Original 70's metal flake, cocktail-style diamond tuck and shag carpet. Check. 

You have a great budget for an older, great condition boat.

The only problem you may have in finding one is, most have been re-done or are in rough shape.
Not to say that you won't find one.

Maybe, keep an open mind to one that has good gel but may need some interior or mechanical work.
I think that is very possible with your budget.

Good luck.

Troller Dave,


Thanks for the support.
I do think you are right. It's a bit like catching smoke.
Your advice on prioritizing makes sense. Drove up to Mariposa to see the first boat on my list, a 76 Miller Ski Jet, I think mentioned on the forum a few weeks back, had a killer hull & gelcoat, minor fixable blemishes, original interior no cracks or rips. Needed mechanical work, probably at least a engine overhaul, for sure a valve job, & some pump work. My budget was about 1/2 of what it is now , & didn't think I would have the 4 or 5k to get the boat reliable.  I passed & am kicking myself (literally, and you know how hard that is to do) ever since.
Also, hesitated on a Hondo Pantera t-deck I saw in Parker.  First guy on the scene. Beautiful, well taken care of, almost original boat, a bit over my budget at the time.  Got back the owner a week later & it was already snatched up.
For sure, finding a real nice classic is an adventure....


G

just sold my house! NEED to sell!! make me an offer

Toxic,
Really looking for a 70's boat.
Your Banner looks clean though.
Good luck selling it. If you want it to go quick, I would put whatever ridiculously low price you would take on it. Folks, if nothing else, like a killer deal!
(you try putting it on other sites like PB, or RPD?)

G

something like this

Something like that, but not that one.....

how much are you looking to spend, kroggy knows a guy that has a peterson with a 584 in it, he is asking 29,500 we where thinking about buying it but have looked at a bigger picture for the next 2 years business wise.

Good looking out, but looking to spend $8,500 tops.
My wife is already giving me the eye-roll at that #

thanks for the info. Glad you actually went to look at it... I like the t deck, the Rogers are good boats if they don't purpose... not sure which ones do so...

Dmac,
So, tripped up to Havasu this last weekend, Sat- Mon.
 The Rogers was not as nice as indicated: A repaint, so not original gel. Showed ridges from masking the color, was not block/color sanded, a somewhat amateurish job. Quite a few scratches on the finish as well. Hull seemed solid though. Reasonably well taken care of however, some of the rigging was a little too homemade for my taste… Passed on that one.
On Monday hit both Scott Kornowski's & Dave Connolly's shops to see if they might know of anyone wanting to unload their rig (for way less than 20 g's).  No luck on that, but got some good advice from Dave Connoly. A lot of it was echoing what I have read from all the well seasoned (u) folks here at SCJB. 
Gotta haves: Full stringer hull.  BBC= cheap power & reliability.  Berkeley jet.
Also gave some tips on checking stringer & hull integrity.  By the way, to any one that's not met him yet, he's a super nice guy….

Also saw that Hondo Pantera I mentioned earlier  https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/boa/5224015430.html
That boat is NICE, beautiful.  All original looking & super clean. Rebuilt 455 & reworked pump. Quite obviously loved & well taken care of over the years. Even the trailer has the original paint & pinstriping in good shape.
I was not familiar, going in to it, with the hybrid hull design the Pantera has. So after talking with the owner, & doing a little reality checking, I came to the conclusion that a V type hull is waaay more practical for a newbie like me. 
I would say, though, that in my humble opinion, for anyone interested,  even though it has the Olds, that T-Deck is worth consideration…….. (Owner seemed to be a bit flexible on price).

By the way, the porpoising you mentioned would probably be with the Pantera. Although with me driving, it could be either….

Hope everybody is well.

Back on the hunt...
 

If you do find something, I'll be in the sandbar.


Sent from my iPad using SoCal Jet Boats

Thanks for looking out.  not interested in a open bow or day cruiser ( mini or otherwise).
Checked out what I came to Havasu to see, a 73 Rogers. Was in pretty good condition, though it was a repaint & really looking for original gel....... I passed, so, no boat as of yet. If I had picked it up, would have been in the sandbar today...
Was thinking of hitting Kornowski's tomorrow to see if they know of anything out here for sale. (not one of his pieces though, that's waaay out of my range....)

I would take any hour estimate on a motor with a grain of salt. I would say if everything checks out when you go look at it you will make it to the end of the season and just freshen it up in the winter. Mine has the origonal motor only thing replaced is headgaskets and I've ran it hard all summer.. I will freshen it up this winter also.

Didn't pick up the Miller.
Beautiful hull, but had oil pooled in the bilge ,one of the wings of the intake were broke off (maybe from hitting a submerged object?), oil hadn't been changed in 2 years, & u joints were dry. Jet looked good from the outside, but based on the rest, who knows? Seemed like it was really nice survivor when he got it 2 years ago, then just ran it & did no maintenance.
Looked like it was going to take too much $ to get it reliable. 
I kind of regret it now that I have saved up a few more pennies & have a somewhat bigger budget to work with.
I have moved on to a couple other choices.
A 76' Hondo Pantera t-deck   
https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/boa/5224015430.html
or the Rogers pictured here:

Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance...

Some serious style right here:

https://mohave.craigslist.org/boa/5205115076.html

Cool.  If I do pick it up, heading to the river (Havasu or Lake Mojave) as soon as I know she's sorted out.  Hwy 62 would be more of a straight shot out there for me, but I don't see why we couldn't take 10 & make a left on 95 & go up if we have time.  I'll let you know.
Quick question: 200 hours on the 460 - too much or is there still life there? Hoping not to have to tear into it before I take her out at least a couple times.

Really nice original looking Miller, $4500.  Not mine.

 http://fresno.craigslist.org/boa/5167851030.html

Hi all,

Newbee here.  Also new to jet boats in general.  Been in some jets & 'flatties' when I was a youngster, never owned one.

Looking for my first boat.  Turns out, I have been talking to the owner of that 76' Miller. Plan to drive up to Mariposa from O.C. this coming weekend to check it out.

Was wondering of some of you out there would mind offering some thoughts, & maybe some feedback on whether this might be a good (or sane) purchase?

Couple of details on the boat I got from the current owner:  He's the #2 owner of this boat. First owner was a neighbor. Says it has not been used much, about 200 hours on everything since new. 460 is bone stock, & besides regular maintenance, has had no work done on the internals...
Not much on details for the jet other than it is stock .

Thanks for chiming in.

Looking forward to chatting with y'all.