A proposed trade for a boat...
A guy asked if I would be interested trading my bike for this boat...
It is a 20ft Morgan.
The “seller” said it “most likely needs to be cleaned up and the carbs rebuilt”. I’m guessing that means it does not run. He is valuing this boat/trailer @16 grand. Apart from his original message- we haven’t communicated and he was very brief- as if I don’t jump on this it will be gone...(standard sales chatter).
He wants to trade this boat for my Ducati. I presume he thinks he is getting the better end of the deal.
I kind of want a boat- but I am a full boat novice, but consider myself a very good mechanic.
On a scale of 1-10 how terrible of an idea is this? Im not worried about top dollar for the bike - but if I get a boat I would want it to be able to use at least a few times a month.
I’m not in a pinch to sell the bike or buy a boat. But I like the idea of a cheap boat where I could learn the ropes before buying a larger more capable boat.
What questions do I ask and what would I look for as issues?
Cheers-
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If I want to go boating I rent one. alot cheaper in the long run
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Boat motor mechanics are very proud of their work. Big $$$$$ spent fast. Now if it is just something minor the motor alone could be worth big$$$$.Don't think I would trade unless I had the motor inspected first.B-bustO-outA-anotherT-thousandOr boat = a hole in the water into which to throw money.
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im not an expert by any means but ive owned a lot of boats. i dont know what you mean by "more capable" that boat there will probably handle more things than you would want to get into. but with motor shown, i would go into the deal with one though, and that would be to repower with a new or much newer motor. 3 -
Ohh my. Having had about 6 boats, there is a myriad of things come to mind. Looking at the pics it appears weathered as expected for an older boat. So it has not been housed very well. Steering free and loose? Those motors can be a rathole unless you really know about them. Bilge pump work? Lights work? Trailer lights, tires all good? IMO, and everyone will disagree is that I would want the motor RUNNING (owner does that) before I would trade anything and of course a test drive... 9 -
gotta agree with grasshopper, I would want to hear it run at the very least, would much rather take it out for a spin. the motor/trans is the big money then there are the storage questions, do you have room at your house will HMO or neighbors complain?? or will you have to rent a place to keep it? You could end up with twice or three time the price of motorcycle in something you may only use a few times a year. I think it comes down to how much are you really gonna use it, or as someone else has stated rent one and you won't have the ownership hassles...... good luck 3 -
I wouldn’t do it, but that’s just me. 3 -
Always assume the worst when buying anything with an engine that does not run.Seller will tell you anything.Plan to repower with a new 4 stroke in the 20 grand range.Never ever buy a boat until you put it in the water.It is very possible it will run after the carbs have been cleaned(Which you can probably do yourself) and fresh gas,but old big 2 strokes are problems waiting to happen. 0 -
Don't walk, run.... and jump on your bike and get out of there.Way too many potential problems with that deal.
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B.O.A.T. - Break Out Another Thousand 0 -
Was it run in salt or fresh water? I think Mariner quit selling outboards in the states in 1994. A lot of age on the motor! 3 -
My personal feeling is...its really tough fishing from a motorcycle.But I fish - already own a boat and don't own a motorcycle.
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Take the boat by a boat dealer and get an appraisal. If the seller won't do that with you..Hit a gear on the bike 0 -
Without a water test drive I would run the other way .
3 -
You will not lie on your death bed regretting buying a boat.
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happiest day is when u buy a boat....next happiest day is when u sell it..a boat is a hole in the water into which you throw money......one can get away on the bike for a mind rest cruise from the front door....a boat getaway has to find water first which only works with a lakeside home dock......i want an Opener Blackfly but they decided not to sell them..see u tube vid 0 -
And unless you plan on paying a docking fee, you'll have to haul it wherever. Which means you're going to need an appropriate sized vehicle. Then there's insurance ....... I'd keep the bike and look for a decent smaller boat to start out with. That's a nice bike. 0 -
Suggest you check the price of similar boats on Craigs List in your area. Here are three in the Metro Detroit area. All claimed to be running, center console, nicely equipped with electronics. Always check the flooring and transom for rot and hull cracks in older boats.
