’63 Classic on e-bay

Greg I know it's a little bit early,but if you need parts for that trailer check here-
http://shop.easternmarine.com/index.cfm
They had some parts I could not find anywhere.The springs tho no one had the right size but I was able to have them custom made,and turned out less than ones that almost fit.

Riley wrote: What's great about that boat, if it's as nice as I'm hoping, is that it's just about all original, everthing's there and the gel coat is in decent shape.

In the pic with the bassboat in the background, I see a relection on the side of the hull...like it's been in a barn or garage for years. The bassboat is pretty nasty though?!!? LOL It's missing the wing windows, but it does look very complete otherwise. I've seen here as well that those little wings are often missing.
63 Classic

reidp wrote: I've got a tandem axle under our Classic which was custom fab'ed by EarlJoe and JimmyLee and is the hokiest thing I've ever seen. It looks OK and pulls nice but has balance issues, which are coming from the hinged piece ?? that connects the springs to each other, as one keep becoming inverted. Opinions welcome.

Spring shackle centers correct?
Put a single axel under it. I remember that when I was at Watercraft Sales, I blew several tires out on dual axles. The only way to get them where you really want, is hooked up to the front end of the truck and I'm sure you know that they do not like to make sharp turns when you are manuvering them in tight places. It sure squishes those tires sideways!

BuffaloBFN wrote: The stern is riding low too?!!?

Two people in the rear and about 1/2 throttle.

I wonder if Reid has ever experienced 1/2 throttle in his Classic???

Oh, and Pete as you expected, mine normally only runs at 0/2 or 2/2 throttle. But wait, I think I do recall pulling MaddMarxx on the training skis last summer at 1/2 throttle or 26.3 mph, but for only about 50yds as he fell.

These boats typically do run with a "classic" bow-high attitude at a slower cruise.    

Guys, I'm sorry to say I turned this deal down. Tim went to look at it and found it to be less than represented. The biggest discrepency was the gel...it was cracked badly and painted over. Clearly, it was not 'nice gel'. There were several other problems as well, and he turned out to be a less than pleasant fellow when he found out he wasn't getting the check.

I'll get some details up later, but what do I need to do where ebay is concerned...if anything?
Thanks

Greg, Im sorry the boat was a disappointment. Hopefully this all worked out for the best! Here are some pics.

The boat was sitting out in the weather when I arrived (it snowed a bit today). It didnt look as though it had been covered in some time.



This made things a little difficult, as the deck was covered in a layer of ice. I broke through in a few spots to find some pretty serious crazing/spidercracks (the dark spot is a leaf, not gel damage)



At first glance, the hull below the rub rail looked to be much better. A closer inspection revealed that it had been painted. There were a few spots where the paint was chipped, and cracks were visible through the paint.



The front was the ugliest.



I moved to the interior and discovered the cover.



As one might expect, the interior was pretty ugly since it had been exposed to the elements. There was an inflatable frozen into the front seat that I didnt dare pull out.





The running gear is present, but not the prettiest. Whats with the LH prop?



The trailer wasnt quite roadworthy yet, either.



I turned to the engine. It seems everyone was correct about the motorbox. It appears to be original AND modified to clear the taller carb.



Like the hull, the engine didnt look too bad at first glance.



Then I looked closer. Was there something living in the intake manifold?



Is it missing the crank pulley?



Oh, there it is!



Hmmm... the valve covers look loose. Lets look underneath.





Maybe the block is still good? Milky oil... maybe not...



I didnt see a dipstick on the tranny, so thats an unknown.

There was some good news- most of the parts were there. The badges, step pads, foot pedal, etc. Would these gauges have been original, by the way?



The gas gauge may have still been working- there was gas in the tank.

After looking at Tim's pics, it is a real pig. Ya think some of those valves are stuck?

Oh, I forgot to mention the kicker- all the motor mount bolts spun free, so the boat probably needs stringers!

Bruce, you sure you dont want it?

It actually isnt a bad starting point for a project- though it clearly wasnt in the shape that the seller claimed. I definitely dont blame Greg for backing out! I know of someone looking for a trailer, so maybe Ill give him a call and make a lower offer once he has a chance to cool down.

It wasnt really snowing this far south, by the way. We've gotten less than an inch so far, so the trip down to Walpole was no big deal.

Well that is a let down but thanks to Tim and the forum,you weren't let down as they were unloading it at your house!
Tim, I can just imagine your jaw dropping on arrival

Whoa- Certainly not worh the sale price + shipping costs! Greg, sorry this didn't work out for you.
Tim- very cool of you to go check it out and give the straight line on it's condition.

hey- the squirell/ mouse nest didn't look too bad in that thing..At least you could see in the bilge

Way to go Tim. It is nice to have friends all over this fine country of ours . Tim ,, By the way , you call that a prop ? It looks well into the wall ornament phase .

Well my heart is heavy. I'm so sad, but glad at the same time for the reasons mentioned above. I was wondering why that engine was red to begin, and now after seeing the prop I'm confident it was swapped for an auto rotation, which were red for a few years. Poor, poor girl. Maybe someone local will pick up the boat for the song it's unfortunately worth.

Yikes! Tim, were you trying to let me down gently on the phone?!!? Those pics have completely dried my tears! I didn't expect it to look new of course, but the gel and stringers and so forth were supposed to be in good shape. I asked the seller many questions about the engine and nothing about loose parts and stray animals came up.

I just have to say that this is a shining example in how to treat people and how not to. Tim, you're the best and we thank you more than we know how to say! Know that you have an open favor to call here, and I'd be happy to send you a 'non-finders' fee or if you prefer, I'll send Keith a donation in your name; or both. The same goes for this site/all of you. I'd be happy to pay forward the efforts Tim extended to me.

The funny part is that I told the seller from the start that the sale was pending approval from an inboard expert friend of mine in his area. I guess he couldn't know that Batman/Boatman was coming to look the boat over?!!? LOL   And Tim, I'm sorry for putting you in a potentially tight spot. I guess he's the sort who's nice enough till he doesn't get his way. If I had driven up there on his word to pick it up and he had gotten nasty with me, he'd not soon forget me.

Thanks again Tim, you're a four-star Poobah!



A question I might've asked sooner, what color is the engine supposed to be?

Greg, dont mention it- Im glad we averted disaster! There are several Fans who have been very generous to me with their time, money and hospitality. Im just glad to have a chance to pay it forward. Heck, I probably would have gone to take a look at the boat eventually anyway!

You didnt put me in a tight spot- I thought it was comical how the seller reacted. I read the same discription you did:

"I DONT KNOW IF THE ENGINE RUNS BUT IT DOES TURN AND LOOKS LIKE IT HAS BEEN OUT AND MAYBE REBUILT.THE FLOOR AND STRINGERS ARE SOLID,GELL COAT IS NICE."

Talk about BS! The best part is that he said he's had problems like this before selling things on ebay where the buyer was upset with "as-stated" condition. I almost suggested that if he took some better pictures and didnt lie in the description that maybe he would have better luck