mako 25 buying issues

[rustyolddad]

I really have my heart set on a 25 Mako (77-78) as best I can tell are the only years they were produced. I have looked at multiple boats and because I cant squeeze 30K out of the wife I am shopping on a budget. I can find good hull, yes used or faded but solid , but power is usually old. $$ repower!

Or I find one thats been repowered but it has tank, floor or transom issues.

For those who have bought a 25 what great advice can you offer? Can I get a great classic hull and repower twins with a single affordably?

So may questions and I getting older as I look for answers. Thanks!

[Sailor]

buy a boat that needs minimal glass work but figure on a transom and tanks at the bare minimum. I was not aware of the underlying issues with mine and I would have never have bought it had it not been sentimental. I would look for a boat that doesn't have a lot of dings and nicks on the top side either. They all seem to get soft spots in the floor and around the forward seating so try and find one that is dry. No bottom paint is a plus too. There are some cream puffs, but most have been fished hard. I know of two in my area (Florida panhandle) for sale. I would also not rule out the 251/254 series either. They have more reverse chine and ride drier.

[MAMako21]

https://boston.craigslist.org/sob/boa/d/25-mako-center-console/6327071592.html

Worth a look

[ssfishx]

don't, forget you are talking about a 40 year old boat!

[rustyolddad]

Thanks sailor I have thought of that. I looked at a 78 25 that needed a transom. I was ready to pull the trigger and put a single 300 on a floatation bracket. Not sure if that was the right move, but it sold to another. Seems most running 25 s I see are in the 15K area. Since they are not by me ( ohio) time id generally a sensitive issue.

Hope to figure this out soon or I will need my son to captain me around!

quote:

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Originally posted by Sailor


buy a boat that needs minimal glass work but figure on a transom and tanks at the bare minimum. I was not aware of the underlying issues with mine and I would have never have bought it had it not been sentimental. I would look for a boat that doesn't have a lot of dings and nicks on the top side either. They all seem to get soft spots in the floor and around the forward seating so try and find one that is dry. No bottom paint is a plus too. There are some cream puffs, but most have been fished hard. I know of two in my area (Florida panhandle) for sale. I would also not rule out the 251/254 series either. They have more reverse chine and ride drier.

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[tvitalis]

https://newjersey.craigslist.org/boa/d/25-ft-mako-center-console/6282702775.html

This one has been for sale for a while. Drove by it the other day, it's on land now.

[muzzy1127]

you can find them. i bought mine about 18 months ago for $600 and went through everything. It was 100% original. Ha the original fuel tank. I removed it, pressure tested it, ended up just cleaning it, epoxying it and putting it back. I re wired everything, and repowered it with a 2009 suzuki 250 it runs good with the single.

I think they made them longer then 77-78. i think it was 76/77-83 mine is a 1980, i think or a 1981.

At the end of the day I am all into mine for 5,500 with all new electronics, trim tabs, wiring, and built the way I wanted. Unfortunately I had to put a urethane paint on the topside due to a lot of repairs in the hull that were required.

As others have said its a 40 year old boat. check for moisture. fortunately mine was all dry. You will have other projects theres no doubt about it. I had one of the hatches in the floor (rear fishbox) was soft I just ended up recoring that and painting the deck.

Be patient and youll find your deal.

[Justin]

Be prepared that even if you think it's dry, the tank cover and eventually the deck will rot and get spongy.

[thejeepguy87]

I looked for mine for two years before I bought it, but found an excellent deal. I had to travel to get it, but it was worth it in the end.

I wanted the one Muzzy bought as I saw it neglected for years, but never knocked on the door. Should have!

Either buy one that you plan to do a lot of work to and get the hull cheap like Muzzy did, or buy one almost complete and do the finishing touches.

Since I bought mine I have replaced the fuel tank, done the coffin lid, transom, bracket, twin motor, and all new wiring.

Today it is being blasted.

All in I am just over $20,000 for the boat, trailer, and motors. Mine is a 1985 25'4.

I looked at a hull only for $2000 with the bracket. I looked at one with a 2007 etec for $11,000 with no trailer. I looked at one with a 2008 etec, on a trailer, 1978, with tons of core issues for $5,500. They are out there and you may have to travel, but you will find one.

Until then, make your son drive you around. That is cheaper!

[rustyolddad]

thanks Muzzy!

$600 REALLY??? Would love to find the perfect hull and repwoer as you did picking the components I want. Under 10K done I would be a happy man! anyway I visit AnnaMAria each year. Love your island too bad the world knows about it! What a great place to live.

quote:

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Originally posted by muzzy1127


you can find them. i bought mine about 18 months ago for $600 and went through everything. It was 100% original. Ha the original fuel tank. I removed it, pressure tested it, ended up just cleaning it, epoxying it and putting it back. I re wired everything, and repowered it with a 2009 suzuki 250 it runs good with the single.

