old boat opinions needed

[jhynesrockmtn]

I'm considering purchasing this old Silverline 17 open bow boat. I've had outboards in the past. Grew up with a late 60's Johnson 85 on salt water and later an early 90's 90 horse Evinrude.

This boat is owned by a nice old guy in his 80's. He bought it in 94, used a few times, wife got ill and it's been parked in his garage since 2001. Fresh water only. I've got a mobile marine mechanic scheduled to go through it on Tuesday. He's asking $2,500 for the boat, motor and nice Calkins trailer. We frequently travel to a large lake in N Idaho and camp. I'd leave it in storage up there and use it when we're at the lake. Lot's of lake camping opportunities up there, resorts to go have dinner at, pull the grandkids on skis or a tube, etc.

Am I crazy to buy an old 2 stroke? The boat will clean up very nicely, not a ripe or tear in the upholstery. Could use a new canvas.

[Zeke]

Seems like you are getting enough for your money even if the motor was not there or dead.

[drcoastline]

Sounds like the question is regarding the outboard not necessarily the boat? Nothing wrong with two stroke power. That looks like a clean motor. Main draw back compared to a new four stroke is they stink and they are noisy other wise good motors. Parts new and used are readily available and they are easy to fix. It's quite possible you could keep that engine running forever.

Over all looks like a nice clean well cared for rig. $2,500.00 is cheap fun and will make long lasting memeories.

[Don Ro]

That Silverline looks super clean. $2,500 and I'd buy that if I was in a place to use it. Go fishing and water skiing.
It looks like what eventually became, or used to be, the 17' Newport from Silverline.
Well built boats...stringent quality control in that company. I know of what I speak.
The owner was a hard nosed business man who held a firm grip on all areas. Not terribly liked by the employees, however.
.
I worked for Silverline in Moorhead, MN while I was in college across the river at NDSU.
I was in the engine installation area of the warehouse. Just a tad of fuel still in the system and after a battery install I'd always fire up the inboard straight six Chrysler engines and irritate the foreman.
Recall making $3.35/hr in early '68.
.
Buy it and have fun.

[1990C4S]

I think if you want a boat you won't find a better deal...the two strike will likely fire right up.

[Superman]

I grew up near the south end of Lake Coeur d'Alene. You are likely speaking of Pend Oreille? Either way, those are two very large, very cool lakes. I spent the first eighteen years of my life as an amphibian.

Nice boat. Buy it. The marine mechanic is likely to suggest a maintenance thing or two, and otherwise give it a clean bill of health.

[Seahawk]

If the survey works out, that is a sweet deal.

The seats look like chairs from my first apartment

[tevake]

That beauty looks like it's been in a time capsule, so fresh looking.
If that orange truck is yours, it's a match that even Tim Hancock would approve of.

Jump on it! Good find!

I too imagine that the engine will have lots of life still in it.
Nice hull, and family friendly interior.

Keep us posted on how it shakes down.

Cheers Richard

[dad911]

Sitting for 17 years..... service the trailer. New tires & wheel bearings.

[Don Ro]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

If the survey works out, that is a sweet deal.

The seats look like chairs from my first apartment

And built by Germans and Scandahoovians in Mini Sota...you bethca, by golly.

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by dad911

Sitting for 17 years..... service the trailer. New tires & wheel bearings.

Big bingo on that! You don't want to have a trailer breakdown. Look like it has "bearing buddies"...that's good.

[sand_man]

Are those seats Corinthian leather??!!

[jhynesrockmtn]

I grew up near the south end of Lake Coeur d'Alene. You are likely speaking of Pend Oreille?

We and a group of friends are frequent campers up at Priest Lake so that is where it would be stored. I've confirmed I can get storage in a covered lean to for $70/month. A wrap in the winter and outdoor would be like $40/month.

The seats do crack me up, not like other marine upholstery I've seen.

That Silverline looks super clean. $2,500 and I'd buy that if I was in a place to use it. Go fishing and water skiing.
It looks like what eventually became, or used to be, the 17' Newport from Silverline.
Well built boats...stringent quality control in that company. I know of what I speak.
The owner was a hard nosed business man who held a firm grip on all areas. Not terribly liked by the employees, however.
.
I worked for Silverline in Moorhead, MN while I was in college across the river at NDSU.
I was in the engine installation area of the warehouse. Just a tad of fuel still in the system and after a battery install I'd always fire up the inboard straight six Chrysler engines and irritate the foreman.

Good to know, I had read up a bit on the company. Seemed like they were considered higher end boats in their day. This one is a Nantucket 17VBR. The bow rider will work well for our use. We'll frequently be pulling up near shore and anchoring.

With the mechanic, I'm mainly concerned with someone sticking a battery on there, confirming it will run, is cooling correctly, the shift and steering mechanisms and power tilt work well and there are no glaring structural issues. I know there are no guarantees but I also don't want to buy something that needs to be re powered, even if it is a good deal. I just don't want the hassle.

[jhynesrockmtn]

Sitting for 17 years..... service the trailer. New tires & wheel bearings.

He pulled it out 5 years ago thinking he was going to use it or give to one of his kids and put new tires on it and had the bearings done. Went right back into his garage.....

[sc_rufctr]

At $2,500 that's a give away. Great looking boat IMO! Buy it and have some fun.

[Don Ro]

It's a "garage find".

[sc_rufctr]

Please don't' change the seats! PLUSH

[billybek]

Not sure if it applies to that motor but if it has a rubber water pump impeller change it out before starting it.

Awesome boat BTW. I remember seeing those all over the Okanagan and Shuswap when I was a lot younger.

[LWJ]

I would buy it.

[unclebilly]

The cardinal rule of old outboards is this... do not travel further than you are prepared to paddle back.

I spent much of my youth on the west coast and learned this lesson more than once.