Buying a 300 sundancer this weekend

[AnthonyA]

Hello gents,

I am a newbie and am planing on buying a boat this weekend. The guy I made a deal with has had the boat dry docked for the season due to the economy. I had the survey all looks good and if all goes well i would like his marina to drop it in the marina and drive it to my new location about 90 mins away.

Question:
The survey said the oil looked good but I know the oil, filters, etc have not been touched since last season and has been sitting this entire season. Should I be concerned about viscosity breakdown and potential damage?

Should I be concerned with driving it back?

thoughts?

 

[billnpat]

Hello gents,

I am a newbie and am planing on buying a boat this weekend. The guy I made a deal with has had the boat dry docked for the season due to the economy. I had the survey all looks good and if all goes well i would like his marina to drop it in the marina and drive it to my new location about 90 mins away.

Question:
The survey said the oil looked good but I know the oil, filters, etc have not been touched since last season and has been sitting this entire season. Should I be concerned about viscosity breakdown and potential damage?

Should I be concerned with driving it back?

thoughts?[/QUOTE

Welcome aboard :thumbsup:

You had a survey without taking the boat for a trial run ??

 

[AnthonyA]

Yep - the seller was being a D*&#! The surveyor said it looked good but has made a disclaimer because he could not test under a load.

 

[Stray Cat]

Regardless how many hours are on it, I'd change it and replace it with a marine grade motor oil...(I'm partial to the Merc stuff), even if it was with a dip stick oil changer, and replace the filters while you're at it. Engine oil that set in an oil pan for an extended period tends to settle out any sediment that was once suspended in the oil. When you started the engine up after it has sat for awhile, the filter takes a pretty good slug of crap. The dirt holding capacity of those tiny filters aren't as good as we think they are.

 

[AnthonyA]

Thanks! I also plan on changing belts, hoses, zinc, etc in the off season.

I have been reading alot about risers and manifolds and dangers of letting them go to long. The boat is a 96 with about 400 hours on each motor. Should i plan on changing those in the off season? how do i verify what kind of shape they are in?

 

[mwph]

Am I reding correctly....The seller won't alow a sea trial?

You can use the advanced search feture to get more experienced advice but removal is the only way to get a look at the manifolds & risers. I don't guess he'll allow that either.

I dont want to piss on your deal but I'd be more than a little weary. A 96 300 needs more detailed inspection/survey. Again, just my opinion. Hopefully more experienced guys will chime in to help before the weekend.

 

[NorCal Boater]

Would you buy a car with out driving it???

There is no way the seller would get a check from me without a sea trial. How bad does this schmuck want to sell the boat?

There are 5 '95-97 300da's in your area listed on Yacht World from $53k-$36k.
http://www.yachtworld.com/core/list...y&slim=quick&is=false&rid=100&resultsLayout=2

I know you have paid for a survey but what if it doesn't run for crap, or???

Offer to pay to put the boat in the water and if the deal goes through have the seller deduct that amount from the sale price. If you decide to not buy he's out nothing.

 

[Bel_Mar_Pointe]

Yep - the seller was being a D*&#! The surveyor said it looked good but has made a disclaimer because he could not test under a load.

D*&#! or not, if he wants to sell this boat, he will let you sea trial it. Have you even witnessed the engines running?:huh:

 

[Sundancer]

Buyer beware! What happens if you give this guy the money, the marina drops the boat in the water and it ingests water and bends a rod? I would insist on a test drive. What if it doesn't run? Has mechanical problems? Leaks? Overheats? Who is going to pay for that stuff?

I know this is a great boat and you are excited, but you've GOT to make sure all of the systems work. How about the batteries? Have the impellars taken a set after a year? I wouldn't go ANYWHERE without replacing those! The surveyor has only scratched the surface. I've got a GREAT burb sitting here that I'll sell you. It runs great, new transmission, new motor etc., would you buy it without driving it? I have driven every vehicle I've ever bought BEFORE handing a guy the check. I can't tell you how many cars and boats I've RUN from!

 

[TMK988]

PLEASE do a sea trial!!!! If he is giving you a hard time about doing a trial, he is absolutely hiding something, why else would he refuse to do that. If this is a money issue for him, as mentioned, you pay the few hundred bucks to drop it into the water. I have let my excitement get in the way of logic in the past and it always went badly for me. There are lots of boats out there, please don't make a giantic potential mistake that could be avoided very easily.

 

[At Ease]

I agree with what TMK988 said. :thumbsup: I would never buy a boat without a sea trial. And yes the emotion and excitement of a new boat can cloud your judgement as I am sure all can attest to, but you should find a way to get this boat in the water before signing on the dotted line. IMHO. Good luck!

BTW, where are you in CT?