I think they made them longer then 77-78. i think it was 76/77-83 mine is a 1980, i think or a 1981.

At the end of the day I am all into mine for 5,500 with all new electronics, trim tabs, wiring, and built the way I wanted. Unfortunately I had to put a urethane paint on the topside due to a lot of repairs in the hull that were required.

As others have said its a 40 year old boat. check for moisture. fortunately mine was all dry. You will have other projects theres no doubt about it. I had one of the hatches in the floor (rear fishbox) was soft I just ended up recoring that and painting the deck.

Be patient and youll find your deal.

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[rustyolddad]

Great advice Scott I feel I am in the middle of what you explained....either great hull with bad power and tank issues or shiney new motor with a wet belly.

Hope to find one soon...winter is coming and I need something to do in the barn!

quote:

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Originally posted by thejeepguy87


I looked for mine for two years before I bought it, but found an excellent deal. I had to travel to get it, but it was worth it in the end.

I wanted the one Muzzy bought as I saw it neglected for years, but never knocked on the door. Should have!

Either buy one that you plan to do a lot of work to and get the hull cheap like Muzzy did, or buy one almost complete and do the finishing touches.

Since I bought mine I have replaced the fuel tank, done the coffin lid, transom, bracket, twin motor, and all new wiring.

Today it is being blasted.

All in I am just over $20,000 for the boat, trailer, and motors. Mine is a 1985 25'4.

I looked at a hull only for $2000 with the bracket. I looked at one with a 2007 etec for $11,000 with no trailer. I looked at one with a 2008 etec, on a trailer, 1978, with tons of core issues for $5,500. They are out there and you may have to travel, but you will find one.

Until then, make your son drive you around. That is cheaper!

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[muzzy1127]

quote:

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Originally posted by rustyolddad


Great advice Scott I feel I am in the middle of what you explained....either great hull with bad power and tank issues or shiney new motor with a wet belly.

Hope to find one soon...winter is coming and I need something to do in the barn!

quote:

---

Originally posted by thejeepguy87


I looked for mine for two years before I bought it, but found an excellent deal. I had to travel to get it, but it was worth it in the end.

I wanted the one Muzzy bought as I saw it neglected for years, but never knocked on the door. Should have!

Either buy one that you plan to do a lot of work to and get the hull cheap like Muzzy did, or buy one almost complete and do the finishing touches.

Since I bought mine I have replaced the fuel tank, done the coffin lid, transom, bracket, twin motor, and all new wiring.

Today it is being blasted.

All in I am just over $20,000 for the boat, trailer, and motors. Mine is a 1985 25'4.

I looked at a hull only for $2000 with the bracket. I looked at one with a 2007 etec for $11,000 with no trailer. I looked at one with a 2008 etec, on a trailer, 1978, with tons of core issues for $5,500. They are out there and you may have to travel, but you will find one.

Until then, make your son drive you around. That is cheaper!

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I have a couple of projects you can do for me. lol.

[Slack Tide]

Muzzy found the deal of a lifetime! I got mine for $2500. No trailer, didnt run, had a 96 0x66 that needed minimal work to run, rewired everything, recored the front half of the floor and some hatches, painted the whole topside with awlgrip. Im all in about 8k total including 2500 on a trailer.

[thejeepguy87]

For the right price I bet one of us would sell our 25.....

[muzzy1127]

quote:

---

Originally posted by rustyolddad


thanks Muzzy!

$600 REALLY??? Would love to find the perfect hull and repwoer as you did picking the components I want. Under 10K done I would be a happy man! anyway I visit AnnaMAria each year. Love your island too bad the world knows about it! What a great place to live.

quote:

---

Originally posted by muzzy1127


you can find them. i bought mine about 18 months ago for $600 and went through everything. It was 100% original. Ha the original fuel tank. I removed it, pressure tested it, ended up just cleaning it, epoxying it and putting it back. I re wired everything, and repowered it with a 2009 suzuki 250 it runs good with the single.

I think they made them longer then 77-78. i think it was 76/77-83 mine is a 1980, i think or a 1981.

At the end of the day I am all into mine for 5,500 with all new electronics, trim tabs, wiring, and built the way I wanted. Unfortunately I had to put a urethane paint on the topside due to a lot of repairs in the hull that were required.

As others have said its a 40 year old boat. check for moisture. fortunately mine was all dry. You will have other projects theres no doubt about it. I had one of the hatches in the floor (rear fishbox) was soft I just ended up recoring that and painting the deck.

Be patient and youll find your deal.

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send me an email when youre down here muzzy1127@ yahoo Ill take you out.