I Need Help!

[titan]

im looking into buying a ski boat but for a low coast to play around. this would be a first ski boat but i have had fishing boat for a long time all with an outboard motor. i need opinions in a boat that i might buy. it an 1983 sea ray with a 470 merc-crusier inboard motor and 16ft. i know sea ray is a great brand but the age is whats got me. the owner says it runs great and has given it a new battery and alternator. it looks to be in great shape and looks to be a slightly newer trailer than the boat unless he painted it. he is asking for 2000 but money is always tight i dont wanna be working on the engine constantly!! please help!!

 

[ziggy]

Re: I Need Help!

welcome...

but money is always tight i dont wanna be working on the engine constantly!!

you should read this then about them 470 version engines then...

http://www.sterndrives.com/470information/470coolantleakrepair.html

in old boats, it really don't matter the mfg... what really matters is how it was treated over the years... if treated kindly and reg. maint. was done, old boats can be a lot of fun and a good buy. if they were neglected and abused, you'll part with your bread real fast. add a 470 into the picture and.... well, ya might be better off looking for something else..

when i was buying. there were two items i just didn't bother looking at. the 470 was one, the other was omc. if the boat in question had one of them items. i moved on to the next boat. boats are time consuming to maintain + high dollar. i just didn't want the extra grief.. good luck in yer hunt...

 

[bustermin]

Re: I Need Help!

First of all, do not take the sellers word that it runs great. If it is as good as he claims he will not have any problems with letting you inspect ANY part of the vessel. Second, keep in mind it is a 26 year old boat EXPECT to put money into it, you get what you pay for chances are he is not selling it for 2k out of the goodness of his heart, you said he just replaced the battery and alternator. I suspect it has been sitting and he is tired of putting money into it and tried to start it to get it ready for potential buyer and couldnt start it. Think of it this way, if you had a 26 year old car, and you let it sit 85-90% of the time chances are when you did decide to use it, it is going to need some type of repair or maintanence. I have always been told, a boat is nothing but a hole in the water to throw your money into (and since I own one I guess that means im a glutten for punishment). There is a person here with a signiture that sums it up very well.........

B-Break
O-Out
A-Another
T-Thousand

 

[titan]

Re: I Need Help!

i know exactly what yall are saying. he claims he drives it about twice a month or so and even last weekend but he say that he as got to sell it for the money for dental. do you think it is even worth goin to look at?

 

[bustermin]

Re: I Need Help!

i know exactly what yall are saying. he claims he drives it about twice a month or so and even last weekend but he say that he as got to sell it for the money for dental. do you think it is even worth goin to look at?

Read the link from Ziggy, if it were me, I think that would be the deciding factor. It will give you an idea what to expect (probably in the not so distant future) in the way of repairs. I know once you get a boat you like in a price you can afford you wonder if you are doing the right thing by waiting, but I think it is better to mis a good deal than gamble on a bad deal. If the repairs in that link are needed i suspect they will not be cheap, and if you dont have the money to do the repair you cant get any where near what you will payed for the boat if you decide to sell it as-is. Only you know if it is worth going to look at, there are many many people on this site that give great advice to people looking to purchase a used boat, the thing I notice most is they ask the question, and then they will ask again when they dont get the answer they want. At the very least I think I would bring along a friend that knows somthing about boats and motors and get their opinon. also, ask to see maintanence records or reciepts for any repairs.

 

[ziggy]

Re: I Need Help!

First of all, do not take the sellers word that it runs great

i'll second that and raise ya. don't believe the seller about anything, w/o your own confirmation. they wanna sell a boat.

do you think it is even worth goin to look at?

you have to make the decision based on the info your getting. me personally, i wouldn't bother with that one. specially if i just read a article that gave me a list of known issues with a particular item.
i've never seen a list like that for my 165hp L6 chevy 250. nor a 4.3 or a 5.0 or a 5.7. common, proven engines working in the marine environment... try the search function here on iboats forums. search the 470 and see what others have to say about that engine... omc too.

also, whatever ya get. you must have a sea trial prior to buying. some deficiency's may be not noticeable w/o the sea trial..

 

[titan]

Re: I Need Help!

i was goin to bring along a buddy of mine from the tennesse wildlife resources agency. the man drive a polive boat all day long. i talked to him about it and he said it might be a good del but to drive it for myself to hear and feel for problems and look for them too. he was going to run the vin number and regestration for me

 

[bustermin]

Re: I Need Help!

Well, it sounds like you have already made up your mind to go look at it. Keep in mind, It is NOT what the seller tells you about the boat that should concern you, it is what he doesnt or won't talk about that you should be most concerned with. If you ask somthing pay attention...if he trys to change to another subject or acts like he got distracted, that should be a red flag to you. personaly I think I would bring a mechanic over a "Wildlife Officer", he probably rides around in a fairly new vessel (definatly not a 26 year old boat) he will be able to tell you if it rides good or maybe check the guys fishing license, (unless he is a mechanic as well) but you need to know if mechanically it is junk. Good Luck

 

[Bondo]

Re: I Need Help!

i dont wanna be working on the engine constantly!!

Ayuh,... It's a 470,... You'll be working On it ALL the time...

Find another boat to look at...

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: I Need Help!

I don't think any advice thats given will actually sink in once somebody has their heart (and wallet) set on a particular boat..

My prediction, he buys it and will be making a LOT of posts in the I/O forum very soon..Something like "HELP 470 MERC WONT START HELP!!!!"


lol...