New to me bowrider, have some questions...

[1980Galaxy]

Re: New to me bowrider, have some questions...

take your wife's advice on the boat name, i like it.

and that boat is way too pretty to have anything major wrong with it, i don't care who says otherwise...

 

[kmarine]

Re: New to me bowrider, have some questions...

I recomend at this point pulling the drive and checking the bellows. If they are leaking there will be water in there. While it is off check gimball again and grease u jounts. otherwise check transom seal. I have seen leaks between transom ans bell housing. Filling hull with water will not work. Get a spotlight mirror or video camera. Dry out hull good, put boat in water and look for dripping water. could be comming from hose, trans cooler, even exhaust manifold or bellows. does it only leak with engine runing. Also try a new battery, clean cables with wire brush and see about a load test. You dont want to be towed in with a dead battery. You also risk computer dammage if you have a bad alternator or voltage regulator. You can loan test equipment from a auto parts store and do a load test/alternator check. good luck.

 

[Steve91T]

Re: New to me bowrider, have some questions...

Thanks everyone. Infildel, dude, you crack me up. I want whatever you're smoking!

The boat's at the marina. They are taking it out tomorrow to figure things out.

I had Advanced do a load test and everything checked out.

I'll let you guys know what they find.

Steve

 

[1980Coronado]

Re: New to me bowrider, have some questions...

So.....what's the update Steve!

 

[Steve91T]

Re: New to me bowrider, have some questions...

We've been getting with storms, but they said they'll take it out tomorrow.

Now, the owner said that whatever they find is going to be on me to fix it. I told him that I'm not happy about that. They said it needed nothing and was in great shape. He said, "well, we don't water test them". I said you guys drove it from the lady's house to your marina! They told me about how awesome it is in the water! He didn't have much of a response.

So, this marina sold this boat for an owner. But they are obviously making a little money, but not much. So, that's why they can't help me out with repairs.

I say that's bull! They told me the boat was serviced by them since it was new, then I find out all they did was winterize it the past 3 years. They failed to mention to me the steering has tons of slop, and is taking on gallons of water, when these guys drove it on the water. These things didn't happen over the winter.

I screwed up. I shouldn't have been so trusting.

Anyway, I told them to just see what's wrong and we'll go from there. I pray that it's just a leaky bellow. I may consider paying for the parts, if they cover the labor. Especially since they should be changed every 5 years or so anyway.

Well, any ideas?

Steve

 

[1980Coronado]

Re: New to me bowrider, have some questions...

Let's hope it's nothing serious....I would go directly to the shop owner and deal directly with him/her. It's time to get the sales staff out of the picture.

FYI...I bought my Coronado last summer. On the test drive I noted a transmission leak, and vibration. I split the cost of the repairs with the previous owner. The vibration ended up being a bent prop shaft....and the prop was reworked to a smaller pitch and diameter. New prop and shaft were close to $800 with me doing the labor! Sometimes even when you know what to look for you still don't get the whole story from the owner. I was in the same situation as you because it was a consignment sale. I got a totally rebuilt transmission and new strut bearing out of it, but.....there were other issues that IMO the PO new about....I guess what I'm saying is that even if you had to pay to fix the bellows etc....you've still got a great boat.....now if it's something more serious then I'd go after them for misrepresenting the boat.

 

[1980Galaxy]

Re: New to me bowrider, have some questions...

You didn't take it for a test run before you bought it?

 

[Steve91T]

Re: New to me bowrider, have some questions...

You didn't take it for a test run before you bought it?

I know, I'm an idiot. The marina mechanics were the last ones to drive it and told me about how awesome of a boat it is. They had nothing but great things to say. Also, this marina, really isn't a marina. The nearest lake is 25 minutes away. And I actually felt bad asking for them to spend a couple of hours to take me out and test drive it, being that it's in beautiful shape, they had been doing the maintenance since new, they already drove it....and it goes on.

I trusted them. That's what it comes down to. Unfortunately, it's not a mistake I'm ever going to make again.

I agree that it's a boat worth putting money into, but we're going to have to work something out. Like I said, I could justify paying for parts, but there is no way in hell I'm going to pay for labor. They misled me. Honestly, I think they felt like it is such a clean boat, that they didn't expect it to have these problems. I think we both kind of got screwed.

