Need advice on old school power boats
 

Hi Gang,

Well………. I had to let go of the 89 IMP 255 I picked up a while back due to a very long and tragic story not worth repeating here.

Long story short, I wound up taking the boat to a much more reputable shop, and they advised me to just let it go, turns out she needed way too much work.

I learned a ton of valuable lessons behind this experience however, and a great many of you were very helpful along the way.

I still want a boat, still determined to get one, and I know what to do differently and what not to repeat.

(no projects……say it with me………..NO PROJECTS)

Having said that, I did a ton of research on other boat makes & models and I’ve compiled a list of what I’m interested in.

Looking at the following:

89 Chris Craft 245 Limited

89 Formula 242

89 to 98 Mach 1

89 Baja Force 250

89 Sea Ray Pachanga

89 Wellcraft Nova 26

89 Seebold Eagle 265

Yeah, I’ve got this thing for 1989, but honestly if any boat on that list came with better options, or was just made better before or after the 1989 model year, I’d be more than open to considering it.

My requirements:

First and foremost, single engine only. I absolutely will not consider anything with twins under any circumstances. Not looking to break the bank or any speed records. Just want to go out on the water and enjoy the day.

Secondly, stock, drop down bolster seats would be nice but not a deal breaker as I know that’s an aftermarket item that can be purchased later.

Third, anything between the 23 to 28 ft. range, with a preference for the 24 to 26 ft. boats.

Please give me your opinions on the list I’ve provided, and feel free to add if there are similar/better boats that I’ve missed.

I really like the Chris Craft 245 and the Formula 242. I would have to say that based on what I’ve read & seen, they‘re my top two choices.


Lastly, I was under the impression that the boat I had only came with twins, but I’ve seen one or two 89 IMP Eleganza 255’s with a single 454.

Could it be that those were custom made by customizing the rear transom to accept one engine, or did IMP make any Eleganza 255’s with only one engine?


Thanks in advance..........

a 35 year old boat that`s not a project... well good luck on that !!
btw single engine boats suck.

What's your price range? 20-30 k I would be looking for A 1998-2000 Powerquest 260. Or a Sonic 260 Prowler.

This sounds like the guys that post on the C3 forums,,,,,,,,

Well…….

I think a lot of folks that have owned, still own, just sold, and are also looking to buy boats from that era would strongly disagree with your assessment about them being projects just because of their age.

From what I’ve read and discovered about that era of boats they were pretty much built like tanks and some of them were very heavy which made them handle rough water much better than their newer contemporaries.

Also, I can’t begin to tell you how many posts I’ve read in boating forums (including Off Shore Only) where people have commented on how their single engine boats ran faster than boats they owned with two engines.

Of course to be fair, the single engines were blown out beasts, while their twins were small blocks that didn’t make much power but added unnecessary weight.

By now I’ve looked over hundreds of boat ads, and there’s a pretty good amount of newer boats that are clapped out, abandoned projects that need just about everything, and just as many if not more older boats that are in mint condition with low hours, crack-free hulls, and solid floors & stringers.

But I get it, your all about new and crazy fast, everything & anything else isn’t worth your time, you're (that guy).

Thanks for the positive reply though…….

Thanks buddy, I'll add that to the search list.....

his reply is based off of experience. If you've been around here at all for the last 10 years you'd know he has thousands of hours into a 30 plus years old cigarette that he has completed re done. I think you're a little naive when it comes to older boats, I wish you luck.

I had a Mach1 24'. Liked it as a first boat, lake boat, not a great lakes boat though. Mine ran just shy of 70 with a single 468. Decent to overnight on, wasnt solid enough for the water we get in our area. Replaced it with a 28ss Cigarette with twin 454's. Loved the 28ss over the Mach. There was a clean 242 on marketplace by me, not sure of the year though. My bud has a 311sr1, twins though, I like how it handles and runs.

I know there is a 88 26 seabold for sale at Lake Gaston that had been restored and has a 540 supercharged making 800 hp with Imco lower/XR upper drive. They were asking $28,000 for it. The guy who owned just passed in a unexpected car accident so his wife (Debbie Watson Brown) on facebook is selling it. I cant send a link to it from here.

Vice,

Find yourself an'89 Rinker 236 Sport Cuddy. They typically have either a Merc 454 or 502. A strong engine will push them to 70MPH or so, and they handle that speed well. They make great ski boats and are just big enough to overnight on for a cozy couple.

Thanks. Brad.

Look at the Regal 250XL. Think made them ‘84-‘-92. We had one as our first boat. Mercury 454 w/bravo 1. Wasn’t a speed demon, would run 50-55mph. But, was heavy and rode great. Pulled skiers. Nice cuddy. Big cockpit. Handled the LOTO slop great

lol.
I have a 1986 Flat Deck. I know about old boats and what they need and don`t need.

p.s. *You`re

Vice,

Nope. Along with his Cig, Dan also has a 20-ish foot skidoodle jet boat that goes all of 50MPH or so, and it kinda sounds like he prefers boating on it.

The problem you're erecting for yourself is that, for a 30+yo boat, you're either looking at a project, or something that somebody else has already "project"ed. You're going to pay for that work, one way or another. While Dan has his unique take on things, he's not wrong. Take his advice as "best intentions". You've got a mountain to climb to reach your goals.

Thanks. Brad.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...6512551755666/
looked nice, unfortunately its a 1990.

"Icdedppl' (Dan) is dead on the money. We ourselves have done these projects.,..doing one right now with a 1986 Superboat. As much enjoyment as it is when you finish these projects they are a ton of work and money. Out of your list I suggest the Formula 242...if you can find a good one. Do not take responses personally. There are a ton of guys on this site that have the experience and knowledge...utilize it. Wish you the very best...you will find the right one for you.

