I'm buying an aquasport project

[drn1617]

I'm buying a 1976 19'6 aquasport with a 2000 Johnson ocean pro 150. I looked at the boat two days ago and it seems to be in OK shape. The hull seemed to be fine and the deck isn't soft and the transom seemed ok I did see a small crack on the right upper side on the transom. I was told the fuel cell was pumped out and not used for a few years. It was being run off of 4 6 gallon tanks. Also the vro pump was gone. So it showed the wear I would expect from a boat its age. The issue I'm having is that the owner told me the boat had been sunk last year he said there must have been water under the deck from rain and the a storm came and he had six inches of water in the boat and he couldn't get the deck plugs out fast enough. It was in 8 feet of freshwater and I was told it went upside down and was taken out of the water in one hour. Other than a cracked hood cowl on the motor from it going upside down I couldn't tell it had sunk. I was told the correct procedure was done to the motor and it currently runs and passes a compression test. My questions are is it worth 2000 dollars as is, how much work am I looking at to fix all of the above issues, and how much money am I looking at throwing into this project whether I just fix the bad or do a full rebuild. Basically what do I need to do to make the boat safe and reliable. Any other info would be great as well.

Thanks
Dan

[gran398]

Welcome Dan

This thing sounds like a nightmare. Save your 2K and keep looking sir.

[wingtime]

I'd run from that thing.

[RickK]

Welcome aboard Dan  
Wow.
Here's another opinion. I would think the foam under the sole is now (and probably was before) a candidate for replacement but if it had been redone recently with new age foam it may not absorb water.  No way to tell is there?  Did they say it was restored in the recent past? If it's the original sole it's wood so that will be going bad soon after the sinking.  If it's been restored recently that may have been replaced and encapsulated properly too.
If the motor runs and your test drive shows that it does, then maybe I'd run it til it dropped.  Then worry about replacing the sole and such.  I'd be more worried about the motor.

$2k?? - it's worth what someone is willing to pay, as they say.  I'd offer 1/2 or lower based on it's history.  Have a trailer with it?

BTW - no 196 in that year. 191 Gull.  Hull is totally different.  Search on 191 Gull here, you'll see the hull at the rear is different.

[redemn93]

welcome.  and im sorry, but run away.  dont buy a sunken hull unless you plan a full restoration from the stringers up.  and if you do plan on that, offer no more than $1k.  plan on putting $10k into it for a good but cheaper, no bells and whistles resto.  for $5k you can find a water worthy boat that may need some cheap cosmetics to be done over time while you use it.  at least the seller seem to be honest about it.  have any pics?  is it on CL?  here it run?  go for a ride?

[drn1617]

Thanks for the replies I've been really on the fence about it and it does have a trailer no title for it though. I have the time and I am a mechanic by trade so I wouldn't mind a good project I just don't want to get in over my head and I worry that I'll never get the motor running right after Being submerged

[drn1617]

Yes he is very honest and its just on the side of the road. I heard it run for a few seconds then it flooded he said he was running 32 to 1 mixture so I imagine that's why.he said he would show me that it runs before I buy it