I think I found a good deal??

[AQNOOB]

Hey guys. Just started checking out the forum last week when I found this boat listing on craigslist. The boat is a great size for me, and running for this price seems like a good start. Please be honest with me about what I might be getting in to, and what you think about this price. I setup to see this boat NEXT weekend, and sent the guy a deposit to hold it for me. I'm going to be able to take it down to the ramp and see it run, and possibly take it for a spin.

According to what I've got from him, it's an '89 hull, '94 motor, and '96 trailer for $3,500. The guy listing it is the mechanic for the owner and is helping him sell it. He winterized it and it was running great, says he'll get it ready and running before my visit.

So far from reading similar posts I'm gathering that i need to be very concerned about the transom and probably the fuel tank... Soft spots are normal, but i should walk around and carefully feel the deck.... what else should I be looking for?

My thought right now is if the transom is sturdy, this is a good price for a running boat and I'll likely try to bargain him to $3,000.

Thoughts??

[bondobill]

Welcome
Unless the engine has a different hood on it, I believe Yamaha didn't make the 225 Excel after 1989.


Bill

[jdupree]

That trailer is too small for a 222 CCP.  You need a tandem with this boat.  It all comes down to what you want to pay for the hull considering the old outboard and undersized trailer.

[AQNOOB]

Welcome
Unless the engine has a different hood on it, I believe Yamaha didn't make the 225 Excel after 1989.


Bill

Thanks for the input. How do you know it's a 225?

[AQNOOB]

That trailer is too small for a 222 CCP.  You need a tandem with this boat.  It all comes down to what you want to pay for the hull considering the old outboard and undersized trailer.

Now that you point that out, it is hanging quite a bit off the trailer isn't it.. I typically don't go far when I trailer, might not be a big deal for me.

From what Bill is telling me this motor is probably original from '89 so that changes things for me a bit. I love the size of the boat and price, especially for a quality hull I could potentially grow with. I DON'T want a lot of mechanical problems right away, I'd like to be able to run this boat this season... of course you can't really guarantee anything or avoid issues... it's a boat after all..

[flounderpounder225]

All valid points, look at the tire on the trailer, it is up pretty far in the fender well, hit a few bumps and it will be rubbing hard, also it is a box tube frame, I see rust in the pics, if you decide to go for it, brings a hammer and if you see lightly rusted areas on the outside, tap on them, those box frames rot from the inside out.  Those motors were good engines, but I would date it also around 89, might run for 10 more years, might blow up tomorrow.  Break it down like this:
Boat, if its solid 1700-2000
Engine: if it runs well 500
Trailer: no more than 500, and it would have to be road worthy, not needing axles, springs etc...
Be cautious, the reason it has an inferior trailer under it, may be the guy bought a newer rig because of issues, kept the good trailer, slapped anything he could find under this rig, and trying to unload cheap...  check that transom very closely...

[AQNOOB]

All valid points, look at the tire on the trailer, it is up pretty far in the fender well, hit a few bumps and it will be rubbing hard, also it is a box tube frame, I see rust in the pics, if you decide to go for it, brings a hammer and if you see lightly rusted areas on the outside, tap on them, those box frames rot from the inside out.  Those motors were good engines, but I would date it also around 89, might run for 10 more years, might blow up tomorrow.  Break it down like this:
Boat, if its solid 1700-2000
Engine: if it runs well 500
Trailer: no more than 500, and it would have to be road worthy, not needing axles, springs etc...
Be cautious, the reason it has an inferior trailer under it, may be the guy bought a newer rig because of issues, kept the good trailer, slapped anything he could find under this rig, and trying to unload cheap...  check that transom very closely...

GREAT input thanks a ton!

From what you're saying, this is max worth $3,000 if everything is as advertised, solid, and trailer looks decent.

What do you think about tilting the motor up and standing on it to check for weak transom? I read that as advice for inspecting the transom. This could piss the guy off maybe..?

Are the stringers a concern in a these boats? And how do I look for those issues if so?

You guys are awesome!

[gran398]

Heck yea, jump on that motor...its your money

I'm thinking 2K max.

Like Marc says, that's not the trailer for the boat. You may could sell it for a couple hundred bucks, but then you'll have to find a decent used tandem....

The stringers on the CCP's have never been a problem. Should be no worries there.

[AQNOOB]

Heck yea, jump on that motor...its your money

I'm thinking 2K max.

Like Marc says, that's not the trailer for the boat. You may could sell it for a couple hundred bucks, but then you'll have to find a decent used tandem....

