Who wants to help the new guy?? :-)

[LtJoker66]

Ok, so first off, hello to everybody! I've been readin garound here for a few days, seems like you guys are a pretty fun/knowledgeable/rowdy mix of folks......I like it! haha I'm new to the boating thing however have always thought it would be great. I've been on several small(er) bass boats. I've even welded up my fair share of them.... But I have recently been approached by a man about trading my race car for a 1989 2300sc Maxum Cabin Cuddy with a 7.4L Mercruiser Bravo III. I'm 28, married with three kids, I know it's a lot of boat but the cabin and everything seem like it would be good for the kiddos.....maybe even for my wife and I when to go on a weekend rendevous when the kiddos go visit grandparents. Haven't made the trip to look at it just yet, but have been given several pictures. I have a solid back ground in cars, and I assume boats are somewhat in the same......as in certain models, or years have there specific down falls. (older 50s models tend to rust around base of front and rear windshields for example) I'm just looking for a little friendly advice on what to look for. I know i'm going to have fees for registration, taxes, licensures, fluids, filters, waxing, etc etc. I'm good with all of that stuff. I just don't want to go look at this boat not knowing something specific to look for. Any help would be appreciated. God bless! (forgot to mention I live in Missouri, within an hour and a half or so drive of several lakes, 30 minutes to Lake Ozark, Hour to Pomme De Terre, 1.5-2 hour to Truman, Stockton, Table Rock and Bull Shoals lakes)

 

[Silly Seville]

Re: Who wants to help the new guy??

Welcome to iboats!

The first question that pops into my mind is your statement about being approached by "a man" for trading vehicles. Were you actually in the market for a boat? If not, this doesn't sound like the start to a happy boating adventure. You really need to educate yourself before you start giving away your (presumably) valuable property as a trade on a questionable boat.

1989 was a long time ago, and Maxum no longer exists. The Merc 454/B3 is a great package, but the B3 is crazy rich-man money to repair/replace. And BTW, a 23 foot cuddy is not a "lot of boat". In fact, you will find very quickly that is small for a family of five...unless your kids are all toddlers.

My advice...research the all-mighty threads about rot from the bottom up. That should keep you busy learning for a few days!

Good luck!

 

[roscoe]

Re: Who wants to help the new guy??

Welcome to iboats.

Lots to check out and be wary of on a used boat.

The main concerns with the hull are rotten stringers, rotten transom, and rotted floor.
Corroded wiring, bad shift and throttle cables, bad steering cable or power steering unit if equipped.
THen the engine, compression, ignition, exhaust manifolds, risers, and cracked blocks are common if not winterized properly.
Lets not forget the gimbal bearing and the bellows, or the gearcase and the hydraulics.

THese are not auto engines, they are marine power plants.

You really need to find a good mechanic, or surveyor, hire them to inspect the boat and provide a written report.
THis also needs to include a 30 minute test drive to check out all systems.

ALso, if you are going to get a boat, you need to do some shopping and some comparisons.

Yeah, thats a lot of boat for a first time boater.
Will likely top 60 mph, and will be a challenge to launch, dock, and load on the trailer.

GO slow, seek professional advice, shop around, lots of boats available out there.

 

[LtJoker66]

Re: Who wants to help the new guy??

I've had my race car up for sale/trade for a couple weeks(wife just doesn't like dirt racing) She has been talking about a boat since i met her. He offered to trade the boat, which is close to what we were looking at getting(something like a tahoe, for having fun tibing/skiing) Our kids are small. I just think the boat would be a lot more fun for all of us than me enjoying racing. The money, i'm not too concerned about, as racing dirt modifieds weekly isn't exactly cheap either. But, a toy is just that, a toy. Money that you will never see back, but it's an expense that will put smiles on my family, hopefully for years to come. Thank you guys for your comments.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Who wants to help the new guy??

Welcome to iBoats . . .

Boats are a bit different from cars in that they really do not have the model & year idiosyncrasies that cars have. Since boats are made in far less numbers and are more manually made they don't usually get typified with certain flaws.

First thing is that a fiberglass boat is made of wood . the wood is usually encapsulated in fiberglass. However, fiberglass is porous and allows small amounts of water to get through it over long periods of time. Additionally, the manual methods of manufacturing may leave imperfections that allow moisture to get into the wood. Wood + moisture + age = rot

So, the biggest thing to be concerned about is the condition of the wood that is within the boat. Keep in mind that the boat is 24 years old, so the wood has had a long time to develop rot. Boats that are kept dry, etc. will last longer than boats that are left outside. All too often folks have boats of that age and there is rot in the wood. There are many threads on the restoration forum for you to view.

