90s Cafe - Looking for Buying Advice
 

Hello everybody - Probably the newest guy here and I would really appreciate some advice. I recently decided to start shopping for a 35'+ boat for use on the Great Lakes. My goal is to find something I can use on any given day and not on just the days with 2' or less, I don't need to go blindingly fast, I want to stay well into the 5-digit price range as I will be keeping my current express cruiser for those times when I need a lot of room, and I don't want a salty dog. I had a chance to ride on a Cafe last year and really liked it so I am now actively looking.

I'm looking at a few boats - two that particularly interest me are an early 90s boat with carb 502s and Bravos and a mid-90s boat with Bravos, 502 MPIs and blowers; neither boat has a genny or AC and the older one does not have a swim platform but both reportedly have good mechanicals and vinyl. I am told that the carb boat showed "some" moisture in the transom and I am trying to chase down what is meant by "some". I plan to have a full survey before I write any checks.

In addition to any advice you might have (please don't tell me to buy a Baja, it's not going to happen), please let me know your thoughts on price (especially given that any deal won't close until nearly Labor Day and we lay up here in October). I'm especially stumped given the difference between NADA numbers and list prices - I know people hate to part with their toys (I do) but what is with the huge (140% of NADA average) mark-ups out there?

Thanks in advance for any input and I look forward to getting to know you guys.

Regards,

Dave B.

Most older boats will have "some" moisture, usually from exhaust tips letting the water into transom, even lift and trailer kept ones.

I have a friend selling a nice Cafe, see SKRAMER's post.

oh yea...... I have a Baja!!!

Thanks guys!!!

I can only tell you about my experience but....

When I was shopping I made a list of things I wanted on the boat - things that were upgrades that cost several thousand dollars. These included items such as updated guages, vinyl, swim platform, hydraulic steering, and switchable exhaust. I made sure to find a boat with as many of these important items as I could so that I didn't have to buy the boat and come up with another 5, 10, 15k to get these things.

Just like buying anything make sure the mechanicals are in good shape - as you surely know there is a lot of financial liability if a drive lets loose or worse - an engine. Moisture/survey/etc... all very important.

NADA values are probably a decent starting point but the important thing is to find that fair market value - comparable boat sales are much more relevant. This is a total stab in the dark but I would imagine that most boats sell for 85% of asking price (excluding fire sales, inflated broker listings, and the just plain ignorant boat owner pricing). If you are buying in October and then immediately laying it up for 8 months my opinion is that the value of that time and money is 4-6k in insurance and interest if you are buying a boat in the 65-80 range which you probably are. Factor that into your price....

If you aren't looking for anything "blindingly" fast than you are probably looking at the right boat. I absolutely LOVE my Cafe - good choice.

P.S. - we don't have AC and have spent the night on the boat every single weekend since July 4th, and Virginia has some hot/humid summers and it is always pleasant.

I sent an email to a guy on here when he was searching for cafes just kind of listing the pros and cons of my boat - if you want me to forward it to you shoot me an email to ekancarrow at cox.net

ERIC

:ernaehrung004:

Thanks for the input. Funny that someone would mention Scott's boat - he is the one that got me thinking about it (Scott - if you are reading this, I'm the guy at LYC that always has a cup of coffee ready - we were sorry to miss you two weeks ago as we were in Geneva). Seafordguy, I will follow up with you as I am not married to this make/model but I think I do want a deep-v, non-stepped hull in the 35' to 40' range.

I was wondering where you guys where. Lets make a deal. I'm ready to move up. Welcome to the board!! Give me a call 440 255 8855

Do you want that OuterLimits at National Liquidators? I could probably get you a deal on it.... Seriously, drop me a line with your number and we should plan to get together some time this summer (my wife is still furious that I got a ride and she didn't - she is actually the one pushing toward a go-fast).

Cigarette does a very good job of sealing transom cutouts. There should be minimal moisture in there. The one issue with all Cig 35's is there's one tab mount bolt that does not go thru- it's a stainless lag that screws into the end of the stringer. Cigarette seals them very well- but if they've been messed with, that's where they'll leak. Most of the rotten 35 transoms I've seen have started at that point. The rest have been from speedo pickups, transducers, etc. screwed to the transom.

As far as drivelines go, the combination of Bravos and blowers on a heavy boat like the Cig would lead to having to deal with broken drives on a fairly regular basis.

On buying a boat- Buy what you want, don't buy something that's nice and in good running shape and try to make it into what you want- you'll throw a ton of money away in the process.

CAFE - trim bolt / lag fricken bolt
 

CAFE - trim bolt - Very Good Chris, I am impressed - I had to replace my transom thanks to the idiot who made the drill hole jig

Greg -

PS - Cafe is the best boat for the Great lake - Speed and a "Wave crusher"

Mine has a new transom already!!!

Where did it rot?

Cafe 94
 

I spent a few months looking when i found my 94. Fuel Inject ed motors are the way to go. Bravo's and
Iinnovation 600HP's. I was looking for bigger power until I tryed to insure one with 700hp. I have no issues and it is reliable. Clear coat Paint is also a plus. Unfortunately it is also up for sale.
It is on OSO.

Attachment 354648

Good advise guys...good info also.

reduced price on my 87... you may be partial to the 90's cabin, but this boat is cleaner than most 90's boats out there and has VERY low total hours... It is cleaner than the 1999 Cafe Open I just bought...

The 2006 powertrain has less than 20 verifiable hours.

http://www.offshoreonlyclassifieds.c...o19348-en.html

Hi Sean,
Speed and fuel consumption?

http://www.offshoreonlyclassifieds.c...o24759-en.html
Check this one out in the classifieds. Nice boat, it is in Richmond, VA.

Check this time tested paint job out with reliable power!
http://www.offshoreonlyclassifieds.c...o21979-en.html

Not sure on fuel consumption...the 496HOs are pretty good on gas.

Speeds are 3500 - 50mph cruise, 5000 is 68-69 on GPS

Thanks to everyone for the good advice. This is one of the boats I am looking at - does anyone know it? I'm told it is on its second owner of 10 years, 425 hours on hull, 175 hours on Merlin engines, and everything works. The add is also incorrect about the drives - they are Bravo-1s. Please let me know any constructive thoughts/values/etc.

Thanks,

Dave B

http://www.boats.com/listing/boat_de...an%3dcigarette

Horsepowercollector - thanks for the link - we have talked twice and I'm thinking about yours.

Regards,

Dave B

got a 92 bullet mint 92 changed the boating year for manufacturing with viny ester resin.
old boats dont have that

I don't know the boat. But for the money a great buy.

You are just saying that because you can walk away from it with such little power...:evilb:

Speed isn't everything!!!

no hydraulic steering!

dave i have a mint last of the bullets 92 it looks like it did when it left the factory from cigarette platnium series leather cabin interior option from cigarette which was 6.000.00 back in 92 126 total hours upgraded bravo 1 new 1998 hawk custom 500 hp engines mayfair external steering new batteries kept indoors its whole life mint asking 59k make an offer

Some nice lookin ciggys listed here ..... I can say that we went out on a pretty rough lake with some big holes last nite with Scott in his Cafe and I was impressed with the ride and solid feel !!! Good luck with the search Dave ! We need to come and have coffee with you soon !

JM

http://www.boattrader.com/search-res...2DLength:DESC/ guy cleans it as much as he uses it,,,,very impressive

http://www.offshoreonlyclassifieds.c...o21979-en.html THIS CAFE IS AWESOME!!!!