Advise on 1996 250

CapeCodCruzin

CapeCodCruzin

New Member
Jul 29, 2012
58
BuzzardsBay
Boat Info
1998 270 DA
Engines
7.4 Bravo III Drive
Hi all, I am a first stone boat owner and I am looking at a 96 250 w a 5.7.

http://boston.craigslist.org/sob/boa/3160297519.html

I went and looked at 2 today and this one seemed to be of better condition and lower asking. It has a reman engine w 250 hrs, complete new out drive in 2010 along w new risers. New bilge pump, and 2 new batteries. The enclosure is rough and needs bottom paint. I am going to sea trial this week what should I be looking for? Is this a decent deal it seems to be from what I see.
 
Cape Cod,

Welcome aboard! Glad to see you made your way over here from THT. Be patient - opinions and advice will be coming soon! I'll start by telling you to make sure you get a survey.

Good luck in your search.
 
First, be cautious posting info on a boat you do not have under contract on a public site. Others may be looking at or for this boat or the seller may be a member reading all this, it has happened before here. If he does not answer, look for a post from Quint on pre-purchase items to check in a Google search. GET A PROFESSIONAL SURVEY of both the vessel itself, the engine and drive. Ask here for surveyor recommendations in your area.

Welcome aboard and good luck,

MM
 
On a boat this price and age you could be buying a $10,000 repair so easy. I found Quints post and am addin it here for you:

Quint4 said:
Here is one I have posted many times:

USED BOAT CHECKLIST
1 - Drain the outdrive oil and check for water in the oil and excessive metal particulate (a pressure test is also in order)
2 – Props okay?

3 - Compression check the engine while warm. All cylinders should be above 100 and within 10% of each other

4 - Canvas in good shape? You will get serious sticker shock if it needs replaced (3 to 4K)

5 - Maintenance records available?

6 - Freshwater boat ? this would be a good thing.

7 - Have someone hold the steering wheel firmly, now try to move each outdrive side to side...does it move more than a half inch or so? gimble ring possible worn out.

8 - Refrigerator work? I put a new one in last year...$750...no kidding.

9 - Is it in the water? does the bilge have water in it? if it does, you may have a leak.

10 - Check that all gauges work. My fuel gauge did not work. I changed the sending unit in the top of the fuel tank. It was very tough to get at....very tough.

11 - When was the last time the exhaust was serviced, as in manifolds and riser inspected and gaskets changed? this is the biggest killer of marine engines and is often neglected

12 - Is the transom solid ? remove a few screws from the trim tabs.....wet wood revealed? (of course reseal with 3m 5200 when you put them back). take lots of time at the transom...any sign of moisture penetration near through hulls... inside or out?

13 - Sea trial the boat with five or six adults on board.....should reach 4600-4800 rpm at wide open throttle.

14 - When were u joints / gimble bearing / all bellows last serviced or replaced?

15 - When was impeller last changed? 

16 - Confirm A/C works...run it while checking generator (must be in water of course to run AC or generator)

17 - Trailer? what is your tow vehicle? you are looking at well over 12k lbs of boat and trailer....not your run of the mill bowrider....and a beam over 8' 6" means technically you need a permit to haul it.

18 - Check that both trim tabs work....you need them.

19 - Check that the outdrives trim up fully and back down.

20 - Toilet work?

21 - All freshwater spigots work? no leaks in freshwater system?....pump should turn off a few seconds after a faucet is shut off.

22- Look under EVERY cushion and hatch for standing water, if you find it investigate further.

23 - Anchor windlass?...does it work? they are not cheap to replace.

24 - Watch temp gauge during sea trial ....boat should not overheat at any time....also keep an eye on the oil pressure gauge, My 454 stays between 40 - 60 psi.

.......................this is a good start for you...good luck with it.
Click to expand...
 
Welcome to CSR!

I will echo the earlier post and strongly suggest the surveys. While shopping for surveyors, ask about hull moisture testing and bonding system testing.

Since the seller claims it was marina maintained, those records should be obtained & reviewed by you and the surveyor. Price out the needed canvas & cockpit carpet if you plan on buying that after the purchase. Don't forget the trailer during your inspections.

Quint's list, (and many of his other posts) is a good one and has been referenced here many times. If you stick around, you will find great value in CSR both before and after your purchase. Good luck with your search & again, welcome to CSR.
 
