worth buying?

[jbpainter]

Hey guys,

I have a boat to purchase. it is a ranger 488vs with a 200 merc efi also 1996. Boat is great has awesome new electronics on it and a brand new trolling motor. Was all set to buy the boat with one last tournament before taking ownership. Needless to say the guy blew the motor and it now needs a new powerhead or a new motor all together. Is it worth putting a new powerhead on this motor or should i start shopping for a new boat all together. I know the guy well and know that the boat has been maintained to a T. Any thoughts or suggestions??

thanks

[Wreck_em_AU]

Is he willing to knock some $$$ off? Who will be paying for the rebuild? If he is paying, will there be a warranty on it? Just some questions I would ask before buying. If there is a warranty on the rebuild, you would be in a better position
JMHO and keep us posted

[jbpainter]

Oh yeah there will be some incredible savings on the boat. Im just unsure about a rebuilt motor. Is a reman powerhead the way to go, or should i go with factory parts?? both will come with a warranty. I think that if this deal works out, I will be responsible for getting the motor fixed, not sure if i want that headache.

[MXRacer105]

I am not sure about the motor situation, but I just bought the same boat (1998) and absolutely love it.....

My friend bought a boat that had a rebuilt motor and it runs great, no problems yet.... except that it is a Champion

[herbertrhudy]

Just to let you know----there are two motors in this world(if ya dont look at brands/sizes)----the blown and the ready to blow!!!!!new powerhead and it'll be a new motor

[Wreck_em_AU]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by herbertrhudy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Just to let you know----there are two motors in this world(if ya dont look at brands/sizes)----the blown and the ready to blow!!!!!new powerhead and it'll be a new motor</TD></TR></TABLE>

...what he said . Like gettin a new motor only cheaper. If your on the hook for the rebuild, can have either reman or new. Its your $$$. Can't tell ya which way to go but i'm sure someone will give some opinion on that. Check with your local shop and ??? them. Warranty/parts/time frame and of course $$$

[jbpainter]

This is the info i was hoping for. Awesome I can only hope that the new powerhead will mean a new motor and no new problems (at least for a while)

thanks again

[unclemark]

I would look for a faster hull in the first place I had a 98' 488vs with an EFI 200 and it was kinda well no... it was slow. Maybe a 512 or 521

[Bassmeister]

Depends on the rebuilder. If they only fix what's blown then it won't be new. If you pay for a full rebuild should be like new.JMHO

[ZeroHour]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by unclemark &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I would look for a faster hull in the first place I had a 98' 488vs with an EFI 200 and it was kinda well no... it was slow. Maybe a 512 or 521</TD></TR></TABLE>

Ive seen some fast 48 series rangers...Well at least fast for rangers, 70s is possible with work

[NathanatFork]

I had this same EXACT thing happen to me beginning of the summer. I looked at a 98 Basscat with 98 200 merc. It was immaculate. I decided to buy it and the day before I picked it up the motor blew and needed the powerhead rebuilt and a new piston. I decided to buy the boat (ceaper) and have it rebuilt.

The biggest thing is being picky and knowledgable about who you get to do the work. Dont just go to the local shop. You need to ask around, get references, find out who actually knows what they are doing. If you get a good mechanic, it will go very smoothly.

Its kind of a hassle and you wont be able to fish right away. I missed the best part of spring fishing on Fork. But, now thats its done, Im very happy with my boat.

[jbpainter]

well i got the boat!!! got a great deal on it and found a motor. Motor had no lower unit so we swaped out my brand new lower unit and i have a great motor for next to nothing.

ill have to see about getting some pics of it on here.

thanks for all the advice.

[unclemark]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by coloradoman25 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Ive seen some fast 48 series rangers...Well at least fast for rangers, 70s is possible with work
</TD></TR></TABLE>
I had an EFI merc so that may have been the reason it wasnt that fast and I really didnt but much effort into gettin more out of it, pretty quick out the hole though. Im sure there was more hidden in it but....

[jbpainter]

Ive had it in the water now twice both days glass calm which is very rare on Lake Champlain. Both tanks 1/2 full i got it to 65.3mph. I know that i can raise the Jackplate about 3/8 inch and squeak out a couple of more mph but 65 is plenty fast enough for me right now. this is my first bass boat and I would like to keep it running well as long as possible.

[unclemark]

I didnt have a plate on mine...

[Neilslure]

Fished as a co angler in a 488, pretty good. Cant beat Ranger for an older boat.