Looking to buy 1990 22 Cruiser questions

[Captain Pete]

Hello Cbrats!

Looking very seriously at a freshwater lightly used 1990 Cruiser, hull is in good condition.

Has a very low hours 2014 Honda 60 hp , no kicker.

EZ Loader trailer, new tires, no brakes.

110 electric panel and 1 gfci outlet, but no shore power outlet.

Needs thorough cleaning and compounding, has sat in two owners barns a lot.

Cushions decent and some working electronics.

Fuel hoses and maybe bilge pumps, sink faucet, orrigo burners, floor coverings, etc all look ready for replacement

Asking $20,000 pretty firm.

I would be a frequent Great Lakes single handed 3-4 nights marinas and on the hook cruiser.

Possible do upgrades for a long run to Florida.

What do you think of this boat-motor trailer and the price? I’m in your debt for you sharing your expertise and wisdom.

Thank you very much.

[T.R. Bauer]

I honestly don't think this is that great of a buy to be completely honest. The 60 hp makes it painfully slow, it needs electronics and other updates, and the trailer really needs to have brakes on a boat like this. By the time you tackle all that, I'm pretty sure you find one turn key for the same or less money. However, you would have new stuff and the other boat would have used stuff and that's worth something. I'd pass, but that's me.

[PaulNBriannaLynn]

I think you'd need a sea trial to decide if 60 hp is enough for you. Many folks here like to cruise along at a slower pace almost all the time. For them, its a pretty good price. I like to smash around in the mid 20s fully loaded for camping, so this motor wouldn't work for me. I'd also be curious if that's the original trailer or not. A 1990 trailer is getting older. Not that its not still serviceable, it very well could be. But it may not provide the confidence needed for a long haul to Florida and back. Just those two items, should you decide to upgrade later, might set you back another $15k.

So yeah its a fair price for what it is if its in good condition and could be left alone and enjoyed as is. If it has a lot of needs, youll end up underwater at 20k so Id offer less. Good luck!!

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Hi Pete,
I looked at the ad, and the boat looks in fairly decent condition. It will be a slow boat if loaded for cruising, especially if at altitude. The electronics are dated, and might need replacing. The trailer, if not corroded should do the job, but a tandem axle for long distances would be better. If that is OK with you, make a reasonable lower offer. The worst the seller can do is say no.

If you find you want more horsepower, you could go to a 90 or 115. A more complex and possibly more expensive upgrade might be to add a second Honda 60. Suzuki motors seem to be more affordable here in Oregon, maybe there, too.

Regards,

Steve

[DayBreak]

Steve makes a great point. To put a second but used Honda 60 hp on it (used to keep the cost down) would make the boat worth more for re-sale and give you that extra power if needed.

[colbysmith]

If the boat and trailer weighs more than 3,000 lbs, you need brakes on it. Electric brakes may be fairly inexpensive to add, if you are mechanically inclined. I'm guessing it does weigh very close to, if not more than 3000 lbs. For any long distance trailering, you will want a decent trailer to protect the investment you have sitting on it. Colby

[Captain Pete]

Thank you very much Steve Gary Colby for sharing your expertise.

The seller was stuck on $19k and I knew it would take money and time and effort making me underwater and the boat would still be underpowered.

Walking away felt freeing.

You guys helped me get past the original love at first sight.

[Wandering Sagebrush]

[T.R. Bauer]