Buying a new to me used boat

pensacola

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Feb 24, 2008
Messages
137
I am looking into a boat and would like some input. Its a 1984 23' Sea Ox with a 3.8 liter V6 I/O. It has a tandem axle trailer, closed water cooling system, new bimini top, cabin and some extras. The guy wants $4850 for it and says it runs great. We are going to take it out Sunday to try it out and see how she runs. Just wondering if that sounds like a good price and how good is a sea ox cause I have never heard of it.
 

marine4003

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Feb 3, 2008
Messages
1,119
Re: Buying a new to me used boat

Good Solid Boat, alot of small commercial fishermen around here use them, well spoken of.
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: Buying a new to me used boat

Buying a boat

1st you need to decide what you want to use it for, fishing, cruising, or water sports.

2nd how many people adults, children you want on board of the average outing.

3rd outboard, inboard-outboard, or inboard power plant.

4th Budget, what you want to pay, and what you are willing to pay, when you find
Exactly what you want.

You can hire a marine surveyor, to inspect the boat, or you can do it yourself.

You are mainly looking for soft spots in the deck, transom, cracks, all signs of a rotten, under frame.

The motor should be clean, no spots where the paint is discolored, or pealing from heat, having run hot. (This part for outboard motors Compression should be atleast 100psi, and within 10% of each other,)
Spark on all cylinders, good pee stream, check lower unit for water in oil.

The overall condition of the boat will tell you a lot, as to how it has been maintained.

A 30 year old boat motor combo, may be in better condition, than a 3 year old.
 

bhammer

Ensign
Joined
Mar 29, 2008
Messages
963
Re: Buying a new to me used boat

WOuld that engine be a little under powered for that size of a boat? I don't know, just thought I would bring it up. I have a 4.3L 220HP in my 20' and it does okay but not a powerhouse.
 

pensacola

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Feb 24, 2008
Messages
137
Re: Buying a new to me used boat

I don't know exactly yet. I have a 21' bayliner with a 305 5.0 mercruiser right now and it gets up and hauls. But I want this one for fishing. As long as I can get out there at a reasonable speed I should be ok. The seller says it will reach 40 mph.
 
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