Is it worth it?

[brentlamb6708]

Ok I've been lurking the site for a while, doing research for my up coming boat purchase. My question is will a v-drive be worth me spending the extra 5k on, I wake board and I want to learn to wake surf. We will probably have 5-6 people on the boat at a time so I'm wondering will the extra floor space come in handy.

My second question is how much does it cost to re-vinyl the rear engine cover and rear seats I can do the work just wondering about the cost of material, found a good deal on a 1999 ssn but the rear seats are in bad shape. Would this be a deal breaker?(if owner didn't take care of the seats then he didnt take care of the engine?)

Lastly if you have a v-drive under 17000 and u want to sell let me know.

[HS]

Welcome to PN.

On your first question, if you want to surf you'll definitely want the V drive, and for a 5 - 6 person group, in my opinion, you will also want the floor space you get in a V drive.

On your second qustion, I think Nautique Jeff recently posted a special price offer for us on the vinyl "nautique Skins"...others here will have to talk about the DIY part of the project.

And if you can post a link to the ad with pictures, I bet you'll get some more in-depth comments to help answer your question on price and the vinyl job.

[HS]

found some by searching at onlyinboards.com here is one http://www.onlyinboards.com/Details.aspx?ID=31122

[Quinner]

^^ That boat in Charlotte has been sold, heading to Michigan ^^

Thread on here recently about it.

Call Nautique Skins/Christines in FLA for a quote on the material. Re-skinning an entire open bow SS will easily get into the thousands for material alone.

[shag]

V-drive is worth the extra money, and has been consistently bringing more on the used market for awhile. Seats can cover the gamut of pricing. I have seen very nice jobs done for reasonable dollars. Generally you get what you pay for though. Just because the seats are not in great shape, doesn't mean the engine was not taken well care of. I would look at several other things. Hull condition, floor, trailer, etc. Exterior neglect sometimes can lead one to believe the boat was totally not taken care of, but they could have always had dealer service for the drivetrain, then just been poor at maintaining other things. It takes a thorough eval of entire the boat to really see what your dealing with. Any serious seller that has no reservations will allow a third party inspection before sale. That said, take what it would reasonably cost to bring the boat bake to excellent shape, and deduct that from your offer. If necessary, show estimates for repairs. Good luck!
Mike

[brentlamb6708]

Thanks Guys The v-drive was the way i was leaning but now i have some other opinions, now im hoping the wife can up the budget a tad and we get the boat that we will want to keep a few years.

Here is the link to the ad, let me know what you think. the buyer wasnt all that keen on me taking a look at it. (it was in storage)

http://charlotte.craigslist.org/boa/2796681144.html

[BrennanK]

The buyer wasnt all that keen on me taking a look at it. (it was in storage)

That to me sends up a flag. If the pictures showed it was pristine, that might be less of an issue.
I would walk away unless I get to see it, hands down.

Also, find out if it was used in salt water.