26 sleekcraft jet boat need Info

[busted knuckles]

I am going to look at a 1977 26' sleekcraft. It has a 454 with 100 hrs and is jet drive. A friend knows the owner and said it was in good shape. I need to look at this boat he wants 2,800 on a trailer. I have owned several boats and know what to look for as far as transom,floor,stringer, rot. I have never owned a jet drive, always i/o. what should I look for as far as the jet goes. any brands of jets to stay away from? Does any one know anything about these boats, any common problem spots? I can't find much on the internet about these older sleekcrafts. owner says it's 26' including jet pump. Any help would be great Thanks.

[boats&bars]

good day cruiser not a race boat , will you be happy with a 35 mph boat
I went from a 21 foot 68 mph to a 25 day cruiser at 42mph with a mild built 454 heavy and lots of room if that is what you are into than this is the boat for you.

[OldYeller]

I have a '78 Sleekcraft with an I/O. Your right, very hard to find info on these boats. They are a great boat, but not real fast with a jet. Hopefully it has a berkely jet on it. If it is in good shape, $2800 sounds like a great price.

[jbtrailerjim]

My dad has a 87 26' Sleek Craft Ambassador. His has a built 500+ C.I big block with Bravo 1 I/O. Runs in the upper 60's all day long. Nice well built boat. He has had his for 16 years and it's been a great boat. They built quite a few with jets back in the 70's. I can't imagine one with a jet would run better than upper 40's and must guzzle gas like a mofo.

[Classic Daycruiser]

You can't find a run down Bayliner for less then $2800. The deal sounds very good. Do you have pictures?
Just remember..."Buying a boat gets you in the club, Then you start paying your dues $$$"

[OldYeller]

I said earlier: not real fast, I should clarify, my small block 350 I/O did get to 50MPH. With a little more power, who knows. But I will tell you this. I love my Sleekcraft. And even though she's old, I sill get a lot of people wanting to look her over. Sleekcraft seem to have a look that people tend to enjoy. $2800 sounds like a great deal.

[andrewebster]

I Have A Older Sleek Craft With A Jet It Does Right About 52 Mph With A Ford 46o

[stickers]

Back in the late 70's a new a guy in Lewiston Idaho ran on the Snake river who had a 26 or 27 sleek day cruiser with a Gale Banks Turbo BBC Berk pump ran mid 70's but went thru 2 or 3 engines before they could get 1 to hold together. This was a boatshow/magazine boat in 76 or 77. Had great lines and good ride.

[Punkin]

I have a friend looking for a sleekcraft.Preferably with an I/O.Did you buy the $2800. one if not where is it located?

[watergun4u]

Just my 2 cents, It sound like a good deal, and if it has a good pump like a brekely, thats a plus, you dont want a panther, jaucuzzi, are ok, the boat itself it a well built boat, but the draw back to it being a jet, and being 26ft long, thats not to good of a match, for a boat of that length, from my experenice, in building boats for over 24 years, 22ft is about the max you want to put a jet in, inless like posted in one of the other post, 35 to38 will be your top speed, and i would think trying to pull a skier would be tuff, if you are just looking to go slow, and not do to much sking or water sports it would be a good deal for you!, just my .02 cents