Found a extremely clean, especially for a 1983 model hydra-sport fiberglass boat with a 115hp 1986 yamaha outboard. I get really good vibes from the seller and of course would have the boat checked out by Mike Bristow here in Denton. The seller really wants to show me what the boat can do on the water, and he's put a lot of money in it...but I have some serious doubts about a boat this old. He's asking $3000 for the boat, motor and trailer...is it worth the risk even for a well taken care of 25 year old bass boat? Or am I asking for a cashectomy?

No, I wouldn't, but then again, I don't have a use for a bass boat (they don't make them big enough)...That being said, my family has a 30 year old ski boat that has been in the family since it was purchased new in June 1978. If the boat has been well taken care of and the engine checks out fine, and it's within your budget, why not?

i had an 18 yr. old BULLET. never thought twice about resotoring it. i new it would make me and eventually someone else a great boat (and it has).

if the transom is good and the gel coat is in good shape, and the motor has good compression,etc.
then go for it.

worth 3K. probably so. hard to buy an engine for that!

2 votes for yes...got me leaning in that direction...

Anyone else care to weigh in?

BigLeslie there are a couple of main items you need to check out first one is the motor, now it's a 25 year old motor so it may run for another 10 years or it may run one day. find out if you can get parts at a reasonable price and if any of the shops work on that late of a modle. The next is the transom of the boat, if it is weak then you'll have the cost of getting it repaired. One way to check it is trim the motor up and grap the lower unit and pull up and down on the motor if you see just the transom area moving a lot then it;s weak but if the whole boat rocks on the trailer then it may be ok. The problem with the transom is that they develop cracks either by stress or hiting objects with the motor when this happens water starts to sep into the wood causing it to become weak. So as i said if the transom seem ok then it's a gamble on the motor. I have a 1956 15 HP Evenrude on my flat bottom that runs great payed $150 for it years ago. The water pump went out about 3 months ago so i figured i would not find one or if i did could not afford it, went on line and found one for less than $20. So you never know, it would be a good deal i would offer $2500 tops. Hope this helps good luck.

So it would probably not be a good idea for me to lean my entire svelte 300lb frame onto the lower unit to see if the transom moves now would it? Probably be I break it I bought it! Guess I'll have to let Bristow inspect that!

If the motor, floor, transom, and hull are in good shape (like you said, have Michael Bristow be the judge), then go for it. I do think that $3K is a little high, unless there are some newer electronics or something like that.

How much stress do you think is on a transom when it is pushing a boat, hits a stump, bouncing down the road on the trailer, etc.? A solid transom should easily handle 300#.

True, but typically those are glancing blows and not continued stress...good point however!

Oh and yes, the fish finders are base models..but newer. It does have new tires, brand new steering cable, recently serviced electric starter thingy, 1year old batteries (3, new trailler wiring, and he assures me all the gauges, aerators and other typical problem areas have been fixed or still work.

Look up the old post by North Texas Fiberglass on my 1986 373V restoration or talk to Mike in person and look at the pics he has. I would tell you to go for it if the base boat is in decent shape.

Here's something that is often over looked on a bass boat and it's the live well open and close switches such as will the well hold water when in the close position, it may pump in fine but will it stay. Now if your not going to be fishing tour. you may not have be concerened if they hold or not. Just thought i would throw that in there it seems like a small issue but if you don't check it and you buy and get on the water an start catching good fish in a tour. and the wells will not hold water then it's a major big deal.

Great idea to have checked out.You can easily spend that much in repairs.Peace of mind and warranties can easily cost 10x's as much.If this boat suits your needs(including equipment installed) and checks out good,sounds like a fair deal.If you start adding new trollmotor,finders,etc. better keep looking good luck!

I owned a 20 year old Champion with a 20 yr. old 175 Merc. boat was a great boat solid performer. The ONLY thing I had problems with were electrical on the boat it's self. Sometimes I'd have to wiggle switches to get the lights on or whatever it was I was turning on. But for a $ 5,000.00/3,000.00 boat it was a great boat.
I moved up to a Steve's Bullet and it is not only a GREAT boat it is a VERY FAST GREAT boat, I'm loving it, and it looks so good my last guide that was with me on my boat guessed it to be 10 years newer then it is..........I'm saying if it all checks out and you don't mind some extra maintenance along the way.....jump on it!!
Other wise your only choice is to spend more money......

My current boat is an 87 and I picked it up earlier this year. Got it real cheap on craigslist. Boat and trailer, no engine. $400. Best $400 I've spent in a long time. Just because its older doesnt mean its a money pit. Depends on how it was cared for. This one belonged to Burleson Marine in Garland. Replaced all the pumps, carpet, trolling motor, which I already had, seats, and a few extras.

I've got a 1973 Glastron with a 70 EVinrude on her,I gave $25,yes $25 for it ,put 2 new batteries onit and new gas tanks and gas lines and will take it anywhere....ask anybody thats been in it with me....don't be scared of the age as long as it's solid.....age is just a #...lol