Second thing would be the condition of the engine and the outdrive. The Mercuiser 7.4L is basically the GM 454 truck engine with a few modifications. Milder cam and marine head gasket & core plugs. The Bravo 3 is a beefy outdrive, with 2 counter rotating propellers. Lots of expensive mechanical stuff. so, it would be good to know the condition of the engine & outdrive.

A third thing would be to educate yourself on boating. Power Squadron or Coast Guard Auxiliary have courses for new boaters. You and the 'Admiral' should take the course(s).

Maxum, itself is an OK boat, not the best, not the worst. However, after 24 years, the condition that the boat is in far outweighs any brand reputation.

I hope that helps others will have additional advice.

 

[etracer68]

Re: Who wants to help the new guy??

I have been Drag Racing for over 25 years, and boats are nothing like race cars. Your race car is built to pull the motor, trans, and rear, in about 1/2hr or less. Boats, sometimes not, alot of things to learn. Also new tools to work on the drive, and a learnig curve on the power plant. The boat itself, no steel to weld, or fix. All glass/wood work, and hidden areas of concern. Good luck, and if you pull the trigger, keep the bottom Down and Wet.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Who wants to help the new guy??

I wouldn't approach a boat purchase as a 'target of opportunity' if I were you. Lots to research, to figure out what type of boat will best suit your needs, and then shop for a good example of it. The chances that someone will just happen along with the right boat, in the right condition, at the right price, and drop it in your lap, with little or no preparation/effort on your part... about 1000 to 1.

Focus on selling the car. Focus on researching and buying a boat... and keep the 2 separate.

My .02

 

[southkogs]

Re: Who wants to help the new guy??

I sorta' agree with JoLin - Treat the both like two separate transactions: the why part is exactly his concern too - what kind of boat do you really want/need. With little experience on them, you may find that a 23' cuddy really doesn't have enough room to honestly overnight your family on (or even just you two) AND doesn't have enough cockpit space to play on for what you like to do out on the lake.

You probably need to visit some boats (dealerships or FSBO) and crawl around them. Do a little window shopping, so to speak.

HOWEVER, the boat could be a good opportunity IF it meets your particular "we want this" needs and the value of the boat meets the value of the race car.

Don't look at this as a "can't let it pass by" deal ... there's another handful of good boat deals out there.

 

[aspeck]

Re: Who wants to help the new guy??

I like your reasoning for getting a boat to replace the race car. Seems like you have thought out this decision and are ready to move on it (have had the race car on the market already). The trade is only a good deal IF it is what you need/want and it is in good condition. Before going to look a the boat, see what else is available in your area. Check prices and check to see what you really want/need.

DON'T GO TO LOOK AT THE BOAT UNTIL YOU ARE SURE IT WOULD MEET YOUR NEEDS.

Why do I say that? Because buying a boat is an emotionally charged experience. It is a family thing. It is done out of love ... for what you want to do and what you think will be a great family bonding time. And all that is true. However, all that emotion can get in the way of sound decisions that will cost you down the road ... rotten wood, too small, not enough power, too expensive to run, etc. You want to go into this with eyes wide open. And I think that is your feeling, and why you asked the question here about what to look for.

Roscoe and tpenfield gave you some good advise on what to be looking for, and research to do before and during the sales transaction. Follow their advice. Keep the emotions out of it and make sure it will have enough room and be the right fit for you and your family. If not, don't sweat it. There are always lots of boats for sale, and always some great bargains to be had, even in the middle of the spring sellers market. There is always someone who has to get rid of a boat fast.

Keep your eyes peeled, you will find the "right one." And maybe this Maxum is the right one for you ... just do some research on others that are out there to make sure before you spring for her. Good luck, and welcome to the boating community!

 

[hostage]

Re: Who wants to help the new guy??

