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I'm new to this board and need some expert advice. My neighbor has for sale a 1982 Sport 15 with trailer (needs some work probably) and 55hp Suzuki (also needs some work probably) and a bimini top, in good shape. It has been covered and hasn't been in the water in at least 5 years but ran fine the last time it was used. It needs to have the steering and controls hooked up, no GPS or fishfinder but the wood is in very good shape. I'm thinking it will need nothing more than a good scrub and wax to look good. He's asking $3500. Should I buy it?

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Scottie, that boat sounds good to me. As far as "expert advice," I will look forward to other members advising you, especially as to price (which to me sounds reasonable if the boat and especially the wood is in good shape). I'm somewhat gun-shy now about water intrusion, so I would check carefully for evidence of that... check the scupper drain area, look for "stress cracks" in the deck (these are fairly common in corners, etc, but widespread spiderwebbing indicates the possibility of water intrusion. The cracks could be from water intrusion that has frozen in winter.) Bottom paint may hide this on the outside.

It would be a good sign if your neighbor had the motor winterized when he stopped using it. If you're handy, obtain a good service manual for the motor and change the lower unit oil, the water pump impeller, and other recommended tuneup stuff. I'm sure the other members will chime in. The trailer should support the boat at the keel with rollers, according to Boston Whaler. Unless the trailer was really abused (run a long time on dry bearings, etc) or very rusty, fixing it is fairly simple. Whole hub units with new bearings, races, seals and all are only about $35 per hub.

Let us know what you do with it... if you don't want it, maybe someone else does! Post pictures, if possible! The North Carolina bluefish and flounder are biting right now!

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If the engine runs, that is a very good price.

You can put a new axle with new hubs and bearings on a small trailer like that for just over $100. I just did it on my utility trailer with parts from Northern Hydraulic - 2000# axle was $50, hub & bearings were $30, plus a few U-bolts. You can buy an entire Axle kit, including springs and hubs for under $150. Most likely, all you would need to do is repack bearings - so don't swat the trailer.

If the engine ran when it was put away, and hasn't rusted up in the interim (eg, still turns over), you should be OK. Pull a plug and look into the cylinders with a good light.

I can tell you that if there was no bottom paint and it looked halfway decent, I would pay $3500 for it right now, sight unseen.

David

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It sounds like a decent deal if the motor is running and the boat doesnt need major repairs. This is assuming it hasnt been waterlogged or anything.

I could have bought a local 15 w/ 48 Evinrude on it - Non standard console (that I didnt think looked that good) - steering frozen, motor ran - needed a new rubrail and some fiberglass repair around the rub rail area. This boat could have been bought around $2500.00 - I thought it was a good deal but I ended up buying a 13.

Just trying to give you a point of reference.

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The only thing that throws a "red flag" up (to me) is the engine, it's 15 years old, in the world of "Outboards", it's in it's golden years. I have a '76 15' sport, I paid $3,100 in '90 for it (no trailer), it had an '87 OMC 48 "SPL" on it. You'll have to re-power soon, so that's going to be around $5000 or more depending on engine selection, I paid about $5000 in "05 for a left over '04 50 hp "Johnson" (non-vro). I use my boat pretty hard, (not as hard as I used to before the $5000 motor), in salt water, I keep it well maint., anything over 10 years of use on my outboard, is "Borrowed Time".

*mw
* Is not an expert, nor am I affiliated with any experts, any similaritys between myself, and an "Expert", is purely "Co-incidental" !

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This sounds like a very good deal. I would suggest taking a peak at ebay to see what these small whalers are selling for in reasonable good shape. You may be very surprised. Check out this recent listing. I will note that the boat appaered to be in pristine condition.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=013&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=230130127425&rd=1,1

As far as the engine is concerned if it has been taken care of, and not abused you will be fine for a few more years. I would do a compression check and almost for sure you will need the carbs cleaned if not rebuilt. Plan to replace all fuel lines/parts to start and check for leaks. If it runs, even rough, find a product called seafoam at you local auto supply or ring free from a Yamaha outboard dealer a run a high concentration through the engine for a while. This will clean carbon and may also help cards to some degree. I have used this stuff on a regular basis for on several outboards and it does keep the carbs clean. If they a very gummed up, they will need to be rebuilt. Also all fittings and cables should greased and tested before trying to run it.

As far as the age, I have a 1989 90 Yamaha runs like new, 125 compression on all 3 cylinders. I had 1985 V6 Merc sold last year still ran smooth and strong at time I sold it. The issue you may run in to with the Suzuki are parts... I also had a 1987 15 HP Suzuki and had to find parts online. No dealers close by. After a certain point parts will be hard to find for these. Browns Point Marine in NJ was a large dealer and stocked many Suzuki parts from what I recall.

Good luck

Jon

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The deal sounds ok but as others have mentioned the motor will need servicing. Anytime a motor sits for 5 years it will need some major work. I suspect it will be in lean condition. Fuel and oil sitting in the carbs will varnish, foul the jets and create a lean condition which could or in most cases cause a powerhead failure. The carbs will have to be removed and cleaned. The fuel filter, water pump, thermostats, gear oil and plugs should be replaced. The hub on the prop may have dry rot. Fuel lines will need to be inspected and possibly replaced. This all adds up quickly $$$. Cables and steering more money, $$$....Call a shop in your area and get an estimate before you buy then you'll know exactly what your getting into. Good luck.