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Panther or GTO

A

Anonymous

Guest
Here I was thinking I was never to find a boat in my price range and now I have 2 to pick from.NEED SOME INPUT.
1st boat ... 93 Panter 16' aluminum with a 350 Chevy with Corvet alum. heads, 2-1 gear box, steel cage, 60% deck over, rear steer single and double front, and polly on the bottom. The owner asn't use it sence last season and has less that 125hrs on it. He said it ran fine last season.
boat comes with wood prop and single axle traier
OH and by the what it's a 1000 mile from where I live. PRICE $7,500.00

2nd boat....97 GTO 15' aluminum with a 502 cady, Large deck for giging with lights and rail, rear steer single, front triple, steel cage, polly on the bottom motor fire right up and ran good. Comes with wood prop and double axle trailer. Clean boat and it's a local deal about 20 mile from the house, price isn't set yet asking $8,000.00

With this info what would be the best deal??????????????
 
a1mudpuppy":356f129s said:
Here I was thinking I was never to find a boat in my price range and now I have 2 to pick from.NEED SOME INPUT.
1st boat ... 93 Panter 16' aluminum with a 350 Chevy with Corvet alum. heads, 2-1 gear box, steel cage, 60% deck over, rear steer single and double front, and polly on the bottom. The owner asn't use it sence last season and has less that 125hrs on it. He said it ran fine last season.
boat comes with wood prop and single axle traier
OH and by the way it's a 1000 mile from where I live. PRICE $7,500.00

2nd boat....97 GTO 15' aluminum with a 502 cady, Large deck for giging with lights and rail, rear steer single, front triple, steel cage, polly on the bottom motor fire right up and ran good. Comes with wood prop and double axle trailer. Clean boat and it's a local deal about 20 mile from the house, price isn't set yet asking $8,000.00

With this info what would be the best deal??????????????
 
8)

GTO or Panther? GTO everytime!

350 or 502? Definitely 502
Are you sure that it is a Caddy 502?
Does it have cast iron or aluminum heads? If it has aluminum heads it is a marine 502 cu. in. 502 hp
Is it carborated or fuel injected?
I suggest that you be very careful when buying any boat with an engine having aluminum heads. Be sure they have not warped due to overheating.

I am sure that the Panther has a gear to gear reduction drive. Bad news! Especially if it has been setting for any length of time. If you buy that one be sure to grease it well before operating!

You want a belt-drive over a gear to gear if you can get it.

What is the thickness and condition of the poly on either boat? Where have the boats been run?

What condition are the props in on either boat? They are both wooden props. If they have been setting for any length of time out in the weather you could be looking at real trouble. I cannot imagine anyone putting a wood prop on a 502.

What is the metal work made of?
Stainless, mild-steel or emt?
What are the dimensions of the metal-work?
Is it round or square?
Do either of the boats have a hull jack?
How many stringers make up the hull in either boat?
What condition are the welds in?
Is the poly attached with screws or bolts?
Do either of the boats leak?
Is there rust or corrosion in any of the rigging or cage?

The double axle trail is worth more than the single.

It is your money and you will have to decide how to best spend it. The above are my opinions and you know what they say about opinions.

8) WaterLizard


1st boat ... 93 Panter 16' aluminum with a 350 Chevy with Corvet alum. heads, 2-1 gear box, steel cage, 60% deck over, rear steer single and double front, and polly on the bottom. The owner asn't use it sence last season and has less that 125hrs on it. He said it ran fine last season.
boat comes with wood prop and single axle traier
OH and by the what it's a 1000 mile from where I live. PRICE $7,500.00



2nd boat....97 GTO 15' aluminum with a 502 cady, Large deck for giging with lights and rail, rear steer single, front triple, steel cage, polly on the bottom motor fire right up and ran good. Comes with wood prop and double axle trailer. Clean boat and it's a local deal about 20 mile from the house, price isn't set yet asking $8,000.00

With this info what would be the best deal??????????????[/quote]
 
I haven't seen the Panter. Spoke with the owner of the GTO today. He says it's a 500 Caddy. the heads look to be steel. I'll be going with the GTO.
Thanks for the input
 
Here's my 2 cents...I have a friend that purchased a brand new $26,000 GTO - 14' w/grass rake and polymer - 330hp 350 - gear reduction and a 2 blade Powershift. He's had a lot of problems, and not alot of help from the manufacturer. The boat porpoised badly from the day he brought it home (an aftermarket trim tab helped some), there were several welds missing from the cage, welded tabs on the rudder supports broke off, some of the screws for the polymer leaked and fell out, after only 1 year the flex pipe fell off, and most recently the steering stick broke off. When he tried to get them to fix the problems, all he got was excuses and empty promises. He tells me that GTO stands for "Get Tools Out". This was my first experience with GTO and I will never own one. I have seen their boats take 1st place at a local airboat show, but pretty on the trailer doesn't get you home. Check the boat out as best as you can. If you have already made up your mind, I wish you good luck.
 
8) Posted by WaterLizard

airboat4fun,
You will get no argrument from me on anything that you stated, especially regarding customer service or the lack thereof.
The one thing that GTO has no concept of is costomer service.
Regardless, apples to apples and after a thorough inspection . . . let the buyer beware . . . I will take a GTO over a Panther everytime. Speaking from experience.

8)
 
I totaly agree with you on that, If I was buying I would want to ride bothe boats, Then he would see why he should take the GTO over the Panther :eek:
 
Thanks for everyone's input I got the GTO with the 500 Caddy and it's ridetime every chance I get!!!
 
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