Considering purchasing inboard boat

[copierkat]

Hi all, new to forum. I am considering purchasing an inboard boat that was donated to a charity. The boat is under shrinkwrap and cannot be test drove before purchase. It has a Mercruiser 470 according to pictures. I talked with previous owner, and she said since her husband died, she no longer used boat and donated it to the charity. She said it ran fine last time it was used, but has not been used for 2 years. The boat looks like its in good condition from photos, and asking price is $500. The previous owner said it had been winterized, but my main concern is if it was not, could I be buying a boat with a cracked block, or worse? The motor appears to be in the up position now, but that may be from moving it. I know it is supposed to be lowered to drain water and stored in that position, and it is freezing outside here now. Any suggestions for me? Should I take the risk, or should I avoid a potential $500 headache? Thanks for any thoughts!

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: Considering purchasing inboard boat

If your in to rebuilding/restoring and have $500 laying around go for it. That's really pretty cheap and if worst case I'd expect you could part it out and get your money back. It might take some time though if you do that this time of year.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Considering purchasing inboard boat

First of all, this is not an inboard boat. It's an inboard-outboard boat, and the "outdrive" is what' stored in the up position. This engine has a closed cooling system that's supposed to have antifreeze in it, so being winterized is not that much of an issue. But the 470 Mercruiser is an engine that had more than its fair share of mechanical problems. And this is a relatively old boat, as 470's were 80's boats. This is 2012.

I wouldn't suggest purchasing any used boat that cannot be started and the engine and driveline completely checked out by a qualified marine mechanic. You should pass on this one.

 

[copierkat]

Re: Considering purchasing inboard boat

Thanks for the replies. The previous owner did apparently put a couple of thousand dollars in repairs to the engine according to the person selling it for the charity, but I am unsure of what was done. She just does not use it since her husband died. It has been sitting unused for 2 years. Would that be a big problem? I have read you should put lubrication in cylinders and let it sit for a couple days before trying to start a stored motor unused for any period of time to avoid rings sticking and possibly cracking. I am a bit mechanically able. I work on my car, replaced the clutch and timing belt on my diesel Jetta. Any more thoughts? Thanks!

 

[Grandad]

Re: Considering purchasing inboard boat

If it's on a decent trailer, I'd buy it. The trailer's worth $500. And if there's problems, you can always tell yourself that you donated $500 to charity. Make sure you get a clear ownership title. - Grandad

 

[eavega]

Re: Considering purchasing inboard boat

If you can afford to lose the $500 (and you probably won't. As other people have posted, you should be able to scrounge at least that in parts) I would say go for it. That having been said, do a search for threads on the 470 engine here on iBoats. Go into it with your eyes wide open. Some people will tell you to run, and run fast, away from the 470. Others will tell you that its fine as long as it is maintained and some basic upgrades are done to it.

Rgds

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Considering purchasing inboard boat

...Some people will tell you to run, and run fast, away from the 470...

I am one of those guys. A 470 with an unknown history? Monty Python sure comes to mind, "Run Away, Run Away!" (unless you really feel like making a $500 donation to charity.)

 

[copierkat]

Re: Considering purchasing inboard boat

Thanks for the suggestions. I will be taking a chance on the purchase, but the price reflects that.

 

[copierkat]

Re: Considering purchasing inboard boat

I bought it. I think I will start by drainig the fuel that is 2 years old and go from there. The boat is in great shape for being 29 years old. I can upload pics if anyone is interested. Dave

 

[1979 Quartermasters]

Re: Considering purchasing inboard boat

I'm interested to see what you got for $500.00.

Ken

 

[Don S]

Re: Considering purchasing inboard boat

Welcome aboard copierkat.

Since you have bought it, you are no doubt going to be doing some fixing up on the engine and drive. Your best bet is to get the engine and drives Mercruiser serial numbers from both. This will help you locate parts and other information, and will be needed when you ask questions about how to fix something.

There is also tons of information up in the Adults Only Sticky at the top of this forum that will help you along the way with your new project. Especially item #10 the Mercruiser information.

Post some pictures, it's another very handy tool when you have questions.
How to Post Pictures - The Basics - Page 1 - 468676

 

[Grandad]

Re: Considering purchasing inboard boat

I bought it. I think I will start by drainig the fuel that is 2 years old and go from there. The boat is in great shape for being 29 years old. I can upload pics if anyone is interested. Dave

Whadya mean "If we're interested?" Let's see 'em already. - Grandad

 

[copierkat]

Re: Considering purchasing inboard boat

I went to transfer title yesterday and found out the title was for the trailer, not the boat. I called previous owner, and she thought it only had the green registration sticker, not a title. I explained that the DMV said there is a separate title for boat and trailer, and the DMV gave me paperwork to send to her to apply for duplicate title. Hope all goes well......Dave

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Considering purchasing inboard boat

well, you are in for an experience. I sure hope you don't live in Illinois!

 

[matt167]

Re: Considering purchasing inboard boat

As long as your in contact with the original owner, getting a new title should be no issue. It's when you have to prove ownership and you can't find the previous owner that it becomes a problem.. Stuff like that does take 4-6 weeks to process tho, and it will get mailed to the previous owner, so you have to keep in contact.

I had a simmilar problem with an old car I bought, the transferrable registration she gave me was not the most current and thus, invalid. She actually rode with me to the DMV to get it sorted out.

 

[jopes]

Re: Considering purchasing inboard boat

Where are the pictures?

 

[copierkat]

Re: Considering purchasing inboard boat

Where are the pictures?

I was trying to upload pics but got error message each time. I think they are too big. Will continue trying. I am in MN. What do the Illinois people have problems with?

 

[Don S]

Re: Considering purchasing inboard boat

How to Post Pictures - The Basics - Page 1 - 468676

If you post them as shown in the first part of the above link, size will not be a problem. They will be resized automatically if too big.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Considering purchasing inboard boat

...What do the Illinois people have problems with?

Trying to get a title that's been lost for a boat (or anything) is a real PITA in IL.

 

[Speakrdude]

Re: Considering purchasing inboard boat

If your in AR, there are NO boat titles required, just one for the trailer!