Help with purchase. Maycraft

[Big-G]

2003 18ft CC Maycraft 20 hrs. on 90 hp Johnson. Husband died after using boat only 3 times. Widow's agent wants $9,995.00. Has been under cover. Shows like new boat. Motor has been serviced (carbs cleaned etc.)

Two issues: don,t know anything about Maycraft; and the Johnson has not been a motor of choice for most boaters lately.

Would like a nice V20 (I've been looking hard for several months) but have not been successful

Thanks in advance for any input.

[bradford]

Sounds like a good deal to me. Johnson no longer manufactured which is probably why you don't hear about the new ones. Go price a new Maycraft, or any 18 ft boat for that matter, with the same options and tell us the retail price.

[Destroyer]

Well, it's really impossible for us to do anything but say it's impossible to do anything. More data is needed. What year is the boat? What year is the engine? What is the asking price? For that matter, what kind of water are you planning to use it on? Have you heard the engine run? Have you done a compression test? Does it come with a trailer for the price? Have you checked for soft spots on the floor and have you done a "bounce" test on the transom? Without those items being done it's really impossible to give you anything more meaningful than a guess as an answer.

[THEFERMANATOR]

You say it's an 03, so I'm guessing the engien is also an 03. If it is what they say it is it could be worth it, but in my opinion the single WORST thing that can happen to a boat is to sit. 11 years old with only 20 hours would actually scare me worse than an 11 year old boat with 2000 hours on it. Rust and corrosion happen when metal parts set, and when an engine sits long enough it can happen to the internals of the engine. It will look spotless on the outside, but be a rustball inside. Best thing you can do BEFORE even making an offer is find a surveyor or somebidy to take al ook at it who knows boats(espescially what to look for on boats that have set).

[Big-G]

Originally Posted by THEFERMANATOR

You say it's an 03, so I'm guessing the engien is also an 03. If it is what they say it is it could be worth it, but in my opinion the single WORST thing that can happen to a boat is to sit. 11 years old with only 20 hours would actually scare me worse than an 11 year old boat with 2000 hours on it. Rust and corrosion happen when metal parts set, and when an engine sits long enough it can happen to the internals of the engine. It will look spotless on the outside, but be a rustball inside. Best thing you can do BEFORE even making an offer is find a surveyor or somebidy to take al ook at it who knows boats(espescially what to look for on boats that have set).

Great advice! Thanks. I was planning a look see today with the agent but based on your advice and some experience I will pass on this boat. Some sucker will come along and pay the $9,995.00.

I like the Maycraft lines and will probably go for a new one. $22,000 or so but a splurge I can handle and my wife is "on-board".

[Big-G]

Originally Posted by Destroyer

Well, it's really impossible for us to do anything but say it's impossible to do anything. More data is needed. What year is the boat? What year is the engine? What is the asking price? For that matter, what kind of water are you planning to use it on? Have you heard the engine run? Have you done a compression test? Does it come with a trailer for the price? Have you checked for soft spots on the floor and have you done a "bounce" test on the transom? Without those items being done it's really impossible to give you anything more meaningful than a guess as an answer.

The year is 2003 (see my original post). The year of the engine is the same. Asking price is also in the original post. Planning to use in salt eater. Haven't heard the engine run but have been assured it is like new. Comes with a trailer. No soft spots.

I'm asking an opinion based on the info. I provided. This boat is effectively new.

[THEFERMANATOR]

Originally Posted by Big-G

The year is 2003 (see my original post). The year of the engine is the same. Asking price is also in the original post. Planning to use in salt eater. Haven't heard the engine run but have been assured it is like new. Comes with a trailer. No soft spots.

I'm asking an opinion based on the info. I provided. This boat is effectively new.

Usage wise it is new, age wise it is 11 years old. That isn't neccesarily bad, but the sitting scares me the most. Dry rot is a terrible thing as well as rust and corrosion, and these things set in the worst from setting.

[Big-G]

Originally Posted by THEFERMANATOR

Usage wise it is new, age wise it is 11 years old. That isn't neccesarily bad, but the sitting scares me the most. Dry rot is a terrible thing as well as rust and corrosion, and these things set in the worst from setting.

Your advice has been passed on by several other seasoned boaters. See other responses. The major part of my experience with boats goes back 50+ years as a mate with my father (Trawlers and gill netting). All wood. laying idle was no good for them either.

Thanks