Looking at a used boat - need some help

It's been about 10 years or so since I've owned a boat, and the bug has hit again. I'm looking for something just to get out on the lake and river with my boys and do some fishing.

I came across this on on FB market place, and wanted to know what you guys thought. Here's the listing:

"16ft prince craft with trailer needs a little tlc it has a 25 horse Johnson outboard trailer needs trailer lights tires lug nuts and has a very small leak needs 2 rivets near the back of the boat I started to paint it started with a white primer on the rivers on the inside just needs to be finished being painted and yes that is silicon on the rivers in the back of the boat I did that so I can find what rivets leaked and also planned on putting a floor in so that could of been more reassurance fro leaks later down the road I have magnetic trailering lights on it now motor is well kept up comes with 4 seats gas tank battery ropes anchor everything you will need I have titles for both boat and trailer"

Obviously it's going to need some work. Anything that stands out as a red flag? Seller says he had it on the water last year and the motor has run recently. He also said the motor smokes on startup but then clears up (seems normal to me). I'm going to look at it tomorrow but any advice would be appreciated. He's asking $1,400.

Offer $1000, maybe you can take it home for $1150.

I would want to know exactly what that silicone was used as not all of it is safe for aluminum. Actually, most of it is corrosive. And it's not the correct way to fix that floor anyway. If they leak they need to be re-bucked or replaced because just gooping over them will make the rest of them leak over time or worse.

When I read listings like that one I think the guy wants to be able to say he was honest but is really doing a lot of whitewashing. Doesn't mean you shouldn't get it . Just recognize you will need to do some work on it. I like PGRChaplain's suggestion to make a lower offer.

Good luck. Hope you will come back and let us know.

Judging by the workmanship (that’s not where rivets leak) and his wording (A 2smoke that smokes on startup? :x ) I’d say he’s not rowing with both oars in the water and to plan on redoing anything he’s touched.

What part of PA are you in?

I picked it up for $1,000. Seems pretty solid. Yeah, the guy was not the brightest bulb. I’m currently replacing the hubs, cleaning the carb, and trying to figure out the best way to remove that silicone. Any ideas? Do you think a wire wheel or one of those paint eater discs would work?

I wonder how silicone caulk remover would work on the rivets. I've used the stuff before but not on a boat. It kind of makes the silicone "gummy" so it is a little easier to scrap off.

Wire wheel.

RaisedByWolves said:

Wire wheel.

Click to expand...

Stainless steel wire wheel.

Looks like a cool boat! I always wonder about boats with small motors and a dol-fin( or whatever it's called) and whether a re-power is in the long run a better prospect.

Let us know how she handles when you christen it?

gnappi said:

Looks like a cool boat! I always wonder about boats with small motors and a dol-fin( or whatever it's called) and whether a re-power is in the long run a better prospect.

Let us know how she handles when you christen it?

Click to expand...

How would a re-power be an option over a hydrofoil?

Take the hydrofoil off. It just serves to slow ypu down. My BIL put one on my 25hp 16ft boat. When i took it off gained almost 5mph top end

For 1k you did good with that boat

Congrats! I agree with Ahab. You got a good deal. That is a nice style boat.

16' boat, motor and trailer...that's a steal up here

RaisedByWolves said:

gnappi said:

Looks like a cool boat! I always wonder about boats with small motors and a dol-fin( or whatever it's called) and whether a re-power is in the long run a better prospect.

Let us know how she handles when you christen it?

Click to expand...

How would a re-power be an option over a hydrofoil?

Click to expand...

People put a "fin" on to try to get the boat on plane, likely because the motor is under powered. If you find you're happy with it and being a 2 stroke, go slow

RaisedByWolves said:

gnappi said:

Looks like a cool boat! I always wonder about boats with small motors and a dol-fin( or whatever it's called) and whether a re-power is in the long run a better prospect.

Let us know how she handles when you christen it?

Click to expand...

How would a re-power be an option over a hydrofoil?

Click to expand...

People put a "fin" on to try to get the boat on plane, likely because the motor is under powered. If you find you're happy with it and being a 2 stroke, go slow

I'd rather have that old light weight two stroke versus a four stroke of the same motor. Those old omc 25-35hp two cylinders are solid little motors it will continue to run a long time. Wire wheel on a drill is what I'd use on the silicon, 1000 is a pretty good deal especially if the titles were in orders.

gnappi said:

RaisedByWolves said:

gnappi said:

Looks like a cool boat! I always wonder about boats with small motors and a dol-fin( or whatever it's called) and whether a re-power is in the long run a better prospect.

Let us know how she handles when you christen it?

Click to expand...

How would a re-power be an option over a hydrofoil?

Click to expand...

People put a "fin" on to try to get the boat on plane, likely because the motor is under powered. If you find you're happy with it and being a 2 stroke, go slow

Click to expand...

Funny, but it makes less sense now that you cleared it up.


Anyone going that route is a knucklehead and shouldnt be around boats.

I got a similar deal in March, I call it the Corona boat. Paid $1000 had to rebuild everything. That bucking thing with the rivets is tough to do without help. I used Glovit and have no leaks. Boat stays in the water for 8-months. By biggest problem was the engine.

Princecraft are good boats a little bit of work and you should be set.