Questions about potential purchase

[Formula3LS]

I'm thinking about buying a boat that has not been used since 2004. The boat has been stored in a heated garage since then and was properly winterized, but what types of things should I be looking for? I don't have the ability to do a water test before buying. The boat is a 1986 with very low hours. What would be your biggest concerns? Is there anything I can do while the boat is out of the water and the batteries are dead to cover myself or reduce my risk?

 

[gcboat]

Re: Questions about potential purchase

A test run is almost mandatory. If you were a full fledged marine surveyor and knew what to look for then it would be a different situation. I don't suppose you are - I'm certainly not.
There are so many things that have to be in place and working properly for the boat to be worth the investment.
I would suggest that you either - find a surveyor ( who's going to want to run it ), have the potential seller make it ready, or walk away. Right now the walk away part seems to be your best choice.
With the economy the way it is there are many boats out there to pick and choose from. However, if this is THE boat you just have to have then you'll have zero recourse if you get it home and find out the motor is trash.
I really don't want to put a dark cloud over your possible purchase but look at it with a grain of salt - if you will. My $.02

 

[P 0 P E Y E]

Re: Questions about potential purchase

A test run is almost mandatory. If you were a full fledged marine surveyor and knew what to look for then it would be a different situation. I don't suppose you are - I'm certainly not.
There are so many things that have to be in place and working properly for the boat to be worth the investment.
I would suggest that you either - find a surveyor ( who's going to want to run it ), have the potential seller make it ready, or walk away. Right now the walk away part seems to be your best choice.
With the economy the way it is there are many boats out there to pick and choose from. However, if this is THE boat you just have to have then you'll have zero recourse if you get it home and find out the motor is trash.
I really don't want to put a dark cloud over your possible purchase but look at it with a grain of salt - if you will. My $.02

I concur with the boss. Unless you are a mechanic. the boat is FREE or you like playing Russian Roulette

 

[JoLin]

Re: Questions about potential purchase

yup- gotta agree with these guys. Unless it's free, let it go.

The fact that it's been stored in a heated gargae for 6 years means nothing, and certainly isn't a selling point. The boat is 23 years old. That means 17 years of opportunity for the transom and stringers to become waterlogged. They don't heal- they get worse regardless of the way the boat is stored.

Without a survey and sea trial I wouldn't touch it.

Keep looking- you'll find 'er

 

[ziggy]

Re: Questions about potential purchase

another i agree. no sea trial, no sale..

 

[Formula3LS]

Re: Questions about potential purchase

Thanks for all of the replies - very helpful. I'm certainly not a surveyor or a mechanic, but compared to all of the other boats I have looked at this is by far the cleanest (only 200 hours and owners were meticulous). I'm close to walking away, however, I don't want to pass up what could potentially be a great boat if the likelihood of the items mentioned above is low.

With that being said, I do have some follow-up questions. BTW - The motor is a Mercruiser 350 (5.7 litre) with Alpha One outdrive.

1) What is the likelihood the transom and stringers are rotted? Is it hard to tell? Could I tell by looking at the boat?
2) If the boat had all of the service completed prior to being stored and ran fine right before it was stored, what could be wrong with it now? (yes, I know anything could be wrong, but what are the biggest concerns and the probability of it being an issue) Obviously the batteries will need to be replaced and possibly draining the fuel?
3) How much does a marine surveyor typically cost and are there different levels of service (one that doesn't require a water test)?

Thanks again for all of the help.

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Questions about potential purchase

You didn't mention how much he was asking. If it's a steal, go with your gut. If it's priced reasonably, have an experienced mechanic look it over, bring along a battery and muffs, and see if it runs. At that point, if it runs ok, you can negociate a price, deducting the cost of the mechanic and contingent on sea trial.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Questions about potential purchase

1) What is the likelihood the transom and stringers are rotted? Is it hard to tell? Could I tell by looking at the boat?

About 90%


2) If the boat had all of the service completed prior to being stored and ran fine right before it was stored, what could be wrong with it now? (yes, I know anything could be wrong, but what are the biggest concerns and the probability of it being an issue) Obviously the batteries will need to be replaced and possibly draining the fuel?

Batteries are the least of the issues. The motor and outdrive may need to be completely rebuilt. At a minimum there will several hundred (probably much more) dollars of work to do.

3) How much does a marine surveyor typically cost and are there different levels of service (one that doesn't require a water test)?

Without a water test, half of what needs to be checked can't be.
The price ???


If the price is low enough, then it may still be a good deal, but it needs to be very low.

 

[Isaacm1986]

Re: Questions about potential purchase

I bought a 1974 Fiberform, Low hours, very clean, been in dry storage for 5 years, got so excited about it i just bought it. Got it home and after looking it over realized the transom was completely rotted out, the floor has rotted out, the whole freshwater cooling system was rusted through from not being rinsed out right. there was water in the oil. I wish i had someone look at it before purchase.

I agree with the other guys, with out a test run, or someone looking at it, let it pass. There will always be another boat for sale.