Im sorry I`ll have to start trying to be "softer" with my responses , more cuddly and nice I guess. :eureka:

My boat was "fresh" new engines, new paint, new interior, etc etc .. it was a completed project.
You can search "cigarette adventures" in the Cig forum to see how that worked out for me. 11 years of burning money like it`s firewood!! :D
New gas tank, cables, drives, engines, interior, hoses etc etc ...
I only regret all that when it breaks because when it runs right , it`s the $HIT!!!

Anyway, hope you have a great day, I`m sure everything will work out splendid and I hope you find the perfect boat with a $20k hidden in the cuddy.

not sure where you boat at?

but checkout checkmates.

Checkmate Community Forums (checkmate-boats.com)

Understood and anybody putting that much time & effort into a project of that magnitude deserves respect, he’s got mine.

Still, me targeting older boats doesn’t make me naïve to what can be hiding under their skin, just as somebody putting that much time into a project to make it beautiful is not naïve or foolish.

A little off topic here but….I’ve spent the last 45 years of my life (when I'm not doing my regular day job) restoring cars & motorcycles, and some of the projects I took on no one would touch with a ten foot pole, but some things in life (to the individual) are worth it anyway.

Not everything in life is about resale value, or money you’ll never get back, sometimes it’s the journey.

Sometimes you strike gold and it all comes together, sometimes you strike out and you're back to square one.

I did mention in my original post that I learned a lot and that I wouldn’t take on any more projects.

That means that whatever I buy next will be turnkey, and it will be inspected by a professional before I take ownership, believe me.

I’ve gotten a lot of good recommendations so far, I’ve already shortened my list, and I’ve increased the bandwidth on the year range.

Understood, but the assumptions that are being made here are quite literally blowing my mind, especially given the clarity in how I framed my original post.

I guess I have spell out more clearly what I thought I clearly conveyed originally.

I truly learned a lot from my first experience and everything that some of you are saying about older boats and them possibly being projects, spoiler alert, I already know, you're all correct, and I've already been down that road.

I thought that would have been a given from my post.

I’ve also learned that there’s no fast, cheap way to get into boating because to your point, and your absolutely right, you’re going to pay one way or the other.

This is where I think folks are getting crossed up. I absolutely don’t mind paying a fair price for an 80’s or 90’s boat if it’s in extremely good shape. I also don’t mind paying for a boat that’s had a little, to extensive work done by the previous owner (regardless of its age).

That's insanely hot, thanks.....

Read this:
"Yeah, I've got this thing for 1989, but honestly if any boat on that list came with better options, or was just made better before or after the 1989 model year, I'd be more than open to considering it."

Thanks friend, best response yet, seriously thanks.

The more I look at the Formula's the more I like them, they're just bad @ss boats, and from everything I've read on them it appears as though they were very well built.

Been down that same road with a 71 Camaro, 49 Buick Super 8, and so many other cars I would be here all night typing.
So mad props and respect for what you did, seriously, I get it.
I know first hand what that's all about.
Believe me, after going through what I went through with my IMP, not only did I learn a ton of things, but I know how to approach all of this better going forward.
I'm not even going to buy anything now because I want to save up even more than what I currently have, so I can spend wisely the first time, rather than rush into the hopefuls that only need blah, blah, blah on Facebook Marketplace.
Trust me dude, I've learned, and your 100% on point with evefrything your saying.

I did look at some of those and they look awesome, thanks.....

That`s a good looking unit and seems to be in very good shape and well taken care of .

This 1974 Formula 233 was completely restored by a fellow who's done this several times. Re-manufactured Merc. 454/330 Bravo, 55 mph WOT. I love the hardtop with its front and side windows that open. Others like the open, more common 233s. However, none of the boat models mentioned, with exception of the Nova 26, would be able to keep up with this on a very rough day. To find a Nova 26 with a single is very unlikely though. The time and money making this boat in the condition it's in now is not for the faint of heart, but then that goes for all restos done right. The U.S. dollar is super strong now, and this is outside of Toronto. In the U.S. this is a $30,000 boat or more. The owner just dropped the asking price at the end of the season from $25k to $20k U.S., with the trailer. The restoration is fully documented. This is food for thought. Personally, I think it's difficult to use this for say 5 years and fail to get $20k for it again.

P.S. NEVER buy a boat with structural rot, unless you're a masochist. D.S

EdenCraft in Australia still builds the Formula 233 model. Watch one in action.


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...a1fe41f0a1.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...a6a4b3b942.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...9348ac179b.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...d9696b7636.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...e9ef8cc135.jpg

Lars, I don't know how you do it, but I look at Kijiji almost every morning and I didn't see that 233!

pretty stiff list of demands, I missed that. 🤷🏻‍♂️💁🏻‍♂️

I'm in the same "boat" with 1989 28 saber project. Doesn't sound like you can be talked out of it so at least get something that can be resold. Out of your list I like the Formula's, the 242 and 233 are timeless boats someone might actually buy it when your done. The rest of the boats on your list likely to end up a parts boat. Lot of really cool boats end up a parts boat though not a dig, just lines not sexy enough to restore them IMO. The lines make them timeless. If it's 30+ year old boat and not fun to look at just sitting on the trailer then it will be a tough sell down the road.

Don't buy project boats if you don't have a second boat to enjoy or you will burn out.

All good advice, and the more I look at the Formula boats the more I like them, plus many of you in here also like them which is a big plus.....thanks.

Found you an 89' 242. There is a guy over on Cobalt Chat who is selling one. Check out the attached link. Might be worth reaching out, i posted this thread over there. Good Luck!

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The 242 isn't listed anywhere yet, he says he's selling in the spring! Hope this helps, sorry for all the BS i couldn't post the link until i had 10 posts.