lucky man!!

You guys were correct. I've been looking at that 28 in MD that is in Boat Trader. I'm going to pass on this one for several reasons (some being listed above). However, not to say it wouldn't be a good project boat for someone. The woman selling it now wants $18K As Is. I offered her much lower and drive it away right then no questions asked, but I guess she wants to recoup money she's sank into it. The XZ drive is blown. The transom assembly looks ok. The keel is scraped up and probably because of the trailer. The trailer needs work. It's been sitting since July, supposedly it was winterized. So, maybe if you wait another year the price will half again. :D

I still want a Pantera, but under $30K. It must have a single engine and I'm now opening it up to 24s. Let me know if you see anything come available.

$18k?

I've got more than that in my boat (1986) that I bought as a stripped hull and trailer... and wouldn't let it go for near that. You know it needs a drive. It may need a motor. The transom assembly and hydraulic steering is more than likely in good working order. What is a used XR drive, $4500?

I thought the whole drivetrain was bad? engine too.
IMO, everytime i'd jump in the boat my stomach would turn looking at that dash. sonicboom was a far better buy at $10k more.

For $18K, I would have boughten it last year. IMO thats a steal.

I was under the impression that the motor was "assumed" to be bad because no one had ever heard it run (it's been "recently winterized" for like 2 years). So, I guess you assume that you're getting a good block, heads, blower cases, etc...

One thing people also don't think about is the cost to ship the boat to you... For LM, you're looking at an additional $2,500 - $4,000 discount on that boat because it's close by.

LOL, if you moved to florida, most boats would have that discount. :D
It's funny you see it as a discount, being close, as opposed to a liability of it being far. :cool-smiley-027:

It's questionable it would have made the 6 mile tow to my house!! :evilb: Looking at all the stainless hardware on the stern, it was all rusty. The boat was still shrink wrapped and I couldn't look inside. I didn't want to wait a couple weeks for the weather to get warmer to see inside. I don't think I would have liked it anyway. My wife put in the clincher. She doesn't want to have to climb on her hands and knees and roll to get access to that cabin. I just get an overall negative vibe. I don't want surprises later. I like buying boats from folks who love them and are anal about them. There was no anal love here!

:D

PS - I have another deal brewing. I think you'll approve once I seal the deal this weekend.

Sounds like that boat had plenty of anal love, but very little of it was consentual! :D

Rob, I gotta deal with the facts at hand! I'm not allowed to move to FLA (wife, not court order!) so close boats are an advantage! Then again, if I wanted a jet boat, I'm in heaven out here!