When you're shopping for a used offshore family fisherman, the biggest question is how much recent work has been done to an older hull. This 1987 Sport-Craft Offshore Family Fisherman, priced at USD 10,500, is a 27-foot fiberglass boat with a single Mercury inboard/outboard that has been through a notable round of updates. The private seller is open to offers, but pickup is local only, so this isn't a ship-anywhere deal.
Quick Verdict
This Sport-Craft is a compelling buy for someone who wants a large fishing boat with recent structural and mechanical attention, and who is willing to travel to Meinke Marina, Dock D-113 to see it. It's not a turnkey boat for a buyer who expects pristine originality.
Who It Suits
This boat fits a buyer who plans to use it for offshore family fishing and wants the electronics and comfort items already installed. The recent structural work addresses the most common problem areas in a fiberglass boat of this era. If you're comfortable with an older hull and a single engine, and you like negotiating with a motivated seller, this is a strong candidate.
What Stands Out from the Listed Details
The rebuild list is extensive. New stringers and new floor sections are major items for a 1987 boat. The engine has titanium valve seats, new impellers, and an Edelbrock carburetor, with work attributed to Billman Marine Engines. There are new fuel senders in each 60-gallon tank, a new wash down pump, new horns, a new porta potty, and two new 27-series 1000 CCA batteries. The included Garmin 9-inch depth finder with GPS and down/side sonar is a practical addition, and the shotgun stainless steel rack and trolling rod holder tracks with six adjustable tubes expand fishing capability.
Meaningful Trade-offs
The hull is a 1987 design, so even with fresh stringers and floor, you're buying decades-old fiberglass. It has a single inboard/outboard rather than twins, which saves weight and fuel but reduces redundancy if you're heading far offshore. The engine is listed as a 454 with 30-over racing heads and a large-port Edelbrock carburetor, which points toward a modified setup rather than a stock motor. Fuel capacity is listed at 101-150 gallons; that's a useful range, but you'll want to inspect the tanks and confirm actual condition. The boat was previously used as a charter boat, so expect wear from work. Local pickup only is a real constraint if you're not within driving distance.
Bottom Line
At USD 10,500, this Sport-Craft offers a lot of recent rebuild work at this price. If the inspection goes well and you can make local pickup work, it could be a very functional offshore family fisherman. The seller is open to reasonable offers and seems motivated to move the boat, so there may be negotiation room, but don't overlook the age and single-engine reality.
Product Note
1987 SPORT-CRAFT OFFSHORE FAMILY FISHERMAN
Choose this boat for the new stringers and floor sections that address the most critical structural points on an older fiberglass hull. The main limitation is the previous charter use, which means the boat has likely seen heavy work and may show more wear than a privately owned hobby boat.
