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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Carrollton, VA
    Posts
    265

    Default looking at 1998 Saltare ....please help

    Alright guys, I currently own a 1987 Supra Marauder. Essentially it's the exact as the Sunsport, only it's closed bow and has the beast option. Chevy 454 with a 650 CFM Holly Carb. I've got a weak spot in the floor behind the driver's seat and the interior, although looks amazing from 10 feet away, is cracking at the seams. All original besides starter and a new Carb 2 years ago. She's leaning a bit in the water to the starboard side So I'm assuming the foam is saturated below the floor and she's just not popping out of the water like she used to or should...I love this boat, has a great wake and sounds amazing. A few spider cracks here and there. Usual areas, around the exhaust ports and one on the water line just imprint of the drivers window. Contemplated sending her to TN to get totally reworked, however I really wish it was an open bow.

    Which leads me to my journey, BTW if and when I buy a new one the Marauder will be for sale!! Drove a few hours yesterday to look at a 1998 supra Saltare, beautiful boat from the OUTSIDE. Mirror finish, little to no scratches on the Hull. One gouge behind the fuel fill, looks like they nicked a dock while filling during wakes. It's got a brand new trans, upgraded from stock, new prop, prop shaft, trans oil cooler and all new hoses. Boasts the Chevy 350 with FUEL INJECTION. NADA says 330 hp, which is what my current 454 is rated as. Now I know these boats have composite stringers and the bottom of the seat cushions are composite as well. The interior is shot, and I mean shot. It's going to need all new vinyl due to not having a cover. Test drove the boat and she purrs, holeshot is very quick compared to my 454. NADA books the average retail of the boat for 19,000. This boat is priced fairly under that.

    I'll need to add a tower, complete vinyl job, fix a couple gouges in the gunwhale, and it has a pretty bent tracking fin underneath as well, get a custom cover made, new gasket on the water pump since it's leaking, and other small misc items. I think the wake is a bit flatter than my Marauder and that saddens me a bit but I'm sure a little weight would help. The trailer, yeah it's practically mint condition!

    So my questions are:

    - What would a custom cover cost?
    - What would a complete, vinyl job cost on average?
    - What are some towers and costs?
    - Can this boat produce a good wake for wakeboarding, comparable to a sunsport or launch?
    - What type or can I still get a perfect pass for this boat?
    - Are the seat bases (not cushions ) wood or composite?
    - What are any known common problems with this boat?
    - what's it going to cost for all these upgrades.....
    - Finally what is it worth or hold out till I find a decent launch for 17-18G That needs less work ? I just lost out on a 99 launch for 15G and it was very nice!

    Thanks for your insight all! I've got to figure out fast, I told the guy I'd get back to him in a couple days.
    Last edited by vvfdfirefighter; 07-22-2013 at 05:55 PM.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    Wolcottville, IN
    Posts
    761

    Default

    I got a cover for my salt made at a local guy for 500. I have hear people say they have paid 900-1200. I did not use Sunbrella acrylic fabric, but the guy said I should get 5 to 7 years out of the vinyl cover i got.
    Same guy quoted me 130 per cusion (not seat). I know people have said it is between 2400-4000 depending on your options for all new interior.

    As far as towers, you can get your $800 monster tower or spend 3K on other models. I peronally like this one and it is right at 1000.

    IIRC, everything on these is composite, except maybe the dog house base??

    I would say you are looking between 5500 and 6500 for everything... just my opinion.

    Someone on here once said that every boat is $12K boat whether you know it or not.... You could pay 8 for the boat and put another 6 into it or spend 16 on one that is ready to go, if you can find it...

    As far as the wakes go, I love mine. I know people who ballast up their Salts and surf behind them. There are a lot of Salt owners on here who will chime in..
    86 Saltare


  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Carrollton, VA
    Posts
    265

    Default

    Jasus,

    Thanks for your input. I was figuring it would need about 4000 to get it back in shape. Guess it may be worth being 8000 under book price. BTW, I checked under all the seats, except for in the play pen, what's under those cushions?

    What are you referring to as the dog house?
    Last edited by vvfdfirefighter; 07-22-2013 at 01:07 PM.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Lake Murray, SC
    Posts
    65

    Default

    Is this the same '98 saltare I posted in the classifieds?

    http://fredericksburg.craigslist.org...906110482.html

    If so, Haugy had a good point that needs to be looked into (Why those specific parts were replaced essentially)
    "Check out it's underbelly. New tranny, new prop shaft, new prop and only 416hrs. Sounds like someone hit something hard."

