New to Boats fixing to buy Need Input

[SFD1248]

Hey a fireman buddy of mine is wanting to get a bigger boat and I am thinking about getting his. I need some input to see if it's a good deal or not.
He has a 17' or 18'ft 2004 Sea Ray 180 sport 4cyl. 130hp inboard. 68 hrs. Just switched to syn oil this past winter. Stainless Steel prop CD player snap in carpet. I am just gonna take over the note. he owes 10,8K on it. The good thing about our Firefighter's credit union is I can just take over the note.

It sounds like a good deal to me but just want some of my fellow jeepers to give theirs. Pros or Cons
Thanks
Andrew

[Winyah]

The second best day of owning a boat is the day you buy it.

The best day of owning a boat is the day you sell it!

[SFD1248]

The second best day of owning a boat is the day you buy it.

The best day of owning a boat is the day you sell it!

why do you say that???? I am kind of excited about buying one.
So what headaches are to be expected?

[Ctimrun]

Boats are a blast as long as you use them. Just like any other vehicle, it is very hard on them to just sit. If you keep up on maintenance and take good care of it then it will last you a very long time. It sounds to me like that is a decent deal. I spend about $300 annually for preventive maintenance at the beginning of each season. Besides that I just keep an eye on the fluids and pay for gas. My concern would be the 4 cylinder engine. I have a 21 foot open bow that we use for water sports, tubing and wakeboarding, it has a fuel injected V8 and I wouldn't want a smaller engine for this type of use. If you are just getting it to cruise around then the 4 cylinder might be better for you as it won't eat gas quite as quick. If you have to make payments on it, think about it really hard, because it sucks making payments every month on a toy that you only get to use for part of the year. I paid cash for mine used and it is not a burden on us whatsoever. I set aside a little money each month all year round that pays for the insurance ($200 per year, full coverage), fuel, and unexpected maintenance costs.

I love having the boat, but what I love about it even more is that my teenagers can't wait to go hang with with mom and dad along with their friends. Honestly I would make monthly payments to have one, it is just nice that I don't have to.

Got any pictures of what you are buying?

[SFD1248]

All good input. notes only gonna be $200/month plus the little bit of insurance. It will get used a bunch as we count our summers all the way thru sept/oct.
Here is his craigslist listing on it. The pics are kind of crappy he said but you can get a general idea. I am going to look at it tomorrow evening and will take some more

http://shreveport.craigslist.org/boa/1184267046.html