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A proposed trade for a boat...

WarbirdsWarbirds Member Posts: 16,943 ✭✭✭✭
edited July 2020 in General Discussion

A guy asked if I would be interested trading my bike for this boat...

It is a 20ft Morgan.

The “seller” said it “most likely needs to be cleaned up and the carbs rebuilt”. I’m guessing that means it does not run. He is valuing this boat/trailer @16 grand. Apart from his original message- we haven’t communicated and he was very brief- as if I don’t jump on this it will be gone...(standard sales chatter).

He wants to trade this boat for my Ducati. I presume he thinks he is getting the better end of the deal.

I kind of want a boat- but I am a full boat novice, but consider myself a very good mechanic.

On a scale of 1-10 how terrible of an idea is this? Im not worried about top dollar for the bike - but if I get a boat I would want it to be able to use at least a few times a month.


I’m not in a pinch to sell the bike or buy a boat. But I like the idea of a cheap boat where I could learn the ropes before buying a larger more capable boat.

What questions do I ask and what would I look for as issues?

Cheers-

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Comments

  • savage170savage170 Member Posts: 37,573 ✭✭✭✭

    If I want to go boating I rent one. alot cheaper in the long run

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  • Butchdog2Butchdog2 Member Posts: 3,834 ✭✭✭✭
    edited July 2020
    Boat motor mechanics are very proud of their work. Big $$$$$ spent fast. Now if it is just something minor the motor alone could be worth big$$$$.
    Don't think I would trade unless I had the motor inspected first.
    B-bust
    O-out
    A-another
    T-thousand
    Or boat = a hole in the water into which to throw money.
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  • varianvarian Member Posts: 2,265 ✭✭✭✭
    im not an expert by any means but ive owned a lot of boats.  i dont know what you mean by "more capable"  that boat there will probably handle more things than you would want to get into.  but with motor shown, i would go into the deal with one though, and that would be to repower with a new or much newer motor.
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  • GrasshopperGrasshopper Member Posts: 17,048 ✭✭✭✭
    Ohh my. Having had about 6 boats, there is a myriad of things come to mind. Looking at the pics it appears weathered as expected for an older boat. So it has not been housed very well. Steering free and loose? Those motors can be a rathole unless you really know about them. Bilge pump work? Lights work?  Trailer lights, tires all good?  IMO, and everyone will disagree is that I would want the motor RUNNING (owner does that) before I would trade anything and of course a test drive... 
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  • hillbillehillbille Member Posts: 14,464 ✭✭✭✭
    gotta agree with grasshopper, I would want to hear it run at the very least, would much rather take it out for a spin. the motor/trans is the big money  then there are the storage questions, do you have room at your house will HMO or neighbors complain?? or will you have to rent a place to keep it?  You could end up with twice or three time the price of motorcycle in something you may only use a few times a year. I think it comes down to how much are you really gonna use it, or as someone else has stated rent one and you won't have the ownership hassles......  good luck
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  • jimdeerejimdeere Member, Moderator Posts: 26,292 ******
    I wouldn’t do it, but that’s just me.
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  • buddybbuddyb Member Posts: 5,398 ✭✭✭✭
    Always assume the worst when buying anything with an engine that does not run.Seller will tell you anything.Plan to repower with a new 4 stroke in the 20 grand range.Never ever buy a boat until you put it in the water.It is very possible it will run after the carbs have been cleaned(Which you can probably do yourself) and fresh gas,but old big 2 strokes are problems waiting to happen.
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  • RidefarRidefar Member Posts: 317 ✭✭✭
    Don't walk, run.... and jump on your bike and get out of there.
    Way too many potential problems with that deal.
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  • htredneckhtredneck Member Posts: 182 ✭✭✭
    B.O.A.T. - Break Out Another Thousand

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  • dunbarboyzdunbarboyz Member Posts: 2,628 ✭✭✭✭
    Was it run in salt or fresh water? I think Mariner quit selling outboards in the states in 1994. A lot of age on the motor!
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  • bustedkneebustedknee Member Posts: 2,001 ✭✭✭✭
    My personal feeling is...its really tough fishing from a motorcycle.

