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Rookie Question

N

NocEm

Active member
All,

Got a question. I found this boat (see pic) that I am intersted in. I am a bowfisherman and this boat would be used mainly for that.

My question is what do you think this boat is worth? I have not seen it yet but the specs that I do know are that it is 18-20 X 8, open floor, small front deck, and it has a brand new 454 that is punched 30 over. I was told that it has good polymer and is a strong running rig with perfect hull integrity. It has been kept in a barn for over a year and only started occasionally. The owner said he would have it tuned and running good before I came to see it.

I have no idea on year model neither did the seller. I was told the other side looks much like the side in the pic, with just minor dents.

Now if all these things are true, what do you think this boat is worth? Any guesses will do.

I appreciate all responses in advance.

Neil

airboat%20Resized.JPG
 
Something looks funky with the engine stand? Could be just me. I'd sure get someone to look and make sure it's safe---you don't want to end up wearing that 454. I can't see the exhaust;remember, it will require some sort of mufflers. My WAG would be 3500 to 5000 depending on how it runs out. Just my .02, and my opinion is most likely worth what you paid for it. Good luck.

Harvey
 
Its hard to see because the picture is kind of small. It looks like 16 to 17ft long Chevrolet Engine, Belt drive and Wooden Prop.

I would suggest looking on the outside starboard side of the hull in the top corner to see the make and year model. I would also like to know if this is a crate motor or pulled out of a truck or something?

The boat should be worth Between $4,500 to $7,500 on what I see. But I would like to know more before giving a definate value.
I am also a little uneasy on the Brand New 454 (yet punched 30 over)
Sure it's new?

My suggestion would be to call a local manufacturer and ask them to inspect it. I know we do for customers. It is better to let someone look over the boat to make sure it is a fair deal for both parties.
Good Luck,
 
Good point on the hull/serial #. If you get stopped and don't have one ---they may take your boat.
 
Them ole Panther Hulls are heavy as a steal garbage barge. They arent a bad boat just way heavy. I'm in agreement with folks above but I think the estimate of value is a bit high because of the overbore and what is potentially a really old engine stand. The CH-3 drive doesn't degrade except for bearing replacement and possibly a belt. I have seen belts outlast bearings though.

With a dented hull and an overbored engine and wood prop and unknown age of the engine stand plus no HIN I'd say $2k maybe, if the engine can be coaxed to life before you buy it.

Just looks like about as much work to get it right as building a new one to me.

Scotty
 
2K seems a bit low... the reduction box used is worth $1,000. I have a 1978 Panther hull that is still sound and runs good in the water. I don't think it is any heavier than usual... I can run in a dry cow pasture with a stock 500 caddy direct drive on it. But I don't think that is a panther hull. The nose is like a built in grass rake. Mine is level but is curved up from side to side. If you are using it for bow fishing you will need to build a platform on it to shoot from. I would think that Faron's estimate is fair. I built my boat with a used hull, engine, prop, and cage. We fabricated everything else and I have about 5 or 6K in mine. Prices are a bit higher out here but I picked my hull up in Kissimee for $1,300 with no trailer but the guy threw in a cage adn engine stand (that I trashed. Was for an aircraft and I went car motor). Just my opinion. This was my first boat and I didn't have $15K+ to build a new one.
 
Would you buy a hull with no HIN?? Would you buy a car with no VIN??

I stand by my $2k value. I agree with your $1k for the CH3 unit. Just this particular deal doesn't look much like a deal to me.

All I see of value is an overbored motor, a CH3, a wood prop and a set of rudders. Had the hull come with proper
documentation and HIN, I would definately see it differently.

Scotty
 
that's probably true about the HIN #. I'm sure it's different in Florida but in Nebraska anything older than 1980 (I think, I can't remember the year)is exempt from a HIN number. Our other boat was built in 1964 and had no ID Number when we got it and we were able to get it liscenced to run. After we put poly on the bottom and modernized it I went and had it titled as home made and it now has a HIN#. He didn't say that it doesn't have a HIN#. I agree that it is worth parts only if it doesn't have a HIN# then the $2K is a good number because the Hull is worthless and should be leery of it possibly being stolen.

Makes sense to me now.

Didn't intend to stir anyting up.
 
Bored .030 over, but being sold as new? No HIN number?
Sounds like some serious deception going on here to me. I'd run from it.

feather
 
It has allot of lower value parts such as a wood prop, belt drive. The motor stand looks rough to me. It looks like somebody bought a hull and rigged it out themselves. The motor stand and the way the seat is crammed into the cage tells me it was rigged by someone who hasn't rigged out many boats. I'm not trying to offend anybody just stating my opinion unless it is very cheap I would spend a little more money for a boat that is laid out better. Rigging is something better left to people with experience. I look at the first few boats I rigged and how differently I do them know. Here is how I look at it if you can afford to spend more money I would step up to a better boat if not well I hope you have allot of time to spend on it because in the end you will spend the same. I just sold a 16' boat with a new GM crate motor and a almost new composite three blade Sensenich with one year old rigging for not much more.
 
Thanks guys,

I truly appreciate all the info. I do not now if the boat has a HIN or not and the info that I gave is all that the guy could give me. The owner is a doctor that only bought it to run on his ranch in East Texas when the river floods. Over the past 6 years he said he has not ran it more than a couple of dozen times. From talking to him he sounds like the only thing he cared about this boat is that it started when he turned the key. He blew a head gasket on the old motor and replaced it with this "new" one. I wonder when he said new if he meant new for him.

I talked to him again today and he said he would take 10K for it. I think I will take the advise being given and stay away from it.

I again appreciate all the help.
 
Trust me I would prefer to get an Air Ranger from Faron but this will be my first bowfishing airboat and I am afraid I am going to have to work my way up to the bigtime boats as I need to keep my boat budget in the teens.

The problem with bowfishing boats is that they need to be pretty big and strong to take the rough water and appropriatly powered to haul the weight of fish at the end of the night. Most of the airboats I shoot against in tournaments are 18X8 and 454 powered. I think a strong 16X8 will work with enough horsepower. I will find something I am sure.
 
Nocem, from what I can see I would say thanks but no thanks on the picture you showed blown up. I dont see how it could be worth $10,000. I must be missing somehting. I do have a boat that you might beinterested in. Come by the shop and look at what I have used. I will also help you find one if you dont see what you want.
Thanks,
 
You cant beat a deal like that. Were serious, you should stop and talk with Faron, you will be MUCH better off.
I know some of Faron's family personally and have worked with them,
I'll vouche that you'll be treated fairly or better, just knowing the family.

Go see him.

Scotty
 
I would agree with most of comments that have been given on this subject.

10k is to high.

I would recommend to work something out with Faron. Even if you can't find a boat through Faron.

When you find something else you are looking for post it on this site we all will give you some good advise on buying a boat.

Again, even when you find a boat in your price range even if it is not through Faron let him look at it and give you some advise on it.

So when you are ready to spend more money, you can hopefully buy through Faron, Panther or some company that can put you in a good
direction.

I am on my 11 boat my first boat several years ago was $1800 my last boat was over 60k

Good luck let us all know if have any other questions.

TIm Bryson
Fremont, NE
 
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