New boat purchase, PURCHASED, pics included

[2000silvers2k]

UPDATE

Test drive went well, got the boat up to 45, is that the best i can expect out of this boat? was pretty chilly on the water, 60ish, but the water was 75!

all the guages worked cept for the speedo, fortunatly the boat comes with this fancy humminbird 383c gps/fishfinder.

Pretty exciting stuff!

PICS below



So i am a total newbie to boating and boats

I am in the market for a nice used 17-20' bow rider for under 10k

I have found a VERY clean 1999 four winns Horizon 180LS. with a 4.3 litre volvo penta.

The thing is pretty spotless for a 99, looks like it has always been garaged and very well maintained. He started it up for me on muffs and it sounded pretty good and the prop spinned true to the untrained eye. I have already agreed to buy the boat, pending a successful sea trial. Here is where the issue is.

The owner was willing to do a sea trial at a local lake near his house, but the water level is very low due to a very dry summer so he doesnt feel comfortable taking it out, he also does not want to spend half a day going to a differnt lake a little further away.

I really would like a test drive as I am new to boating and its a pretty large expense to not try out. I have told the seller this, but havent heard back from him.

The seller said i could bring in a mechanic/marine surveyor if i wanted since it was going to be complicated to do a sea trial. I guess thats where my question is.

Should i insist on a sea trial or should I bite the bullet and hire a marine surveyor and purchase pending his results? I am fairly certain there is nothing wrong with the boat as it is SUPER clean for a 11 year old boat but I am very green to this so could easily overlook something

I have been thinking of either

a. insisting on a sea trial or no sale
or b. hiring a marine surveyor and asking him to either foot the bill or split the bill for that since he will not provide me a sea trial.

Does option b. sound reasonable?

Can anyone here recommend a good marine surveyor in southern NH? manchester/ concord area?

-Thanks

 

[Pez Vela]

Re: New boat purchase, pending, New hampshire questions

Re: New boat purchase, pending, New hampshire questions

A sea trial is essential. Because you lack experience with boats, you should also arrange to have an experienced Volvo mechanic check out the mechanical aspects of the boat, preferably at the lake at the time of the sea trial if that may be arranged. I don't buy the owner's excuses. I'd be wary.

 

[soaringhiggy]

Re: New boat purchase, pending, New hampshire questions

Re: New boat purchase, pending, New hampshire questions

Good for you wanting a sea trail.

I would say that if there will be no sea trial the seller pays for the survey with the surveyor of your choice working for you, you pay the surveyor and deduct the cost from the final amount of the purchase.

Otherwise he may not sell that boat this season.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: New boat purchase, pending, New hampshire questions

Re: New boat purchase, pending, New hampshire questions

Very smart, hold your ground. If you were more experienced it would be different. But experience such as the surveyor and/or the sea trial give will make your decision one which is well informed.

I wish you luck and hope the boat is a keeper!

 

[ma glastron]

Re: New boat purchase, pending, New hampshire questions

Re: New boat purchase, pending, New hampshire questions

If your interested thurstons marina in loconia has a bayliner that size. They are very good to deal with.

 

[jonesg]

Re: New boat purchase, pending, New hampshire questions

Re: New boat purchase, pending, New hampshire questions

Its a buyers market. Thats guy is deluded.
Look on craigslist, many NH, VT and maine listings are posted on the Boston list, its crammed full of great boats under $10K , well under.
http://boston.craigslist.org/nos/boa/1912970583.html
http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/boa/1913066858.html
http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/boa/1913308673.html

Look at other boats, I think you'll find that original seller chasing you before the snow hits.

Heres some tips on boat buying from a boat repair shop in NJ that does good work, it will show you what to look for.
http://www.customboatrepairs.com/jm...a-used-boat&catid=8:boat-buying-tips&Itemid=7

 

[soaringhiggy]

Re: New boat purchase, pending, New hampshire questions

Re: New boat purchase, pending, New hampshire questions

I would be very careful of the Yamaha boat in Boston. The last time I looked they did not have palm trees there. Looks like a gaff to me. That would be an excellent buy if true.

 

[2000silvers2k]

Re: New boat purchase, pending, New hampshire questions

Re: New boat purchase, pending, New hampshire questions

jonesg, thanks for the link of "what to look for"

very useful! As for the boat it is pretty damn clean and I havent noticed any thing thats pointed out on in that link, but on the other hand I was not looking for these things in particular at the time either, just looking for anything out of the ordinary of what i expect would look new and to the untrained eye the boat looked almost like new.

I still havent heard back from the seller (left him a voicemail last night) will call him in a bit and explain I either want a sea trial or him to pay for a proffesional marine survey/ lower the price.

Thanks for all the advice guys!

Its a buyers market. Thats guy is deluded.
Look on craigslist, many NH, VT and maine listings are posted on the Boston list, its crammed full of great boats under $10K , well under.
http://boston.craigslist.org/nos/boa/1912970583.html
http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/boa/1913066858.html
http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/boa/1913308673.html

Look at other boats, I think you'll find that original seller chasing you before the snow hits.

