Advice on a 228 purchase

geaux_fish

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I am new to this site and would like some help deciding on a purchase. I am looking at a Seafarer 228 with the Grady Drive. It is a 1991 model, with a 1992 Evinrude 200hp motor. It looks to be in very good condition, no bottom paint, and just the normal wear and tear on a 20 + year old boat. I can get it for under $10K. It also has a very nice trailor. I will be in lakes/rivers 70% of the time and off shore the rest. Usually three kids and a wife with a friend now and then. Is this a good deal? Any issues with this model or motor that you know of? Would I like the CC or WA better? How hard and expensive is it to get spare parts?

Thanks in advance! Also, this is a great site with a lot of helpful info.
 
Its tough to say if its a good deal or not. Whatever you decide to buy, you should have a marine survey and motor inspection. The couple of hundred you spend could save thousands.
In general your kids and wife will appreciate a WA a lot more than a CC.
I believe that that year is before the SeaV2 hull which is more desirable but I could be wrong.
If you plan on trailering, do you have a vehicle that can do that?

If you are new to boating keep in mind that whatever you think a part or supply should cost, triple the number. I am not kidding.

One word of caution about trailers. If they are steel, they rot from the inside out so it is often difficult to judge condition.

Good luck
 
Last August I bought a 1989 Seafarer 228 with the hard top and a 225HP Johnson with a trailer from New Jersey, the asking price was 10,500.00 and it was for sale for about a month and a half, I got it for 9,000.00. Has a Lowrance GPS and a Garmin fishfinder thats about 4 years old. This is the best boat I have owned. Always had Sea Rays and just wanted to try something different. Parts are not a problem lots of new parts for motors on E-Bay and everything else I just go to West Marine only because they are close to me. Have not had any problems with the boat or motor since buying.
 
Thanks for the good info. I made him an offer this morning so we will see what happens. I'll let you know.