Older bullet ?s

[tnbassfisher]

First off this is my first post so id like to say hello to everybody. Im looking at an 1989 19vee with a 175 faststrike Johnson. The boats in pretty good shape other than a crack at the rear corner of the splashwell. The transom is still very solid so it seems to be more cosmetic than anything. Im just lookin for thoughts or experiences with this model. All are welcome as I dont want my first experience with a Bullet to be a sour one.

Thanks

[Uncle "T"]

Welcome tnbassfisher! If yyou go to the Bullet Boat website and open up the owners pages, go to page 19; you will see a photo of the old '86 19 v I'm still fishing in today. They are great boats! With that said, how large is the crack at the splash well? I have seen some gel coat cracks in these boats in that same area, if it's open and you can stick a knofe blade of feeler guage in it, better check further. This could be a sign of stress from a transom failure. There are some really good posts on this page for bullets and there is a tip guide for buying a used boat on the general catagories home page. Test the transom with a phillips screwdriver, it should be firm with no give and if you peck on it with the handle you can detect wet or bad wood by a dull sound. Just a few suggestions and there will be someone far more expert than I along in a while! P.S. I'm originally from the Tri-City area myself!

Good luck.

[Largemouthlou]

Welcome aboard Jeremy!!

If there isa screw on the transome twards the bottom (like on a transducer bracket) see if the guy will let ya take it out, look for dark color or wetness on the screw.

Remove any storage boxes so you can see and touch stringers, your feeling for soft wood.. If there are objects left in the boat (balled up rope or life vests) Pull them out and ck behind those areas..

Poke around inside the bildge area the best ya can..

Have a friend watch the transom for flexing cause it is hard for you to do while standing on the cave plate and bouncing up and down on the motor..

If she wasn't abused she will make ya a dang good boat..

[tnbassfisher]

Thanks fellas Im headed over tonight to give it a good goin over and help the guy replace the aeriter pump so I'll have a chance to get up close and personal with the bilge area. I'll be sure to check whats been mentioned. The crack is open so Im really intersted to see if the crack widens when tested. I have been in the boat out on the river and the motor doesnt seem to move around anymore than any other boat ive been in and the transom didnt seem to really be flexing much if any.

Thanks again

[Uncle "T"]

Sounds great, let us know how it turns out! Good Luck.

[tnbassfisher]

Well everything checked out pretty good except for the transom. It did have more flex to it than I thought. Looked stable in the water but flexed some with the motor trimmed out and me bouncing it up and down. Its not that bad but Im a little timid now. He told me he had the repair quoted at about $800 to fix and reinforce the transom. Were gonna take it back to the river tomorrow for a test run to see if anything else is outta whack. If all goes well i may go ahead and get it and take it easy til winter (if thats possible in a Bullet ) then send it to the shop because the deal we came up with benefits me greatly so 800 and some down time really wouldn't be that bad. (Still wouldnt have very much at all in the boat) I guess nothings perfect

Ill post up again after the river run tomorrow evening and im still open to any opinions

Thanks

[overdrivecb]

800 bucks for a transom sounds too good to be true

id call the glass man and get a quote personally if i were you

[tnbassfisher]

I have no doubts about the guy who has the boat (long time friend and honest guy) but It sounded cheap to me too. The guy who quoted 800 is semi retired so i think hes only doing it to stay busy. Your right though If all goes well tomorrow Ill contact him myself to make sure.

Thanks

[tnbassfisher]

Well I forgot to update but anywho all went well on the test drive so i decided to take a chance and am now the owner of a Bullet. After further inspection the transom is solid. The flex is coming from a small spot to the left of the jack plate where the transom and top cap have pulled apart just a bit. Ive had it out three times so far and run her pretty good and it doesn't appear to be getting any worse. This winter i plan to fix the transom and re carpet the floor and rear lids. Right now i couldn't be happier. Now i can fish when I wanna fish

Thanks for all the suggestions and ideas guys I really appreciate it

[21XDC300]

Congtats, tnbassfisher. I've been boatless a few times in my life and it ain't fun. I like that quote, "Now I can fish when I wanna fish"