I want to but should I?
 

I have a guy that wants to trade his 1986 261 liberator for my quad it has 20 hrs on the 350 mercs and outdrives and new s.s mirage props the boat is in nice shape on the outside, it needs new paint on the top and a new windshield the one he had is fiberglass but broken, the interior is fithly right now because the cover blew off it in the winter so it needs a good cleaning the boat runs fine has new leather upholtsterd seats, so what it needs is a good cleaning, top paint, windshield, and cuddy cabin sun window, and maybe some other odds and ends, what is something like this worth are they good boats my quad is worth 2500 to 3000 im just wondering if its worth doing or just move on.

if it runs and floats it's worth that. But the windshield is going to be a problem, may not be the easiest thing to find.
get some pic's and post em, lets see this thing.
good luck

im not sure how to upload a picture on here

Load it into photobucket then post the lick and it will open when the page does.

http://i833.photobucket.com/albums/z...90317-1622.jpg

http://i833.photobucket.com/albums/z...90317-1622.jpg

heres a couple of pics i asked him to send more today

If the engines and drives are good and the hull isn't rotted out, you could sink a few grand into it and have a good solid 60mph boat. I would call it a very good trade.

thats what i figured im not very familiar with boats i know the engines but thats it i dont know about drives or anything else im a mechanic so im sure i will get used to it and learn and be able to do my own repairs. i would like some more feedback from others maybe what to look out for

I Bought a "good deal" and Iam now into this for 14,000.00 to make a boat I trust enough to be on Lake Michigan and enjoy. And thats with a single engine.
I don't have any regrets, but my only advice would be to make sure you are willing and able to spend a few dollars.
Just the cost of the tools to work on the drives almost make it prohibitive to work on them yourself.
ALos remember if the windshield is not available and other items that are not original are missing it will lose value to anyone who would want it in original condition.

wow not im a little intiminated i just wanted a boat to cruise around in but now i dont know if its worth it i mean my quads worth 3000 but i only paid 1200 cause it was a friend of mine that i got it from so if really 1200 for that boat isnt nothing really if something happens o well just curious it has the 350 magnum engines with merc cruisers does anybody know the horsepower for them

hell i will trade one of our quads if it runs.

like others said, dont expect to just jump in that thing and enjoy your weekends, expect to dump a lot of mony in it and work on it during the weekends.

if it was left uncovered i would'nt think of it, they have wood floors that are probably rotted.

If you are a little handy,,,i would do it,,,,WHAT IS 1200 Bucks ???
Hell u can sell 1 drive for that much !!!:eek:

I would check the engines and look if the hull floats and then just run it easy and have fun ,,,if it sinks after 6 month.......what the heck ,,for 1200 u can't rent a boat over the weekend !!!!!!!!!!!

i like you comment daredevil its true if the engines blow or one blows i'll just part it out i never thought boats were alot of work till i got on this site and expensive i already checked the boat out i didnt feel any soft spots in the floor he has no time to run it so he gave me the go ahead to drop it in the water and start it and make sure stuff works isnt there a way to start the engines without putting the boat in the water?

Yes,,,but if he said go ahead ,,,then i would (just make shure the bilge plug is in) then leave it on trailer and fire it up on the boat ramp,,,check the engines for leaks ,,,,then u can take it for a spin and after check every thing again....

I SAY its defenatley worth 1200 all day.
Where are u located ??? maybe i know somebody close that can help u check it out !!!

Cant go wrong with a $1200 boat. Make SURE the title is clear or that $1200 boat could turn into a HUGE headache..

If it floats, runs and drives and would only be out $1200, definately.

Where in MI? The trailer looks to not have had a valid plate on it for years. Make sure it runs, and if you balk at it I would be interested.....

i live around the port huron area he said he used the boat last in 07 maybe it was 08 cant remember which it does have the tags for so im not sure, i would like to find someone who knows what there looking at but i dont know anybody. but thats what i was gonna do just start it on the trailer theres a place by my house where you can drop your boats and nobody checks if there registered the boat is in st clair shores and if there was anyway someone could help me down there it would be nice, i also need to buy a new plug cause the one is lost for that boat but shouldnt i just be able to go to a marine place and buy one