Testing out a boat tomorrow... anything not on my list to check you'd add?

[kmagnuss]

Going to look at a 1999 flats boat tomorrow. 17' with a 99' 135 Merc Optimax on it. (no optibomb comments please).
Going to do a sea test and bring my compression tester to test it out. I've owned boats for 18+ years, work as a shop manager so know my way around a wrench but I'm always open to suggestions.
Here's my short list:
-Starts up and idles well
-Water stream is good
-Tilt/trim works
-Steering is free
-Good power throughout the range
-Should top out around 50 mph
-Check trim tab operation
-Check lights (not a huge deal if they don't work)
-Gauges
-Forward/reverse... no slipping or loud clunks
-Inspect gel coat for repairs and cracks
-Make sure floor isn't soft
-See if he's been using the proper oil (optimax most say... premium plus some say)
-Do compression test when warm with full throttle (most of my outboards have been around 130psi but I've seen Opti's coming in in the low 100's sometimes... I'm at sea level btw) Mainly looking to make sure one isn't way lower than the others... over 10%
-Motor is 'supposed' to have around 400 hours on it, but I have no way of checking without taking to a dealer... so in the meantime I'll just make sure the hour meter is working


Anything else I should look for?

Thanks in advance.

-Mag

 

[roscoe]

Re: Testing out a boat tomorrow... anything not on my list to check you'd add?

Transom solid ?

I like to take a close look at the wiring, under the splash well and behind the dash.
A mess in the wiring will tell you a lot about how the boat was cared for.

Livewells
timers
pumps
bilges

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Testing out a boat tomorrow... anything not on my list to check you'd add?

Look under the hull (when it is out of water) and look for missing gel coat and large chips. The possibility of water intrusion...... look carefully at the motor mounting bolts .....look for signs of rust, water leaks, and being pulled into the transom. Look at the drain plug to see if there is discoloration around the seam.

Look for transom cracks. with the motor all the way up.....push down and look for transom flex.....there should be none. Look under the rubrail for gaps, previous silicone added in the gaps and possible places for leaks.

Best advice....... do not buy with emotion

 

[kmagnuss]

Re: Testing out a boat tomorrow... anything not on my list to check you'd add?

Good tips guys... didn't even think of checking the transom for flex.

 

[limitout]

Re: Testing out a boat tomorrow... anything not on my list to check you'd add?

Going to look at a 1999 flats boat tomorrow. 17' with a 99' 135 Merc Optimax on it.

Here's my short list:

-Water stream is good you should plan to replace the water pump anyway even if it works great so you know when it was last replaced

-Should top out around 50 mph might be a bit ambitious to expect 50mph out of a boat not designed as a speed boat

-Check lights (not a huge deal if they don't work) yes it sure can be a very big deal if the lights don't work because it can be a symptom of other electrical problems you have to deal with

-Gauges look under the dash at the wiring and look for green or white as signs of corrosion starting, also look for cuts and splices in the wires and if they were done properly with heat shrink or just wrapped in electrical tape where moisture and corrosion can get at it

-Do compression test when warm I was always taught to do compression tests on warmed up but non-running motors and check all the cylinders not just one, use an average of all the cylinders and they should be the same or within 10% of the most common readings

-Mag

im no expert but it sounds like you have it all covered except for a close inspection of the wiring (like roscoe mentioned) and rewiring a boat can be easy or it can be a nightmare depending on whats involved in it

you never mentioned the trolling motor? I assume it has one and if so check the breaker and condition of the wiring and plugs for it.

oh and also check the livewell works buy running it the whole time so you know if the motor "stays running", sometimes they run when turned on but quit after a while. its not a big deal but you need to know these things if it holds water (cracked fill tubes) or if drain plugs are missing or if the overflow leaks water into the boat or if you need to replace the pump for it. a livewell can cause you some unexpected headaches

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Testing out a boat tomorrow... anything not on my list to check you'd add?

unscrew the bottom lower unit screw and look for a "beard" of filings, assuming it's magnetic. Look for water, too. Find out its last change (I'd rather buy a boat with old LU oil so I can see the condition)

Check to see if the bilge pump and livewell pumps actually pump water, not just make noise. I had one break at the shaft once. Not that it affects your purchase if they don't work and that's something to check occasionally for any boat.

 

[dan02gt]

Re: Testing out a boat tomorrow... anything not on my list to check you'd add?

As a former Opti owner here's my advice:

Take it to a shop and get a freeze frame as well as a run history. This will tell how many hours are on it as well as how many hours it has spent in various RPM ranges. It will also tell you any codes that have popped up in the past and any current codes.

Also have the shop run the serial number. That will tell you any work that has been done to it by authorized Mercury service departments.

The big things on an Opti that can cause problems are the air compressor and the injectors. It would be nice to know if the air compressor has been replaced. Also the injectors (both air and fuel) should be serviced every 2-3 years. Ask if that has been done. If not plan on having it done. Most Opti powerhead failures are due to an injector issue.

 

[kmagnuss]

Re: Testing out a boat tomorrow... anything not on my list to check you'd add?

Thanks guys... boat checked out great. Much much better than I had hoped for. It was a very well taken care of boat.
Compression was perfect across the board...115 on all but one which had 110.
Worst part was on the way home I lost a cushion on the highway... stopped to pick it up and a riceburner smacked it right before I went out to get it. Idiot. Shame on me for assuming they'd stay in the boat.

 

[limitout]

Re: Testing out a boat tomorrow... anything not on my list to check you'd add?

he might have been watching you instead of the road and didn't see it in time.

was the cushion messed up bad?

 

[pckeen]

Re: Testing out a boat tomorrow... anything not on my list to check you'd add?

Congratulations, but remember....without pictures, it didn't happen.

 

[kmagnuss]

Re: Testing out a boat tomorrow... anything not on my list to check you'd add?

 

[MAC ATTACK]

Re: Testing out a boat tomorrow... anything not on my list to check you'd add?

Very nice boat! Congratulations