Boat Buying Question: I’m looking at another boat tomorrow evening and would like your help. It’s a 1989 Alumacraft 16-1/2’ modified V with a 40hp Merc and a trolling motor 28 pound. 2...

Fish Dancer Loc: Guntersville, Alabama

I’m looking at another boat tomorrow evening and would like your help. It’s a 1989 Alumacraft 16-1/2’ modified V with a 40hp Merc and a trolling motor 28 pound. 2 pedestal seats and 2 regular seats. Steering wheel drive. Fish finder.
He’s asking $3500 obo. Does this sound like a good deal?
Thanks for your input. Any and all is welcome.

Grizzly 17 Loc: South central Pa

Hi. FD. Can't tell you about the boat but the 28lb TM if you get it any current it's usless. My glastron came with 55 fine in calmer water. I now have a 70 on both. Overall good job put stiff current I'm hurting. A guy from old club had a 101 n at times it wasnp enough at times 👍👍

J in Cleveland Loc: Cleveland, Ohio

Your a long way from me but I spent a ton of time looking at similar boats on Craigs List and Facebook. Around me that’s a $4,000-$5,000 boat if it runs.

Fish Dancer Loc: Guntersville, Alabama

Grizzly 17 wrote:

Hi. FD. Can't tell you about the boat but the 28lb TM if you get it any current it's usless. My glastron came with 55 fine in calmer water. I now have a 70 on both. Overall good job put stiff current I'm hurting. A guy from old club had a 101 n at times it wasnp enough at times 👍👍

Thanks for the information. I’d just be using the trolling motor near the bank of the lake and not out in the river current. Do you think it would work for that?

Fish Dancer Loc: Guntersville, Alabama

J in Cleveland wrote:

Your a long way from me but I spent a ton of time looking at similar boats on Craigs List and Facebook. Around me that’s a $4,000-$5,000 boat if it runs.

👍. He said he would put earmuffs on it and let me hear it run. He doesn’t get home from work until 7pm and he’s 30 minutes from the nearest water so I didn’t want to ask him to take it to the lake. Should I just give him a deposit until I see it float?

Sinker Rig Loc: Tampa area

Fish Dancer wrote:

Thanks for the information. I’d just be using the trolling motor near the bank of the lake and not out in the river current. Do you think it would work for that?

Probably.......if not you'll know real fast

Sinker Rig Loc: Tampa area

Fish Dancer wrote:

👍. He said he would put earmuffs on it and let me hear it run. He doesn’t get home from work until 7pm and he’s 30 minutes from the nearest water so I didn’t want to ask him to take it to the lake. Should I just give him a deposit until I see it float?

I wouldn't, if he's legit he'll find time to give you a test run

J in Cleveland Loc: Cleveland, Ohio

Fish Dancer wrote:

👍. He said he would put earmuffs on it and let me hear it run. He doesn’t get home from work until 7pm and he’s 30 minutes from the nearest water so I didn’t want to ask him to take it to the lake. Should I just give him a deposit until I see it float?

Sounds like a sound plan to me. Hard to really know what you have with a boat without getting it in the water. Need to make sure the water stays on the correct side of the hull! Good luck!!

Fish Dancer Loc: Guntersville, Alabama

Sinker Rig wrote:

I wouldn't, if he's legit he'll find time to give you a test run

Okie dokie. 👍

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

Fish Dancer wrote:

I’m looking at another boat tomorrow evening and would like your help. It’s a 1989 Alumacraft 16-1/2’ modified V with a 40hp Merc and a trolling motor 28 pound. 2 pedestal seats and 2 regular seats. Steering wheel drive. Fish finder.
He’s asking $3500 obo. Does this sound like a good deal?
Thanks for your input. Any and all is welcome.

Price is in the ballpark FD, if it runs good and all systems work. There's no telling how old pictures are, but it looks taken care of. It's the same age as my 14 and mine doesn't look that good. Trolling motor is a little small but is probably original. Back then 60 or 70 lbs was the biggest made. You can always upgrade. I'm not sure if it's lighting in the building, but the trailer looks rusty, but check it out. If he'll hold it till the weekend so you can give it a shakedown run, then give him a deposit, but get a receipt. Good luck buddy!

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Regardless of how it looks to you or in pictures, I would have a dealer give me a professional opinion of the rig, expecially the motor and trailer. You will not regret the money you spend on this test. There will be things you cannot possibly see that can pop up in a mechanic's examinaton and testing. Just Sayin...RJS

Fish Dancer Loc: Guntersville, Alabama

Robert J Samples wrote:

Regardless of how it looks to you or in pictures, I would have a dealer give me a professional opinion of the rig, expecially the motor and trailer. You will not regret the money you spend on this test. There will be things you cannot possibly see that can pop up in a mechanic's examinaton and testing. Just Sayin...RJS

Thanks Robert. I do that when buying a car. Hadn’t thought about doing it with a boat.

Fish Dancer Loc: Guntersville, Alabama

Fredfish wrote:

Price is in the ballpark FD, if it runs good and a... (show quote)

Thanks Fred. I’ll see if he’ll hold it. If not then I’ll walk away.

Fish Dancer Loc: Guntersville, Alabama

J in Cleveland wrote:

Sounds like a sound plan to me. Hard to really know what you have with a boat without getting it in the water. Need to make sure the water stays on the correct side of the hull! Good luck!!

Makes sense.

mbrillhart1957 Loc: Southeast Wyoming

My advice is probably worth what you are paying for it.
It looks like a pretty good boat. I think the price is a little high. I would offer him $2500 cash and see what he does. That's just me.
I like boat shopping in the fall. Three years ago I bought a boat in the fall. The seller was asking $4500. I flashed thirty $100 dollar bills in front of him and drove away with the boat.