Looking for a 'new' boat . . .

[tpenfield]

Re: Looking for a 'new' boat . . . Success !!!

Re: Looking for a 'new' boat . . . Success !!!

I'd be surprised if you found any "show-stoppers" that weren't already at least an area of concern. From the pics, looks like a nicely kept boat. Good luck and I hope this is "the one"!

The only things that keep me up at night are the potential for blisters on the hull and structural rot; either transom or stringers. I did look the boat over really well and stuck my head in everywhere it would fit. The boat was really dry . . . no water at all in the bilge and almost no mold or even musty smell throughout all the compartments and places that I looked.

I am anticipating that the engines will prove out OK, because the boat reached its spec WOT speed (mph) and RPM when I went out for a 'test ride' on Sunday.

 

[Shotgun_Luckey]

Re: Looking for a 'new' boat . . . Success !!!

Re: Looking for a 'new' boat . . . Success !!!

Sounds like you found "the One"

congrates....

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Looking for a 'new' boat . . . Success !!!

Re: Looking for a 'new' boat . . . Success !!!

Sea Trial and Survey are today . . . So, I'll post more pictures, etc. . . I had to work late last night replacing the muffler on the Admiral's car, since I am taking mine to NH all day.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Looking for a 'new' boat . . . Success !!!

Re: Looking for a 'new' boat . . . Success !!!

I did the survey and sea trial today . . . there were a few issues:

Exhaust Manifolds are shot - The elbows happen to be stainless steel, so they laid waste to the manifolds. So, it is gonna need 2 sets of manifolds. The ones on there are probably original and failed in fresh water because of the combination of stainless and regular iron/steel. The starboard side actually has an exhaust leak it is so bad.

Starboard Fuel Pump needs to be replaced - the surveyor explained the problem, but I'm not sure I totally understood, but I'll take his word on it.

A few early signs of Blisters - some spots of dis-coloration on the algae film on the hull proved to be the early stages of blisters forming. So, there is some bottom work and barrier coating that needs to be done.

Some other minor stuff, but that was pretty much it. So, I am waiting for the full report, which I should have tomorrow. Then, 'buyer' and 'seller' will need to discuss the more significant issues. We shall see how it goes.

Just for kicks, I put together a YouTube video of the day.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Looking for a 'new' boat . . . Success !!!

Re: Looking for a 'new' boat . . . Success !!!

On the good side of things . . . The engines proved out OK in the sea trial and the compression tests.

WOT: 4400 RPM both engines @ 52 mph

Compression test of the engines ranged from 140 - 160 psi, with 150 being the predominant reading

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: Looking for a 'new' boat . . . Success !!!

Re: Looking for a 'new' boat . . . Success !!!

Does not sound too bad. Bottom paint and the prep work required should make the blister issue almost moot. Manifolds for 7.4s are not all that expensive. Fuel pump might be a pain though, does the engine need to come out to change it?

 

[Shotgun_Luckey]

Re: Looking for a 'new' boat . . . Success !!!

Re: Looking for a 'new' boat . . . Success !!!

the video won't play.....It says....

This Video is Private

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Looking for a 'new' boat . . . Success !!!

Re: Looking for a 'new' boat . . . Success !!!

the video won't play.....It says....

This Video is Private

My bad . . . fixed it. Lemme know if you have any more trouble viewing it.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Looking for a 'new' boat . . . Success !!!

Re: Looking for a 'new' boat . . . Success !!!

Does not sound too bad. Bottom paint and the prep work required should make the blister issue almost moot. Manifolds for 7.4s are not all that expensive. Fuel pump might be a pain though, does the engine need to come out to change it?

The fuel pump looks to be the easier of the things to fix . . . it is mounted to the sea water pump and runs off of it.

The manifolds will probably be tough . . . poor access on the inside rows and rusted bolts. The engines might have to come out in order to gain access to the manifold bolts, etc.

The engines are the Mercruiser 7.4 LX MPI . . . it appears that they are Gen VI . . . would that make sense????

As far as the blisters . . . The Surveyor (Bob Gallagher) indicated that I should still open up the blisters, even though they are just starting to show, and let them dry out. Then fill with epoxy mixed with a filler material.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Looking for a 'new' boat . . . Success !!!

Re: Looking for a 'new' boat . . . Success !!!

Well, the seller and I worked out an agreement on fixing the more critical issues from the survey. So, the purchase is agreed upon.

Now it is time for looking to get a (big, big) trailer to bring that boat to its new home.

 

[500dollar744ti]

Re: Looking for a 'new' boat . . . Success !!!

Re: Looking for a 'new' boat . . . Success !!!

excellent story, i liked reading this thread and i like your new boat!

 

[JEBar]

Re: Looking for a 'new' boat . . . Success !!!

Re: Looking for a 'new' boat . . . Success !!!

congratulations indeed .... really enjoyed following your search .... have to admit I'm kind of sorry to see it coming to an end, the pictures you have been posting are great .... looking forward to your future reports

Jim

 

[Quit It]

Re: Looking for a 'new' boat . . . Success !!!

