I've been in the market for a boat for some time.  In the mean time, I bought a 2020 Tundra which has reduced my budget for a boat.  One of my fishing partners, whom I'd call a friend to some degree, wants to sell me his 1990 Skeeter 175 SF with a Yamaha 150 (running excellent as of now).  The plusses of this "vintage" lol, Skeeter, are that he is the 2nd owner and I know the prior owner as well.  Both have taken excellent care of the boat, stored either under roof or inside the whole time, not really a lot of usage, at least the current owner doesn't.  He has had it for 15-20 years (can't recall exactly) and uses it maybe 10 times per year and actually less the last 5 years or so due to health issues (which is why he is selling).  He doesn't run the engine hard.  He gets it serviced every year (change lower unit oil, other annual maintenance as needed), etc.  and any repairs done as needed.  He also had the transom rebuilt by a local very reputable fiberglass guy.  I guess they found some weak spots when installing a new jack plate. The floor and everything like that seems fine, no soft spots, original seats and gel coat all look good.  He has also installed hydraulic steering and approx. $3,000 worth of Hummingbird electronics which are 4-5 years old.  I forget the exact models but they were top of the line at the time with the DI and SI, 2 units, 1 at the dash and 1 at the bow.  Nice trolling motor, 74lbs MG I think...nothing special there.  Batteries in good shape and 2 new trailer tires and trailer is in good shape.  Rims have a bit of surface rust but that is it.

 

The negatives....despite being in excellent condition for it's age, it is a 30 year old boat.  In his non-educated on current boat values mind, he thinks it is worth $9,000.  In his mind, "it has $3,000 worth of electronics" on it.  I know, as I am sure you all know, the same models could now be had, probably under $1,000 used.  However, there is something to be said for the transducer package, installation and wiring....not sure what that would cost these days.  Also, that the transom has been rebuilt although this could as well be seen as a positive.  The guy that did it has been at the same location for as long as I can remember, it's a family business passed down through generations, all guys doing fiberglass work on boats and Corvettes.

 

Curious to see how you guys would approach this or if you would run away.  I'm thinking $5-$6,000 which in my mind is actually about $4,500 plus $1,500 of value in knowing the history of the boat pretty well.  A boat in this range would allow me to do some electronics upgrades over the next couple years.  I don't like the color, brown/gold and black, but was thinking I could get it wrapped in a year or 2 as well.  I've been out on the boat twice this year for day long trips and no issues.  My primary thinking is that this is gonna be the best I can get for under $10,000.

 

 

Personally I think your $5-6K is kind of on the low side considering boats right now have more demand than supply. You're probably going to have to settle somewhere in the middle to the higher end of his asking price...my guess. Maybe make $8K your budget and hope for $7,500? 

$5k is max on this boat.  I would offer $3500.  Its a VERY old boat.  I'd more apt to buy a tin boat with an unfinished interior for more, if it was in clean, good running condition.  There are a ton of mysteries in an elaborate bass boat, and tons of opportunities for failures.

Check the transom out carefully, it may be glassed over wood. Fast hull and decent ride, rod locker storage isn’t good for longer rods. 

Tom

3 hours ago, WRB said:

Check the transom out carefully, it may be glassed over wood. Fast hull and decent ride, rod locker storage isn’t good for longer rods. 

Tom

I have looked it over as well as I know.  It had been totally redone before but not sure how long ago.  I haven’t been able to find anything really wrong with it other than being an older boat.  It definitely is fast.

The OB is mounted with 4 bolts. Take 1 out and look to see if the transom is glassed over wood. Check the strength by trimming up the OB and move the engine back and forth using the lower unit. If you see the glass flexing or any dry rot in the open hole run fast.

Tom

12 minutes ago, WRB said:

The OB is mounted with 4 bolts. Take 1 out and look to see if the transom is glassed over wood. Check the strength by trimming up the OB and move the engine back and forth using the lower unit. If you see the glass flexing or any dry rot in the open hole run fast.

Tom

Awesome.  Thanks!

Just now, mheichelbech said:

Awesome.  Thanks!

Will it make any difference being mounted to a manually adjustable Jack plate?

How old and how many hours on the motor?  A good used Yamaha with low hrs. would bring the value up near his asking price.  If the motor is as old as the boat, $4000 to $5000 might be a fair price as long as the transom is in good shape.  Good electronics will help sell a boat, but does not increase the value by much.  If the electronics are not what you would want to keep, then their only value to you is what you could realistically get for them on the used market.

14 minutes ago, king fisher said:

How old and how many hours on the motor?  A good used Yamaha with low hrs. would bring the value up near his asking price.  If the motor is as old as the boat, $4000 to $5000 might be a fair price as long as the transom is in good shape.  Good electronics will help sell a boat, but does not increase the value by much.  If the electronics are not what you would want to keep, then their only value to you is what you could realistically get for them on the used market.

I don’t know for sure but I believe it is way below average.  The current owner used it maybe 10 times a year at most and less than in the last 5 years.  I do know he isn’t the type to really push it to max rpms and normally does a lot more fishing than running around.  The first owner didn’t use it much either which is why he sold it.