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From my recent experience at a first boat purchase, which has all worked out fine, the following need to be considered

1. Read everything on here
2. Are you buying what is listed? Eg, fuel tank(s) match spec? HP matches engine type? Hull year?
3. Know what your survey/insurance inspection does *not* include. Eg. hull moisture check, seals (frames, hand rail stanchions), safety gear (old style EPIRBS?), oil analysis?
4. Don't let anything pass inspection with "flat battery" as an excuse for not running/starting it
5. A compression test isn't everything (can't recall name, but there is a more through test)
6. Get opinions, quotes to fix anything that is suspect before final offer
7. How much could you sell it for if you had to?
8. What does "remanufactured" mean? Is there paperwork? (how often does someone spend 5k and not get a detailed invoice?
9. Assume you'll need at least a full service on leg/engine first week you get it.
10. Read even more on here

Whilst you guys in the US would consider the condition v price I just paid outrageous, in Oz terms it is a hell of a deal (small market!). Even tho I now consider I got somewhat lucky with with boat (knowing how blissfully ignorant I was/still am), I educated myself using this site so I had some idea what was going on to maximize my chances of being an informed consumer. Even then, the (planned) week I spent in the yard for a full going over was another huge learning curve - highly recommend such an option - and turns out the mechanic knew the boat. All was within expectation.

I didn't end up with any real surprises in the yard, except for an inability to repair either a windlass or navman 5500 tracker, but making up for that was some rises, quite rusted on visual inspection, turn out in excellent condition internally. The navman was always thought a likely replacement (who doesn't love new toys?), the windlass hurt tho, and hurt lots (see list above).

In short, question everything, then write it all down, take a day or two to think it over, and question everything again - the boat will still be there.

Possibly check for leaks! I've got some, not that they would have put me off, but I'd have negotiated even harder if I knew them all :)
 
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I just put canvas on my 1995 250 and it cost me $2100. Keep that in mind when purchasing.
 
MonacoMike said:
On a boat this price and age you could be buying a $10,000 repair so easy.
Click to expand...

What we are warning is: don't buy a 'toatled' vessel that needs thousands more than it costs to be able to use it. On the other hand, there is a cost of admission to get on the water. It is not always fair to think the seller should come down for add on features like canvas etc. They are only asking $12.5 boat dollars for it. :grin:

MM
 
CapeCodCruzin said:
Thx everyone. Does anyone know any surveys I'm the buzzards bay/ fairhaven area
Click to expand...

Ask in a new thread and title the thread "Need survey in Cape Cod area" if indeed that is correct for your area. Surveyors work in a larger area usually a state, a large chunck of one, or a region. Many here do not know "the buzzards bay/ fairhaven area". Look at the NAMS or SAMS sites for surveyors and get refrences.

http://www.marinesurvey.org/

http://www.namsglobal.org/find-a-marine-surveyor/

MM
 
You might try visiting a couple of local marinas to get some leads that way. Talk with some people & compile any feedback. You might also want to avoid, if possible, taking any recomendation by the seller, if indeed one is offered. Also certifications are great, but talk to the perspective surveyors about thier familiarity, with the boat in question.
 
just a heads up, I am in the market too and wouldn't post links to boats your looking at for fear that someone will see it and run to look at it. I went and looked at that boat and has been sitting almost two years. Check over the hull, the paint looks rough too also the outdrive is fairly corroded. don't know what else might be wrong as we walked away after a few minutes.
 
MonacoMike said:
First, be cautious posting info on a boat you do not have under contract on a public site. Others may be looking at or for this boat or the seller may be a member reading all this, it has happened before here. If he does not answer, look for a post from Quint on pre-purchase items to check in a Google search. GET A PROFESSIONAL SURVEY of both the vessel itself, the engine and drive. Ask here for surveyor recommendations in your area.

Welcome aboard and good luck,

MM
Click to expand...

AFD said:
just a heads up, I am in the market too and wouldn't post links to boats your looking at for fear that someone will see it and run to look at it. I went and looked at that boat and has been sitting almost two years. Check over the hull, the paint looks rough too also the outdrive is fairly corroded. don't know what else might be wrong as we walked away after a few minutes.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the validation.

MM
 
i didn't mean to make it out like a bad boat. to my knowledge the owner already has another boat so he just wants it gone. could be an amazing deal as it does look super clean for a boat that has sat under pine trees for 2 years, no sap anywhere and he took amazing care of it. i bet you could eat off of the floor. it just wasn't what my wife and i were looking for thats why we walked away. good luck,
 
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