Caveat Emptor

[gran398]

Good news...still a buyer's market.

If Marc is willing to go forward in your stead...all the better.

To the extent that this remains a buyer's market....a sincere low offer isn't an insult. Times aren't great.



Green money talks. The rest walks.

[pete]

found this on ebay.....http://www.ebay.com/itm/1995-Aquasport- ... 5d31427132

[flounderpounder225]

found this on ebay.....http://www.ebay.com/itm/1995-Aquasport- ... 5d31427132

That's her, 2 feet shorter than the one here, but a heck of lot cleaner   This one is going to need a "Lewis" cleaning like he did to his girl, and then a little glass work on the cap.  The engine busted off and ran great, good compresion numbers across all 6, (115 +/-) the starter didn't want to stay engaged long enough for a peak out on the compression tester, but it was heading for 120 on all cylinders.  Started before one revolution of the flywheel I'd swear.  Wingtime, has the pics, so we'll see.  Overall, a good boat I think, but definitely a good easy going winter project, to have her sweet looking by the springtime.

[wingtime]

Hats off to Marc for doing an unofficial survey of her for me!  Thanks Marc!  I have over 30 pics he took that I keep pouring over.  It needs some good cleaning for sure...  I don't thing the bilge has been cleaned in years...  all brown and yucky in there!  The usual black snodgy stuff on top of the fuel tank...  The motor looks really good!  Lewis paging Lewis for your cleaning tips!  Now i just have to sleep on it and make a decision.  I'll post a pic of the glass damage to get everyone's opinion on it.

[wingtime]

Here's some pics of the damage to the cap...  Looks like it hit a dock or something with something sticking out:







Purdy motor:



Here is a link to my album of all the pics on my photobucket account:  http://s80.photobucket.com/albums/j196/wingtime/1995%20245%20Explorer/

[Circle Hooked]

This boat has alot of potential, need some wiring and the guy didn't shy away from hitting things but that's all fixable if the price is right, and that motor does look clean, Wing you got some thinkin to do.

Marc just curious, did the guy mention why it has a 1998 motor on it ?

[pete]

Nice job on the "survey" Marc!Lots of cosmetic issues there,but could be a good boat,if the price is right.

[Group W Bench]

Wingtime,

The glass damage is not a difficult repair, as it is not into any nonskid pattern that has to be matched and blended. This is a relatively easy fix. Removing the cracking stickers and compounding/buffing is just a matter of a few weekends and a lotta cold beer. Good luck.

[wingtime]

Group W your right I'm not too worried about fixing the glass.  I have done it before grind it..notch it fill N gelcoat it.. then sand and polish... and like you said it could be in a much worse location..  The graphics are no big deal either...  I have removed and installed plenty of vinyl graphics over the years..  I have a vinyl plotter so I can cut my own or maybe I can score some tournament master graphics for marine surplus!  The bilge is nasty and WAY below what my standards are but I'm sure it will clean up...  The question is what can I get it for.

[RickK]

Marc just curious, did the guy mention why it has a 1998 motor on it ?

CH my '92 has a '91 engine on it.

[flounderpounder225]

This boat has alot of potential, need some wiring and the guy didn't shy away from hitting things but that's all fixable if the price is right, and that motor does look clean, Wing you got some thinkin to do.

Marc just curious, did the guy mention why it has a 1998 motor on it ?

Scott
No history on why the newer powerhead, it was on there when this owner bought it.  The mid-section sticker (according to the owner's mech) which I forgot how to decode the OMC rhyme... indicates the engine is a 95' model, but inside on the looper's exhaust hump it has the original OMC sticker that says model year 1998.  Maybe a powerhead replacement under warranty??

[wingtime]

Well, I slept on it last night.  I'm not 100% sure if it is what I want to do or not.  It is the size and layout boat I want with the all the accessories I could wish for with the exception of electronics.  Everything I would like to add to my boat such as a top, enclosed transom, trim tabs, hydraulic steering etc. is all on this one.  DO I take the risk with the $$$ outlay and then try to recoup as much of it as I can by selling my 200XF in a crappy market?  It is in rough shape but nothing I can't fix in the off season.  This is what was swirling around in my head last night.

I'm going to take the pics of the damage to a good boat repair facility today to get their opinion and estimate on the repairs to the damage.  At least I can take that number and take it off his asking price.  He's asking 9K but I'm thinking a good bit south of that due to the condition and my expenses to go get it.

[flounderpounder225]

Well, I slept on it last night.  I'm not 100% sure if it is what I want to do or not.  It is the size and layout boat I want with the all the accessories I could wish for with the exception of electronics.  Everything I would like to add to my boat such as a top, enclosed transom, trim tabs, hydraulic steering etc. is all on this one.  DO I take the risk with the $$$ outlay and then try to recoup as much of it as I can by selling my 200XF in a crappy market?  It is in rough shape but nothing I can't fix in the off season.  This is what was swirling around in my head last night.

I'm going to take the pics of the damage to a good boat repair facility today to get their opinion and estimate on the repairs to the damage.  At least I can take that number and take it off his asking price.  He's asking 9K but I'm thinking a good bit south of that due to the condition and my expenses to go get it.

Don't get the ping pong ball going back and forth in your head, the rig needs a lot of TLC, and some "more than TLC" work, along with around $400 trailer work.  Yes, it could be a very nice boat, just what your looking for.  Offer him 7K cash, and leave it at that, he takes it or not, if it's meant to be it will happen, if not, another one will be along shortly.  I know it's hard to not get wapped around the axle when considering a purchase of this type, so catagorize the repairs, set your $ limit and move on.  Just my advice

[wingtime]

Solid advice Marc!  

found this 1996 245 w/ twin 150' for sale...  Wants big money at $19,400.  Notice the single fish box cover.  Seems like they took a step backwards in 96.  http://www.portmansfieldrental.com/Page_2.php

[slvrlng]

How much does he want for that one?

Here is another one in Savannah. I actually saw this one a couple of months ago. Same idea (lots of cosmetic stuff) with the twin 150s.

http://aboatersparadiseinc.com/boatAqua96.html