The stringers on the CCP's have never been a problem. Should be no worries there.

LOL.. I'm not sure if    is you respecting that move... or me saying goodbye to good money..?

I'm working on getting a local guy who does structural fiberglass work to check it out for me. Talking to him, he sounded pretty optimistic about the transom because of the preservative properties of saltwater, but of course said it could be bad. His estimate on redoing transom was $5k.. Hoping for the best.

Worst case this is all a good learning experience for finding a similar boat.

[gran398]

Yes, respecting that move

5K for the transom would be way high here. Basic new transom, no frills, 2K.

Check out Jdupree's new transom.....it was more than 2K for sure, but he added some very nice, functional changes

[bondobill]

Welcome
Unless the engine has a different hood on it, I believe Yamaha didn't make the 225 Excel after 1989.


Bill

Thanks for the input. How do you know it's a 225?

I just happen to have Excel with a cracked ring laying in my shop.
Had it on my boat for 20 years, after it blew the 2nd time I decided it was time to retire it.
The Excel model was rated at 225 hp, it used the same 2.6 liter block as the 200 hp. My understanding was that the Excel had a higher compression ratio and different carbs than the 200, and required to run on  89 octane fuel. I think Yamaha changed in either 90 or 91 and used a 3.0 liter block for the 225.

[CTsalt12]

My first concern is the fuel, given that he says engine runs and all.  If it's the original tank, you can bank on needing to replace that first IMO.  Decks in these boats seem to be indestructible.  I have an '89 175, there was one area of about 1' x 1' of rotted wood with no structural strength, and yet no sag in the floor at all.  So you might not even see any deck flex even if it's waterlogged.  Transom I bet is also good, even if it's moist in some spots, but of course you can check.  I say it's a hell of a deal.  If you're not trailering far, then who cares about if it's too small.  You can take care of that during the offseason, probably pick up a used one that's a better fit for under 1k.

[AQNOOB]

My first concern is the fuel, given that he says engine runs and all.  If it's the original tank, you can bank on needing to replace that first IMO.  Decks in these boats seem to be indestructible.  I have an '89 175, there was one area of about 1' x 1' of rotted wood with no structural strength, and yet no sag in the floor at all.  So you might not even see any deck flex even if it's waterlogged.  Transom I bet is also good, even if it's moist in some spots, but of course you can check.  I say it's a hell of a deal.  If you're not trailering far, then who cares about if it's too small.  You can take care of that during the offseason, probably pick up a used one that's a better fit for under 1k.

Love the positivity!

I'm just moving back to the boston area, and am really hoping this runs as smooth as the owner/mechanic guy says it does and is structurally good enough so i can hit the ground running with striper season coming up quick!

I know you guys preach patience with boat purchasing... but it's hard... and im new at this!

[dburr]

Check for a clear title on the boat and check the rules for Mass trailers..  Odd that the boat is listed in the Cape Cod (MA) CL with a MS (Missisippi) number. Maybe the Goslings is kicking in  but  what situation would the boats long time wrench be helping sell an out of state boat, 2+2 is coming up 5 1/2..?

On the other side of the add if that is a real northern boat there is an good chance it has not been used more then a couple of times a month, 6-7 months a year..  Take your time and look closely and defiantly tilt the engine up enough to be able to stand on motor and check the transom!

Best of luck!

[AQNOOB]

Check for a clear title on the boat and check the rules for Mass trailers..  Odd that the boat is listed in the Cape Cod (MA) CL with a MS (Missisippi) number. Maybe the Goslings is kicking in  but  what situation would the boats long time wrench be helping sell an out of state boat, 2+2 is coming up 5 1/2..?

On the other side of the add if that is a real northern boat there is an good chance it has not been used more then a couple of times a month, 6-7 months a year..  Take your time and look closely and defiantly tilt the engine up enough to be able to stand on motor and check the transom!

Best of luck!

Thanks for input.. MS is actually a MA #.. don't ask me why. I will look into the title and make sure everything is legit.

The owner is seasonal and I'm guessing ill-equipped to sell this. The owner only bought it last year and the mechanic got it running for him, and then winterized it for him just the once.

He says he's doing it as a favor and said he was looking forward to taking it down off craigslist because he was tired of the phone calls, and nobody actually coming for a visit.

Anybody think I should ask him to do a compression test on this thing while I'm there to check the motor a bit more in depth?

Maybe our short boating season is the reason that the repair guy i spoke with was more optimistic about the hull condition than I was after reading stuff on this forum?

Thanks again!