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Conference vicki::boats

Title:Powerboats
Notice:Introductions 2 /Classifieds 3 / '97 Ski Season 1267
Moderator:KWLITY::SUTER
Created:Thu May 12 1988
Last Modified:Wed Jun 04 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1275
Total number of notes:18109

1253.0. "Info need on 1969 Chris-Craft Commander" by BLNOTE::RICHARDSON () Fri Apr 19 1996 11:07

Submitted for a friend:

I am currently looking at a all fiberglass 31' 1969 chris-craft 
commander with twin 427 chevys the boat has not been in the water 
for about 7 years,  but the owner says he started them every year 
since then.  I have heard them run and they appear to run ok, I was 
actually surprised that they ran at all, other than rot holes in the valve 
covers, some loose belts and after market electric fuel pumps they 
seemed to be complete. The problem is that I have heard that it will 
be very hard  if not impossible to get parts for the 427s, I can get the 
boat for $8,000 on a trailer. I am Looking for feedback on boat, 
engines and whether this is a good price for this boat.

Thanks
T.RTitleUserPersonal
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1253.1Do a little checking.FOR200::JOHNSFri Apr 19 1996 11:2413
    
    Sounds high for a '69 (IMO).
    
    Get a couple of copies of Yacht Trader. The 25' and up edition.
    You won't likely find the same year, maybe not even the same model,
    but there are alot of boats to compare to. See how the price compares
    to some of the older models.
    
    You can also go to the library and see if they have the marine blue
    books. Can't remember the name????  Jack? Any help here?
    Anyway, it lists trade in and resale (average) values for used boats.
    
    Garrison.
1253.2Good news and bad news...KAHALA::SUTERand now for something you'll really like!Fri Apr 19 1996 11:4526

	Not sure about the value, best to hit a few reference sources
as previously suggested...

	Here's what jumped out at me...

>>>> other than rot holes in the valve covers, 


	If the valve covers are rotted thru, what the heck do the interiors
of those engines look like? I'd be real leary. Are you (or your friend)
prepared to repower this boat$$$$$$? Engines don't like sitting around.

	If it were me and I decided I just had to have this boat (always
bad news anyway...) at a minimum, I'd run a compression test to get an idea
of the condition of the rings and valves. I'd also run them at temp above
idle for a while and check for leaks. Seals and gaskets really don't
like sitting around. If a complete rebuild or replace is needed for BOTH
engines, it quickly becomes "a hole in the water in which to throw money".

	As for parts... Are these Crusader engines? Parts should be available.
For instance, the OSCO catalog here on my desk lists exhaust mainfolds for
big block Chevy Crusaders.

Rick
1253.3My $.02CRONIC::SULLIVANMon Apr 22 1996 16:5321
  I'd agree with Rick, this is won ob dem times when a compression 
  test is mandantory. 

  Unless its a classic... Price does sound high. For the boat to be sitting
  around that long it should be priced slightly higher than a planter. As 
  was its job for the last 7 years if it was kept outside.
 
  Plus, trailers don't like sitting around either. My dad bought a boat many
  moons ago that had sat for 5 years. He got it cheap enough repacked the 
  bearings on trailer everything looked good, on its maiden voyage the 
  on the first bump the axle split in half from internal rot. 

  If you really want the boat and the hull passes the pounding fist test and 
  the engines the compression test... offer him half. Then if something 
  major happens you'll have enough money to be prepared and if not then you
  got what we call a good deal... Otherwise its what we call TOTETA

  Too Old To Even Think About

 -=Dave
1253.4It's the "BUC Book" !!NQOS02::nqsrv520.nqo.dec.com::fraschDon FraschTue May 07 1996 11:329
The book that gives you boat values is the "BUC Book"!! It will list a low to 
hi range for the particular make, model and year. Any marina that deals in 
boats will have one. Finance companies have them also (banks that do boat 
loans).

If you are serious, a marine survey might be in order. Around here, they 
charge about $8.00 a foot to do one. A surveyor will also have the BUC Book!

Don
1253.5What else can you buy for only $8K these days?USAT02::HALLRGod loves even you!Mon Jun 10 1996 21:016
    I beg to differ on some of the earlier opinions. A *complete* vessel of
    this size with no rot could be a real gem at only $8K though I can't
    imagine what size vehicle would be required to tow a 31' boat on a
    trailer these days.
    
    Get a surveyor though for piece of mind.