Should I - 1987 Seville

[Crave1957]

Hello All,

Thinking about buying 1987 Seville. We want a cheap runabout ski boat. Boat is coming from a friend has been well maintained and dry stored during winter. Has 3.0L engine, Alpha One outdrive. Motor needs to be rebuilt or a new long block dropped in. I am out of town and cant examine completely. I am comfortable with engine issues. Here is where I am concerned. I am told the floor has softness in the middle between seats and around anchor locker. The sole and flooring it seems I could fix. My question is since floor is soft does that mean the stringers are also most likely gone?
Purchase price = $700.00

Thanks for the impute
Mike

 

[Jay Gilman]

I would!

 

[Newman]

I would say it is impossible for anyone to make a prediction on the stringers. If the rotted area is small and not been around for a long time you have a better chance of them being ok.

I have an '86 and the motor is a breeze to work on compared to what I've seen with these cruisers you guys have. I have read that mine should get about 4mpg. but I have not checked it. Even with the 4cylinder she hauls ass. Well, at least to me. I get speeds of 45+ but I think I might be over propped.

 

[Ten Years Gone]

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[Crave1957]

Ten Years ....I get what you are saying. But there are always exceptions and I would never buy a boat expecting to get money out! LMAO. Guess just need to look at stringers somehow. If you look at the boat in my picture its an 1984 270 and it kicks the current 270 versions ass in every way...yes I have $$ in but I am on the water for a fraction of the cost in a better boat.....That's what I am after here
That said I do not want a stringer project so your thought's are well noted

 

[Ten Years Gone]

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[390x]

My father in law just completed a full gut and rebuild of a 1987 Seville. He had the entire guts of the boat out. I told him it wasn't worth it, but he's had the boat since new and it has sentimental value. He did it for a project (he got all of that!).

I agree, everyone I've ever seen needs work like this. Our local SR dealer won't even take a Seville on trade....They haven't for years.

 

[Crave1957]

Good to know I was wondering about the access for inspection.

 

[Chris Nowell]

I might be wrong but I'd have my doubts that a three litre engine would be much fun with a boat load of people and a skier attached to the transom. We had a 22 foot '86 Seville with a 4.3 in it and we thought THAT was underpowered. Guess it depends on the size of the boat. Also, if it's saturated with water it's going to weigh a heck of a lot more too. I'd pass on it and look for a turnkey boat.

 

[Ten Years Gone]

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[dburne]

My previous and first boat, was a 1990 180 BR. It too had the soft floor, and after it started taking on some water in the transom area, took it in to a fiberglass shop and had it checked out real good, everything was rotting including stringers and transom. It was sold for parts, and has since been hauled off to the dump.

 

[mperlst216]

I agree with Ten Years Gone. If this boat has the original stringer/transom, I bet they are shot. Renovating the boat yourself is a very time consuming and expensive project. Having it done by someone else is very expensive. Been there, done that. I would not take this boat if I was paid to take it. Another easy test for the transom being shot is to stick your finger in the drain hole and poke around. Is the wood core gone or soft(I bet it is)? Complete waste of time and $$$. IMHO.