1988 Wellcraft
20'
239 hours
$12,500
1996 Mako
17' 3"
90 hp Yamaha
$8800
2012 Mako
22'
225 hp E-Tec
$16,900
Jim
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$16,000 for a boat with a motor that doesn't run, that they don't sell any longer, that's at least 26 years old at the min. I would be pissed off at anyone that thought I was that stupid. 9 -
If you plan on fishing in the Gulf or ocean you're going to want at least TWO motors. That's a hell of a place to start with your first boat, but I'm sure you'll get the hang of it. Two motors allows for better control in the marina and if you venture into the Inner Coastal Waterway. There are some seriously strong currents in that.
Added: Mariner 225 Offshore = 25" tower circa 1996.
Compression check
Lower unit oil check (if it's a Fla boat you might not have to check for cracks. Here in the Great White North it is common for water to enter the gear foot and freeze in the winter, cracking the lower unit.)
Trim system inspection
Check availability of carb rebuild kits
Oil injection is a plus for a 2 stroke but adds to items to be checked (oil feed lines, oil tank, etc) Blow an oil line and the engine will seize. That make for a long swim home.0 -
Is that a trolling motor on the back?
What's the HP?Rented a Ski Boat Monday and am renting a Pontoon Boat today.
Our Lund just really isn't setup for swimming / more than 2 or 3 people.
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Keep the bike ! 0 -
The cheaper the boat the more money it will cost you in the long run.If you decide on the boat, take it to a marine mechanic, pay the $100. - $200 an hour charge and find out what it really needs.A couple hundred bucks up front will save you THOUSANDS down the road.Been there, done that ................................. too many times.NEVER buy a boat that doesn't run, if the solution was easy or affordable, he would have already fixed it
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"Guessing carbs need cleaned".
Could be that easy and cheap or need new power packs which are not cheap at all.
You would basically be trading for just the boat and trailer.
Know what a new motor will cost to rig the boat and be prepared to spend that much extra.0 -
I'd pass.Sell the bike and start looking for a boat. Buy it in the off season, make sure you see it run. If you are going to go out in the Gulf or the Ocean 2 motors are nice. You can get away with a main engine and a long shaft kicker for trolling or emergency's.Main thing is get it checked out and see it run.
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If the guy is not willing to get it up and running, and show that it is via a test run, I'd Run.
Your bike is a known quantity. (And the guy knows it.) As him how he'd feel about trading for your bike, if it did not run?
That bike is a classic and will not depreciate a lot.
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Maybe trade for a boat, but not that boat. 6 -
bullshot posted; The cheaper the boat the more money it will cost you in the long run.
HA HA HA HA.......OH YEAH
You forgot.................. "and work"0 -
that boat is way over priced for what it is, as it is, In this day and age not with more than $5,000 with the trailer. it will cost you way more then it it worth to fix it and keep it running, and you won't get your investment back unless you find that one special person with little to no knowledge about boats, and money to burn. there are tons of used boats on the market, most over valued by the sellers, all with some problems that are " fine and only need minor fixes" and they sit for months to years on end waiting to be sold while continuously losing value monthly . an old boat is a costly boat to maintain, and a new one is no small hole in the water that you continuously pour money into, ask me how I know, RUN away Forest Run... Run... 6 -
After reading FCD's excellent break down, and going back and enlarging some photos and taking a closer look. I fully agree with his assesment. The Keel looks to have been banged up pretty good. A good overall indication of how the guy treated his boat. No way is that a $16K package, especially with the engine being an unknown quantity.
Pass.
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If it were me, i would sell the bike and buy this one....provided its in decent shape.
2012 Mako
22'
225 hp E-Tec
$16,900
0
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