To buy or not to buy-needs transom

[mark1703]

I came on here because a 1974 V20 was offered to me for $1500/negotiable, boat, motor and trailer. It has an early 90s Mariner 125 on it. The boat is in decent shape except for the soft transom. After searching a little on here, I saw there is a problem with the transoms. Is it worth buying this boat and paying someone to fix it? I don't have to time to repair it myself. Anyone know a place in central NJ that could do the repair? I called one place and they said no less than $4500. Thanks - Mark

[charlie_the_tuna]

hey for $4,500. bucks i hope the guy wines and dines you first.

[Bygracealone]

Welcome to the site Mark,

CTT is right. $4500 is outrageous. You could buy a boat with a good transom, motor, and trailer for that much.

A couple guys on the forum have had their transoms done and can tell you what you should expect to pay.

[msbhammer]

Welcome to the site. Post pics. of the boat and transom.
if you plan on doing the transom repair yourself, there's several ways of doing it and this site can help, but only if you post Pics. ;D

[willy]

Mark I am in New Jersey and I can tell you that if you have a pro mariner around here do the job you are looking at between 4-5.5 G's for the job.
I agree it is an outrageous price but that is the price around here, I have talked with several people the past few years who either have done it at least priced it out. And remember you are paying a pro by the hour and it is a labor intensive job and the materials are not cheap, ask Hammer.
Now the good news is if you can get it and do the job yourself you will be OK.
If you are not going to do it yourself walk away and find another for a little more money maybe with a good transom.
Also the Mariner is a just ok engine and it is at the bottom of the power spectrum suitable for the boat.
Just my opinion.

[tsubaki]

Welcome to the site.
Go ahead and make your mind up if you are going to pay someone to work on and maintain a boat or are you willing to put blood and sweat into it.
This is an excellent chance for a project on an admiral boat.
Interested? Beat the price down to what your happy with.

[mauryc]

That job here in Louisiana would run about $2000 - $2500 (I checked recently). I had the transom done in my old 75' in 1993 and it was $1500. If you're not going to DIY, then I'd pass if your looking at $4500. Keep in mind however that probably any V you look at will have transom problems by now unless its been fixed already.

Good luck
Maury

[macojoe]

Offer him $500 and fix yourself, or move on to the next boat!
Lot of boats out there right now and for good prices!

Hell mine is up for sale and all you have to do is turn the key and go! I let it slip away for $4500
and mine is solid as a rock!!

CK it out:
http://www.wellcraftv20.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=for_sale;action=display;num=1187641 051

[tsubaki]

MJ's is a good example of a working V price wise.
Obviously a much newer boat would go for more.
The one your looking at after repairs would appreciate to this.
More food for thought.

[willy]

And just a different point of view from Flounder, you are talking to a guy who spenta year and a half sea trialing and checking litterally dozens of V20's and only a few had transom problems. Age does not soften transoms, water and poor maintenace does, as do storage conditions (trailer vs marina vs dry stack etc.)
Actually compared to some very expensive boats the V's have actually aged very well in comparison, especially if the above maintenance and storage listed was good.

[mark1703]

Thanks for all the info. I have another repair guy to call. Maybe the price will be a bit better. I just don't have the time to do the repairs myself. The seller is my brother in laws friend. I am hoping maybe he will tell me $500 and I can have it.

[msbhammer]

Post Pics. ;D

[willy]

He might because he will have a tough time selling it in todays boat market, especially with a bad transom and an old Mariner for a motor

[mauryc]

Willy, interesting point. I guess I've had just the opposite experience. I've had two and have been in three others through friends of mine - all with soft rears. I agree, its not the boat but how its taken care of that makes the difference.

Maury

[msbhammer]

Whats the gossip. Did you buy it or not ??
Post Pics. ;D

[mark1703]

I will see him this weekend. I have another fiberglass guy to call. I have been real busy and have not had time to do anything. I think he knows the boat is almost worthless in this condition. I am going to see how low he will go. I really like the design of the boat and would hate to settle for anything else. I will keep everyone posted.

[msbhammer]

If your not able to fix yourself, there are plenty of other one's out there for a cheaper price. Hell, grab MJ's V. ;D
But sell me teh bracket. :o