Heres some tips on boat buying from a boat repair shop in NJ that does good work, it will show you what to look for.
http://www.customboatrepairs.com/jm...a-used-boat&catid=8:boat-buying-tips&Itemid=7

 

[jonesg]

Re: New boat purchase, pending, New hampshire questions

Re: New boat purchase, pending, New hampshire questions

jonesg, thanks for the link of "what to look for"

very useful! As for the boat it is pretty damn clean and I havent noticed any thing thats pointed out on in that link, but on the other hand I was not looking for these things in particular at the time either, just looking for anything out of the ordinary of what i expect would look new and to the untrained eye the boat looked almost like new.

I still havent heard back from the seller (left him a voicemail last night) will call him in a bit and explain I either want a sea trial or him to pay for a proffesional marine survey/ lower the price.

Thanks for all the advice guys!

Beat him to the wait, let him chase YOU.

You really need to look at other boats just to get your finger off the trigger.

 

[2000silvers2k]

Re: New boat purchase, pending, New hampshire questions

Re: New boat purchase, pending, New hampshire questions

Update, just spoke with seller, sea trial will happen friday after work!

Hopefully all goes well and Ill get to enjoy this thing before the snow flies

 

[Fireman431]

Re: New boat purchase, pending, New hampshire questions

Re: New boat purchase, pending, New hampshire questions

There's another hitch in your plan. I don't know of any marine surveyor that will put his name on the completed survey without a sea trial. At least none that I know of around here.

 

[2000silvers2k]

Re: New boat purchase, pending, New hampshire questions

Re: New boat purchase, pending, New hampshire questions

Beat him to the wait, let him chase YOU.

You really need to look at other boats just to get your finger off the trigger.

I hear what your saying,

I actually looked at 2 more similiar boats the day after I looked at this one (didnt want to buy the first boat i looked at) and after that I knew I was wasting my time looking around.

The other two i looked at were a lower quality brand and in WAY worse condition (obvious wear and tear to the UNtrained eye) the only thing they had going for them was they were at a marina (30 day warrentee and "went through and checked the boats out" but I could easily tell that spending an extra 500 even 1000$ on this four winns was worth it. just in accessories alone. (gps/depth/fish finder, upgraded mp3 ipod alpine stero, plus everything needed to run the boat (pfd's, anchor, bumpers, etc etc etc)

It truely is a clean and hopefully turn-key boat.

 

[NYBo]

Re: New boat purchase, pending, New hampshire questions

Re: New boat purchase, pending, New hampshire questions

I would be very careful of the Yamaha boat in Boston. The last time I looked they did not have palm trees there. Looks like a gaff to me. That would be an excellent buy if true.

Between the pictures and the price, it's got to be a scam.

 

[soaringhiggy]

Re: New boat purchase, pending, New hampshire questions

Re: New boat purchase, pending, New hampshire questions

yep

 

[2000silvers2k]

Re: New boat purchase, pending, New hampshire questions

Re: New boat purchase, pending, New hampshire questions

UPDATE,

bought the boat, pics in first post!

 

[oldjeep]

Re: New boat purchase, pending, New hampshire questions

Re: New boat purchase, pending, New hampshire questions

45 seems a little slow since my 3.0L 19ft will do 43, did you have the trim adjusted properly?

 

[soaringhiggy]

Re: New boat purchase, PURCHASED, pics included

Looks very nice, clean and you will have a ball.

Look into some courses, meet folks and have a good time.

Very cool congratulations.

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: New boat purchase, pending, New hampshire questions

Re: New boat purchase, pending, New hampshire questions

45 seems a little slow since my 3.0L 19ft will do 43, did you have the trim adjusted properly?

A little slow, should pull in about 50. It may be over/under propped. The speedo is a quick fix likely. Research pitot tube and start from there. I am betting it's plugged or the hose pulled outta the drive. Looks to be a very nice boat at any rate, enjoy it!

Ian

 

[2000silvers2k]

Re: New boat purchase, pending, New hampshire questions

Re: New boat purchase, pending, New hampshire questions

A little slow, should pull in about 50. It may be over/under propped. The speedo is a quick fix likely. Research pitot tube and start from there. I am betting it's plugged or the hose pulled outta the drive. Looks to be a very nice boat at any rate, enjoy it!

Ian

The seller mentioned something about it being propped for quick planning/pulling skiers, so im not sure if that affects the top speed, plus it was pretty windy out and choppy and we were going against it.

Ill have to look into the pitot tube thing. thanks

 

[Subliminal]

Re: New boat purchase, PURCHASED, pics included

As mentioned check the hole opposite the prop in the outdrive for a clog. Mine clogs up dang near every time I go out...I just get a few nails of various sizes and work the hole until water comes out...then the speedo is good to go!

On the top speed...that does seem slow. What RPM are you running? My 18 ft 4.3 carbed boat does right at 50 at 4500 RPM.

You might also need to play with the trim. That's usually good for 5 or so MPH at WOT. On my boat I plane out with the motor down and then move it up until the white water is coming off the back of the boat, rather than 1/2 way up the side. If I trim too far, I get porpoising. If I don't trim enough, I go slower.