1979 Vulture I believe? Do I buy?

[gbourdon]

This would be my first hydro. The boat is for sale for $600 and is local to me. Boat, 200hp merc, and trailer. I haven't seen it yet and don't know running condition.

Looks like new floors and some kind of shim on the transom.

What's wrong with this boat for the price? Floors and transom need to be done again?

Seems like awfully short money for the boat.

[Hydrophobic guy]

Where's it at?
If the motor runs $600 bucks is cheap.
Looks as thou it had a hack in slap floor put in.
Can't tell by the pics what it is bring a tape Vulture's are 20'.
Bring Hottrucks list when you check it out.

http://forums.screamandfly.com/forums/showthread.php?t=164339

[gbourdon]

It's in Dover, NH. I just talked to him, the motor turns over but hasn't run in a few years. Starter sticks, he rebuilt those seats a couple years ago.

New steering cables. Says the floor is solid, etc. I need to go take a ride tonight and find a buddy with a truck...

Thanks for the checklist.

[Da Bull]

Buy it. Thats cheap!

DB

[transomstand]

It will need a new core and transom for sure.

[Hydrophobic guy]

Cripe's your 20 mins away from it.
If the motor spins check the compression if it's even grab it and drag it home.
Me, even if it was blown up I'd take it for $600 bucks.

[gbourdon]

Can anybody guess at the year of that motor? He's got the rear bench for it also.

Here is the only other picture i have.

[transomstand]

That decal set was used from 1980-1982

[Hydrophobic guy]

Motor from the cover looks like an 82 and the boat is a Vulture.

[benski]

"My sweetie says if I bring home one more orphaned boat she's going to leave me. Darn, I'm going to miss that woman..." Good luck and keep us informed on your new purchase!

[oldskier]

The steering and lower unit are worth $600...buy it, then check the 'fiberglass discussion' section here. Look at the 'recore' threads and decide if you want to got through that much work to have a fairly rare vintage speedboat or if you want to part it out and make some $$$. Thats the only Vulture I have even seen a picture of.

[gbourdon]

I think its a bit of a no-brainer even if it sits in the garage for a little while.

Steering cables were all replaced a couple of years ago as well.

[oldskier]

For you guys with Vulture experience, it seems as if with that much length it would be very stable. Can they be made fast? Could it run with a 20' Ally?

[gbourdon]

I went and looked at the boat last night. It's a bit of a project. I couldnt get a good look at the transom with the fuel tank being in there, etc. Transom didnt seem to flex at all and there were no cracks that I saw but who knows what is under that aluminum plate.

The gelcoat is pretty dull, the pictures look better than it actually is.

The floor seems to still be solid although i did see one crack in the glass work on one of the seams. He told me the floor was done by a boat repair shop in the mid 90's.

It's got a stainless chopper prop, trim buttons on the steering wheel and a hot foot. He says it was in the water 3 years ago but the stickers are from 1999.

It's still in his yard. I may go back and scoop it up, I just need to decide if I want to take on a project boat.

[Hydrophobic guy]

Did the motor turn over? Is that plate on the back just an add on with a piece of wood on top? Any cracks in the bottom? Did you wack it with a mallet? As for looking better in the pictures its because he took um when it was wet things always look better wet. Still if the motors not seized for $600 bucks its a good deal.

[gbourdon]

That plate is an add on. They used that when they repowered the boat. It makes me wonder if you were to remove that plate what kind of shape the transom would be in.

I didnt whack it with a mallet, I went straight from work and didnt have anything with me.

The motor isnt seized, it does turn over. I wish I could have inspeced inside the cylinders when I was there. And done a compression test.

He's got some wires clipped on the motor but he didnt know what they were for and neither do I. It was a unit up top by the airbox, above the carbs with 5 or 6 wires coming out that were all clipped off.

Hot foot on the left foot? I'm used to my right foot hitting the loud pedal.

[Hydrophobic guy]

Wires are probably the alarm box. Does it have oil injection or no?
If you can spin it thats a good thing. If no bring jumper cables. Also run the trim tilt. Did you check the lower unit lube for water? If you have time I'd go through the Hottrucks check list that way at least you know what your up against. In any event offer him $500 cash and see if he takes it. If the motors even fairly ok thats a steal.

[gbourdon]

I didnt check the lower unit lube. Lower unit is relatively corrosion free.

That box said something about manual override on it.

[benski]

Aw, c'mon! Jump into the pool! It's only cold until you sell the boat again!

[gbourdon]

Pulled the trigger on it.

I'll get some better pictures and let you know how it looks once I can get in there and get my hands dirty.

[Hydrophobic guy]

Cool,
When ya get it to float drag it up here to the puddle and beat it. :thumbsup:
Usually plenty of boats around here to tow ya back in. :D