On Tue, 31 Jul 2007 07:43:59 -0700, "M. Baker"
wrote:

My husband is going to look at a 17' Lund Mr. Pike fishing boat
tonight. I believe it's a 2001 with a 115hp 4-stroke motor. Has 4
electric downriggers already, I believe the guy is also throwing in
all his lures and poles. Not sure what else is included. Anyway, he's
asking $16K.

Hmmm - well, I guess it's how you look at it. If it's a mint
condition boat, no dents, dings, good carpet, low hours on the engine
and the condition of the trailer, it might be worth 13,500. The boat
itself, retail used, is roughly 5,500 range. Again, that depends on
condition. The type of downriggers are important, with four aboard,
it's another $500. Fishing gear - eh - it costs more to replace than
it's worth if you understand what I'm saying. The key to this is the
condition/type of the trailer and engine. Low hours with good numbers
at that hp, 13/13,500 is a good number. If the boat has a kicker
engine (like a 5/10 hp trolling motor) add another $1,000. More
information is needed to properlydevelop a good retail used amount.

What should DH be looking at/for when he goes to look at it? I called
a marine service shop and they said they could do a compression check,
check the lower unit for $80. But their hours are M-F 8-5, which
doesn't work for my husband at ALL.

Cosmetics, loose rivets, evidence of water in the stern, condition of
the batteries, soft floors, all the access panels, lids, covers are in
good condition, nothing on the engine loose, condition of the prop
(that last can tell you a lot - a beat up prop means it ran in shallow
water), etc. Check the filters for leaks, check the oil - stuff like
that. Compression checks should be done by a mechanic. If DH decides
to buy it, have the water impeller changed as soon as possible.

Also, if he were to buy it, does it need to be registered/insured
before he can get it home? Do you have to do that at the SOS like you
register cars? I already called State Farm about a different boat he
was looking at, so we have an inkling of what insurance would cost -
this one's 1' shorter and older, so I'm sure it'd be less than the ~
$340/year they quoted me for the 18' Fisherman a couple weeks ago.

The boat, no. The trailer? Depends on where you live. In my state,
as long as you have a bill of sale, it's legal to drive home until
you can register the trailer. Some states don't have trailer license
laws at all. All depends on where you live.

Also - he's got a 99 Silverado pick-up. He's got a hitch, but no
wiring yet. He thought there was a wiring harness package you could
get from GM that you just hook up and it's ready to go...is there?

Yes - GM parts will be able to gve you the part - it's not that
expensive.

Although, if it does have a hitch, I'd look around for the harness -
it's got to be there somewhere.