Re: Looking for a 'new' boat . . . Success !!!

Congrats, and congrats on finding a surveyor that does the engine inspection too. Our surveyor doesn't so I'm going to either haul the local marina's mechanic (really nice guy) down there or use someone local (and unknown).

Anyway, congrats, looks like a beautiful boat.

 

[beaverliner]

Re: Looking for a 'new' boat . . . Success !!!

Re: Looking for a 'new' boat . . . Success !!!

Gorgeous boat, I hope you'll be able to iron the bugs out soon and enjoy it! congrats!

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Looking for a 'new' boat . . . Success !!!

Re: Looking for a 'new' boat . . . Success !!!

Congrats, and congrats on finding a surveyor that does the engine inspection too. Our surveyor doesn't so I'm going to either haul the local marina's mechanic (really nice guy) down there or use someone local (and unknown).

Anyway, congrats, looks like a beautiful boat.

I felt bad for the surveyor (Bob), as he had to lay on top of the engines in order to get some of the plugs out for the compression test. Some surveyors (very, very few) will even do a cylinder leak test. BUT, it would really only be needed if there were a problem ID'd on the compression test.

My plan is to do over the winter the prep work that the boat will need for its introduction to salt water next spring.

During this search for a 'new-to-me' boat I ventured into the world of fresh water boats pretty much for the first time. A couple take-aways for me were fresh water boaters seem to:

1) leave their boats open to blisters by not applying protection to the bottom . . . even at an early age, one should learn to 'protect their bottom'

2) cruise with the trim 'in' quite far, so that the nose of the boat is down . . . if you do much of that in salt water, your boat turns into a submarine real quick

Anyway, hopefully, the repairs will be done soon and I will be bringing the boat to its new home. I'll post pictures of that 'glorious' day . . . just keeping in mind that it will be one of the two happiest days of my ownership of this boat.

 

[Quit It]

Re: Looking for a 'new' boat . . . Success !!!

Re: Looking for a 'new' boat . . . Success !!!

Anyway, hopefully, the repairs will be done soon and I will be bringing the boat to its new home. I'll post pictures of that 'glorious' day . . . just keeping in mind that it will be one of the two happiest days of my ownership of this boat.

LOL, as true as that saying may be, why does everyone need to say it to me - sometimes more than once ? It's like everyone thinks they're imparting some nugget of knowledge that I've never heard

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Looking for a 'new' boat . . . Success !!!

Re: Looking for a 'new' boat . . . Success !!!

The Admiral (a.k.a. CIO - Cheif Insurance Officer) got an insurance quote for the Formula 330 . . . About $450/yr . . . covers boat & trailer and $500K liability. I think it is less than we were paying with the F-242 . . .

 

[Quit It]

Re: Looking for a 'new' boat . . . Success !!!

Re: Looking for a 'new' boat . . . Success !!!

Wow, that's another great deal. I guess it's partially because they figure you won't take it out during the winter.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Looking for a 'new' boat . . . Success !!!

Re: Looking for a 'new' boat . . . Success !!!

Wow, that's another great deal. I guess it's partially because they figure you won't take it out during the winter.

I *think* that boats in the 18-26 foot range cause all the trouble out on the waters and maybe their insurance rates raflect that?

I am covering the boat and trailer for twice the money that my 242 was insured and paying a little less in total. so, maybe bigger 'cruisers' are in a lower rate class.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Looking for a 'new' boat . . . Success !!!

Re: Looking for a 'new' boat . . . Success !!!

Another Update:

While I am waiting for word from the seller on the completion of the repairs to the engine . . . I have been looking into various options on hauling/towing this boat the 175+ miles to its new home.

I plan on getting a trailer for general storage and periodic haul-out during the season. I have been eyeballing a Venture 12,625lb capacity tri-axle trailer for this boat (Formula 330SS). It looks likes the prices of (aluminum) trailers have come down a bit since I bought one about 8 years ago (metal prices were skyrocketing then)

In terms of transport, I have been considering the following:

1) Buddy of mine has access to an F-350 truck on weekends that we could use to tow the trailer and bring the boat home. (problem is . . . we would have to tow the 'wide load' during the week per state regs., so that may not be feasible)

2) I could price some local haulers with hydraulic adjusting boat trailers to get the boat from the seller's marina and bring it to my local waters and launch it. I could then retrieve it with my vehicle/new trailer soon thereafter to check things out and eventually lay it up for winter. If I did this, then I could possibly get a couple of days using it before I pull it out for the season . . . the downside is that it will see salt water for the first time without any preparations (not sure a few days will really matter)

3) I could bring the trailer to the seller's marina and have them load it to the trailer . . . then get a 'tow-away' hauler to bring boat and trailer to my place (about 4 hours drive). I this case I would not have to launch it/retrieve it and could do some prep work prior to the boat ever seeing salty water.

I have signed up with "uShip.com" to get some bids on my #3 option. If anyone has some experience with the uShip process that you would like to share, please send me a PM.

Any other options that you folks can think of??? Thanks in advance for any ideas or comments you have.