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    Wolcottville, IN
    Posts
    761

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by vvfdfirefighter View Post
    What are you referring to as the dog house?
    The engine Cover.
    86 Saltare


  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    N.W. Suburbs Chicago, IL
    Posts
    2,307

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by whammond View Post
    Is this the same '98 saltare I posted in the classifieds?

    http://fredericksburg.craigslist.org...906110482.html

    If so, Haugy had a good point that needs to be looked into (Why those specific parts were replaced essentially)
    "Check out it's underbelly. New tranny, new prop shaft, new prop and only 416hrs. Sounds like someone hit something hard."
    I am betting it is that same boat, especially if it has at least one bent tracking fin like the OP mentioned.
    '86 Comp TS6M - Reborn 2016
    Riding a HO Sports CX Ski

  7. #7
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Nashville
    Posts
    2,127

    Default

    Bent tracking fin, on top of that driveline being replaced? Yep, WHAMMO.

    Find out what he hit, and what he had done. Also see if he has the receipts. The cat is out of the bag so he shouldn't lie to you, much. But get under there with a good flashlight and look for cracks and variations in color that might show fiberglass repair. Check the strut and rudder for play.

    We always say it, but with this boat. DO A LAKE TEST. DO NOT BUY WITHOUT ONE. If the seller won't let you lake test it, run away like the predator was on your ass.

    First off, forget NADA. (No offense when I say this) But that is the worst thing to compare to when buying a boat. The boats value is what the market will bear. I've had NADA say my old Mariah was worth $5,000. When I sold it for three times that. I've had NADA tell the OP of my boat it was worth $8500, when the whole thing needs a full blown resto.

    The boat is worth what the market value is. Take other boats of that age and type and CONDITION and compare. That's the kicker, condition. So many people harp on the hours. My Saltare has just over 250 hours on it. I had to pretty much rebuild the engine to get it to fire. When my Mariah sold it had almost 800 hours and would fire up instantly. My engine in my Jeep is from a 1989 Comp, and fires on the first bump, and you can bet it hasn't lived the "babied" life. But the overall condition of the boat is what counts.

    I would bet this boat has had major repairs. Was it due to stupidity or bad luck? The tears on the seat probably means the guy doesn't take as good of care as it as it shows. It just happens to clean up well. Give me 5 days with any of your boats and I can make them look amazing. The only thing that would show would be defects or damage. So while it's shiny, that's easy to do.

    Find out more about it's history, but right off the bat there is no way this boat is worth over $10,000 IMO. I'd get more details then leverage that against his price. Lake test it, and then you decide if it's worth the number you worked out. Me? I'd say $9000 would be about in the right area for that boat.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    Wolcottville, IN
    Posts
    761

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by haugy View Post
    I'd say $9000 would be about in the right area for that boat.
    Hitting something aside, does the 350 vs the 454 add or lower the value? Also, would there be any power concerns with the 350?
    86 Saltare


  9. #9
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Nashville
    Posts
    2,127

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by jasun View Post
    Hitting something aside, does the 350 vs the 454 add or lower the value? Also, would there be any power concerns with the 350?
    Well in those boats, it could be either. My boat's 454 is rated at 330 horsepower. The 351w is rated at 240. A very noticeable difference in my boat. So the 454 would be the standard and a 351w would be a value loss.

    But, in this boat the 350 is rated at 325hp. The 454 is rated at 395hp. While the 454 is more HP, the 350 is still right there with my 454. And will have better gas mileage and lower weight. While most want more weight, that's when you can control it (ballast). Overall weight is not desired.

    So essentially the lower end motor is still up there in performance of my big motor. So you could have the bigger motor, and I'm betting that would make this boat LAUNCH!!! Or the smaller motor with the 325hp. My boat with 330hp still gets up pretty quick.

    In short, I don't think it lowers the value. But you can show that it is the smaller motor and work that to your negotiations.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    Hudson, WI
    Posts
    2,651

    Default

    I think the smaller motor being fuel injected will make it worth more than an older boat with a carb'd big block. I'd rather have the smaller FI engine, anyway.

    I second what these guys say about the entire back end being replaced. Check the rudder -- if they hit something hard enough to mess up the transmission, I doubt the rudder is OK.

    Of course, maybe they were just running a SS prop and hit a dead head and they've fixed everything that was broken/suspect. It wouldn't be a complete deal breaker for me -- it sounds like they've done the repair and as long as she doesn't leak from the rudder and the rudder doesn't have excess play, you should be fine.

    AFAIK, the Saltare is the same lower hull as the Launch 24SSV always used. So you know, that with the right ballast, wakeplate settings and configuration it can throw a very decent wakeboard wake and a great surf wake. On mine, the wakeplate makes all the difference in the world and if this ones has a hydraulic one that would be best. Does it?

    I paid $868 for a cover from SkiBoatCovers.com that is custom made for my boat, Sunbrella and with custom tower cut-outs. I couldn't find anything locally for double that.
    Former owner of a 1987 Supra Saltare. Current owner of a Malibu 23LSV.

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