Hey Strata - what's an M5 worth nowadays? We have one here at KBRD for sale that 3 years ago a guy put about a 100K into. Radios, new Aqua floats, patroller doors etc.. And now he's asking 55K for it. (he only put 20 hours on it in 3 years - flies his Baron around instead) It was just annualed and everything brought up to snuff.

Are 235 M5's any good compared to 6's and 7's? Do they have the short wing and ailerons? Can you mod them? Just curious if this is a good deal or not.

Brad

I'm not Doug, but I did stay in a Holiday inn on Wednesday. Jeremy Ainsworth has a site I think it's called "Maules.com" he's also one of the links on "Maule-mods." Anyway he has a chart that shows every model Maule ever made, and their specifications. He's also very knowledgeable on the subject. I'll check the aircraft evaluator on trade a plane and see what they come up with. If it's a Franklin powered Maule I think $50K is top dollar. It's sad, because they are excellent engines it's just that's what the market will bear.
Here's the list
http://maules.com/Chronology.htm

Augh...not the old Holiday Inn thing again! Should be Express anyway!

Thanks for the link and info! This is a 235 hp / O-540 powered M5

Brad

If it's a 235 with that much invested in it I'd grab it up. How many hours are on the engine? $55K is a very good deal deal for a M-5-235 thats be 'gone' through - providing they did it right when they went through it. Can you provide more info? Does the panel look good - layout correct and all that jazz?

Sounds like a good deal from what was posted. The floats and rigging are worth 15k or so. Unless something is really outta' wack you should jump on it.

Just love spending somebody else's dough...

Doug,

I'll try and get some pictures of the aircraft and panel for you. I personally don't want the aircraft, any extra cash will go to a Cub But my pal Andy, the IA/AP who just annualed it and is trying to sell it for Gary Roth, the owner, can't figure out why it hasn't sold yet at the price he's asking to get rid of it. I thought you Maule types might know something about M5-235C's that Andy and I don't.

One broker who called on the ad said, "ah Maules are just junk and put togther by prisoners, we run them out and throw them away. I'll give you $39.9K for it." Uh, I don't think so!

In the meantime here's what I know about it:

1977 M5 235C Maule for sale here in Brainerd, MN. (BRD) It is blue and white with a fresh annual. The fellow who owns it (Gary Roth) mainly flies his Baron around and so only put 20 hours on the Maule in the last 3 years. 3 years ago when he bought it, he put about $100K into the thing (purchase price, radios, patroller doors, new Aqua floats etc..) The main gear is missing. He's asking $55K for it.

The guy to contact is Andy Dunlap, the IA who just annualed the airplane. His e-mail is: [email protected]

Or you can call Airmotive Enterprises at Brainerd. 218-829-3398 during the week and ask him about it then. He can send pictures. (the airplane is currently in a hangar on the field).

Here's the Barnstormer's ad Andy put up:

MAULE M5-235C • $55,000 • FOR SALE CHEAP • 1977 Lunar Rocket , floatplane-aqua 2400, Lyc O-540, TT-1102, $100K invested, $55K • Contact Andrew Dunlap - AIRMOTIVE located Brainerd, MN USA • Telephone: 218-829-8963 • Posted November 2, 2005 • Show all Ads posted by this Advertiser • Recommend This Ad to a Friend • Send a Message

Brad Thornberg

BRD,

The aircraft resale market is a little soft at the moment and I think everyone is having to wait a little longer to sell their planes these days. Also, given the fact this plane is on floats with no gear, it's probably limiting it's market draw a bit even though a savy buyer wouldn't think twice about buying some new factory gear and installing it. Do you know if this plane been recovered or repainted?

Damn, 1100 hours! That poor engine didn't get run near enough, I think I'd be a little concerned about rusty cam lobes, etc. Still, that is a very good price for an 1100 hr. plane.

Doug,

Could be cheap because it lacks the much sought after, elegantly rounded tail feathers of the M4.

