Need opinions - 82 Diplomat or 77 Trimate III

[ssv1761982]

Looking at a couple boats:

82 17' Diplomat bow rider with a 115 Evinrude ($2250)
77 19.5' Trimate III with a 235 Evinrude ($2950)

Both appear to be decent for their age. I beat on the transoms and they seem solid to me, no hollow thunks.

What else can I check? Floors seemed ok when I got in them, I only weigh 225 and didn't notice any flexing of the floor.

How do you check the hulls? Are these balsa cored boats?

I don't know anything about the old 235's. Are they dependable? Do they suck a lot of gas compared to something like a 200 Merc?

Which boat would have the best ride and performance?

Mostly we ski at 34-36 MPH.

I know it is a lot of questions. Thanks for any advice.

[LAAllison]

If you can, pull the carpet back and look for water. Look around the gas tank and the battery. Check those areas for soft floor. Often people will put screws through the floor to anchor the battery, trim pump or something and don't seal the screws or use silicone instead of good stuff. One trick I learned is to pull a screw from any transom mounted bracket, like the speedo and see if moisture seeps out. A wet transom is hard to detect just from thumping on it. You'll love the Trimate and 235 for sking. It's wide and stable, has lots of room and really rides pretty good. The 235 Johnrude was a good stout engine. I've seen those run and keep on running. It will burn a lot of gas and of course it won't be the fastest thing around but it'll easy pull you 34-36 or barefooting and not a bad wake.
Good luck and let us know what you do.

Art



If it's slow it must be an OMC.

[83PREDICTOR]

Dipper fo-sho

[ssv1761982]

What does this mean?

Dipper fo-sho

[RevmanII]

I'm new here too, but I'm guessing he's saying you should get the Diplomat :)

[ssv1761982]

Thanks for the reply. The old 235 has me a little concerned about gas but I think I am going to see if the guy will give me a test ride.

[LAPLANT]

I SAY GET THE DIP BUT MY OPINION MAY BE BIASED:rof:

[Needafunboat]

I had a sportfire (same hull as the diplomat) w/ a 150. I now have the starliner. I have no idea how the starliner compares to the trimate 3, but an extra 2.5 feet make a huge difference in the way the boat performs.

Dip - will use way less gas, probably come on plane almost as quickly even with half the hp. My sportfire had a 150 and planed VERY quickly. But it will beat you up in rough water and not have nearly the interior space.

Try to get a ride in them and make some low offers. If you're really torn between them, see where the better deal is. Of course check compression, floors transom.

[Mark]

I have a Starliner and a Diplomat. Always ski behind the Diplomat. Much cheaper on gas. It will pull a little in hard cuts. 235 will be a pig on gas but more stable with the longer Trimate hull.
Diplomat is far more new school for an old boat. I think one of the best 16-17' boats ever designed. Doesn't look a whole lot different than the 1600 Pulsare.

[ssv1761982]

This one has a jackplate and a 135 Merc.

http://images.traderonline.com/EMedia/tarchive2/6/95800048131000001_1.jpg

[ssv1761982]

There were stress cracks from the nose down the port side and all over the sides. The transom has a hole in the fiberglass top center, under the front of the engine. The metal plates have crushed through the fiberglass on both sides too. Looks like a transom waiting to happen from what little I know. The 135 was an assortment of parts too, 150 cowl, 135 mid, trim pump leaking all over inside the boat.

I am going to go for a test ride in the Trimate III on Friday. We'll see how that 235 runs.

[ssv1761982]

It seems to be in the best shape of the 4 boats I have looked at so far.



http://images.craigslist.org/01010801040401030620080705a3b26f6f636c029c90000736 .jpg

:banana:

[daren34]

i looked at a entertainer with an old 235
everyone said a new 175 has more power
that was 15 years ago

daren

that diplomat with a 115 will also be underpowered
a looper 140 is a minimum in my opinion

daren