Purchasing a 1995 272

[dustinm]

BBP is on point, but I will say in Iowa a lot of props look like that unless they only boat on Okoboji or Clear Lake. We just dont have a lot of clear deep waters.

[sming250r]

I know it is tough to tell on the pictures but do those bends warrant a replacement or is that something that can be sent of to have repaired?

[Big Block Power]

A good prop shop can fix anything.

[dustinm]

I know it is tough to tell on the pictures but do those bends warrant a replacement or is that something that can be sent of to have repaired?

If your new to boating AND you dont feel any vibration running them, you could use these as "training props" until you are well adjusted to this boat. Its apparent that they have been running them on this boat.

Just where are you from and where are you planning to boat?

[sming250r]

I know it is tough to tell on the pictures but do those bends warrant a replacement or is that something that can be sent of to have repaired?

If your new to boating AND you dont feel any vibration running them, you could use these as "training props" until you are well adjusted to this boat. Its apparent that they have been running them on this boat.

Just where are you from and where are you planning to boat?

I'm from southeast Iowa I live in Fairfield actually. Plan on going to Rathbun, Red Rock, and possibly Coralville. We also make a couple trips to the LOTO and would like to have something to take down there.

[Big Block Power]

I know it is tough to tell on the pictures but do those bends warrant a replacement or is that something that can be sent of to have repaired?

If your new to boating AND you dont feel any vibration running them, you could use these as "training props" until you are well adjusted to this boat. Its apparent that they have been running them on this boat.

Just where are you from and where are you planning to boat?

I wouldn't run those props on a pontoon boat. Even if you can't feel a vibration a prop bent that bad is out of balance and cause more damage to the drive.

[sming250r]

I’ve also been eyeing a 95 252 and a 97 272. Both of those boats are in much nicer condition. We will want to take the boat to LOTO a couple times during weekends. I’ve been down there before and know how rough it can get. My question is the extra 2 feet and almost 1000 lbs difference worth it?

[dustinm]

I would look at the 97 as Im pretty sure they no longer used wood in them by then.

[dustinm]

Yes the 1000lbs is worth a better ride

[Big Block Power]

Yes the 1000lbs is worth a better ride

Agree!

[sming250r]

So we went and checked out the 252 today. It is much nicer. It has carpet in the engine bay and it is nicer than some of the carpet in our house very clean bilge as well! My wife likes the 252 more so than the 272. She doesn’t like the swim deck in the 272 and she doesn’t like the added weight and size of it. She is nervous about docking situations being able to pull it in safely.

I am torn. I like the 252 we went and looked at but I like the 97 272 more. Condition wise I would say they are very similar. The 272 has 330hp Volvo the 252 has 7.4 merc.

[dustinm]

Docking will be the easy part... depending on what the trailer is/how it launches and loads will make or break a marriage. Also for first time boaters either of these choices are behemoths of the era. I guess we started with a little 18' with a 140 merc that I could load alone with the engine off, that will not be an option for either of these.

[Paul275]

I feel your pain, look at my "296" thread on this forum. Think of this as a value play. Make a list of everything you will need to repair and upgrade, decide what you can do yourself and what you will need a pro to do. Leave some (maybe a lot) room for the unexpected and then compare the total cost of the boat to newer or even new alternatives. There was nothing comparable to my boat for double the price and a new boat was nearly 5 times the price of the purchase price of my boat. I literally can do new engines and drives and still be in a good spot.
However, I have to say that the first criteria is how much you like the boat. My wife loved the 296, the layout, the seating, the twin engines and the joystick control. I loved the look and color combo is straight out of something I would order from new. Having an emotional investment is helpful. Our thoughts were confirmed after the survey and we went ahead with the purchase. The proof will be this spring when we get it on the water. Best of luck with the pursuit.

[xlint89]

What vehicle do you plan on using to tow said boat? Is it capable of towing the weight of the boat, the trailer, and fuel? Just something else to consider.

First impression was walk away from the first boat. Boat was not kept up well. You will be putting $$ into it for sure. Use the $$ you were going to put into it and get something nicer from the start is my thought.

Look for the newest, biggest boat you can safely trailer and afford. You will prob be wishing you went larger in a short time.

As noted already, a well kept boat means the owner took pride in it and most likely did regular maintenance.

The Merc 7.4 has about 310 HP and has TONS of parts available for it. If it's fuel injected, you may want to have the fuel injectors professionally cleaned and flowed due to age alone. Most likely has a Bravo drive which is very common and has good parts availability as well. Will most likely have no problem finding someone to work on this combo.

Volvo seems to be a good reliable engine and drive assembly as well. But parts availability is not near as good since parts need to come from over seas. And in my neck of the woods, finding a Volvo mechanic is extremely difficult.

Just a couple more things to consider.

[sming250r]

I have a 3/4 ton diesel so not worried about towing at all. We decided against the 272 that was showed in this thread. We found a super nice 252 and have put an offer on it. I was sold on the 272 but the one that we found didn’t have a trailer and was going to be a little more than we wanted right now. I think this 252 will be good for us to make sure this is something that we want to continue pursuing. This forum has given me lots of information and help in looking at these boats for sure.

I’ll post some pictures of the 252 this afternoon.