Seeking opinions on this Robalo
 

I am considering making this guy an offer. Checked the boat out today, but have not met with or spoken with the owner directly except by text. http://jacksonville.craigslist.org/boa/4894780450.html

The negatives: a few cracks and dings in the interior gelcoat, bottom is painted

The positives: 2010 4 stroke, very roomy for fishing or diving, enough seating to satisfy my wife and her desire to entertain friends on the boat, beefy hull should be good for running offshore

He's asking $16,250. I am thinking of offering $12,000 but would go up to maybe $14,000. What do you guys think about his ask and my potential offer?

Thanks,
Aaron

looks like a great deal, even at 16. only thing i know about robalo's are they are heavy. great ride and foam filled, even up the gunnells.

Looks great! I don't know what they're going for, but $12K-14K sounds good to me.

I believe some HP Yami's had issues with internal corrosion.

Suggest you check with:
1. Web sites such as The Hull Truth - for posts and information.
2. Call Yami dealers and ask - was this year and HP motor with internal corrosion issues ?
3. Ask how to check to be sure

The boat............take your time to check these and more.......
1. Transom - any signs of water intrusion.... swelling, bowing, movement inside or out
2. Hull - get under it and check for signs of repair
3. How does it sit in the water ? Scuppers above, and does the boat lean ?
4. How does it ride- you drive. Check throttle response and if it jumps on plane easily or labors.
5. Max rpm ? Appropriate full speed ? Steering pulls ? Tabs work ?

Be careful, don't rush, most all possible hidden issues come out if you do your work before deciding. ............And if seller won't provide water test, I'd walk.

I like the closed transom and that rear seat looks cool

my buddy had one for years. really nice riding hull.

Took a quick look at the boat today, but didn't make too thorough of an inspection because I was trespassing, lol. (Just knew from the pics where the boat was located and did a drive by). Talked to the owner. The number he will accept definitely will be above $14k, but I guess I'm willing to go higher, if everything checks out with the engine. I'm planning to run it Sunday. I guess I need to arrange to have it checked then, as well. The GPS is broken, so I have to (get to) look into that cost. It's listed on Boat Trader for $18k. Here's some pics of the gel coat blemishes.

Either get a survey done profesionally, or at the minimum get a moisture meter and go over the hull with a FINE TOOTH COMB as the saying goes. Being it's an 81 that has had a major redo, it will only be as good as whoever did the work. If it was done right, then it should be a good hull, but if stress cracks are appearing, the owner may know the restoration wasn't done right, and he is trying to unload it before it gets to the point the problems are obvious. EVERY old ROBALO I have seen has had water intrusion problems, and rotted wood. So the deal maker or breaker is was it restored properly or not? As to the engine, they are pretty good, but hang onto your but when it does need repairs. I've got a friends 05 225 here(no VVT), and some basic maintenance on it is going to cost him well over $500 for just the engine. Also make sure it has had the zincs kept up with as some of the bigger V6's had corrosion issues.

The best money you can spend on it BEFORE buying is a survey to make sure the resto was done right IMHO.

You gonna have enough room for all yalls tanks in there Aaron? Its def a little roomier than my F20 in the back but with three guys in mine and NO tanks its crowded. Im just thinkin your V is gonna have you spoiled with all that room you are used to.....

And I would cap it at 14k max..... 12 for the low-hour engine and 2k for a 30+ year old hull and no GPS is a stretch. I honestly think if your not in a rush you could find a happier medium with a much newer hull and maybe something with 500-1k hours on it

I agree with SSIRedfish. Also the fact that the bottom is painted is a red flag for me plus how high up the hull sides the bottom paint goes towards the transom. This is sitting at rest unloaded at a dock, how low does she sit when loaded with gear and 2-4 people with tanks, people climbing over the transom with gear in 2-4 foot seas?

I do like the rear transom seat layout, will this work for diving, and how does she ride with people sitting back there? She's already *** heavy with a 225 on a bracket judging by the bottom paint.

The t-top looks nice, but how heavy is it? Check where it's bolted to the deck and how. Any cracks or tea colored water stains?