Im torn between a couple of used boats im looking at - both 20 year old (but solid rep) hulls.
boat 1 has a 2001 yammy 115 4 stroke, but is a rough looking boat. no cushions, needs paint, a windshield, and a little fiberglass work. No electronics, unless you want 1k more for a lowrance sidescan w/ gps, which puts it out of my budget for now.
boat 2 is an immaculately kept identical hull year except exceptionally kept and with new everything (bilge pump, t+t motor, battery, newly recovered seats still in plastic, recently rebuilt trailer), but has a 20 year old merc 120 2 smoke… 10% cheaper than the other boat.
If you are me, do you buy the rough boat/yammy 10 year old power and add/finish little chunks of stuff as time permits? Or do you buy the boat with 20 year old power (with all books, maintenance records, etc) knowing that it is very well kept but that you may have to repower?
Am I being a fatalist assuming that the merc 120 will explode as soon as I hand over the cash? Because other than that terrifying thought I am leaning towards the nicer kept boat and saving $ for a used yammy.
If the boat is in rough shape it’s a sign of rough treatment and poor maintenance. Don’t always rely on the age but on how it was taken care of. That newer engine has probably a better chance of a blow up than the older one. If you take care of it and do proper maintenance the older motor should last years without problems. There are still plenty of 50’s and 60’ models running around.
I’d go with the well kept boat. You can’t tell by looking at a motor if it is well kept or not, but the boat should be a good indication that the 2001 Yammy was not well kept if the boat it is on wasn’t. That 20 year old Merc has obviously been well kept or it wouldn’t still be here. I’d go with that set up.
Which ever you choose, before you hand over any $$, pay ChrisV or your favorite shop to check compression and check other ‘soundness’ checks, play in foot unit, check foot oil plug for metal debris… etc.
keep looking
i wouldnt buy either one
a 20 year old merc 120 in good running condition has a value of about $1000
subtract that from the price, and would you pay that for the boat without a motor
I bought an 86 wellcraft V20 with a 175 Merc about two years ago (from Chris V). It was rough a little rough and needed some minor repairs, but the Hull but I had to do some trailer repairs, new fuel lines (and fill hose), bilge pump, and some minor gel coat repairs. Ran the boat for 8 months and the prop spun the hub and blow the motor. Ended up getting a 98 Evenrude 200hp on a junk boat for $1000. I love the boat and it fishes well for what I do (striper fishing on murray) but be aware when you buy a 20 year old boat and motor you will spend money and time fishing things. For me it was the best option because it put me on the water right away with the money I had to spend and I could put money into it as I went.
I don’t figure cosmetics into 20yr old boat comparisons. Focus on the engine and structure. A 2001 F115 that’s been rode hard but still running okay and no bad corrosion is worth 4 grand. A well-kept '91 120 merc cream puff is worth a grand as Chris said.
The merc boat should be 3 grand cheaper. Accessories don’t matter to me as a buyer. They’re what I consider part of “maintenance.” Going to have to replace them every few years regardless… so what’s the difference between now and 3 years from now in the grand scheme of things? The seller may care about all that new stuff he just dropped money on in order to sell the boat easier, but as a buyer, why does this matter to you more than the same rig with an engine worth 3 grand more being up the road for 10% more? Surely we are not talking about 30,000 dollar rigs here… if not then the F115 is a better deal IF it isn’t worn out or abused.
A couple things make the merc 120 more appealing. The upkeep, lower taxes, and already mounted on the boat. However, only 10% less? Not worth it to me. I’d try to get it cheaper…
This is obviously from a buying perspective.
10% less for the merc rig isn’t cheap enough. I would be after the better deal, which could be the F115 AS LONG AS regular maintenance has been performed. The F115 isn’t tolerant of laziness like the 120 merc… so hours and computer history on the F115 would be highly important to me as well as maintenance history.
I dont think age has alot to do with the boat as long as it has a good transom and made by a rep mfg. I have a 70 Bertram,a 71 Waler, a 70 Glasmaster and a 91 Carolina skiff. The older boats have no tax bills at all!The Bertran has new inboards, that did not add to tax bill. The Waler has used motor off a wore out boat and has no tax, but the Glassmaster has new 250 E tec wich the tax man is burning me on.Buy the Yamaha boat, it has more bang for the buck, The Merc might run good now but the saltwater has done its due! I have had both and the Yammi will last longer in SW. Cheeper to work on boat than motor!