Tell me what you have heard- OUTERLIMITS

There are just so many things you're overlooking.

You buy a nice Bravo boat with 500 a side and you're basically running in a Chevrolet. That OL is a Porsche- with Porsche maintenance and prices.

Let's start at the prop nut- bend a blade on a Bravo prop- $300. On a six- $3,000. Twice a year maintenance on those sixes- ten gallons of merc lube. rebuilds- ship them to one of 5 or 6 people in the country any good at it. Check the BAM website on six parts- The refresh costs what a Bravo does.

In the engine compartment- Blower motors? Especially what appear to be old carbureted 500's with blowers stuck on? Grossly under-carbureted blowers? Looks like this thing got whatever was laying around stuck on it. Nonetheless, even if it runs OK and gets you a season, if you're sending this thing out to someone else to work on it, you're a short distance from being up to your eyeballs. You could be a year away from a bill of 25 to 30 grand- or more- to fresen the engines and drives. That'll set you back- or maybe keep you off the water for a season or so.

We could go on.

To my original comment- I'd suggest you focus on the big picture. The total cost of owning the boat. Unfortunately, you want what virtually everyone wants- a clean, well-maintained boat that runs respectable speeds with non-exotic hardware and maintains value. That's why 5-6 year old twin step Top Gun's cost what they do.

This is maybe the only universal truth in performance boating- the best time to sell a boat is at that point where it still looks and runs good, but is close to turning the corner. Boats- or anything else- will continue to look good and run well if they're getting attention paid to them. Thr trick is to move on while it all still looks good. And the smart guys do. The best person to sell this sort of boat to is an inexperienced guy that falls in love with the look and the seemingly low pricetag. We see them att the time on here the day they bring their gem home, posting "bought this- whaddaya' think?" Sometimes the replies they receive are photographs of the boat sitting semi-submerged. Oops- seller forgot to mention that. So you're doing the right thing so far in that respect.

I'd suggest you take what we're throwing at you and re-evaluate your list. Some of what I've posted here shows that there's alot more than "75 mph and a good deal" to be considered. And I'd think about your total annual budget for operating and consider what happens and how you'll pay for whatever breaks.
 
There are just so many things you're overlooking.

You buy a nice Bravo boat with 500 a side and you're basically running in a Chevrolet. That OL is a Porsche- with Porsche maintenance and prices.

Let's start at the prop nut- bend a blade on a Bravo prop- $300. On a six- $3,000. Twice a year maintenance on those sixes- ten gallons of merc lube. rebuilds- ship them to one of 5 or 6 people in the country any good at it. Check the BAM website on six parts- The refresh costs what a Bravo does.

In the engine compartment- Blower motors? Especially what appear to be old carbureted 500's with blowers stuck on? Grossly under-carbureted blowers? Looks like this thing got whatever was laying around stuck on it. Nonetheless, even if it runs OK and gets you a season, if you're sending this thing out to someone else to work on it, you're a short distance from being up to your eyeballs. You could be a year away from a bill of 25 to 30 grand- or more- to fresen the engines and drives. That'll set you back- or maybe keep you off the water for a season or so.

We could go on.

To my original comment- I'd suggest you focus on the big picture. The total cost of owning the boat. Unfortunately, you want what virtually everyone wants- a clean, well-maintained boat that runs respectable speeds with non-exotic hardware and maintains value. That's why 5-6 year old twin step Top Gun's cost what they do.

This is maybe the only universal truth in performance boating- the best time to sell a boat is at that point where it still looks and runs good, but is close to turning the corner. Boats- or anything else- will continue to look good and run well if they're getting attention paid to them. Thr trick is to move on while it all still looks good. And the smart guys do. The best person to sell this sort of boat to is an inexperienced guy that falls in love with the look and the seemingly low pricetag. We see them att the time on here the day they bring their gem home, posting "bought this- whaddaya' think?" Sometimes the replies they receive are photographs of the boat sitting semi-submerged. Oops- seller forgot to mention that. So you're doing the right thing so far in that respect.

I'd suggest you take what we're throwing at you and re-evaluate your list. Some of what I've posted here shows that there's alot more than "75 mph and a good deal" to be considered. And I'd think about your total annual budget for operating and consider what happens and how you'll pay for whatever breaks.


You didn't even address cosmetics.........but the post is (once again) 100% right on.
 
There are just so many things you're overlooking.

You buy a nice Bravo boat with 500 a side and you're basically running in a Chevrolet. That OL is a Porsche- with Porsche maintenance and prices.

Let's start at the prop nut- bend a blade on a Bravo prop- $300. On a six- $3,000. Twice a year maintenance on those sixes- ten gallons of merc lube. rebuilds- ship them to one of 5 or 6 people in the country any good at it. Check the BAM website on six parts- The refresh costs what a Bravo does.

In the engine compartment- Blower motors? Especially what appear to be old carbureted 500's with blowers stuck on? Grossly under-carbureted blowers? Looks like this thing got whatever was laying around stuck on it. Nonetheless, even if it runs OK and gets you a season, if you're sending this thing out to someone else to work on it, you're a short distance from being up to your eyeballs. You could be a year away from a bill of 25 to 30 grand- or more- to fresen the engines and drives. That'll set you back- or maybe keep you off the water for a season or so.

We could go on.

To my original comment- I'd suggest you focus on the big picture. The total cost of owning the boat. Unfortunately, you want what virtually everyone wants- a clean, well-maintained boat that runs respectable speeds with non-exotic hardware and maintains value. That's why 5-6 year old twin step Top Gun's cost what they do.

