Boat purchase gut check

[birdboatboy]

Hi All,

I'm all set to purchase a 2003 SSLXi. It's a long way from me, so before I head out for a weekend of driving I wanted some outside review of the boat. Here's a link to pictures:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/fPoSty3HYuANFBf46

It's a 2003 SSLXi with pretty much all of the available Wakesetter options added. Has about 460 hours on the 335 Monsoon. One owner who really knows the boat and can tell its history well. No major issues encountered, just routine maintenance. Seems like it’s been used rather than babied, but not abused.

Anything here that pops out as an issue? My top concerns are the exterior dock rash and rubbing (likely removable with polishing and re-waxing), starboard rear corner rubrail looks chunked out, rust on the trailer prop cage and fenders, and then just the overall interior condition but I think most of that is just in need of a good cleaning. Any thoughts on a price to verify where we've agreed on?

Thanks in advance.

Edited July 9, 2020 by birdboatboy

[UWSkier]

I don't see any showstoppers there above what you've indicated.  The marks on the upholstery in the bow likely won't come out.  Most of the rest of the upholstery looks ok, not great, not terrible.  I noticed there are a few missing snaps, which is the crappy part about snaps.  Engine looks pretty clean.  Small bit of rusting on some of the cooling line fitting elbows into manifolds but that's fairly normal.  Gauges are all at 0 which suggests to me they all still work.  That combo PP/tach gauge might not work, or if it does, it probably won't for long.  I don't know of any of them still kicking.

[birdboatboy]

Awesome insight. What’s the fix for the gauge when it fails? Cost? (Edit, I searched and found the discussions on fixes and replacement).

 

Any thoughts on a fair price?

Edited July 8, 2020 by birdboatboy

[Eagleboy99]

What's the asking?

[birdboatboy]

Asking was $25k on SIA. We negotiated from there, curious what the collective thinks.

[jk13]

Boats right now are fetching top dollar and then some. My cousin linked me three boats and all were gone within two hours. He got the third one within 45 minutes of the ad going up. 
That boat three years ago was a 23-25k ask. Last year there were a couple at or just under 20. I think if you got it around 22-23 in the current market you did OK. Shame it has all those snaps on it (ripped shorts, stress cracks, and tear outs) but there’s threads on here with fixes for that if you decide to go that route. 
 

Congrats on the purchase! Probably the greatest family crossover boat of all time. 
 

[Eagleboy99]

1 hour ago, birdboatboy said:

Asking was $25k on SIA. We negotiated from there, curious what the collective thinks.

Anywhere near that is a good deal IMHO.  Great boat.  Enjoy!!!!

[birdboatboy]

Thanks for the additional thoughts, I hadn't even thought about how much I would dislike the snaps, but I totally see it. Shopping used is so hard.

[Eagleboy99]

We have snaps on my RLX for the tonneau.  Not my first choice, but you will live. 

[birdboatboy]

14 hours ago, UWSkier said:

  Engine looks pretty clean.  Small bit of rusting on some of the cooling line fitting elbows into manifolds but that's fairly normal. 

And further any thoughts on this? Seems like there is a bit more rust on some parts than other engines I’ve seen of the same vintage. 

[85 Barefoot]

didn't look abnormal to me.  Get a steel brush, engine paint, and a 6 pack and clean it up this winter.

Those hours (low), w a tower, in fair to good condition, w an outdated perfect pass (keep in mind, you can't just replace the gauge you'll have to do a new module too w GPS), I'd say fair number is 17-19 most years, 20-22 this year.  There was a nice green one in Wisconsin a few weeks ago for 17,500.  1000 hours as I recall.

[Steve B.]

The boats condition looks almost identical to my 02 SS LXi. I bought mine 4 years ago with a few more hours for a little less than 23K. I have the Titan 3 tower and a very nice stereo. I dont see anything glaring. Have you gotten a lake test on it yet?

Steve B.

[John I.]

That SSLXi has a lot going for it! Classic color scheme, relatively low hours, wedge, shower, heater, 2 jump seats...  As you said, boat appears to be used but not abused. Assuming it checks out in person, I think anything under $25K would be fair. 

