Ive come across a 1987 Force 235 with single 454 Merc Magnum motor
(motor is actually a 2001 was put in the boat in 2005 by a local Marina, motor was freshened before install, since installed it has about 30 hours on it,
before the freshen up it had about 45 hours on it,

Alpha drive that was literally just rebuilt in March and has not been used yet for more than a quick trip in the water

The red paint on the outside is badly faded,
the interior is in decent shape,
the front seats are in excellant shape the back seat needs to just have the frame rebuilt (vinyl is in great shape)
most of the stock gauges dont work (speedo, fuel level etc. dont work)
new throttle cables
bilge area seems to be in good shape (needs a good cleaning)
motor sounds healthy no excessive smoke or crazy noise (I heard it run on the trailer)
cabin area could use some work cushions are that ugly red color
no stereo or speaker
comes with an aluminum trailer that moves and rolls but has no brakes

I can get the boat for $3,500
do you think its worth this price ??
If the boat was detailed and fixed a few cosmetic issues with the interior and re did the dash area with new gauges
added a sound system
how much do you think it would be worth,
Im supposed to be going out on a ride in it in the next few days, as long as it does not have any issues while we are out I think Im going to buy it,
just looking for some second opinions
thanks for any advice
is there anything to look for besides the normal stuff specific to this model boat I should be aware of
I gave it a good look over the other day and everything seems to be in good shape,
the owner has all the paperwork from the maintenance done to it and the outdrive rebuild, carb rebuild, and motor swap
thanks again

It is going to cost you $3000 plus to upgrade it to a Bravo, which it will need. A friend of mine has an 87 28 outlaw that went through one Alpha a summer until he finally changed it out for a Bravo.

It should have a Bravo 1 with a Mag BBC. A few boats were sold with 330 HP 454 with Alphas, be carful with the Mag engine.

I have an 88 Force 235, It tends to be a little noseheavy and I agree with the Bravo. Mine had very soft stringers so check the mounts. The price is low but as others said go easy on the Alpha.

Ric

I had a 1987 235, My boat was Clean and ran great with only the 350. I sold it for $ 8700.00 3 years ago for a 272Boss save your money and keep looking it is a buyers market. You will not see back what you will put into it. Plus in the shape you said it was in there could by under lying problems as well you can't see.

Its easily worth $3500. I paid $6000 for an 86 220 Force in Average condition, beat the crap out of it on lake erie for a summer and sold it for somewhere over $6k.

thanks for the replys
I picked the boat up the other day,
I already talked to glassdave about paint,
and Im going to repaint the complete outside solid white, with a small red and black graphic stripe
( I know how to paint, Ive done a few cars, and a ton of motorcyles)
it ran pretty decent on the water, a little slow
but I just got a set of large oval port heads that are fresh for a good price,
gonna go with a 731 cam, air gap intake, hyd roller lifters, roller rockers, msd ignition and holley carb,
also got my eye out for a bravo drive,
the inside of the boat is super clean, all seats are in great shape,
stringers are very solid on the boat,
I dont have $10K to spend on something
and Im able to do all the work myself,
so I think I should be able to have this thing running pretty good and looking pretty good also for a good price,
I just want something to run about 65mph maybe closer to 70 and be able to take out and enjoy a nice day on the water,
I dont want anything crazy
thanks for the advice
I'll post up some pics
and for that price it came with a trailer that had a title also

Good Luck !!!!!!!

With the power you are building into the motor you are going to spend that ten grand real fast. First on the motor parts and very shortly afterward on a Bravo. That Alpha is not going to handle pushing a 235 at 60 let alone 70. Sounds like you got a good deal on the boat but what you are going to spend on it is five times what you will ever get back. Good luck with it.

Rick