I'm never going to make this mistake again. I'm just praying that it's a shift boot or bellow or something. We'll see.

 

[1980Coronado]

Re: New to me bowrider, have some questions...

You may not have noticed it on a test drive either....don't beat yourself up.

 

[kiddsysco]

Re: New to me bowrider, have some questions...

I dont think I would be letting those people anywhere around my boat. Let them look at and see what they come up with. But take it to someone else for repair. Check put youtube for some videos on bellows replacement.. If the job looks too tricky or more than you want to attempt by doing it yourself, At least you will know whats involved. When you have a older boat.. (Great looking boay by the way) Might better purchase a repair manual.. Well worth the savings at a $85/hour labor rate..

I was of the thinking that your leak was in your cooling system. A simple pin hole in an exhaust bellow would cause it to take on water, Spray aginst the tramsom wall and drip, and could be wetting your plug wires causing your rough idle while hot... I think those 3 things were your issues.. Sorry.. I have no advice on the steering..

Good Luck!!

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: New to me bowrider, have some questions...

Okay... They drove it... They didn't drive it... Which was it? I know you had to be told by us, before you spend serious money to go on a test run... I didn't take my boat for a test run, cause of a bad trim motor.. Still... It was also 6k cheaper... I could make my grand back in parts..

Steve... Let em fix the dang thing.. Pay for the repairs... MAKE SURE IT IS DONE RIGHT AND TO YOUR SATISFACTION.. This is the best way to get back on the lake for you... This fall you can learn more about repairs.. Your boat has too many issues right off at the start to even attempt to start learning about repairs in my opinion... They did jerk you around and were not honest.. Salesmen baffle with bull****... It's what they do.. I don't think they maliciously screwed you over.. Now here is the thing... Once you get her back.. Take it for a run.. Make sure you are happy with the results... If something isn't right.. Take it back... Make em make it right
Get back on the water.. This is the bet time of year for boating...

 

[Steve91T]

Re: New to me bowrider, have some questions...

Okay... They drove it... They didn't drive it... Which was it? I know you had to be told by us, before you spend serious money to go on a test run... I didn't take my boat for a test run, cause of a bad trim motor.. Still... It was also 6k cheaper... I could make my grand back in parts..

Steve... Let em fix the dang thing.. Pay for the repairs... MAKE SURE IT IS DONE RIGHT AND TO YOUR SATISFACTION.. This is the best way to get back on the lake for you... This fall you can learn more about repairs.. Your boat has too many issues right off at the start to even attempt to start learning about repairs in my opinion... They did jerk you around and were not honest.. Salesmen baffle with bull****... It's what they do.. I don't think they maliciously screwed you over.. Now here is the thing... Once you get her back.. Take it for a run.. Make sure you are happy with the results... If something isn't right.. Take it back... Make em make it right
Get back on the water.. This is the bet time of year for boating...

I'm sorry I wasn't clear. The mechanics drove the boat last year before they winterized it when they picked it up from the owner's house.

Anyway, I know I screwed up and didn't insist I drive it. Trust me, I wish I had. I'm just waiting for them to tell me where it's leaking from and where the slop in the steering is coming from. Then we'll talk. I think we'll be able to work something out labor wise.

The boat is definitely worth the money. If they don't budge and say "oh well", then "F" them and I'll fix it myself because you are right, it's absolutely beautiful weather.

I just talked to the Marina, they didn't have a chance to drop it in the water today. He said it was a crazy Friday. I told him no worries, I'll talk to them next week and to have a nice weekend.

Sooooooo, I guess next week we'll know more. Plus the owner will be back from out of town, so I'll be able to talk to him in person.

We'll just leave it for now at, I'm an idiot, and now understand why "YOU ALWAYS TEST DRIVE A FREAKING BOAT!!!"

 

[BTMCB]

Re: New to me bowrider, have some questions...

Steve,

Good luck next week. Hope it is all "good" news and everything works out for you. And, don't be too hard on yourself.......we are all "idiots" (your word, not mine) from time to time. Just ask my admiral, she will confirm that. Again, good luck.

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: New to me bowrider, have some questions...

