15' Stryker and 50hp Merc questions

SXS · 05-06-2009, 03:46 PM

Looking at purchasing a 1999 Alumaweld Stryker with a 1999 50HP Merc 4-stroke with 450 hours on it. What questions should I be asking seller? What things should I look (look out) for? Is 450 hours excessive for this motor? Anything you can advise for my first time purchase of something bigger than my 14' Lund with 9.9 Honda? I'll be using in bays for crabbing and any river but the Columbia.
Thanks
Woody

baitsauce · 05-06-2009, 06:22 PM

Common sense prevails here.

450 hours is not excessive on a motor that's 10 years old, especially a 4 stroke. I easily put that many hours on my kicker in a year. How does the oil look? How does it start? Pull the plugs and take a look at them. How do they look? If they are new then that should be a red flag. How does the prop look? What about the oil in the lower unit? Is the oil milky?

Take a look at the bottom of the boat. It's alright if it's not perfect as long as it was repaired correctly. The bottom of my boat is no virgin, that's for sure. But each time it was damaged it was fixed properly.

One thing a lot of people seem to overlook is the trailer. Is it the right one for the boat? Is it broken? That is if it's a welded trailer, are any of the welds broken? Is the paint or if its galvanized, is the zinc coming off? How are the tires, including the spare? What about the lights? Although lights are not a make or break part of the deal. Because there are those who are having problems with the lights and there are those who are getting ready to have problems with the lights.

That is my

.

Let us know what happened.

SXS · 05-07-2009, 07:50 PM

Thanks, Baitsauce. What I was looking for here was some red flags and people trying to talk me out of it. Didn't get any of that so I think I'm good to go. The dealer said he would do a complete engine ans systems check. Since the hours aren't excessive I think I'll give it one more look.

12pulls · 05-09-2009, 08:39 PM

Remember that the 50hp on a 17' Stryker would plan much faster than a 15' Stryker with the same motor. Don't pull the trigger unless it is a very good price, there are plenty of good boats for sale that might be a better choice. When new in 99 (I bought a 17' Stryker then) the difference was only $500 between the two but the resale value was much lower on the 15'. Good luck.

Pacific Fisher · 05-30-2009, 09:53 AM

I agree that you should look for a 17 Stryker with a Mercury 4 stroke.