Hello I am looking at purchasing my very first boat but I am trying to get some help. First of all I am looking at a 1989 Lund S16 with a 30 HP evinrude. Where I found it they want $1800 does that sound fair? Also if it isn’t that fair what do you thing a fair offer would be? And last does anyone know of a boat for sale that is a 16 ft with a 40HP or lower? My cap for spending is about $2000
Thanks, Jig Mike 
Have you checked out craigslist?
I can not speak the specific value of that particular boat, and guess a lot of it will come down to opinions. My own would be if it is a well taken care of boat and motor, how bad of a decision can it really be? If you own it for a couple years and it helps you decide what you may want next, if anything different at all… how mush do you stand to lose, a couple hundred, maybe? Take care of it and I’d guess it is done depreciating at any real rate.
It looks like a boat that would be good in a lot of waters, light enough to pull with a wide range of vehicles, and still small enough to handle and work with in awkward times of loading, shallow water or whatever.
03 or 40 hp… while it may be nice, I’d be more concerned about condition, and how it was cared for. Enjoy the search and eventual purchase!
I think its a fair price if you know the motor has been maintained and is in decent shape. I would think it would be worth almost all of that down the road if you were looking to sell or upgrade.
Might as well try to get him down a bit if that’s his asking price (doesn’t hurt to ask you never know).
Don’t forget to check for soft spots in the floor. Great first boat. I agree that I don’t think you will lose much if any at all if you decide to sell in a few years.
FDR
If you only have so much to spend, don’t buy a boat without a test drive. Unless it is really cheap.
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If you only have so much to spend, don’t buy a boat without a test drive. Unless it is really cheap.
X 2 on that.
I would add that if there are electronics, bilge or live well pumps, lights, etc, that they all work. Check out the trailer as well. Rust in the trailer if tubed can weaken the frame. Check bunks or rollers, wheels, tires axles…check it all…..if it checks out, start with a counter of 1500 cash, and go from there. It looks good from the pictures you show. 
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If you only have so much to spend, don’t buy a boat without a test drive. Unless it is really cheap.
Yeah I thought about that and for the floor questions the floor is only soft where the guy had his feet sit when he was driving the tiller.
Flatfish it’s funny cause I found from a guy in the town your from on your name.
Look over the trailer. Check tires for wear and cracks. Pull a bearing cover and check. Check wiring and that lights work. Trailer title.
Check bottom of boat for wear, dents, repairs, ect. Look over transom good. Some have wood inside the transom that can rot. Soft spots on the floor to some extent should be expected on a older boat and not to hard to fix. A soft transom or leak in the bottom would be a bigger concern.
Test run that motor. How does it start, idle, troll, get on plane, run wide out, turn, ect. Any weird vibrations or noises? Watch the transom for movement when getting up on plane. Does it turn hard? Turn it on and off a few times. Check date on battery. Check prop. Look at lower until for any repairs.
If this all seems to go well and you are serious about buying the boat make sure and check the lower unit oil.
I havent looked at boats for a while but that seems like a decent price if that one is in good shape. Leaves you a few dollars for working on it. Would imagine no make how good of shape it is in there will be some things that need to be done or you just want to do to it.
Definitely go over the trailer well like Mike W mentioned. Its really half the cost on that rig and usually the one not taken care for well. But awesome boat that is mine exact except several years newer and I have a 15hp which scoots around nice, so with your 30 you will absolutely fly!! Good luck.
For what it’s worth, I bought a 2003 16′ Woodscraft with a 25 HP electric start Evinrude. Also included trolling motor, live well, running lights, anchor, extra prop and trailer. Paid $2500 back in 2009.
Forgot to mention the motor is a pull start. Do you guys think it is a big deal and also forgot to mention that I will mainly be using the boat on te Mississippi and pool 4. Will it be capable of the task?? 
Mine handles pool 1 very well. Wouldn’t be able to say about pool 4.
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Flatfish it’s funny cause I found from a guy in the town your from on your name.
Jigs, you kind of lost me in your statement there for a second.
so you found this deal here in Rochester eh?
Let us all know if you get this rig
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Forgot to mention the motor is a pull start. Do you guys think it is a big deal and also forgot to mention that I will mainly be using the boat on te Mississippi and pool 4. Will it be capable of the task??
I have had many boats, but my most productive rig on p4 as well as other rivers was the rig you are looking at. It ain’t the arrow, it’s the Indian!!
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Forgot to mention the motor is a pull start. Do you guys think it is a big deal and also forgot to mention that I will mainly be using the boat on te Mississippi and pool 4. Will it be capable of the task??
My river boat Lund S16-20 is a 72. Looking at putting a Suzuki 20 Hp EFI on it. Works great for when I’m not up on the pond where I keep my Grady.
I’d echo everyone’s suggestions – all good considerations. It’s really a matter of weighing your findings against the costs of fixing the problems identified. It would be unreasonable to think that it’s going to be perfect for $1800.
Absent something major, I think it’s a good deal.
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Forgot to mention the motor is a pull start. Do you guys think it is a big deal and also forgot to mention that I will mainly be using the boat on te Mississippi and pool 4. Will it be capable of the task??
Tuck is running a 14′ alumacraft wide body with a 05, 25 hp yamaha pull start he bought this summer for $2000. Been in wabasha backwaters and everywhere in the river in Redwing. little small for Pepin IMO. Been using it all winter . Pull start for him wasa matter of finding the sweet spot to get it started. That boat will help you catch alot of eyes. Love exploring in that type of boat. Good luck in your purchase 
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It would be unreasonable to think that it’s going to be perfect for $1800.
Absent something major, I think it’s a good deal.
X2
I’d say for $1800 these days be happy it floats and the motor runs. 
Got a pull start on my jon boat. Its not that big of deal as it starts pretty easy. Dont think I would want one on my main boat but would get by if had to. Double check to make sure it starts easy.
Like said above would not expect everything to be perfect on that old of boat. My thought is that if you are going to buy older boats, cars, ect might be good to have some mechanical abilities, know some one that does or have a good mechanic. With out that you might be money ahead to buy newer and from someone that can offer some service.
As far as pool 4 and namely Lake Pepin goes, pick your weather, You can fish anywhere!
Thanks everyone for all the help about the boat. I just baought the boat from Als Speaclty marine in Roch. Again thanks Jig Mike
That’s great news! Upload your boat photos.
For what it is worth…..
I sold a 1988 one just like that, only 14 foot, with an 1971 25HP Evinrude on a Shorelander roller trailer for 1500.00 back in 2006.
Taking in all the different years, it at least gives you something to go on.
By the way, it was a real nice boat, that I wish was still in my garage for some occasions.
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