Should My Friends Son Buy This Boat?

[george]

Hello NYA,

I'm trying to get your opinion on a boat that my friend's son is looking at. He's never been a boat owner, but he's bright and safe and I'm confident he will do what it takes to be successful. I honestly have no clue what the value of the boat is?

He's been told that every rivet bolt and wire has been redone and it was just repainted.

The hull is a 1989 Steigercraft 22 foot long with an 8-foot beam and it's powered with a new 200 Suzuki.

The seller is asking for 35K

 

[AllyKat]

Wow that is awfully nice. Just on looks alone it seems like a good investment, and has brand new power sure takes alot of worries away. He will scuff it up around the docks and such but it is an older hull so its not a big deal. As usual, have a pro survey it to make sure there are no hidden problems....if its good to go, and he has the desire to throw bucket loads of money into this obsession.....go for it.

 

[Fluke Whisperer]

The engine new is about 15k installed, the price is steep, I would see how much room for negotiation there is, I would also have it inspected before I did anything, paint can cover a magnitude of damage, not saying there is, but I would open every hatch, nook and crany, also would do a moisture test on the transom, better safe than sorry.

 

[Capt13]

Price is very high, ...... I agree with Fluke Whisperer. I redid the deck on my 1990 Steiger. The tank was shot, foam waterlogged and plywood wet. I would want to know who did the work and I would want to see photo documentation. The transom on mine is now in need of replacement as well. It had that aluminum cap on the transom when I bought it and water was getting in. I removed that and glassed it but I think the damage was already done. Moisture meter can tell you a lot .... even the cheap one from harbor freight does an ok job. I would ask to see the boat in the water. Water line close to the scuppers would lead me to believe the boat might still be heavy with wet foam and plywood.

 

[Double Trouble]

I would not go more then 25000 if it passes survey engine is worth 16-17000.The hull is not worth more then 8000.

 

[Roccus7]

Water line close to the scuppers would lead me to believe the boat might still be heavy with wet foam and plywood.

Isn't that classic Steiger design, scuppers very close to the waterline? My buddy had a late 80s Steiger Chesapeake 25' I/O bought new, and actually built plugs for the scuppers he would put on and take off. He even had asked Steiger to put his deck at least 1" higher than the "normal" models so the scuppers would be higher...

 

[Capt13]

When I first got my hull I had to use plugs in the scuppers. Sitting with no one aboard, no water came in. As soon as I stepped in the boat, water was in and out of the scuppers. When I redid the deck, I ended up pulling out about 600 lbs of wet foam out. I did raise the deck 3/4" but there was a noticeable difference in how much higher the boat was floating.

 

[Chinacat]

I had an early 80's 19' Steiger CC that was actually 1 of the first off Al's line when he started out.
great hull but in those days it had lots of wood stringers that had some issues over the years.
I'm not sure when they transitioned from wood stringers to full composite but you might want to double check.
All that aside, $35K seems high to me too....

 

[Old Mud]

I agree with most of the above. My feelings are about 30% to high for a 1989 hull. A survey should be done on any hull that old. Wet area's are a good possibility especially in the Transom, Stringers and deck. pretty common in fact. It's nice to see her all gussied up but you do want value for your money.
The other thing to consider is his age. Never have owned a boat and getting one with 200 hp. That is a learning curve that no one should have alone. Much instruction should be available to him. JMHO.

 

[BoatGuy]

Spend the money and get the a boat surveyor

Marine surveyor

I have a friend looking to purchase a boat. Does anyone have a marine surveyor they have used that they would recommend? I can't take the boat out now. But a pre-inspection may be prudent. Thanks!

nyangler.com

Steve can help you determine the quality of the boat and help you determine if the price is fair. Steve is great.

Don't guess....Know!

 

[Capt Richie]

I have a 23 mako with a F225 yami 2003 & 84 hull great shape 12k

 

[BoatGuy]

BTW: I believe Steiger craft has a lifetime hull warrantee. Plus they are a Long Island company. So if there is an issue with the hull you can call them.