    But I fish - already own a boat and don't own a motorcycle.
    I can't believe they misspelled "Pork and Beans!"
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  • select-fireselect-fire Member Posts: 69,541 ✭✭✭✭
    Take the boat by a boat dealer and get an appraisal. If the seller won't do that with you..Hit a gear on the bike
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  • pulsarncpulsarnc Member Posts: 6,569 ✭✭✭✭

    Without a water test drive I would run the other way .

    cry Havoc and let slip  the dogs of war..... 
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  • RobOzRobOz Member Posts: 9,523 ✭✭✭

    You will not lie on your death bed regretting buying a boat.

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  • spasmcreeksrunspasmcreeksrun Member Posts: 1,755 ✭✭✭
    happiest day is when u buy a boat....next happiest day is when u sell it..a boat is a hole in the water into which you throw money......one can get away on the bike for a mind rest cruise from the front door....a boat getaway has to find water first which only works with a lakeside home dock......i want an Opener Blackfly but they decided not to sell them..see u tube vid
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  • notnownotnow Member Posts: 1,860 ✭✭✭
    And unless you plan on paying a docking fee, you'll have to haul it wherever. Which means you're going to need an appropriate sized vehicle. Then there's insurance .......  I'd keep the bike and look for a decent smaller boat to start out with. That's a nice bike.
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  • victorj19victorj19 Member Posts: 3,642 ✭✭✭

    Suggest you check the price of similar boats on Craigs List in your area. Here are three in the Metro Detroit area.  All claimed to be running, center console, nicely equipped with electronics.  Always check the flooring and transom  for rot and hull cracks in older boats.


    1988 Wellcraft

    20'

    239 hours

    $12,500


    1996 Mako

    17' 3"

    90 hp Yamaha

    $8800


    2012 Mako

    22'

    225 hp E-Tec

    $16,900


    Jim



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  • Smitty500magSmitty500mag Member Posts: 13,623 ✭✭✭✭
    $16,000 for a boat with a motor that doesn't run, that they don't sell any longer, that's at least 26 years old at the min. I would be pissed off at anyone that thought I was that stupid.
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  • iceracerxiceracerx Member Posts: 8,860 ✭✭✭
    edited July 2020
    If you plan on fishing in the Gulf or ocean you're going to want at least TWO motors.   That's a hell of a place to start with your first boat, but I'm sure you'll get the hang of it.   Two motors allows for better control in the marina and if you venture into the Inner Coastal Waterway.  There are some seriously strong currents in that.
    Added: Mariner 225 Offshore = 25" tower circa 1996.

    Compression check
    Lower unit oil check (if it's a Fla boat you might not have to check for cracks.  Here in the Great White North it is common for water to enter the gear foot and freeze in the winter, cracking the lower unit.)
    Trim system inspection
    Check availability of carb rebuild kits

    Oil injection is a plus for a 2 stroke but adds to items to be checked (oil feed lines, oil tank, etc)  Blow an oil line and the engine will seize. That make for a long swim home.

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  • drobsdrobs Member Posts: 22,620 ✭✭✭✭
    Is that a trolling motor on the back?
    What's the HP?

    Rented a Ski Boat Monday and am renting a Pontoon Boat today.
    Our Lund just really isn't setup for swimming / more than 2 or 3 people.
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  • brier-49brier-49 Member Posts: 7,107 ✭✭✭✭
    Keep the bike !

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  • bullshotbullshot Member Posts: 14,741 ✭✭✭✭
    edited July 2020
    The cheaper the boat the more money it will cost you in the long run.
    If you decide on the boat, take it to a marine mechanic, pay the $100. - $200 an hour charge and find out what it really needs.
    A couple hundred bucks up front will save you THOUSANDS down the road.
    Been there, done that ................................. too many times.
    NEVER buy a boat that doesn't run, if the solution was easy or affordable, he would have already fixed it
    "Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you"
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  • Chief ShawayChief Shaway Member, Moderator Posts: 6,290 ******
    "Guessing carbs need cleaned". 
    Could be that easy and cheap or need new power packs which are not cheap at all. 
    You would basically be trading for just the boat and trailer. 
    Know what a new motor will cost to rig the boat and be prepared to spend that much extra. 
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  • Sam06Sam06 Member Posts: 21,244 ✭✭✭✭
    I'd pass.

