thinking about buying a 79'

[sportsterman]

Buyer beware! Outdrive repairs can break the budget very quickly.Check all the bellows (rubber boots) to see if they are good. Check around the out drive for delamination of the transom. Knock on the fiberglass to check to see if water has caused damage around the outdrive. Water will cause rot which causes the glass to delaminate from the wood. Very expensive fix!

 

[keith4216]

So where was the boat used if so far from water?

 

[bluffma2]

its in waxhaw, nc im just not familiar with the area, there could be some place he ran it. I guess ill find out when i got check it out

 

[SCT]

Waxhaw, nc is south Charlotte. Lake Wylie is only 20-25 minutes west of downtown Waxhaw. Don't know what your budget is but there are a lot better condition older Mates in the $1,500-3k range that would be more turn key. I would pass on this boat unless you want a project.
Good luck-

 

[DropTop5.0]

I personally think this is a better boat. http://charlotte.craigslist.org/boa/3645442745.html

I'm sure he won't take a dirt bike and a iPad but I bet the boat would cost you less in the long run.

It's the unknown you have to worry about and there are a lot of unknowns with the boat you have picked out. Unless you have skills to pull the motor, rebuild stringers, do fiberglass work ect this boat is going to be a waste of money.

If you can water test it and it runs pretty good, you may be able to get a year or two out of it without spending too much on it. I can almost guarantee that even if it runs great you're still going to spend hundreds of dollars. Boating can be pretty expensive.

 

[RNGRDVE]

Do you have any friends that are familiar with boats and their structure. With how rough that interior looks I'm going to guess it's spent alot of time outside uncovered. It probably will need floor and stringers. Poss. needs to be recored.

 

[bluffma2]

thanks for all the input but the guy thought it was a cadillac of boats and flip out when i started pointing out problems and was a jerk about it so , no checkmate for me fellas :/

 

[keith4216]

Well then now I can tell you bluntly.
That boat is a pos in need of total restoration or a fire pit. You just saved yourself alot of headache. Keep looking theres better ones out there for a few grand.