Possible buying a 1973 20SF I/O

[infanterene]

First post- hello to everyone.

I am looking for a "classic" boat. I've been looking at donzi 22's and seacraft 20's. I am space limited and it seems like those are the only boats that fit the space and my taste. I also prefer I/O as I can do maintenance myself.

I found a 20SF with a mercury 888 and a v8 302. It has been well kept but has a soft floor. It also has lots of blisters on the gunnels. I took someone to give me an estimate before I buy the boat for repairs. Is $8000 a fair to replace the lower level floor, paint from the rub rails in(including the center console) and fix all the blisters?

The boat has bottom paint and that is something I would need to deal with in the future. He quated me $4000-5000 to paint the outside. The boat also needs to be rewired. I'm going to have maybe 16-17k into the boat without even repowering.

I do get a good vibe from the boat.

[PigSticker]

Sounds like alot of dough to paint a 20, its a pretty small boat...you can get a 34 Venture hull painted for less

[eggsuckindog]

You could buy a clean SF20 with a brand new Etec for less - thats no maintaince

it wouldn't be worth 5K after that and probably "maybe" 10K with a new motor - not sure what that vibe really is but value and good judgement is not part of it - just say'in

scroll back thru the for sale section

[infanterene]

Well if I finish work early I'm picking up my new seacraft today. The only issue is the soft floor. The original gel coat is in great shape.

The seller is a member here and found someone to redo the floor for $1500. I will be topping it off with synthetic teak decking. This boat will hardly ever be used for fishing, mostly just cruising with the kids to sandbars and restaurants.

I'll start a thread when I pick it up. I'm really excited.

This is the boat http://www.classicseacraft.com/commu...highlight=1973