Boat Mechanic called today.... someone shoot me

[KRS]

Well, traded a GOOD condition 1977 Landcruiser FJ40 for a boat two months ago. Seller said "good condition, all serviced..." etc. Third trip to lake and no-go, spun coupler. Took it to boat mechanic. New coupler ordered (he called it the "new" type, can be greased from inside boat). Well, motor mounts bad. One mount bolt sheared off. The rest close to falling out. By the way the bolts go into mush, all the wood rotted. Hole in bottom of boat (more like a chip, but water seeping in). Pulled wiring harness to pull engine and harness came apart. Serviced lower unit (why not right?!) and some metal in it... hmmmm. Took top unit apart and the bearings are fully rusted and entire teeth missing on gears.<br /><br />He estimates the total cost to be in the neighborhood of $2,000. My LC was worth $4,000 so I will be "paying" $6,000 for this boat. He's already ordered parts and done labor.<br /><br />What the heck happened to an "honest" boating family? I will be into this boat soooo far I'll never be able to sell it. Need some thoughts and general encouragement before I go mad.<br /><br />Can be seen at www.geocities.com/keithrstone/boat<br /><br />Hope everyone else is having better times than me.

 

[achris]

Re: Boat Mechanic called today.... someone shoot me

Find your old LC. One dark night go to it. Open the hood and cut the brake lines!

 

[imported_Mike_M2]

Re: Boat Mechanic called today.... someone shoot me

I don't mean to be mean, but buyer beware. Some of the things you mention would be the things that should ALWAYS be checked when purchasing a boat. Ok, so you don't want to spend $300 on a survey, at least you should ALWAYS pull the lower drive plug to inspect the drive oil. Things like motor oil and belt condition can give you ideas of how well a boat has been taken care of. Honestly, for what you mention $2k isn't bad. The drive alone needs a total go over and that could cost more than that alone. <br />Good luck, hope it all works out for you.

 

[steve n carol]

Re: Boat Mechanic called today.... someone shoot me

Sorry about your loss. the colors are nice. any pics of the LC

 

[cmyers_uk]

Re: Boat Mechanic called today.... someone shoot me

Caveat emptor!<br /><br />Costly mistake but one weve all done at some time or other. Look on the bright side you wont want to sell it when its all done it will be like new

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Boat Mechanic called today.... someone shoot me

AZ,<br /><br />Sorry to hear your story, like Cris said, we all get caught out sometimes. <br /><br />Maybe there's a project boat in your future, its a nice looking boat. The guys & gals in 'Project Boats' are full of information and advise. Just a thought.<br /><br />Aldo

 

[motox6]

Re: Boat Mechanic called today.... someone shoot me

Don't feel bad... this is the first boat ever owned. We bought a boat from supposed work friend of my wife. A 93 Four Winns 190. 250 hrs on the whole boat And was told serviced all the time by a mechanic... after getting the bugs out on the third try(MILKY SHAKE OIL:!!!!) the block was craked internally..Since replacing the motor 1 bad shift linkage and bushing 100.00 dollars... labor to install this and outdrive 380.00 dollars... new engine 1600.00 dollars bad high pressure fuel pump 200.00 dollars.... Me trying to keep sane....PRICELESS. If we ever get this boat running right, its off to a dealer to trade for something NEW. I don't want to sell to someone else and then they will have a lemon

 

[KRS]

Re: Boat Mechanic called today.... someone shoot me

Thank you. Boating is an expensive hobby... who knew? hehehe<br /><br />At least I'm laughing today. <br /><br />achris: my next posting will be from the county jail, hehehe.<br /><br />mike: an experienced person would know what to look for, and I guess experience is gained through mistakes.<br /><br />steve: already took LC pix off webpage, maybe i'll put one back up for ya.<br /><br />chris: TRUE, I won't want to get rid of it, it will be..... my precious!<br /><br />aldo: I will check out that information section, it is the one place on this site I haven't been.<br /><br />motox: I feel your pain. We should start a support group! I too, don't want someone else to end up with these problems.

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: Boat Mechanic called today.... someone shoot me

It looks very similar to mine! Same nice colors and size. Boats go for quite a bit more up here in Montreal. It's still not a bad deal for $6000.00 US. As long as nothing else goes, it's not so bad.<br /><br /> http://www.hunt101.com/showphoto.php?photo=52266&sort=7&thecat=500&password=

 

[salty87]

Re: Boat Mechanic called today.... someone shoot me

it's a learning experience, huh? haha<br /><br />you'll be ahead in the end...you'll get your boat fixed up, know all about it inside and out, have confidence in it, get it like you want. new boats are nice but their price tags are not.

 

[placebo]

Re: Boat Mechanic called today.... someone shoot me

I feel your pain. Last summer I bought a 72 Glastron V-177 that my dad bought new. After about 5 years he traded it and the guy who bought it became my brother-in-law.(No Joke) He took pretty good care of the boat, but the FIRST time I took it to the lake, it would not run! I took the carbs(all three of them) apart and cleaned them out, then noticed that the gas tank(built in of course, and full at that) was leaking into the bilge of the boat. It was rusted through on the bottom and full of crap. Had to pull the boat, siphon the gas out and head for home. Finally got a new tank to put in, cleaned the carbs again, and changed the fuel filter/separator and back to the lake with much better results. Good luck, and don't give up!!!!!<br /><br />Yet!

 

[quantumleap]

Re: Boat Mechanic called today.... someone shoot me

That's not uncommon for a boat to look nice and shiny and well cared for on the outside and rotted in the stringers and transom. All new boaters should have an experienced friend or shop thoroughly inspect before buying. Unfortunately, that happens all the time. I believe in many cases the seller may not even be aware of problems such as wood rot. Many people just use them and put 'em away.

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: Boat Mechanic called today.... someone shoot me

That is why I would only pay less then a thousand for a boat and expect to re do all that stuff. It really sucks when you prepare for all the stuff you mentioned and ten other worse things and you find even more wrong with it.

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: Boat Mechanic called today.... someone shoot me

Good luck with the boat.Maybe this will help ease the pain.Customer just paid us about $3300 to get his NEW boat workable.He paid $4200 for it.<br />$7500 so far for a 1972 20ft Grady White.<br />DHP

 

[KRS]

Re: Boat Mechanic called today.... someone shoot me

All, thank you for the posts! I will have a brand new boat, except that it's 17 years old. If anything else goes wrong I will have a $6,000 lawn ornament.

 

[quantumleap]

Re: Boat Mechanic called today.... someone shoot me

Don't fret. Life is short and if you repair it properly, it'll be better than new and it looks great. In the big picture you'll have a real nice sound boat for 6k. Think of all the people in the world that will never be able to afford a boat or be healthy enough to enjoy one.

 

[Tufan]

Re: Boat Mechanic called today.... someone shoot me

Dont fell that bad. It is a good looking boat, little kosmetics needed, thats all.<br /><br />I had a similar experience with mine also, dont forget to ask your mechanic to check the drive below, it usually needs replacement at that age.

 

[steve n carol]

Re: Boat Mechanic called today.... someone shoot me

AZ, check this out "Whew, my backyard project is almost done" it's in the backyard boat builders catagory.

 

[KRS]

Re: Boat Mechanic called today.... someone shoot me

I will find it...... going now