87 correct craft purchase help

Hi there,

It's time to go to the experts! I have never owned an inboard before and love this correct craft on eBay. Can someone tell me what to look for as a newbie for this type of boat and give me a rough purchase value. I am going to try to get it for 3500.

Any common problems to be aware of? I am buying it for a family boat with two young kids who would love to be pulled around.

Thanks so much for any help you can provide. Dave

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1987-CORRECT-CRAFT-MARTINIQUE-?cmd=ViewItem&item=320893700342

Link to boat Dave is looking at

Thanks. I am reading all about stringers on the site. The bubble is gone! The boat is 2 hours away from me and the auction is almost done. I will call the owner to see if he knows the difference between stringers and string cheese. Maybe he has had them checked out.. It's a reach at best.

I just spoke to the owner. He had some floor work done around the front bench and put in captain chairs around 2 years ago. Apparently, the stringers were super solid per the repair person. The guys seems very honest and will let me check out stringers when I get there.

He did mention some spider cracks in the gel coat. Is this normal for the age of the boat? I assume yes, but want to make sure.

Thanks again all. I may be a new/old boat owner very soon.

LOL... that's kind of what I'm thinking tullfooter! The price is right and if it's solid, I'm on it. Don't go sniping my bid. :)

there is a big difference between a little rot and the boat falling apart. There are many stringers that are wet and are beginning to mold but honestly if cared for the boat could make it another 10 years. If you get for 3500 and get ten years of use out of it, it was a good buy.

Look for any signs of anything leaking, water, oil, trans, and ask as many questions as you can no matter how trivial they sound. Write them down beforhand do you don't forget any. See how knowledgable the owner is about his boat then make your offer. good luck

Thanks for the advice Snobsessed! I go see the boat in the AM. If I have any hesitation, I walk. I watched the video 3 times and am going to pull up the removable floor as the video suggests and do some knocking. Nobody bid on the boat so I'm good for a lower offer if need be, although, I think the price seems pretty darn good.

My latest hesitation/concern is the lack of reverse capabilities a inboard provides. I suck at backing up to begin with. I hope I can get used to the bump in a hurry or my new boat experience is going to be super ugly. Anybody have some warm and fuzzies about switching from an outboard / deck boat to a ski boat and maneuverability?

Is it possible to get a bimini top for the boat made? Sorry that I'm all over the place with this post. I keep coming up with last minute thoughts. :)

Are these boats good cruisers as well as ski boats? I will be cruising and coving about 95% of the time and doing very little skiing/tubing/wake-boarding. I just love the thought of the power/rumble of the engine, the awesome seating arrangement, and the swim platform for the kids. Pulling the kids will come later as they get older (4 and 2 now).

Oh well... excited but scared! Good night!

I'm on falls lake in North Carolina and Bugs Island / Kerr Lake in NC as well. Thanks all!

Bought the boat for $3500. I'm in love so far... pics and issues to follow.

The floor had a bouncy spot between the captain chairs almost in the bow. I knocked on the stringers and everything seemed super solid. The gas is a little stinky from the lack of use last year and being winterized in October, but the boat started right up in one turnover. It was awesome!

I can't wait to give it a shake down on the water. hopefully soon if I can just stop working for a day. :)

Congratulations! I feel for the price, you got a great deal.

Regarding that bouncy spot, time will tell but sometimes you do need to wonder about the "repair" guys out there!

Mebirkle wrote: I just spoke to the owner. He had some floor work done around the front bench and put in captain chairs around 2 years ago. Apparently, the stringers were super solid per the repair person. .

That spot is very prone for rot problems. I'd say the repair was a piece of ply screwed down where he could get the screws to bite. Just keep an eye on it and go boating!

Get one of those inexpensive plastic fuel siphons with the pump on one end to start the action.

Congrats on the "new" boat. You will love having an inboard, turning in reverse is over rated compared to what you can do in the opposite direction.