This is maybe the only universal truth in performance boating- the best time to sell a boat is at that point where it still looks and runs good, but is close to turning the corner. Boats- or anything else- will continue to look good and run well if they're getting attention paid to them. Thr trick is to move on while it all still looks good. And the smart guys do. The best person to sell this sort of boat to is an inexperienced guy that falls in love with the look and the seemingly low pricetag. We see them att the time on here the day they bring their gem home, posting "bought this- whaddaya' think?" Sometimes the replies they receive are photographs of the boat sitting semi-submerged. Oops- seller forgot to mention that. So you're doing the right thing so far in that respect.

I'd suggest you take what we're throwing at you and re-evaluate your list. Some of what I've posted here shows that there's alot more than "75 mph and a good deal" to be considered. And I'd think about your total annual budget for operating and consider what happens and how you'll pay for whatever breaks.

Chris thank you very much for taking the time and thought you put into this post. I appreciate all that has been said about this boat and my objectives. Your points are dead on and because I have not been in perf boating 20 years I dont have the knowledge as many of you. So I ask questions.

Thanks guys
 
Chris is right on about his perspective and the perspective of many who have been there done that. Anyone who is into performance boating knows that the initial cost of the boat is only one factor. You have to look at

Maitenance, Fuel (87-93 oct), Part Availability, upgrades, rebuilds, Insurance Costs, will I be able to sell it once I had my fun, Women, Booze, Slip, marina expense.

:cheers2::cheers2::cheers2: to Chris, looking forward to the Serious Party
 
Looks like a money pit to me.
Always remember - you get what you pay for - esp in boats.
I would opt for one that has been maintained with fresh motors - you;ll pay more up front, but save tens of thousands of dollars with in one or two years. By spending more now, you can work your monthly payments to be in your budget. But if you buy something like the boat above and are strapped paying for that boat, the payments will pale in what you'll be paying for repairs, maintenance, rebuilds.
 
Chris thank you very much for taking the time and thought you put into this post. I appreciate all that has been said about this boat and my objectives. Your points are dead on and because I have not been in perf boating 20 years I dont have the knowledge as many of you. So I ask questions.

Thanks guys

Come and get her already...... She may not run 75 but she is as reliable as a camry.......
 
Don't let them talk you down too easy, the boat is all there, it needs to be finessed. As far as your concern for value, you will not depreciate any further with that OL than anything else. 37's have been selling for between 90 & 125 depending on the condition.

You would be getting #6's on stand off boxes, You won't worry about replacing those like bravo's. HP500's w/ blowers, reliable package with readily available parts.

Insurance is based on speed and declared value, so shop it around and see what makes sence to you.
 
Don't let them talk you down too easy, the boat is all there, it needs to be finessed. As far as your concern for value, you will not depreciate any further with that OL than anything else. 37's have been selling for between 90 & 125 depending on the condition.

You would be getting #6's on stand off boxes, You won't worry about replacing those like bravo's. HP500's w/ blowers, reliable package with readily available parts.

Insurance is based on speed and declared value, so shop it around and see what makes sence to you.

I agree with what you're saying, and that you'd like to see him in an OL :cool:. I don't get the impression he's in position to absorb a major mechanical failure, after purchasing the boat, and securing insurance. This boat does have some nice parts, but they don't seem to be in very nice condition. If $75k is his number that he'd like to spend, and be BOATING all Summer, this is not the boat for him. It would however be a nice buy for someone ready to put a little love into it from the get go.

Like everyone has already said, buying the boat is theoretically the easy part. I'd hate to see Pete get the boat home, and blow something up before Memorial Day is even here, and possibly not see the boat again until the 4th of July, then have ANOTHER link in the chain break. :willy_nilly:
 
From personal experience, moving up from a Bravo boat to a 6 is a big difference. You can buy a new Bravo for a refresh of a 6. If those drives have been on the boat for years, it's gonna be more than a gear oil change. BELIEVE ME, I know. I had to basically replace every piece on both of mine.$$$$$$$$
 
Great thread guys, I had considered this boat also but all the concerns that were addressed were the ones I shared myself. Thanks for being so thorough and forward on this topic.
 
Don't let them talk you down too easy, the boat is all there, it needs to be finessed. .

Can you eloborate on that boat being al there? How will I know what I am getting with those engines? If I were to buy it should I have them refreshed before I use it? Can you give me a name of someone in Mi that can work on those 6's.

I know the 6's are tough as hell but the history or lack of is what concernes me about the entire boat. I guess the question becomes how much of a gambler am I.
 
and Chit happens....... I blew a powerhead at the begining of the season and didn't get the block back til the end of the summer. It pays to have a spare otherwise you' ll be pissed and boatless for a month or more. Alot of good points made. I kept my first boat a yr and then moved on. Good luck! Bob
 
Just keep in mind that you're not only gambling your money, you could be gambling your entire season of boating, if chit happens.

This is exactly right. I thought the same way when we purchased our Skater. "Just get the mechanicals good and I will worry about everything else later". When later came, it was at the factory for 8 months fixing everything and we lost a summer. For me though it was no big deal because I was just happy it was getting done, my friends have boats....:sifone:

Just to be clear, I couldn't be happier with our boat now, it is basically brand new. It just took alot of money to get there.

Don't get caught up and take your time bud.
 
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