I am interested in purchasing a 1994 sea ray laguna with 175 merc o/b.
I am a little new to boating and am nervous about a 12 y/o motor. I do
believe it was owned by an older woman and well maintained over the
years by a reputable mechanic. It has been kept in the water over the
years in the NY area. It looks to be in great condition. Should I stay
away from a motor this old?

While the price may be attractive, not knowing exactly what was maintained,
and you being new to boating, a 12 year old boat may yield a less than
desirable experience.

Ron Knapik

wrote in message
ps.com...
I am interested in purchasing a 1994 sea ray laguna with 175 merc o/b.
I am a little new to boating and am nervous about a 12 y/o motor. I do
believe it was owned by an older woman and well maintained over the
years by a reputable mechanic. It has been kept in the water over the
years in the NY area. It looks to be in great condition. Should I stay
away from a motor this old?

Wow, bummer, it looked like such a nice boat. Is there a certain price
point
where it would be a good idea? Book value is approx $11k.

"FREDDYPD" wrote in message
ps.com...
Wow, bummer, it looked like such a nice boat. Is there a certain price
point
where it would be a good idea? Book value is approx $11k.


Don't throw in the towel on this one. I think you are going in the right
direction by looking at used boats rather than a new one for your first boat
purchase. You also don't want to spend a fortune only to find out later you
really don't care for boating.

Do some research and find out what the boat should be selling for in your
area. If the boat is valued at $11k, I would make an offer of $9,750, with
the deal contingent upon a satisfactory structural and mechanical survey, a
compression test of the engine and a sea trial. If the boat passes all
those things you should be OK. Be prepared, however, for an engine rebuild
down the road, with that rebuild costing around $2,500.

Is this a freshwater or sal****er boat? What State are you located in?

"FREDDYPD" wrote in message
oups.com...

JimH wrote:
"FREDDYPD" wrote in message
ps.com...
Wow, bummer, it looked like such a nice boat. Is there a certain price
point
where it would be a good idea? Book value is approx $11k.


Don't throw in the towel on this one. I think you are going in the right
direction by looking at used boats rather than a new one for your first
boat
purchase. You also don't want to spend a fortune only to find out later
you
really don't care for boating.

Do some research and find out what the boat should be selling for in your
area. If the boat is valued at $11k, I would make an offer of $9,750,
with
the deal contingent upon a satisfactory structural and mechanical survey,
a
compression test of the engine and a sea trial. If the boat passes all
those things you should be OK. Be prepared, however, for an engine
rebuild
down the road, with that rebuild costing around $2,500.

Is this a freshwater or sal****er boat? What State are you located in?

It would be a sal****er boat used in the NY area. I plan on trailering
it and keeping it at my home.


You apparently misunderstood me. Was the prior life of the boat in
sal****er or freshwater? Sal****er is corrosive and damaging to the engine
and I/O.

Does the owner have receipts or logs showing the maintenance done on this
boat? If not, I would walk away from it as you could be looking at some
major repairs on both the engine and outdrive.

You apparently misunderstood me. Was the prior life of the boat in
sal****er or freshwater? Sal****er is corrosive and damaging to the engine
and I/O.

Does the owner have receipts or logs showing the maintenance done on this
boat? If not, I would walk away from it as you could be looking at some
major repairs on both the engine and outdrive.

Ok.sorry.thanks for the reply.....The prior owner was an older woman.
She kept it in the water at a marina. (salt water NY) The marina has a
very good reputation. They can furnish me with all the maintenence
reciepts over the years. This 1994 looks better than a lot of newer
boats I have seen. There's got to be a certain price point where this
boat becomes a good deal. I will have to purchase a trailer if I decide
to buy.

On 11 Jul 2006 06:46:11 -0700, "FREDDYPD"
wrote:

There's got to be a certain price point where this
boat becomes a good deal.

Maybe, but it should be a low number, low enough that you can afford
to walk away if major (and expensive) problems develop after you buy
it. There is a high probability that a boat and motor of that age
will have some things that need work.

If you're talking about a 23' Laguna, that's a VERY VERY well made,
well designed boat. I'd take it in a heartbeat, even with a fixer-upper
motor.

Ron M.

wrote:
If you're talking about a 23' Laguna, that's a VERY VERY well made,
well designed boat. I'd take it in a heartbeat, even with a fixer-upper
motor.

Ron M.

It's actually the 21' Laguna. Low hours, well maintained. They seem to
be firm on $12K. I was hoping for $11k or less.........

FREDDYPD wrote:
wrote:
If you're talking about a 23' Laguna, that's a VERY VERY well made,
well designed boat. I'd take it in a heartbeat, even with a fixer-upper
motor.

Ron M.

It's actually the 21' Laguna. Low hours, well maintained. They seem to
be firm on $12K. I was hoping for $11k or less.........

Still not a bad deal if it's in good, clean condition. That's an
excellent design - I have a friend who took his 21' Laguna 30-40 miles
offshore all the time. One thing I'm curious about... they said it has
been IN THE WATER all this time? Hope they had a good bottom paint on
it...

Ron M.