Looking at 86 Cuddy

regidog · #1 09-23-2006, 06:52 PM

Looking for alittle direction. Looked at a 86 Cuddy with a (closed system ) merc 170, alpha I outdrive. Boat ran well, had a sea run, and no significant problems noted, but got a few concerns that could be nothing but I need to check them out before I buy. The floor in the rear by the engine hatch was soft. I stuck my hand through a notch in the stringer and the underneith of the floor didn't seem to be pulpy or wet. Is this area a common soft spot? it didnt seem to have much support so I thought it might just be a design problem, but do you guys with I/Os have similar problem? Also any word on the merc 170, not familar with this engine?

What do you guys think about 5K for this?

Mac_Attack · #2 09-23-2006, 07:06 PM

Trailer? *Looks real nice. *Was the bilge clean? *Looks like it has been well taken care of. *Offer him less but buy it! *Billy Mac *;D

brianct12 · #3 09-23-2006, 07:10 PM

Dog - that boat looks to be in nice shape. I dont have an I/O, so cant comment on the soft spot (though I doubt it to be a design flaw). $5k would seem to be a good price .. IF ... you are happy with the condition of the motor and you are getting a decent trailer with the boat. No trailer ... then just an ok price. But thats just me ... and I am a little cheap !

regidog · #4 09-23-2006, 07:10 PM

No trailer with boat, but i got one.

TheTinMan · #5 09-23-2006, 07:16 PM

Is that 170 a 470 Mercruiser? I have NO first hand expierence with I/O's (but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night :)) but I've read that the 470 can be troublesome. Do some research!!! I could be wrong....there's always a first :-/

Boat does look sweet though!

Good luck and hope it works out.

edit: just did a little research on the 470 and like everything else, mixed opinions, some love em and some hate em. It seems the earlier ones were the ones with trouble, not sure what years though. If I remember correctly it was the guys over at classicmako.com that were bashing them.

Mac_Attack · #6 09-23-2006, 08:25 PM

As far as the outdrive Alpha 1 is the one you want.

Some of my research:

http://forums.iboats.com/bbBoard.cgi...4;gtid=1170766

charlie_the_tuna · #7 09-23-2006, 08:31 PM

i have the same boat, year and all... different motor so no comment on that. my deck is solid by the box but a tiny bit springy near the cuddy door. looks very clean for the year. i would offer less... paid considerably less for mine. theres always more.

nice though.

regidog · #8 09-23-2006, 09:36 PM

I appreciate the replies. I am acutally going to check out another tomorrow that is the same engine setup, but three threes newer and used for family use only no hard fishing. Four months ago engine was fully serviced with new hoses, pump, tuneup, exchanger etc.. Less money as well. i'll update.

macojoe · #9 09-23-2006, 10:08 PM

Looks good, I have a 74 cuddy and I had to reinforce the area right in front of the engin cover cause it has a over hang with nothing to suport it. Not a big deal at all.

Good Luck!

brianct12 · #10 09-23-2006, 10:21 PM

Dog, Just something to keep in mind when looking at this '86 vs the '89 you mentioned. Wellcraft made a change to the floor in '88 I believe. They raised the floor up a good 2-2.5" in order to get a self-draining (overboard) cockpit. Might seem minor, but to me it is a big difference. I definitely prefer the deeper sides of the '86 - even if it means having the cockpit floor drain into the bilge. When your legs are leaning against the sides ... fishing in some rough water .... that extra 2-2.5" makes a difference - to me anyhow. However, I trailer. If you slip your boat, the overboard draining cockpit might be your preference.