Pre-survey visual inspection questions - lotta pics

[Toddavid]

Re: Pre-survey visual inspection questions - lotta pics

The only thing that bothers me about this boat is that it was obviously moored for long periods in salt water (wearing bottom paint, heavily eroded anodes).

See if you can push to get permission to remove the manifold risers to inspect the water jacket condition. You would need a set of gaskets on hand to do this, and hope that everything goes smoothly and you don't break any fasteners. I don't think a mechanical surveyor would be able to get that thorough.

Long term salt water usage and salt water mooring on a boat 5+ years old would suggest a manifold/riser replacement in the near future. Fresh water flushing of the engine when moored would have been tough to do. Maybe you have already budgeted for this repair job?

 

[S8861]

Re: Pre-survey visual inspection questions - lotta pics

Thanks all for the excellent comments and advice.

A mechanic and boater friend of mine has offered up to help compression / leakdown test and 'scan' the engine with his diagnostic software that gives some diagnostics data, fault codes also some basic usage history (hours spent at various rpms) for me in exchange for lunch, beers and a ride. Since I'm driving and he's drinking, he's probably making out on this deal. Comp check/scan will definately be before lunch. He mentioned we'll need to run the engine to bring it up to temp. but temp test need to be under load at sea trial.

The bottom paint was initially mentioned to be partially worn off from the pressure wash before winterization/storage, I'm sure exacerbated by sitting in a salt slip as suggested by how little is left of the anodes. I did plan on different bottom paint and magnesium anodes geared for freshwater use and swapping impeller and spark plugs just for peace of mind as these are relatively smaller investments and can hopefully be done in the warehouse before delivery/splash. (maybe new plugs after the comp. check if it pans out when putting it back together)

I did also budget some for annual maintenance and do anticipate new risers at some point in the future as a maintenance item, but hoped not to have to do that right off the bat. I'll be looking over the service records shortly, so will find out if they are the originals or how long/ what type of risers are on there now as they're 'due' if they are originals from what I've read on the forums. If the engine temps from my IR gun at sea trial show big differences between the risers /manifolds on either side or wacky high temps, (above 180 per another boater friend) then I'll make the investment sooner than later. I do realize corrosion is a factor of time and exposure to saline, rather than engine hours and that its impossible to tell without removing them to check condition and flow unless you have xray-thermal vision. Other than the heavy weight of the risers/components and having to coax out stubborn studs/bolts, it looks like a rrelatively easy job with relatively easy access when the time comes so hope that's not a major deal. What do you think?

I was wondering, if moving from saltwater to freshwater might be an issue from the cast iron corrosion perspective? Also, when it comes time to swap risers, are there any alternatives to cast iron out there or specially coated risers/treatments? We used to coat our car turbo exhausts with jet-hot ceramic but understand that saltwater might be a totally different animal. Just wondering what's out there and if it will be largely a non issue in freshwater with regular changes.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Pre-survey visual inspection questions - lotta pics

A mechanic's mirror would be good to use to get a look at the underside of the engine and see if the oil drip is coming from the front seal area, or if it was just a spill, etc.

Otherwise, the boat looks fine. Moisture and mold are standard fare for boat compartments and anything kept under a cover. You will use lots of bleach on a seasonal basis to keep things white.

The darker shaded area on the lower part of the bulkhead could be the tabbing . . . or maybe a water mark . . . it is too tough to tell in a photo.

You will probably want a surveyor to go through the boat once it passes your visual check. The surveyor can use the moisture meter on the bulkhead and other areas to check for any moisture build-up.

Overall looks OK.

 

[S8861]

Re: Pre-survey visual inspection questions - lotta pics

greenbushfuture, I'm with you on not buying new. Depreciation is a sob and I'm all about value so count me in the cheap club. You're right about the due diligence though, there's calculated risk and then there's pure luck.

 

[S8861]

Re: Pre-survey visual inspection questions - lotta pics

Ted, thanks for the tip on the mirror tip. PS.. nice looking formula! Geez, I hope it's a while off before I get 7' itis.

Homecookin, roger that on the pans, I'd only do that if I bought as is and it still leaked, but I'd be looking for $$ off if that was the case.

 

[jayhanig]

Re: Pre-survey visual inspection questions - lotta pics

I have to say that boat looks like it is in excellent condition and I'd jump on it if the money is OK. None of the problems you mentioned bother me. What others have said about the exhaust manifold and riser are true... you're probably going to be replacing them at some point in the future. Marine Spray Nine will be your friend for the cleaning of the interior.

As for your foggy gauges, I wouldn't freak out. It may well be that all they need to clear is to be run with the nav lights on (even in the daytime). If they stay fogged and it drives you insane, a complete new set of gauges is just $220 or so.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Pre-survey visual inspection questions - lotta pics

I don't think you have much to worry about on this boat including the risers. If you look at the bottom of the boat, I doubt it sat for long in salt, because where they have scraped the bottom paint off if probably where barnical growth was. Thats not much barnical growth even for one season in salt water. The outdrive would look much worse as well if left in the water imo. Anodes should be replaced every year in salt, because they get eatin up quikly.

I would also check the bottom and see if the gelcoat was sanded (rotary marks in glass) to accept the bottom paint. If it wasn't, it will be very easy to restore the bottom gel back to new if your trailering.

The builder is well respected in the industry and the boat is all glass interior, so very easy maintenance. Other than the vinyl, if you take care of this boat, it will look new for a very long time. Only thing that would bother me is the black canvas.Good Luck.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Pre-survey visual inspection questions - lotta pics

restore the bottom for trailering???? Why do you care what your boat looks like sitting on a trailer? Even if you had piles of cash and time laying around I wouldn't spend it there.

 

[jayhanig]

Re: Pre-survey visual inspection questions - lotta pics

restore the bottom for trailering???? Why do you care what your boat looks like sitting on a trailer? Even if you had piles of cash and time laying around I wouldn't spend it there.

I would. If it's living on a trailer, it's going to be sitting in my driveway for the whole world to see most of the time. In the same way I keep my grass cut and my bushes pruned, I'd rather not have an otherwise pristine boat sitting out in the yard looking moth eaten. When people see the obvious things neglected, they assume the less obvious things are equally ignored and poorly maintained.

It's not like we're talking about thousands of dollars to get the bottom painted.

 

[QC]

Re: Pre-survey visual inspection questions - lotta pics

I am a freshwater, trailerboater and I want my bottom clean. Same with the boat . . .

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Pre-survey visual inspection questions - lotta pics

^^^ lol ditto ^^^ No need for a dirty bottom here. Why have bottom paint if you don't need it? I was just saying, it looks like the boat that the op is looking at has that option, because it looks like it would be easy to do because only one layer of ablative is almost there. It wouldn't cost much if you do it yourself. For all I know he plans to leave her in the water, if he is, he needs to have it repainted, which will cost more than the sanding discs to remove it. .

 

[S8861]

Re: Pre-survey visual inspection questions - lotta pics

Yep, it will be wet slipped in summer and dry docked winter. Will have it bottom painted (different kind) to minimize the slime and just make it look nicer. All of the boats on the lake w/o paint all have hairy greenish coatings below the waterline, while the painted boats seem to get much less.

Jay, Thanks for the tip on marine spray nine. Turns out these guages are not sealed so will dry out as you suggest.

Chriscraft, thanks for the info.. Makes me feel much better about moving ahead.

Sam