Mark

Echo Alpha, you speak the truth! Elegance and style like the cars of the 30's and 40's was lost for unknown reasons. Sad to note but not all can be written off. There are a few that want these abberations of style. Me, I just want the floats, so anyone contemplating this plane, note that there is a market for the unwanted!

Hey Peril, are you moving away from WA.? Also, you have kids right? How do they do in the plane.

Your askin' a lot of leading questions about children and planes, Jeff, you startin' to get nervous or somethin'?

Hell yes! Daina's due in March so I'm nervous about everything. I just have to figure out how to keep all the balls in the air

Suppose a guy bought this thing as is.

What can you expect to spend on wheel gear and such for it? You need a bunch of stuff, I imagine - gear legs, fairings, bungees (or whatever Maule uses), wheels & brakes, tires & tubes... Used parts are likely to be junk, as the gear usually gets torn up in a wreck.

I reckon the floats are worth $10+, figure dropping 4k on the above components, maybe? (That's nothing more than a WAG) Hmmm... We're below $50k for a nice Maule. Not bad.

Jon B.

Get in the KA Champ, fly up here and haggle a bit. You might be able to do even better.

Brad

Yes, two kids, 10 yo son and 14 yo daughter. My son likes going places but is more keen on the destination than flying. My daughter is becoming quite the Aviatrix. She can spell me for periods of time on the cross country's. Nice to have a relief sometimes. The key to having kids in the plane: have an activity, my wife plays "hangman" if the turbulence picks up. Works great for my son. Heat in the back seat is always good if it tends to be cold out. I keep a lap blanket and the extra time it takes to improve the weather stripping is worth every penny. And of course, always plan destinations that offer something that kids will want to do. If it's a get together where adults stand around and talk airplanes, you will lose your audience and their enthusiasm. Plan a museum (McMinnville & Boeing), fossil beds (John Day) or something and you will have a line up at the hangar door. The worst thing about aviation is an empty seat.
And yes, once school is out this June we are moving to AK. hence the hunt for floats. Jon B, skins and fairings are optional. If you plan on doing a lot of off field stuff, don't bother. Makes the preflight that much safer. Mine are going away too. I'd be interested in some pic.s and location of these floats. The hunt is on!

Your discussion of the Maule M-5 prompted me to get off the sidelines and join the discussions to ask a few questions. The Maule site lists the cruise speed of the M-5 235 as 150 kts. Do they really go that fast? Also, how much room is there in the cabin? Would two large guys (over 6') be comfortable in the front?

I'm 6-3 and I flew a buddy this weekend that is 6-4 and we both go 230 plus. It's at least as comfortable as a 172. I don't have the extensions that I have heard talk of from MauleMods. The back seat and baggage areas are much easier to access with the back doors.

Okay gang, you especially Yellowmaule... Andy wrote me this morning, here's the message:

Hi Brad,
I just read the Maule posts on backcountry. It looks like Gary's Maule is sold to a guy in Montana. He will be buying new landing gear and he doesn't want the floats. Maybe you can let the b.c. guys know the floats are for sale. Also if the buyer can't come up with the money, others can get in line.

Thanks, Andy

So anyway, if you want the floats. See the contact numbers above and I posted pictures of the airplane on the site - (when Zane gets around to putting them on.) They sat in water for 3 years so there's stain on the bottoms that needs cleaning.

Brad

I'm kind of sick to my stomach now...I could have gotten that for an extra $15K. Quick, somebody start a thread extolling the virtues of the 170.

--Edit
Of course, I'd have to figure out how to land it on Virginia Lake to make the whole thing worthwhile

Hey, John's back!

Questions or rather answers about speed can be confusing. "Trues out at 137" at what pressure/density altitude? I usually ask "what's the indicated cruise speed at 1,000 MSL?", assuming that the IAS is fairly close. I remember hearing one guy claiming a ( to me) unbelievable cruise speed, and it turned out he was talking about GPS ground speed with a substantial tailwind up at 9,000 feet or so.

Eric