Rippem,
You probably right, I need to be patient but that seemed like a good price for a 353.. I have not been in a 353 yet, been in a 312 and a 382. Where do you live? I'm in Oswego and boat on Lake Ontario and the 1000 Islands.

I live just a couple miles from the mall in Watertown. Keep the boat slipped in the boathouse at Hutchinsons in the Bay. I'm 20 mins from the Lake, and 25 mins from the River. I spend more time on the Lake all the time. Meeting a buddy of mine from down your way tonight for a steak and a beer. Maybe you know him? ThirdBird here on the board.

I was boatless for 6 weeks in July/Aug. of '03 after the sale of my last boat, waiting for the right deal on a 353. I had been beating the bushes for 8 mos. Then Troutly made me aware of this new leftover 353 over his way in MN. The rest is history. It was the deal I had been waiting for.

I think that 353 at lake Cumberland is sold ...Maybe a good thing ....I went up there in January and looked at that boat with a buddy looking for a 353 and it was VERY clean ..... Cept .. we found ALOT of bubbles in the gelcoat on Port side .....under the waterline ..which indicates water intrusion

Rippem,
I know ThirdBird. I work at the same place he does. I cruise across from my launch here in Scriba to Sandy Pond quite often. We camp alot on Wellesley Island and trailer the boat there. Do you know of anybody looking for a 1999 271 ?
I just got an email today offering me the 99 353 for 64K, they want to move it out.

Just got in from steak and beers with ThirdBird. Dave's a good guy.

got no prospects for your 271, all I can say is advertise heavily, price right, and it'll go.

Look me up when you get over this way.

that is tempting I know...by far the cheapest 353 ever.

You just gotta decide if you want to spend the additional out of pocket, or finance it on a boat with a more attractive history...

and whether you want to work on a boat, or run it.

Only you know the answer.

Sumthin is up with that Price .... have you seen the boat ?

Is this the boat at Ocean Outboard???? I bought my 312 from them in Nov 04 and I know they had a bottom painted 353 at the time. These guys seemed ok, but I had a strange feeling about them...like I wasn't getting all the info I should have. Obviously it wasn't real bad because I bought the boat but still just a little odd. If you think you want it, make an offer. However find out if they own the boat or have it in on cosignment. Speak with the previous owner to see what info you can get. AND GET A SURVEY.
How does the boat look. They told me mine wasn't perfect, but I think they could have given a more acurate description before I drove there.

For $64k asking price I'd at least take a look. Have a professional paint / glass repair guy give you an estimate to get the bottom cleaned up.

That boat has 3 things working against the price (potentially in your favor)
- bottom paint
- no blue motors
- salt boat

I once kept a boat on the dock in salt water in New England for 4 summers. No problems other than I had to replace the exhaust manifolds, which were 10 years old and that was past due anyways. I had another boat that sat on a mooring for 10 years in salt. Neither had significant problems. I agree fresh water is better, but I think some people get a little too nervous about salt water. Actually the worst corroded outdrive I had was from a boat I bought off of Lake Winnespakuee, believe it or not. The guy never changed the anodes because he thought fresh water didn't do anything. Well the galvanic reaction between the stainless prop and aluminum drive pitted the crap out of the lower unit over years w/o anodes.

If everything checks out ok, and possibly you can pound them down to around $60, I'd think that would be a great deal.

Good luck with your decision.

t500hps,
This boat is at Ocean Outboard. I have not seen it yet, only pictures that they have emailed me.