'90 Penn Yan 245 Contender - Merry Christmas to me!

[FleetTracker]

Hi All - I thought I'd share my story of the new Boat Purchase over the weekend.  I bought a brand new Tracker V-175 last year and fish out of Henderson.  Had a great first season fishing Lake O and pushed the boat to it's limits on many days.  I like the smaller boat... easily trailerable and very efficient to maintain and fish out of.  But I wanted a bigger boat that was a bit safer for the water up there.

 

So I found a 1990 Penn Yan 245 Contender far far from home down in Virginia (Chesapeake Bay).  It was taken in on a trade for a brand new CC 23' Tidewater.  It was apparent that the dealer really wanted to get rid of it, as it's not really a popular boat style in the area.  I talked to the salesman for a few weeks showing some interest, but not too much interest.  After a few weeks and no inquiries on the boat but from myself, they were ready to deal.  They were initially asking $4k for the boat.  Through some negotiations and the fact that they knew very little about the boat, I got them down to $1k.  Unbelievable right?  At this price I made it known that I'm taking all the risk of potential stringer work, engine work, and some other TLC, not to mention a long haul from NY to come down and pick it up.  At this price... I was ready to take on any winter project work that was needed.

 

With the warm weather window this past weekend, I had to get my ducks in a row and quickly line up everything I needed to get the Boat up here.  I left the house at 2am Saturday morning.  I purchased a brand new 2013 Venture 5925lb Aluminum Bunk Trailer, got the mag wheels, extra set of guide bunks, disc brakes on both axles, and upgraded tongue jack.  Got the trailer in Hanover, PA for $2850 cash.  Cheapest I could find anywhere. Left the trailer place at 7am to head down to get the boat.  Made it to the dealer at noon (crazy traffic around DC).  Finally laid eyes on the boat and wow... the thing has never been rigged... no holes anywhere along the gunwales.  Absolutely great condition for its age, and nothing a little elbow grease and tlc couldn't fix.  I drilled some 1/8" holes in a few places in the stringers... SOLID!  Wow... great news... (gotta fiberglass them up now).  The dealer never ran the engine... they said the batteries were dead... I found it hard to believe... I cracked both battery tubs open and they looked brand new to me.  I then saw the big battery switch on the transom wall and it was in the "off" position (not 1, 2, or both batteries).  They never looked for the main disconnect switch.  I kept that info to myself and said OK... looked at the rest of the boat and quickly whipped out 10 hundred dollar bills.  Did some paperwork, got the boat on the new trailer, and headed outta there by 2pm.

 

It was a long haul back with a lot of traffic along the way, but the boat hauled like a dream.  No sway - perfectly leveled with maybe 150-200lb of tongue weight which is perfect for the aluminum trailer (I could barely lift it off the ground).  Got home at 1am.... almost a 24hr day.  Boy was I tired.  Put the boat in the garage, unhooked, and went to bed.

 

Woke up at 11am yesterday and just had to get out there and do some cleaning.  Iron Out wash and some pressure washing... wow she's looking good already - very clean.  Turned that main battery switch to "both" batteries... The ol' 5.7 Merc fired right up... purs at idle... sounds great and runs the same... no audible knocks or sign of a weak engine.  Bonus with the closed loop system too. I found the hour meter in the cabin... 645hrs... not too bad.  I couldn't believe it and still can't today.  Merry Christmas to me!

 

Now I gotta get all the bells and whistles and rig this thing up good.  Kicker motor, tracks, rod holders, rocket launcher, triple trees, new riggers, new electronics, radio, etc... Got plenty of winter left to get her done right and ready for Browns in April.  Now I gotta find a slip up North for this rig.  Feels good to bring back the Penny where it belongs!

 

I'm gonna keep my Tracker... I can't part with it and she'll come in handy when I don't necessarily need to go out in the big boat.

 

 

Penn Yan Pics:

 

Edited December 23, 2013 by FleetTracker

[BAZOOKAJOE]

Wow!!  I'd say that deal was worth the drive!!  Congrats!!  A sweet ride!!

