Thinking about buying 87 Capri - Advice needed

[Claude3rd]

Hello to all . I'm a new user here on BOC. I have never owned a boat bigger than my little Coleman Crawdad with my 5hp 1975 Sears Eska outboard.

My in-laws bought a house on Lake Sokokis in Maine, so I started looking to buy a boat to run around the lake and take the kids water skiing. I came across someone selling their 1987 Capri (OMC v8 305 i/o) with trailer, and titles for both, for $2,000. The boat looks great from the pictures on the ad, and when I asked for some details, aside form a soft spot or two, he told me this:

I went to take it out this past weekend and one of the lines for the trim was loose and he oil came out was told needed to be tightened and oil needs to be put back in which I have no clue how to do

Since I have no boat experience myself, I did some googling. This sounds like something I can handle, but does this explanation sound like something that could happen? This boat sounds like a deal, especially since he offered to take for $1500 since he needs the cash.

I can't add the picture from my work PC, I'll have to add them from my phone.


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[88fourwinns]

Lol.

A soft spot or 2 could mean that under that nasty carpet that has no place in an open boat the plywood deck is rotting. It is a huge job to repair. I did this job on my 88 Four Winns H-200 about 10 years ago and while it came out great and is still very solid Id never do it again. In fact I just completed a top end overhaul on the engine (new heads gaskets etc) and to me it was much easier. Also OMC has been out of business for about 17 years so parts are not as available as for a Merc or Volvo boat. Pass on this keep saving your money...

[FISHIN00]

Welcome to the BOC. Boating with the family is what it is all about. Since your a 1st time owner, I'm going to give you some sound advice. Walk away from this boat, wait RUN from this boat. This is a $1000 boat at best. Small Bayliners from this era are( In my opinion) very poorly constructed. Remember this is a 30 year old fiberglass boat that has issues. This $1500 boat could very well end up as a $5000 money pit. I would look for a far newer boat 2000 or better, if a Bayliner 160,170 Capri O/B or a 175 Capri with a 3.0 Mercrusier I/O. Lakes in that part of the country have rocks in them which are not kind to fiberglass boats. Maybe a nice aluminum boat is in order. When the family wants to go riding around,tubing, skiing, the LAST thing you need to be doing is working on the boat. When the family are happy boaters, newer and maybe a bigger boat usually follows.

[Claude3rd]

Thanks for input. I have started to look elsewhere on Craigslist at boats with Mercruiser engines. Since this guy is two hours away, I don't really want to waste a four hour round trip. I think I will back off from the purchase.

[Ruffryder]

Mercruiser

[wellington wilson]

Well all I can say is INSPECT! Two years ago I bought a 1989 2150 Capri BR with a 5.8 Ford V8. What a boat! 5,000 got me one hell of a big runabout that fits 6 easy and plenty of power to spare. The only thing that I wish it had was fuel injection but they only had 4bb carbs back then. Don't let the age fool you into thinking the wood is all rotted out, walk on, look, feel smell, pound with small rubber mallet, you will know when and if you find a problem.

[88fourwinns]

I'd really put it in my head that there are 2 kinds of used boats, used (ie 3-5 years old) and used up (the one you were looking at). And even though you will look at Merc powered boats, where parts and service are everywhere, do NOT buy a really old one of them either, because they are even more prone to transom leaks, worn out hinge pins and rusted steering arms than the OMC Cobra (I've had none of those problems even in salt water). If you want boating to be fun for your family (ie not wondering if it will start, will we make it back etc) then approach this like you were buying a used car. You wouldn't put your family in a 30 year old car and expect no issues right?
Personally I'd go for a 3-5 year old outboard powered boat, for less maintenance hassles, easier winterizing and a nicer boating experience. I/Os no matter who makes them are a LOT of work.

[Island Eddie]

A loose line means he didn't perform maintence very well......
That should be a flag, red in color.

[green650]

In good running condition, start of the boating season, that is a $2,500 boat. Up north it’s the end of the boating season, and sounds like that boat needs at least $2,500 in work...double that if you are not capable of doing the work and need to tak it to a shop. So, doing the math, that boat is worthless.