1991 laser 388LE with 260 horn offshore motor

[Trikmit]

I have a 1991 Laser 388 LE with a mercury 2.5L ego 260 offshore motor that I am looking to sell or trade for pontoon boat. What do you think my set up is worth?

[tunnelmike]

Pictures , hours , compression, and leak down numbers would be a good start. Too many variables with the limited info posted. Mike

[Trikmit]

Here are some pics I don't have the compression or leak down.

[Great East Predictor]

How does it run with the 260?

[Trikmit]

It's a 280 and I think it runs great

[Trikmit]

I might be a little biased though. I got it for doing the labor of a roof job, they got it from the original owner who was going to do some skiing and racing with it he used it maybe 5 times then he got arrested sold it to whom I got it from and he ended up dying in prison. The 2nd owners only took it out 2 to 3 times and it sat from 97 until 2016 when I replaced fuel pump, water separator, battery, steering cables,fuel filter, starter, plugs, 2 control beds on motor not sure of the names. We have had it out maybe 6 to 7 times pulled kids on tubes works ok but not the best for that job. I don't race so we are looking to sell but I don't know what the price range should be, I have had people tell me only worth about 3000, but others say it could be up to 10,000. I just want to know what it should go for and want to be fair also for everyone involved. Any help appreciated. Thanks

[LTRR]

You look like you could use some help and I'll be glad give you some straight up info that should help you. That motor looks like a 260 as you stated in your first post. I observed the old style engine cowl in one of your pix as proof.

The 280 has a large alternator and has what is referred to as an "alien cowl".
A stock virgin 260 is a valuable item to a racer or mechanic worth probably $5000 to someone who wants it... provided it's got no issues with rings which usually need replacing at 100 hours or so or other internal problems such as fuel delivery problems which could result in a burnt piston which is why Tunnelmike asked about leakdown and compression. It could have other issues with electronics as well and that has to be considered when buying a 25+ year old motor.

The 260 is a highly desirable race engine but is pretty fussy and very thirsty and my experience has been - you better know how to work on it if you plan on using it because it will start trying to self destruct as soon as you fire it up. It's not a matter of if... just a matter of when.Rebuilds are around 5 grand for those of us without mechanical expertise and half that is just for parts if you do your own.

You could have a mechanic disassemble it and sell the parts and make some money but I wouldn't attempt that myself if you aren't knowledgeable in that area and don't have the contacts.

I honestly don't know what your boat and trailer are worth, but any buyer is going to want it to not only look shiny and well kept, but they will want to make sure the floor and stringers and transom are not rotten. There might be some wet foam under the floor as well. A knowledgeable person in the business will know how to determine all that.
If you don't know how to tell that, I would take it to a reputable boat dealer or boat repair shop and ask them to inspect it. With that said, your boat and trailer look good in the pix, but they are a quarter of a century old and I wouldn't expect they would be worth more than about $5000 without the motor.

The rig totally cleaned up and all issues issues dealt with might get you $10K.
If you start paying someone to resolve issues you will find that a boat really is a hole in the water that you throw money into! A lot of the guys on this forum are do it your selfers and they can afford more boat that way.
A boat resaler will give you a piece of what your boat is worth and take away your problems then try to sell it himself and make a little money. I would personally consider that as my first choice if I didn't have a lot invested in the rig and just wanted to get my money out of it. Much less headache and no expensive surprises. I know a guy in Dallas who buys and sells rigs like yours if you want his name and number PM me. He bought my last mistake after the 260 sitting on it self destructed.

Hope this helps...Dr Jim

[Trikmit]

Dr him thanks for the info. The engine per serial number is a 280 offshore is,what I was told. I did have it at a shop and had it looked at. I am new to here can you email at trikmit@hotmail.com. I have already out money into this boat I am mechanically inclined, but this set up is not what the family needs they want more to be able to fish and swim from and to be pulled on tubes that is,why u am looking to sell to get a pontoon boat. I have replaced stRtit, fuel pump, water separator, electronic packs, plugs,battery, steering cables fuel filter, water pump,. Shop stated boat was in excellent condition when I got it last year which is why I put the money into it. Please email that info as I don't no how to do the pm thing. Thanks

[patchesII]

Definitely a 260. Looks to be fairly clean too

[Trikmit]

It is a 260 and I believe it's a sportmaster lower. I am trying to see what this a really worth?

[Da Bull]

If there is no rot in the boat and transom is good, interior is good, gel good, paper work in order then with what 260`s go for I would say 10K is top`s but people like to think they got a good deal so come off that to where you are comfortable. Maybe 8K.

DB

[Gfm25]

Wondering if still available

If there is no rot in the boat and transom is good, interior is good, gel good, paper work in order then with what 260`s go for I would say 10K is top`s but people like to think they got a good deal so come off that to where you are comfortable. Maybe 8K.

DB

[Da Bull]

Not my boat. I just gave an opinion and that's all.

[Btemp422]

I have a 1991 Laser 388 LE with a mercury 2.5L ego 260 offshore motor that I am looking to sell or trade for pontoon boat. What do you think my set up is worth?

I know it says pontoon but trade for 86 ski nautique maybe?

[keith scotton]

Have you got more pictures front side and bottom.
Thanks Keith