Thank you for all your replies.
To confirm some of the responses, it is an aluminum built.
GordMay, I have checked your links. The one for the Chieftain 25 in Orilia, I would stay away from. First there is not much information as to what shape it's in or the condition of the
engine. Next, if this is actually a Chieftain, unless I am mistaken there should be a
cabin and with windshield similar to the one in my picture but a little longer. So if I am correct, the
cabin has been ripped off. This is not what I am looking for at all. Your second link I have went there already. The third one,
price is US. I live up in northern
Ontario. It is also older that the one I am looking at (I think)
As for riveted aluminum boat construction, my dad had one from 1960 to 1987 (when he
sold it with the camp we had). I have never seen any problems with it. Of course we did not have the rough large open waters like the
great lakes. All we had was the rough waters of the French River.
The trailer has
ownership papers, but I am not sure about the boat. This is something I would make sure of before the deal is finalized.
The trailer is probably worth more that the boat. It is as you can see a tandem axle, heavy
steel construction and it has a 6000# capacity, with a hydraulic tongue actuated brake system. Its called and "EZLoader" Since the boat probably weighs only about 2000#(according to GordMay's second link), the trailer is more than what that boat needs. I do relies that even thou the tire treads looks good, the side walls are starting to crack and would need replacement. And since it has been sitting outside for the past 6 to 10 years, the breaks would probably need to be worked on.
In summary, the aluminum boat construction dose not worry me too much as rivets can be changed. I am also not the guy that would go out in stormy rough
weather unless I had no choice, and in such case I would not beat the s--t out of it by ramming full speed into waves just to get home quicker. I would prefer to go
anchor close to shore and let the storm pass. The motor I would get a complete rebuilt done on it which might indeed be more that $3000, but it is still cheaper that the $12,000 plus for a new one.
The real deciding factor in
buying of not buying is whether or not I am ready to spend the next 5 years stripping the "rotting" carpet covered wood in the rear section, and rebuilding it from the floor up. Inside the cabin might be salvageable, unless I want to change the layout.