Note the left trailer fender looks like it has been damaged on both the leading and trailing edges, and the carpeted wood inside of the fender probably needs some attention. Nothing too serious. You indicated that you had a long drive ahead of you, so I would caution against getting too excited about towing the boat back home without ensuring that tires, wheel bearing, and brakes are in good condition. 

BTW, the combo PP/tach gause still works in my '01. 

 

[birdboatboy]

Thanks all, helping to calm some of the nerves built up around the purchase.

Will be getting it on the water Saturday morning. The seller has done some work to ensure that the trailer is road worthy, so the plan is to tow it home (fingers crossed, Denver - Minneapolis).

Just had another conversation with the seller and he's been great answering any questions I've got.

I'm looking forward to joining the ownership circle here.

[birdboatboy]

A little emergency help, out here looking at the boat. Definitely tougher than I had hoped all around. Lots of deck stress cracks to many of the cleats, snaps, other penetrations. In the water I see water in the bilge. Runs fine, speedo reads low. Trailer is rough, wood is shot, carpet worn through. Etc. etc. swim platform material is adhered but separating. 

I had removed the pictures link but we had agreed at 20k. Do I offer lower and deal with everything? Or walk away? I’ve come along way and we’re going through it all in the morning.

Edited July 11, 2020 by birdboatboy

[birdboatboy]

Here are the photos back

 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/83VCC6t4rQjcwpag6

 

Edited July 11, 2020 by birdboatboy

[Eagleboy99]

4 minutes ago, birdboatboy said:

Here are the photos back

 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/83VCC6t4rQjcwpag6

 

Like we say in the West, "that horse has been rode hard and put to bed wet".  I'd discount it heavily.  YMMV

[birdboatboy]

Thanks, I knew that deep down. I felt nervous all week, we talked again Thursday and I the answers seemed to describe a different boat than I’m seeing.

So then the question becomes, what is it worth to me? Do I want a project boat and trailer? I don’t. So it’s hard to discount.

[Stevo]

If you aren’t in love with it, and don’t want to put in the $$ and work to fix what bothers you. Move on down the road.

but you’d have to be ok with not having a boat, and maybe for a while longer. Used market is fire... and he probably has other interested parties.

Even if you offered $18, the 2k wont get the stress cracks fixed,

but could get you ,swim step gatorstep’d, new bunks and carpet,

[Fffrank]

I don't mean to be a jerk but that's a $20k boat. It will have issues. Part of owning a boat is working on a boat. 

 

Water in the bilge is likely a cheap fix. Or run the bilge pump. That's what it's there for.

Trailer bunks and carpet is less than $100 and a couple hours of work.

Stress cracks are unfortunate but not uncommon. Hard to fix. You'll need to decide if you can live with them.

 

I can't think of any boat (especially right now) that will be $20k and perfect. Want a new wakesetter? Call your bank!

[birdboatboy]

7 hours ago, Fffrank said:

I don't mean to be a jerk but that's a $20k boat. It will have issues. Part of owning a boat is working on a boat. 

 

Water in the bilge is likely a cheap fix. Or run the bilge pump. That's what it's there for.

Trailer bunks and carpet is less than $100 and a couple hours of work.

Stress cracks are unfortunate but not uncommon. Hard to fix. You'll need to decide if you can live with them.

 

I can't think of any boat (especially right now) that will be $20k and perfect. Want a new wakesetter? Call your bank!

Thanks, that’s exactly the analysis I’m looking for. Will see it in better light today to determine where to go from here.

Any other thoughts and opinions always apreciated.

[Chaabo]

I would have run away as soon as I saw all the snaps drilled into the deck.
Who does that??? 

[birdboatboy]

Here’s the stress cracking that seems a bit concerning. Normal?

https://photos.app.goo.gl/H7D8DV5MrMHScEkt6

[Bozboat]

If the engine runs and it floats buy the boat. Get familiar with the people at Bakes and Skidim for parts and advice.   It will be awesome. It’s getting late for this season.  Old boats are fun. They take some work, more at first, but they are easy to work on and this forum has just about all the secrets on how to do it. 

Edited July 11, 2020 by Bozboat

[birdboatboy]

Okay, now the gauges worked last night. But don’t work this morning. They come on in accessory position, but then they go blank and drop to zero when the engine starts.