How much would you pay?

[fishgutts]

1974 Aquasport 222
1986 Mercury 225
Aluminum dual axle trailer



Floor was rebuilt 10 years ago.  Not the best looking job, but seems solid. Besides that, owner doesn't know much.  It was her husbands boat and he passed away a year ago.  Haven't checked the engine compression yet... would probably try to sell it anyways and put something newer on.  

First thing i would like to do is close in the transom and put a cap on it.  Know any builders around the Fort Myers area that do good work and a good price?  If so, please send me a message with info.  How much would I be looking at to pay someone to do this?

I have a 19'6 and am considering selling it and moving up to this.  

I think I can get 10K out of my 19'6.  Don't want to have much more than that into this one... really just want to close in transom, install a jack plate w/ extender, and put a live well in.  

What would be a reasonable price to offer for this one?

Thanks for your help.

[Fletch170]

I would say no more than $4000

[wingtime]

Whats the condition of the transom?  Figure the boat has been sitting at least a year.  So I'm sure the fuel system needs cleaning.  Speaking of fuel how old is the fuel tank?  Is there any electronics on it?  Does she have a asking price?  

I'd break it down like this.  Since it is not a turn key boat and you want to do some work on it consider it a parts boat.  You have three major parts there with some sub parts.

The three are:

The Hull, Engine, Trailer.  Figure (these are just my numbers fill in your own) $1200 for the trailer, $1800 for the motor, and say $1100 or so for the boat.  Maybe add in some value for the T-top, Bait boxes, leaning post and any electronics.   The boat looks clean in the pics, Does it have some sort of a doubler on the transom?  

I'll bet that old Merc will make that thing FLY.

[fishgutts]

Asking $6000.

I pushed up and down on the motor and transom seemed solid.  I has some sort of transom bracket on it.  Since, that will be my first project, I wasn't too concerned with the transom.

I did ask about the fuel tank and she had no idea.  She just said they had never had a problem with it :)

Breaking it down like that is helpful.  Think you could get $1800 for that motor?

Any idea how much the transom job would be?

[seabob4]

Offer her $4500.  Meet somewhere in the middle.  Run the hell out of the boat (and motor).  Let the funds grow back from the initial purchase.  Then see what you want to do.

And don't be surprised if you LIKE that motor...

[Blue Agave]

The transon appears to be modified, that motor has been modified to a 25" shaft.

[wingtime]

Good eye on the spacer Fernando!  He's right it has a spacer between the lower unit and the mid section.  Those things themselves sell for a pretty penny.  I look at it with the idea of being able to get out of the thing without loosing $$$ if you decide you don't want it or find something majorly wrong with it.  One way is parting the thing out.  What could you get for the trailer, T-top, leaning post, motor, etc etc.   Not sure if the motor is worth 1800.  I just tossed out a number...  but if it is clean with good compression and runs strong it's worth close to that.   6K is way high for that thing.  Seabob is right...  that old Merc is a great motor...  It may not be a fancy fuel injected thing but carbs will get you home!    I'd draw some fuel out of that thing to see how bad it is and do a compression test on it.  $4500 is tops if the motor checks out and the trailer axles and springs are not rotted out.

[gran398]

No sense in trying to steal something from a widow.

From the photos and the comments....$4500 firm.

The trailer is better than decent, the top is worth a nickle, and so are the stern bait boxes.

Bob makes a good point on the Merc.

[CTsalt12]

That thing looks awesome.  Hull looks to be in perfect condition, like the bait boxes, t top and leaning post.  You've got yourself a fishing machine ready to go out of the box.  I would pay as much as $5 g's for it.  The value there is not in the engine but in the hull IMO.  And I agree, don't lowball the widow.

[Capt Matt]

If it runs $4-$5K
nice ride
Capt Matt

[fishgutts]

Really appreciate all of the advice guys.  I really want to get this boat.   But, the wife insists that I need to sell our current boat first :). Hope it works out.  Here is a link to my current boat listing (1973 19-6) If u know of anyone interested in a well rigged, clean 19-6, let them know about it.  

http://boatstore.floridasportsman.com/cgi-bin/cl.pl_bo?boatbays&1320700576

Also, I still need some advice on someone in the SWFL area that could help with a transom rebuild.

[gran398]

Really appreciate all of the advice guys.  I really want to get this boat.   But, the wife insists that I need to sell our current boat first :). Hope it works out.  Here is a link to my current boat listing (1973 19-6) If u know of anyone interested in a well rigged, clean 19-6, let them know about it.  

http://boatstore.floridasportsman.com/cgi-bin/cl.pl_bo?boatbays&1320700576

Also, I still need some advice on someone in the SWFL area that could help with a transom rebuild.

What she don't know won't hurt her

Go buy the new toy and keep it in storage until the 19-6 sells...then BAM...POOF....lo and behold...."Honey look what I found :bounce:  :bounce:

[Fletch170]

Sounds like you need to check with provisioning for a purchase order.........been there brother. This is why there is 2k of boat parts hidden in my basement.

[gw204]

Have you local Merc dealer run the serial number on that engine.  Unless the cowling has been replaced or restickered, that's not an '86 motor.  Merc went to brown graphics in '84 or '85.  I think the 225 came out in 1980.

Probably not a huge difference in value, but you do want to know what you are buying.

[fitz73222]

It has the single ram trim with external trim lines and on board mounted trim pump which is indicative of '78-'82, the graphics appear 80'-81' original. If it is a 225, it is the 2.0 liter version not 2.4 liter if in fact it is '80.. Really not much difference other than a little less bottom end. It is a 25" shaft, hence the added "plate" on the original 20" transom. Mercs were only brown trim in '84-'85 then variations of red, blue and/or silver trim from '86-'95.  Unless you are an old Merc fan like am, start shopping for another motor. Shes 30 years old and probably not what you want to be running offshore with.