[lineman49]

  Sounds like a great deal & looks to be in great shape from the pics.! I would only be leary of the salt water use but for the price, you have money to work with.  Good luck with her & the rigging.

[FleetTracker]

Hi lineman49 - agreed, salt water use scared me a bit but I was thankful to see the complete closed system on the 5.7L.  No more salt for her... back up to Lake O where she belongs!

[Rippin'Line]

Jealousy has set in. 1k for that! Sweet ride!

[BAZOOKAJOE]

You must have been pretty cramped running 4 electric riggers on that Tracker! 

[Tim Bromund]

Sweet!!!

[FleetTracker]

Hi Bazookajoe - haha that would have been crazy cramped!  I just ran two of the new Cannon Mag STX-10's... a little deceiving from the picture I suppose... both rod holders are mounted on each rigger for when I would stack lines.

 

[ray koziatek]

their are 2 leaves in the engine compartment...ya better dump it fast,I'll give ya 1100.00 and 2000.00 for the beat up used trailer....Don't sweat the salt most everyone who fishes salt water (almost everyone) takes the time to rinse off their gear and boat,from the looks of the engine compt.(other than the leaves) LOL. It looks taken care of pop the nav. light covers as they suffer the worst abuse ..just a little common sence electrical connection inspections and some work with the wifes toothbrush and yer good to go.. From here on out hid all reciepts from you know who...Good for you!

[Ray]

Wow!  The obsession now begins! 

[Big Dave]

Keep your paper work from buying the boat and trailer so you can get it Reg in NY. 

[shinintimes]

Congratulations ... wow what a deal   I sold the same boat last spring best boat I ever owned

[goin deep]

You bought it from Oyster Cove Boatworks.  I bought a 25 Carolina Classic from them a couple months ago.  I told the salesman to advertise the Penn Yan in New York because of their popularity on the great lakes.  It looked like it was in great shape but needed a good cleaning.  Congrats and good luck with it!

 

Brian

[Sk8man]

That looks like without doubt the best boat deal I've ever seen!

[Diversion]

Congrats, you stole that PY!!

[FleetTracker]

Hey Brian - you are correct... the salesman (Scott) mentioned a guy from PA who came down to buy a boat and saw the Penn Yan and mentioned their popularity up here.  Exact story he told... pretty cool how that works out!  I should be thanking you for giving him the tip!

 

Very excited about the deal... except the wife is dead set on "Why do we need 2 boats?" haha... I got her some jewelry from Christmas so hopefully those comments go away soon.  She actually is pretty excited to have a bigger boat now that she has seen it... she'll feel better about going out on the big water.

[Gill-T]

OMG what a deal!!!!!

[fish-on]

Very good deal, Buddy of mine had a 26ft. sea ray givin to him, He needs a trailer and then were on our way to get it.

[johnbrownt]

Agree with sk8man only better deal you could get is free. Best Christmas gift anyone could get.

[goin deep]

FT,

Scott was my salesman too. He was great to deal with.

I convinced my wife we needed a bigger boat because it would be much safer in bad weather and for tournament fishing. She bought my excuse and we got the boat.

Brian

[G-Daddy]

We bought our Sportcraft in VA also.  Biggest problem we had was with the electrical system.  I did have to chase gremlins for a couple of years.  Finally did a winter project and completely rewired the boat.  Main problem was corroded grounds.

[CHAMP99B]

you just won the boat lottery….

[FleetTracker]

Haha thanks guys.  I feel like I won the lottery.  I see Tony at GLP has a sale going on... ordered up some triple trees and a hardtop rocket launcher spread today.  Anyone know anything about Harbor's End Marina in Henderson?  Any experience there?  Costs? etc... their website doesn't list a whole lot.  Thanks!

[Xxx]

Way to go FleetTracker, I'm so jealous I thought I might lay the smack down on you with 3ftrs or better, but now you will be right there with us!!   CONGRATS MAN & Merry Christmas to you WOW what a deal and a ride well worth it PAP

[MCF]

That is an outstanding deal. And a good deal on the trailer as well. Good luck with the customizing.