I need Help

[CMBarnes]

I have been looking at 23' center console SCs for the past 6 months. I had a 1977 surveyed in Florida that turned out to have a bad transom and low compression in one of the cylinders (200 hp 94 Johnson). I have found another one much closer and I looked at that one this past Sunday. This one is a '73. It has a yellow hull so I think it has at leat been repainted. Did they make them with yellow hulls in '73? This one has twin 200 mercs that were new in '92. The boat has had a lot of custom work done on the inside. It has a lot of custom teak and coaming pads around most of the interior. It looks very clean on the inside and the hull is in good shape except the bottom paint needs to be removed and the transom is a ?. Trailer looks good and has stainless steel brakes. Are there any reccomendations from ya'll as what to do next? I would get a survey but that will not necessarily tell me about the transom because the surveyor is not going to drill inside. I am going to get the motors compression checked but wanted to know if there are any other things that I should really watch out for. I visit this site daily and have gotten a lot of good imput from it and would appreciate any advice. I am excited that this might be the boat but also nervous to take that final step. The guy is asking 15,000 which is a lot of money to me, especially if things start falling apart. Thanks in advance!!!

[Briguy]

Twin 200 Merc's are really heavy for that boat. You will no doubt have wet feet when standing in the rear. Any boat that old is going to have transom issues. My guess is that the transom has been built up to 30" to accept twin 25" shafts. You can't drill in the transom buy you can look for cracks in the corners, remove the inside access plates and see if the stringers have let loose from the transom, with the boat out of the water, stand with one foot on each motor and softly bounce your weight up and down to look for flex. I believe the boat did come in yellow in '73. As for the motors, you could always run the boat with one motor and still have acceptable performance. 15k sounds very reasonable providing the boat performs acceptably on the water. A new transom is 2-3k. Take is for a test ride and I always ask them "what's you bottom line", then undercut it by 10%. Good luck. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

[ocuyler]

I agree with Brian. The twin 200's are a bit much for a 23', that is very cool with one 225. With that much power, it's a safe bet that the hull has seen some serious pounding.

My concerns would be first, the transom and then the inevitable re-build or repower, which would double the cost of the boat.

If you can wait, you can find a nice 23' with a late model 200+ for that money.

If the transom and motors check out, $15,000 is the MOST it's worth. I agree with Brian, $13,000 or $13,500 is fair. Although that might be a big purchase for you, you can always get your money back, as long as the boats stays in good shape. So really, it's an interest only deal.

Regards,

Otto

[CMBarnes]

Thanks for the replies. I am going to work on the price after I get a survey. I figure a survey now will save me money in the long run because it will give me a good understanding of what I am getting myself into. Thanks again!!