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Boat worth fixing or sell? #11484358 03/17/16 11:53 PM
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Jaguar1 Offline OP
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The boat in my signature just broke down on me. One of the Pistons is froze up and it broke the wrist pin. Needs a new rod, sleeve, etc. mechanic quoted me $2,500. This includes a few other odd and ends as well such as new fuel lines. In trying to decide whether to sell it as is or to try to find the money to fix it. I'm a college student so there isn't much in the budget and it could take me till next year to come up with that money. What's it's worth in it current state as is? And what's it's worth rebuilt and fixed? Thank you. I can't figure out how to add pics.


20' 4" Bass Cat Jaguar
- 1998 200 HP Mercury EFI engine
- Motor Guide 24 volt 82# trolling motor with power Gator mount.
- Hydraulic jack plate
- Lowrance LMS 332 at console, X510 at bow.
- Super Dash
- Trophy 24 pitch prop
- Aurora custom Bass Cat cover
Re: Boat worth fixing or sell? [Re: Jaguar1] #11484877 03/18/16 03:16 AM
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JoeFriday Offline
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In my younger years when I had more time than money, I traded labor for money. If you like and trust the mechanic, have a heart to heart conversation with him and see if he is open to trade. Offer to pay for parts since that is real cost and see if you can trade labor for labor. Offer to work at his shop for an agreed number of hours. The worst thing that can happen is he says no, but it doesn't cost anything to ask.


This space for rent
Re: Boat worth fixing or sell? [Re: Jaguar1] #11484978 03/18/16 04:41 AM
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Bobby Milam Offline
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If it will take you until next year to pay for that, you'd probably not get enough money out of selling the hull to buy another boat. I'd learn to work on my own motor and atleast do as much of the work myself as I could and get the price down to a manageable amount.

Re: Boat worth fixing or sell? [Re: Jaguar1] #11484989 03/18/16 05:15 AM
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JMac-D Offline
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2500.00 is cheap, if he's a reliable mechanic than by all means save up, and fix it

Re: Boat worth fixing or sell? [Re: Jaguar1] #11485122 03/18/16 11:57 AM
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TLW Offline
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what would bother me is how he can give ya that kind of price with out takin' it apart plus ya gotta find and fix tha reason it went down.. lotsa things can change when ya get into it, then its gottcha.... lotta if's... but then again he might be just tha guy ya want workin' on it... we don't know..

like said ya can't replace tha rig at way better than twice tha money... probably take a beatin' sellin' it off a piece atta time and end up with a lot less boat.. justa bad spot ta be in..'specially this time of year...jmo

Re: Boat worth fixing or sell? [Re: Jaguar1] #11485564 03/18/16 03:21 PM
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bronco71 Online Content
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If the boat is in good shape and rigged like you want I would be looking for a good used motor, not hard to swap out on a boat.....


1987 Nitro MX185/Mercury Black Max 150
1999 Triton TX21/225 Mercury Optimax
Re: Boat worth fixing or sell? [Re: Jaguar1] #11487151 03/19/16 08:40 AM
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Jaguar1 Offline OP
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Thanks for the opinions guys. I'm considering looking for a good used motor. Although I'm a little scared to mess with the current setup I just may go that route


20' 4" Bass Cat Jaguar
- 1998 200 HP Mercury EFI engine
- Motor Guide 24 volt 82# trolling motor with power Gator mount.
- Hydraulic jack plate
- Lowrance LMS 332 at console, X510 at bow.
- Super Dash
- Trophy 24 pitch prop
- Aurora custom Bass Cat cover
Re: Boat worth fixing or sell? [Re: Jaguar1] #11487174 03/19/16 10:43 AM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 702
Rick Collis Offline
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Originally Posted By: Jaguar1
Thanks for the opinions guys. I'm considering looking for a good used motor. Although I'm a little scared to mess with the current setup I just may go that route

Hey man, I have got a 1999 Jaguar that I really like. I have a 2010 Mercury 250 Pro XS on it that I am about to change out for a 2014 250 pro XS. I got a really good deal on the 14 is the only reason I am doing the swap. The 2010 is for sale. It is a great motor in perfect condition and runs great. It is still on my boat so it can be tried out on the water. It has 545 easy hours on it. Asking $8000. for it which is about $2000 under book value. It would be an easy swap for you as everything will bolt right up. The only thing you would need is an adapter for the wiring harness.


Rick Collis
903-473-8820
Re: Boat worth fixing or sell? [Re: Jaguar1] #11487201 03/19/16 11:36 AM
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jbobo Offline
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At least you will have some time now while the boat is down to do your own labor, but your going to miss most of the spring fishing.
It is possible but not likely you will find a GOOD used motor for less than the $2500. to fix that one.
Buy a manual from Mercury (the expensive one, not Clymers) and it will tell you everything you want to know about how to work on your own motor. The best place I have found is marineengine.com or iboats.com to buy the manual and parts.
Like has been mentioned above, that is a cheap price for rebuilding that motor. Parts alone will be $1,200. to $1,500. if you provide the labor.
Also, as stated above, there is a reason the piston locked up. That will need to be addressed also. Lack of oil, over-heat, or reeds, any number of causes. And if one piston locked up, others are probably damaged as well.
And don't choose the cheapest mechanic, as there are so many who are not what they say. I have had many bad experiences with so called boat mechanics.
Ask around about other guys experiences with the mechanic you chose. If they are bad, people will certainly tell you. There are a very few who are good at what you need, and a lot of them who I wouldn't let change my spark plugs.
That is why I buy a good manual and do my own work on my motors.
Welcome to the wonderful world of the boat owner. Good luck.


