i’m looking to buy a 1989 cajun bass boat and trailer it has a 50 hp mercury motor the boat and trailer look good but he can’t start the motor for me to see if it runs the motor turns over and the guy said it ran last year but when he tried to start it this year it was a star he’s asking $2800 for the boat I don’t feel I should pay full price for it if I do decide to get it since the motor doesn’t run I would like to get some advice on that I have a budget about $3500

Split the cost with him to have a mechanic give it the once over

4 hours ago, Bassboat1961 said:

i’m looking to buy a 1989 cajun bass boat and trailer it has a 50 hp mercury motor the boat and trailer look good but he can’t start the motor for me to see if it runs the motor turns over and the guy said it ran last year but when he tried to start it this year it was a star he’s asking $2800 for the boat I don’t feel I should pay full price for it if I do decide to get it since the motor doesn’t run I would like to get some advice on that I have a budget about $3500

Welcome to the forum

 

My approach would be to not buy the boat unless the motor started. If he can’t get it figured out, other boats will come along, albeit you will likely need some patience on a $3,500 budget. However, if you buy someone else’s mess you will quickly be spending far more, or you will have spent money to keep it on the trailer.

 

Good luck!

14 minutes ago, slonezp said:

Split the cost with him to have a mechanic give it the once over

Best advice you can get. 

2 options.  1. Take it to a mechanic and find out the condition of the entire rig including the motor on your dime or 2. Price the rig as if it has no motor because as it sits, it doesn’t.  It ran when is was parked is a red flag.  

If you can't run it, don't buy it.  "You" can be a mechanic or yourself, but no way, no how should you buy a lawn ornament unless you assume the motor is shot and your budget allows a fix.

 

I compression test 100% of everything I buy in addition to running it.  If that is beyond you I would highly encourage you to take it to a mechanic.  Not interested in someone elses screw up. 

3 hours ago, TOXIC said:

It ran when is was parked is a red flag.  

 

Doesn't much matter what it did when it was parked. It matters what it does when I'm standing in front of it. Buy the vehicle, not the story.

just my 2 cents but any 3500 bass boat is going to cost you WAY MORE in repairs, maintenance and upkeep. 

Option 1:

If I had 3500 and could not stand the thought of using a kayak I would say get a john boat on craigslist and hit up your local lumber yard and build a platform, slap down some carpet, Buy 2 12v batteries from walmart and a cheap trolling motor to either slap on the back or mount up front.  You can fish all day in the setup and fish a lot of areas other guys cant. 

 

option 2:

Don't buy a boat. Fish from the bank and rentals or other peoples boats or join a bass club and get hooked up with some guy that has a boat etc. Save that 3500 and add to it. When you have enough to either finance or buy outright get a boat that wont break. 

 

Option 3:

Enter a tourney that pays out a boat to a co-angler and cross your fingers. 

It could be something simple or the motor is garbage.

Only way to find out is have a mechanic look at it. Diagnostic cost for 2 hours about $250.

If you like it and it fits your budget, negotiating with the owner on the repair costs is the best advise you will get.

If the owner say no to a mechanic looking at it walk away.