    Sell the bike and start looking for a boat.  Buy it in the off season, make sure you see it run.  If you are going to go out in the Gulf or the Ocean 2 motors are nice.  You can get away with a main engine and a long shaft kicker for trolling or emergency's.

    Main thing is get it checked out and see it run.
    RLTW

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  • NeoBlackdogNeoBlackdog Member Posts: 17,306 ✭✭✭✭
    Maybe trade for a boat, but not that boat.  
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  • chollagardenschollagardens Member Posts: 4,614 ✭✭✭
    bullshot  posted;  The cheaper the boat the more money it will cost you in the long run.
    HA HA HA HA.......OH YEAH
     You forgot.................. "and work"

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  • TANK78ZTANK78Z Member Posts: 1,369 ✭✭✭
    edited July 2020
    that boat is way over priced for what it is, as it is, In this day and age not with more than $5,000 with the trailer. it will cost you way more then it it worth to fix it and keep it running, and you won't get your investment back unless you find that one special person with little to no knowledge about boats, and money to burn. there are tons of used boats on the market, most over valued by the sellers, all with some problems that are " fine and only need minor fixes" and they sit for months to years on end waiting to be sold while continuously losing value monthly . an old boat is a costly boat to maintain, and a new one is no small hole in the water that you continuously pour money into, ask me how I know, RUN away Forest Run... Run... 
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  • Beagler410Beagler410 Member Posts: 22 ✭

    If it were me, i would sell the bike and buy this one....provided its in decent shape.


    2012 Mako

    22'

    225 hp E-Tec

    $16,900

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  • Beagler410Beagler410 Member Posts: 22 ✭


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  • Grunt2Grunt2 Member Posts: 2,524 ✭✭✭✭
    You don't buy a used boat...you buy a motor...I wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole...!
    Retired LEO
    Combat Vet VN
    D.A.V Life Member
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  • GrasshopperGrasshopper Member Posts: 17,048 ✭✭✭✭
    Come on now, lets hear what your thought is now.!! A guys gots to know.
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  • Don McManusDon McManus Member Posts: 23,702 ✭✭✭✭
    A new Yamaha 90 HP outboard is going to run you around $ 10,000.00.  Not sure what you are going to be doing with the boat, but can't imagine putting anything smaller than 90 HP on it.

    I would not want to get too far offshore with a questionable motor.

    I would pass were I you.
    Freedom and a submissive populace cannot co-exist.

    Brad Steele
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  • WarbirdsWarbirds Member Posts: 16,943 ✭✭✭✭

    Thanks guys-


    Sounds like a run, don’t walk situation.

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  • MrMag00MrMag00 Member Posts: 532 ✭✭✭
    Where's your sense of adventure?  What is the duc worth? Is there clear title to boat and trailer, have the property taxes been paid? Depending on your state, depends how they tax that thing. 

    I look at the boat and see a $3,000 boat and trailer if the paper is in order, and I see a $5k duc. If the boat is set up the way you like it for what you wish to do, all bets are off. It might be a cheap way to get into what you want. If the motor turns over with compression, repairs shouldn't be horrible if you do the work, which you say is in your wheelhouse. 

    If you can do paint and fine tuning, you could fix it and get it running and sell for maybe $10k. Lots of work and steep learning curve. Appears to be a fresh water boat. Sometimes free boats are a bad deal. 

    What is the hull? Chopper gun or hand laid fiberglass? Is the fuel tank rusted/corroded? How faded is the dash and upholstery? All that adds up by the thousands. 

    I actually like the boat, but I doubt the paper work is in order. How long did the guy own it? Is he young or an old guy who just gave up on it? Lots of little tells, that might make this a good deal. But yeah, bring a boat guy by for a second opinion and get the wife to sign off on it too. 

    I bought a Bayliner Buccaneer, kept it in the marina in Los Angles area. Never regretted it, stuck lots of money in it and was emotional the day I sold it. I definitely lost money on it, but that thing saved my life by having a place to go when life wasn't fun. Boat people are  an interesting bunch, and you are paying admission to the club.  See if you can squeeze a thousand out of him plus the boat. 
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