22 ft. Wellcraft Deep V CC
817-220-2312
www.bobosthumper.com
Re: Boat worth fixing or sell? [Re: jbobo] #11487560 03/19/16 04:16 PM
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Originally Posted By: jbobo
At least you will have some time now while the boat is down to do your own labor, but your going to miss most of the spring fishing.
It is possible but not likely you will find a GOOD used motor for less than the $2500. to fix that one.
Buy a manual from Mercury (the expensive one, not Clymers) and it will tell you everything you want to know about how to work on your own motor. The best place I have found is marineengine.com or iboats.com to buy the manual and parts.
Like has been mentioned above, that is a cheap price for rebuilding that motor. Parts alone will be $1,200. to $1,500. if you provide the labor.
Also, as stated above, there is a reason the piston locked up. That will need to be addressed also. Lack of oil, over-heat, or reeds, any number of causes. And if one piston locked up, others are probably damaged as well.
And don't choose the cheapest mechanic, as there are so many who are not what they say. I have had many bad experiences with so called boat mechanics.
Ask around about other guys experiences with the mechanic you chose. If they are bad, people will certainly tell you. There are a very few who are good at what you need, and a lot of them who I wouldn't let change my spark plugs.
That is why I buy a good manual and do my own work on my motors.
Welcome to the wonderful world of the boat owner. Good luck.


Used motors are expensive now. If I found a used one cheaper than the cost to repair yours, I'd be afraid of it having it's own issues. I'm getting older now and prefer to pay someone to do the dirty work but when I was younger and broke, we used to learn how to fix our own stuff. Some things you won't have the equipment for and will have to have a mechanic to do but it'll almost be half the cost and you'll learn a lot about your motor in the process.

Re: Boat worth fixing or sell? [Re: Jaguar1] #11488445 03/20/16 02:36 AM
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txmasterpo Offline
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http://www.texasoutboardrebuild.com/index.html

This place will make it better than new for about 4500.....with a 2+2 warranty.... That's what I'd do.....


http://www.trccovers.com

"I am large, I contain multitudes."

Walt Whitman
Re: Boat worth fixing or sell? [Re: Jaguar1] #11490638 03/21/16 01:50 PM
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2500 for a rebuild is a trap price, especially sinice that includes fuel lInes and othe odds and ends. Once inside that motor at that price stuff will start coming up. Like was said parts would be better than half that price plus that price is before looking at the motor. You may be able to find a used motor with a bad lower to swap power heads on. Will be tough to find a working used motor in that hp rating that don't have serious issues.

Last edited by Dawson Hefner; 03/21/16 01:54 PM.

http://www.texasmegafishadventures.com
Guided rod and reel fishing trips for Alligator gar on the Trinity River as well as some other places
903-721-4296
dawson@texasmegafishadventures.com
Re: Boat worth fixing or sell? [Re: Droyhef] #11491124 03/21/16 05:27 PM
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Stump jumper Online Content
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Originally Posted By: Dawson Hefner
2500 for a rebuild is a trap price, especially sinice that includes fuel lInes and othe odds and ends. Once inside that motor at that price stuff will start coming up. Like was said parts would be better than half that price plus that price is before looking at the motor. You may be able to find a used motor with a bad lower to swap power heads on. Will be tough to find a working used motor in that hp rating that don't have serious issues.
+1, pistons will eat your lunch and he will not know until he pulls them


2200 Bay Champ/200 Mercury Optimax
2017 Tundra TSS 4x4 Crewmax 5.7L
Re: Boat worth fixing or sell? [Re: Stump jumper] #11492309 03/22/16 02:27 AM
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jbobo Offline
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Originally Posted By: Stump jumper
Originally Posted By: Dawson Hefner
2500 for a rebuild is a trap price, especially sinice that includes fuel lInes and othe odds and ends. Once inside that motor at that price stuff will start coming up. Like was said parts would be better than half that price plus that price is before looking at the motor. You may be able to find a used motor with a bad lower to swap power heads on. Will be tough to find a working used motor in that hp rating that don't have serious issues.
+1, pistons will eat your lunch and he will not know until he pulls them


I have used Wiseco pistons and rings. They are a good choice for the money, if you can get the right ones for your motor.


22 ft. Wellcraft Deep V CC
817-220-2312
www.bobosthumper.com
Re: Boat worth fixing or sell? [Re: Jaguar1] #11492517 03/22/16 04:22 AM
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Jaguar1 Offline OP
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Yeah it was a lot worse once the motor was pulled apart more. I don't think it's Worth rebuilding. I'm also in a position where I can't even afford a used motor. Somebody is about to get a good deal on a hull with most of the motor in a cardboard box


20' 4" Bass Cat Jaguar
- 1998 200 HP Mercury EFI engine
- Motor Guide 24 volt 82# trolling motor with power Gator mount.
- Hydraulic jack plate
- Lowrance LMS 332 at console, X510 at bow.
- Super Dash
- Trophy 24 pitch prop
- Aurora custom Bass Cat cover
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