Purchasing an 85' SN 2001

Hi all,

Cutting straight to the chase, after at least a year of watching a 1985 SN 2001 sit in the yard at the house across the street untouched, I am now considering purchasing it from the neighbor's friend who owns the boat. According to the neighbor the friend has had the motor rebuilt about two years ago. We have set up a meeting on Thursday evening, and I have tentatively agreed on an 'as-is' sale price of $2250 if he can demonstrate that it starts/runs OK, and has good oil pressure.

Here is what I know (bad):
- The boat has had a very unprotective and disintegrating blue tarp for a cover since it got dropped off. It is absolutely filthy inside and out.
- The interior vynil is completely shot as it is cracked, sun checked, and splitting at the seams.
- The carpet is hard, very old, and very dirty.
- The steering is very stiff (new cable time)

Here is what I know (good):
- I the stringers and floors seem to be in good condition without soft spots; seems reasonable as we are in the dry south west (they exhibit no flexing with my 200+ lb self stomping around and with a moderate twist of a the stringer bolts didn't budge)
- Hour meter reads 981 hours
- The engine has new looking ignition/distributor/coil/plug wires, hoses, and belts
- The original gelcoat has a the typical scratches and knicks, but no spider cracks and can definitely be sanded, buffed and brought back.
- It appears the boat was never beached hard or on rocks with no visible scratches or patches from bow to keel fins.
- Teak swim step needs love but is structurally sound
- The rope rub rail is in good shape
- The windshield is in good shape
- It has air boom and bimini
- The prop has no dings or dents.
- Owner has pink in hand for boat and trailer

Based on all of this information is there anything else I should check out or be cautious of prior to handing over the cash?
Does this seem like a good price from a buyers perspective?
I can do all of the work to bring this back myself (except upholstery) and I'm hoping to have this on the water next spring for about $6k total investment. Is this a realistic budget for this project?

If you can, run on the trailer at the ramp. (I assume a full water test is out). Of course, this is out if you have power loading regulation there.

Putting a load on the engine & tranny will be a good test. Feel for vibration - strut & shaft isnt cheap.

Check for leaks & monitor temp of engine & manifolds.

Check tranny oil when you are done, strawberry shake is bad.

SNobsessed wrote: If you can, run on the trailer at the ramp. (I assume a full water test is out). Might want to do this when the DNR ranger is on break, if you have power loading regulation there. Putting a load on the engine & tranny will be a good test. Feel for vibration - strut & shaft isnt cheap. Check for leaks & monitor temp of engine & manifolds. Check tranny oil when you are done, strawberry shake is bad.

Being as we are 30 miles or so from the nearest navigable body of water the lake/ramp test is out. The closest I'm going to get is 15-20 mins of idling on a hose. I didn't think to check the tranny fluid, but I definitely will.

spray some water on the cutlass bearing in front of the prop and pop it into foward and reverse too. Does not sound like too bad a price

Well, I pulled the trigger last night!

Per your recommendations I checked and the tranny fluid wasn't clear/red and the propshaft and strut are perfectly straight. The guy selling it showed up to the neighbors place with only a battery and a hose and the boat was fired up and idling within minutes. 20 minutes and $2250 later the boat was home. Incidentally I also found out it was an 86 not an 85.

From what I can tell the boat is lake ready although its filthy and the steering cable is pretty stiff. Upon closer inspection the guts from the interior are in much better shape than I originally suspected. I'm thinking I can just get someone to re cover the pieces and we can call it good for the next few seasons.

All of the belts and hoses for this are only about 2 years old, so besides replacing the steering cable and changing fluids are there any PM items I should consider?

Where's the best place to find a steering cable?

Thanks for all your help guys. I'm excited to be part of the CC family.

Congratulations on your purchase!

You will have to get the steering cable from a CC dealer, no way around that.