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Hi,

I am looking for a used Whaler for no more than $5,000. I live on the Long Island Sound (western Sound) where it can get pretty choppy at times, but there are plenty of harbors if it gets too messy outside. Right now I'm considering this 1969 Nauset. It looks gorgeous. Please don't outbid me! What do you guys think about this boat for me?


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Beautiful-Classic-Boston-Whaler-Nauset-No-Reserve_W0QQitemZ140361440351QQihZ004QQcategoryZ63727QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ht_500wt_1182

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Be carful of this guy. I bought a boat from him. Look the boat over C-A-R-E-F-U-L-L-Y! Make sure there are no soft spots and make sure he runs the motor for you. I would recommend a sea-trial with this guy. Also, the boat does NOT come with the trailer, so make sure to have one ready if you win the boat.

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Looks like a pretty clean boat, especially for the age. One thing I noticed from the photos is the port side transom looks like it's delaminating from the top. There's likely to be water in the transom. If you look on my personal page you'll see the top of mine looking about the same on the port side as well. Scroll a little further and you'll see how bad it was once I started peeling it back. Keep in mind though that there is likely to be some kind of water intrusion given the forty years of service the boat has had. It's all part of the fun!

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Thanks for the advise...you must be the guy who posted a negative comment abouT the seller and he answered something to the effect of "WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FROM A BOAT ThIS OLD?"

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Thanks so much for pointing that out...I would have never noticed that (at least probably not till I saw it in person). I would never be able to do what you've done to restore your transom. Well suppose there is rot there, do you have any idea what it would cost for me to hire someone to repair it?

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Not really sure of the cost for someone to redo the transom for you. I stopped keeping track of my hours on my project as per my wife's suggestion. I probably have about $500 or so in materials for my transom alone. That would include everything from glass and fairing compound right down to the plastic mixing pots. All the ancillary items (sanding discs, rollers, tyvek suits, carboard, etc.) tend to sneak up on you. My cost on materials is generally at wholesale since I work in the marine industry. Maybe you could get a pro to do the big stuff and leave the nitty gritty for you to finish and save some labor cost.

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Unless you are a very capable person with regards to boat repair, this is a project I would not recommend. First thing you need to do is inspect the transom. I would make it clear to the seller that the deal will fall through if there is any transom damage. I would recommend bringing an experienced boat mechanic to look the boat over before handing over any funds.

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would this response from the seller make you feel comfortable?:


That is just the top seam called the "green line" where the inner and outer hull were joined in the mold when it was built. The top edge on the port side had a small crack (1/8 ")develop and was sealed with epoxy. No water intrusion and the transom is solid. This is very common on Boston whalers along with the small spider cracks they develop in the gelcoat over the years and is just cosmetic if properly maintained. The boat is in very nice shape for the age and was maintained well.

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It could be what he says, I would bring someone who knows boats. This guy is a salesman, nothing more. The minute the boat leaves so does any warrantee. Are you willing to gamble with your money?

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Here is what I noticed:

1 Looks like the hull was painted with a roller. Notice the interior blue bleeding over to the white on the transom. Also looks like it is delaminating.
2 Check for spider cracks or gelcoat damage. The hull may be fine or the paint is hiding flaws. I have seen this boat on ebay before...its been on and off now for several months. Something must be wrong. It was in my watch list back in September. I was planning on bidding back then but when I asked for detailed close up photos, I got no response...so I walked away. I ended up buying a 13' BW in NJ as a project boat for my son.
3 Engine has been repainted with a spray can of paint. Lower skeg has a chunk missing. Make sure lower seals are not damaged. If you have a compression gauge remove plugs and check compression. Being cold in the driveway it should be around 100 psi. Higher if you get to test run and then check after engine comes up to full temp. Somewhere around 110-115 psi. Check lower unit oil for water. Should be a light brown color. If milky...seals are bad....if dark brown or black...major issues...lower unit will need repairs. Also looks like some of the anodes on the lower unit where painted over. The cavitation plate anode looks fine. Minor things
4 Running lights hard wired to the battery....to cheap to buy a switch and repair?...hmmmm what else is jury rigged??

Just my thoughts

Mark

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You guys have been so helpful. Thank you so much! I've given up on this one and will keep looking - probably for a newer boat. Hopefully a Whaler!

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YMS, this boat just popped up on here. I don't know anything about it, but looks nice.

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/boa/1481667734.html

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Wow. That sounds ideal - imagine a boat that old with a single owner...just what I was told to look for. I e-mailed him for more photos. Thanks so much for letting me know about it. Let me ask you something though. i boat only in the Long Island Sound (just got rid of my 1975 Formula Thunderbird). Is this style boat suitable? It can get rough out there.