I am that guy with the mid 90s sea ray that is rotten. I think ezombee said it well about the ring being loose and rot. No matter how well a boat is taken care of, a rotten transom can happen to anyone. What I have seen is that manufacturers use paint to seal the keyhole (where the engine goes through) and over time that cracks. Then you get a leak from the bellows and it drips water for a while and the transom sucks it up like a straw. Then the rot starts. Once the rot starts, the gimbal ring will get loose and the seal lets water in, and it gets worse. A really easy way to see if it is the transom seal is to run some silicone (I know, I know, but just temporary) around the outside gimbal and see if the water stops.

I really hope this this is not your problem. Before I bought my Sea Ray we looked at three Mariahs, and they all leaked through the transom. I am sorry to be the bad guy.

As everyone has seen in my case, looks can be deceiving.

 

[Steve91T]

Re: New to me bowrider, have some questions...

I am that guy with the mid 90s sea ray that is rotten. I think ezombee said it well about the ring being loose and rot. No matter how well a boat is taken care of, a rotten transom can happen to anyone. What I have seen is that manufacturers use paint to seal the keyhole (where the engine goes through) and over time that cracks. Then you get a leak from the bellows and it drips water for a while and the transom sucks it up like a straw. Then the rot starts. Once the rot starts, the gimbal ring will get loose and the seal lets water in, and it gets worse. A really easy way to see if it is the transom seal is to run some silicone (I know, I know, but just temporary) around the outside gimbal and see if the water stops.

I really hope this this is not your problem. Before I bought my Sea Ray we looked at three Mariahs, and they all leaked through the transom. I am sorry to be the bad guy.

As everyone has seen in my case, looks can be deceiving.

Yeah, I've had been following your thread. And because of your experience, I spent a lot of time checking for rot, and it all sounded good to me. Of course, I'm not an expert.

Actually, thinking about it, I specifically asked them if the transom was solid and had no rot. I also asked, how do you check for something like that. They said, really the best way is to put weight on the outdrive. The boat was sitting on blocks, and the mechanic stood on the drive and, gingerly, hopped up and down. He said you would be able to see some flex or something, and there was absolutely nothing.

If the transom was rotted, would there be cracks in the gel coat? Would jumping on the drive cause flex in the transom?

I need to check up on your thread and see what progress you've made since the last time I read it.

Thanks,
Steve

 

[infideltarget]

Re: New to me bowrider, have some questions...

Offer still stands............

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: New to me bowrider, have some questions...

Things are kinda on hold right now due to a family illness, but I work on it when I can. I am not saying your transom is rotten, but you seem to have eliminated all the other possibilities. The only true way to check a transom is to drill into it. I read that you put water in the bilge and saw nothing coming out. I think that is a good sign. So I am not sure, and not seeing it in person, I could not tell you. Lets all pray that it is something simple. After two transoms though, I kinda think they are easy... LOL!!!!!!!!!

 

[GMIslander]

Re: New to me bowrider, have some questions...

it could be an exhaust elbow thats cracked and leaking

This statement has me wondering because I have been lead to believe that an exhaust bellows is not even needed on an alphadrive. There are available bellows that connect only at the transom end, they are sometimes called a cheater bellows. One dealer told me that some remove the exhaust bellows to get a more throaty sound.
Any thoughts on this?

 

[Steve91T]

Re: New to me bowrider, have some questions...

This statement has me wondering because I have been lead to believe that an exhaust bellows is not even needed on an alphadrive. There are available bellows that connect only at the transom end, they are sometimes called a cheater bellows. One dealer told me that some remove the exhaust bellows to get a more throaty sound.
Any thoughts on this?

You mean thru hull exhaust? That's the only way I know of to do away with the exhaust elbow.

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: New to me bowrider, have some questions...

This statement has me wondering because I have been lead to believe that an exhaust bellows is not even needed on an alphadrive. There are available bellows that connect only at the transom end, they are sometimes called a cheater bellows. One dealer told me that some remove the exhaust bellows to get a more throaty sound.
Any thoughts on this?

I think he was talking about the Y pipe having a crack..
As far as the exhaust bellows go... You should have them on your alpha.. Do you have to? I guess not.. You can do what you wish.. Water won't come in because of it
Not a cheater tube.. Called a exhaust tube.. Used on Bravo big hp setups.. People put em on there alpha who are to lazy to install the bellows.. You can ask this question in the mercrusier repair part of the forum.. It's been answered many times..