I own a 1900SC Maxum (2000) it is a nice boat at 19ft it felt started to fill small when we had our neighbors and their three kids on board. Though it wasn't unbearable. Maxum boats from what I heard use to be better back then they are now, well until the closed their doors a couple years back. Maxum was bought out by Brunswick boat, which owns Sea Ray and Bayliner. Maxum was in between the Sea Ray and Bayliner, but closer to the Sea Ray in finish and quality. You could say (SR=Caddy, Maxum=Buick, Bayliner=Chevy)=GM

TBH a boat that age doesn't matter what name it is, the most important thing is the condition. It might be best to sell your car and use the money to buy a boat. A lot of the cheap older boats cost people more money in the short term than buying a newer boat for a bit more. You will be surprised how much more of a boat you can get for $1k, then how much more you can get for $1k more than that, etc.

 

[Captain Caveman]

Re: Who wants to help the new guy??

I tend to give the same advice to most people, and that is to start off small. You've driven cars for at least 12 years or more but boats are WAY different. I came from a car background and can wheel around any track: clay or mud or ice or paved. Boating involves many other senses, skills, and in this case will put your entire family at risk instead of just you!

My simple advice would be to sell your car and then put that money into a boat fund. Start adding to it now but immediately look at buying a smaller 14-17ft boat, like the bass boats that you've been on. I guarantee that you are going to run aground, hit a dock, maybe hit another boat, take some waves wrong, and likely back your boat/trailer into something that you shouldn't have hit. All of this is easier to learn and repair on smaller and cheaper boats. Did you start dirt track racing in a sprint car or did you start in a kart or old beater? Same philosophy.

There is plenty of time to get your entire family involved in the activity, but you need to make sure that you know what you're doing first. You can always do individual trips where you take one or two out and a time until you're ready to step up to a family boat.

On top of everything, I highly highly HIGHLY recommend taking a boating safety class. Do it for your family and the rest of us out there sharing the lake/river with ya!

Welcome aboard

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Who wants to help the new guy??

... 1989 2300sc Maxum Cabin Cuddy with a 7.4L Mercruiser Bravo III...

Survey.

But specifically, rotten soles, stringers, and transom are the big ticket things. Seat bases and other wood pieces secondary.

On Bravo 3s the rear bearing carrier needs to be checked for corrosion. The props must be removed to do this. And they don't take just "any ol wrench." The outer nut is 1 7/8", I think. Inner is 2 1/4"! But the props MUST be removed to see the carrier. You don't want it to look like this:

Although this one did not leak oil or water.

 

[greenbush future]

Re: Who wants to help the new guy??

5 people in that boat is too small, especially if they 5 people tend to grow in size. I would separate these two issues, one selling your car, and then two, figuring out how big and what type of boat you need. Then once funds, size and shape, are established, you can learn about the type of boat you can begin to search for, and then begin that search.
If you have buddies that are well seasoned boaters I suggest you bring them along at least for the first half dozen boats you consider. The survey of any boat you decide on is almost required, especially if your family will be ridding in the boat. What ever you do, don't bring the family with you to look at boats, you will usually make a bad buy when emotion is involved. Take a year to buy your new boat, you wont regret the time it takes to know good from bad.

 

[redfury]

Re: Who wants to help the new guy??

I have to agree with everyone as well. The thing about boats is that they operate differently than a car. You don't just turn the key and fire up the motor and go. You have to remember that you are dealing with things like fuel vapors that are getting trapped in the boat and that you need to get into the right habits, such as turning on the bilge blowers before you fire up the motor ( if it isn't automatic ) as well as the process of refueling on the water safely if that ever becomes an event you run across. We've had boats on the river blow up after refueling because bilge blowers weren't turned on to evacuate fumes.

As far as the actual boat you have been approached with, you'll want to look for signs of water intrusion around the outdrive. Soft spots in the floor to any degree point to hidden damage. You'll want to watch the motor for movement to see if there is extra movement due to loose structural wood in the stringers or a rotting transom. Look for cracks in the fiberglass around the rear corners of the boat which can be a sign of flexing beyond its design.

Another thing to look for on the hull are Osmosis blisters. I've got them all over my boat....I didn't think they'd be much of a problem. My boat is 17 ft long and I started grinding them out. After 1000 of them, and only one half of one half of the bottom of my boat being worked on, I gave up on trying to get rid of them, and further investigation showed that I'd have to likely strip the entire hull down to bare fiberglass to maybe be able to rid my boat of them.

A boat in that class would be best suited to a marine survey IMHO. Even if you ultimately decide against the boat, the survey in your hand will give you a really good feel for what to look for in another boat.