Found a 1985 222 Sandpiper dual console a few days ago and made the 200 mile trek to have a look at it yesterday. I had previously spoken to the seller and struck a deal pending my in person inspection and sea trial. The plan was to go over it quickly, hitch up and pull it home. The motor was really the only thing I wanted, but was prepared to take the boat and trailer to get it. Once home, the motor would get moved to my Grady, and the hull and trailer would be sold.
Well, when I got there, I was sorely disappointed. The boat and trailer...which I had asked many questions about over the phone, were a mess. That being said, I'm still thinking about trying to strike a deal for the hull and motor, but I wanted to get a better idea of what I could expect to get for the hull.
The major problems I saw...
1. Gelcoat damage on the keel. Had been previously repaired...poorly. The glass was OK, but the gelcoat looks to have been done by a child. Color match was terrible, and it was very thin in places. Would need to be sanded off and redone.
2. Transom. Probably in need of replacement. The was almost no flex when the guy (much bigger than me...I'm 165 lbs). bounced on the anti-ventiliation plate on the engine), but there were loose bolts for a swim platform and the copper scupper tubes had the ends corroded off. On the inside, I noticed the upper bolt for the swim platform rail had pulled through and there was a rather large vertical crack in the glass where it wrapped around the core near the motor well. Didn't take any pics. I think had it not been for the support provided by the motor well, it would have flexed a bunch more.
3. Floor. Needs to be recored on both sides of the gas tank hatch. Previous owner(s) had drilled holes for seats and they probably weren't sealed properly. The floor gave about 1/2" when I walked on it.
Other than that, things were on par for a well used 1985 boat. Spider cracking, original tank (I think), faded gelcoat, things added here and there, etc. There was some cracked glass on the edges of one of the bow seats and old speakers all over the place. Bimini top in good condition, no enclosure. No electronics worth mentioning. Old hydraulic steering probably not worth keeping (it was very sloppy).
A very cool layout though. Lots of room to fish/frolic and it had a neat little sink in the port console. Livewell in floor and lots of storage. Probably the coolest dual console I've ever seen. :)
I determined there was no way the trailer would make it back to my house though. The springs were so bad, they were warped from the rust flakes. All 4 tires had the worst dry rot I had ever seen. The brakes were, well non existent. Not just not working, never installed. The worst part was, this guy ensured me the trailer was completely roadworthy and didn't make any comments when I asked about the condition of the brakes. No way was I pulling 4000 lbs. + behind a Jeep Cherokee when the trailer didn't have brakes!
The guy offered me tires at cost...gee...how nice considering he admitted to have "forgotten" to look at them. Grease caps on the hubs were ugly so who knows how the bearings were. I bet she wouldn't have made it ten miles before a tire, spring or bearing gave out.
Because I didn't have time to try and locate and rent a utility trailer, and then derig and remove the motor, I walked and drove the 3-1/2 hours home empty handed. :cry:
But like I said, I'm still considering it. Only this time, I would pull a known good trailer down there, load the boat on it and leave the toasted one there. If I did that, what do you guys think the hull might be worth? NADA puts it at $2,970 but there's no way it's worth that. $1500 maybe give the condition?
Here's some pics...
