Purchasing 1998 Pre2200 WT

[rt2439]

I am about to purchase a 1998 Pre2200WT and am looking for any comments about that model/year? it is in excellent condition with about 400 hours on it. Thanks for any comments!! Rick

[TeamAllen]

Welcome to the site! Which motor does it have in it?
Does it have a tower? Any pics?

[rt2439]

thank you!! I am inquiring about the motor now. Waht motor usually comes in that model/year? It does not have a tower but we plan on putting one on it soon!!

thanks!

[Ruger761]

Welcome!

Condition is everything and how it was treated. Post up some pics if you can. Far as motor typically looking at a 350 that is either carb, EFI, or Multi Port Fuel Injection. Theres a few other motors during those years as well. If it still has the VDO gages dont be surprised if you have to replace them due to bezels falling off. Go for a test ride make sure trans and Vdrive are in good shape and no leaks out of the V-drive. Look at the shaft seal see if its leaking water as well. Real easy to replace but always something that might help you bargin in a little better price. Also check make sure the taps strokes up and down.

[Bakes5]

We like ours a lot. Things we added

Tower
Perfect pass
Upgraded prop
Barefoot boom
Upgraded stereo

Things I've replaced
Steering cable
Rudder
Bent shaft strut
Alternator
Water pump
Reupholstered seats

It's a little under powered at high altitude but was great in Seattle and Louisiana. I had to re-prop again for Colorado.

All in all it's been a great boat. We've put about 150hr per year on it for the past 5 yrs and never really had any major issues. Starts every time. Pulls me up no problem (*except at 8000+ feet with a full boat and full tank...it's kind of a dog then)

Anyways, here is it going in for the first run of the year last week



Here it is with full combat load

[rt2439]

Thank you Blake5 for the info and the pics!! that is an awesome looking boat!! what kind of tower is that, looks like the kind/type i was looking at!!

thanks again!

[rt2439]

all, it has the Mercruiser 350MAG MPI engine with 439 hours and is in great shape... i will try and post pics of it!

cant wait to get it out on the water! thanks for the tips on what to look for on the "test" drive!!!

Rick

[Bakes5]

That is the razor tower from samson. If I was doing it again today, I would get the new blade tower they have out. These are expensive towers for sure, but worth every penny assuming you plan on keeping your boat around a while. If you are just going to sell/upgrade in a year or two then you might want something half the price. I have 4 kids a few yrs from college so no new boats are in my future.

I missed a bent prop shaft strut when I bought my boat. That ended up costing me about $1000 for the strut as well as a slightly worn rudder. Check it out closely. Check the alternator bracket for a crack. It will be a little line of rust on an otherwise black assembly. If it has one, negotiate for a few hundred bucks. I got all my seats reupholstered for about $600. That does not include the seat backs, sides and sun deck. Check the cap/rotor for corrosion. EZ swap out and you should probably do it anyways but it's always nice to show someone rust/corrosion when you are looking to take a couple hundred off.

All in all, 400+ hours is pretty low hours. As long as it looks well cared for and drives great you should be fine. I probably would not pay more than $15k assuming everything is perfect. If it has a nice tower, perfect pass and an upgraded prop and is otherwise excellent probably go up to $18-19k. I bought mine for $17k summer of 2009 and then spent a lot getting it upgraded. Sometimes I wish I had just spent $27k on an 04 that already had a tower and perfect pass. You will "need" perfect pass and an upgraded prop at a minimum.

[rt2439]

i am going to try and post some pictures!! see if it works!The Boat4.jpg

[rt2439]

One More!!Tige10.jpg

[TeamAllen]

Pictures worked great. Looks great!
A little strange the way they strap down the transom?