Please Help…..

[Buyaboat]

I’m new to the group, so forgive me for diving straight in.
I’m looking at buying a Fletcher Arrowstreak GTS c/w trailer.
If all goes to plan this will be the first boat that I’ve owned.
Can anyone help with buying tips please? All contributions welcome..!
Many thanks.

 

[Silversurfer]

This is quite an old boat now, need to check for rotten transom and floor. Its also going to be an inboard engine mercruiser which is probably also 20 years plus old. The 4.3l was faster and a lot less over worked than the 3.0l. Personally I would consider a simpler boat of this age e.g. an outboard and maybe a phantom 16 instead. If going with the fletcher expect to budget what you paid for it again in maintenance when something goes wrong with the engine or the outdrive. Or Consider a Fletcher Arrowstreak GTO with an outboard as its cheaper to maintain or do an entire engine swap. Unless the trailer has been serviced this year don’t tow it anywhere. Assume it has not been serviced and get the bearings checked changed before going on public roads.

 

[Buyaboat]

This is quite an old boat now, need to check for rotten transom and floor. Its also going to be an inboard engine mercruiser which is probably also 20 years plus old. The 4.3l was faster and a lot less over worked than the 3.0l. Personally I would consider a simpler boat of this age e.g. an outboard and maybe a phantom 16 instead. If going with the fletcher expect to budget what you paid for it again in maintenance when something goes wrong with the engine or the outdrive. Or Consider a Fletcher Arrowstreak GTO with an outboard as its cheaper to maintain or do an entire engine swap. Unless the trailer has been serviced this year don’t tow it anywhere. Assume it has not been serviced and get the bearings checked changed before going on public roads.

Thanks for the reply Silversurfer. There’s a lot of really sound advice in there, which is greatly appreciated.
The seller has had a pre season check done by a reputable marine engineering company so I’ve asked for a copy of that. The point you make about the trailer is noted. I’ll go back to him on that. I’m also planning to get it out on the water for a test run. Is there anything specific I should look out for on that trip..? Water ingress is an obvious one…!

 

[Silversurfer]

Do you know how many hours the engine has done? is it carb or fuel injection? Would also ask for a compression test within 10% on each one is it the 3l or 4.3?

 

[Buyaboat]

Do you know how many hours the engine has done? is it carb or fuel injection? Would also ask for a compression test within 10% on each one is it the 3l or 4.3?

I don’t have answers to all of those questions but I’ll be sure to ask. It’s the 3l. I’m becoming resigned to the fact that buying it might not be a smart move. He’s happy to let me have a spin in it and see it for myself, so I’ll take him up on that if he responds positively to these additional question. So appreciative of your help and advice, very gratefully received.