns on August 5th, 2004, 9:37 am, edited 4 times in total.
Looks nice. I have not heard of the make. Picture of motor uncovered has low oil level? Maybe it's just me. Have the motor checked out. Make offer(obo). Shop.
If you had the time and money, a marine surveyor would be advised, or at least a check of the motor by a mechanic. Short of that, I recommend:
1)Examine the hull for cracks, waves, or de-laminations. Rock the motor on the transom and see if it is solid.
2)open all hatches, look for problems like rotted hoses, bad clamps, or wiring.
3)try everything to see if it works. This includes all lights, electronics, pumps, steering (move the wheel around).
3)examine the fuel lines for cracks.
4)check the batteries for function and age.
5)examine the motor for rust, raise and lower the motor, run it on the hose. See if it idles evenly once it warms, idle for at least 5 minutes, to make sure it does not overheat. Ask when the impeller pump was last replaced and examine the work order to check the date. Ask to see any regular service maintenance work orders and check the dates. The foot oil should be changed every year and the pump at least every other year.
At idle, run it through the gears, and make sure the prop is turning in each direction.
6)look over the trailer for rusted springs, axle, buddy bearings, missing rollers, etc. Examine the tires for uneven wear.
7)take the boat for a test ride. On the way, see how the trailer tracks to make sure it rides evenly.
8)notice how easy the boat comes off the trailer and if it needs new rollers.
9)operate the boat for a few miles and put it through a normal operation, including forward, neutral, and reverse.
Take stock of what you have found. If it all looks good or only a few things are problems, think about it, twice, and consider an offer.
You might want to go on out to Williams landing and head West from there.
I heard no one runs above the Iron Curtain which is out from Coes due to the stumpknocking. I found one on Sunday and thought I was going to eat the prop! Let the seller decide where so if anything happens....
“Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them and you have their shoes.”
All those numbers look familiar (from NADA blue book). I did all my homework on this one. He is asking allot, but I think the boat is worth what he's asking. I have looked in all the nooks and crannies on this one and it looks like the boat for me. It has it's share of beauty marks, but nothing major. I appreciate your investigation. How much do you think it's worth? $_____________
Anyway, we decided to do the test drive Mon or Tues because he wants to close the deal next week, instead of peace-mealing things along. I am also going to check the compression on each cylinder with a borrowed compression gauge and tools from a guy I work with.
From what I have seen of the boat "most the pics will not load" and from your observations of it. I would say that the asking price is decent "so long as the motor checks out" Don't forget to check the trailer out real good "with the boat on and then with the boat off"
“Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them and you have their shoes.”
I updated the first posting, and I have been reading up on running compression testing the engine. If all cylinders are within a 3 to 5 lb's of each other, and there's no water in the foot oil.... She's mine
Can't tell for sure, but if that's the VHF radio I think it is, you might want to consider replacing it. It isn't water proof. Other than that, the rig looks solid.
A FISHING FRIEND OF MINE HAS ONE JUST LIKE IT. THE BOAT IS A GREAT BOAT, SOLID AS NAILS. ONLY PROBLEM I CAN SEE IS THE BLACK THING ON THE BACK OF THE BOAT, OF COURSE I AM PARTIAL TO O.M.C. IF YOU CAN GET THE PACKAGE FOR LESS THAN $5,000.00 AND THE MOTOR CHECKS OUT O.K. I WOULD SAY GRAB IT.
THE OLD MAN OF THE SEA
PA
Your comments, insight 
