chalky fiberglass

You said you’re going to have the boat inspected in your OP. Make sure that includes water trial.

If the boats appearance was neglected it’s not unusual to find more complex systems neglected as well.
 
El Capitan said:
You said you’re going to have the boat inspected in your OP. Make sure that includes water trial.

If the boats appearance was neglected it’s not unusual to find more complex systems neglected as well.
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If by water trial you mean taking out to lake, I don’t know if it will be warm enough....ice still on lake........the tech told me they would have to dewinterize so they could run engine, check out drive, check tilt, power steering, cabling, bilgepump, etc.....they also said they would look for rot on stringers, and check fiberglass for bad areas.........along with a bunch of other stuff....they will have it for a couple of days.....think that fits the bill? They are also gonna give the trailer a once over, brakes, lights, etc......
 
jssearay said:
If by water trial you mean taking out to lake, I don’t know if it will be warm enough....ice still on lake........the tech told me they would have to dewinterize so they could run engine, check out drive, check tilt, power steering, cabling, bilgepump, etc.....they also said they would look for rot on stringers, and check fiberglass for bad areas.........along with a bunch of other stuff....they will have it for a couple of days.....think that fits the bill? They are also gonna give the trailer a once over, brakes, lights, etc......
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You really should take it for a ride just to make sure it runs well, does not overheat, you like the way it handles, etc. Slow down a bit and make sure this is the one for you.
newsbw14.JPG
 
sbw1 said:
You really should take it for a ride just to make sure it runs well, does not overheat, you like the way it handles, etc. Slow down a bit and make sure this is the one for you.View attachment 66449
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Thanks, if the inspection comes back ok, I will commit to buy after a lake test....I guess if seller balks, I will walk......thanks again.....
 
Tons of boats “check out” ok till you put them in the water and run em through the paces.

No water testy no checky.
 
Same advice as above. Do not buy this boat without a sea trial/test ride. And as far as the batteries, the seller needs to make the boat available in a running condition for the sea trial which means he should provide the new batteries. The need for a cut/polish/wax should not be a deal breaker unless the seller is asking a premium price. You can always make your offer based on him having buff done on the hull. You can ask for whatever you want. All he can do is say no or counter. He wants to sell the boat. You are in the driver's seat.

Good luck
Shawn
 
NorCal Boater said:
Same advice as above. Do not buy this boat without a sea trial/test ride. And as far as the batteries, the seller needs to make the boat available in a running condition for the sea trial which means he should provide the new batteries. The need for a cut/polish/wax should not be a deal breaker unless the seller is asking a premium price. You can always make your offer based on him having buff done on the hull. You can ask for whatever you want. All he can do is say no or counter. He wants to sell the boat. You are in the driver's seat.

Good luck
Shawn
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good advise shawn..............he has agreed to a test ride prior to purchase, when depends on the weather..........as for batteries, yes, i am going to have them load tested prior to purchase.........if they are bad, they will have to be replaced by seller.............also going to have the inspector look at the hull...............seller wanted me to use his mechanic as the inspector, but i am having someone that is not familiar with this specific boat to the inspection............we will see what happens..............ultimately, if my dear wife says she doesn't like the boat, for whatever reason, the deal will be dead.............thanks again for all the help, FROM EVERYONE..............YOU FOLKS ARE GREAT
 
When my wife and I look for boats she typically has the final say when it comes to layout, amenities, etc. I then decide if the boat she likes is mechanically sound and the performance is correct. Letting her have strong input is important. I was OK with that as I figured....what the hell, at least I'm boating.
 
jssearay said:
thought i would post a picView attachment 66321
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the hull on my 215EC was in terrible condition when i bought the boat....it was severely neglected and chalky (oxidized).....i brought it back to this condition with a lot of work and time.....not a great pic but notice the shine on the hull at the bow....

cliff

new decals.jpg
 
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Our boat was the same when we purchased it last summer...a 20 year old boat (now also 21 years)...just brush against it on the sides of the hull or if you were up on the bow area..and you were coated in chalky white.

I spent much of the summer going over it with a combo compound/polish. Lots of brands out there. Best approach for those who are finicky is to polish..and then wax. I'll probably do that approach this summer, as we got the boat last summer and I didn't have the time to go over it twice so I used the combo stuff..which produced pretty decent results.
 
I just checked out the Shurhold website as mentioned earlier in this thread. It's a great site with great How To videos.
I'll admit to never hearing about this company. Think I'm going to have to order some of their products.
 
well, i am taking my wife up to see the boat today............so i should know by the end of today whether to proceed with an inspection or just move on..................we shall see.................thanks everyone......hope you all see me back on this site...............chiefsfan, thanks for the shurhold website, i will check that out................
 
If it’s chalky, at the very least you’ll need to compound it with a rotary and wool pad, then repeat the process with a polish and wool pad.
Once the surface is properly prepped, I love Collinite Insulator Wax after polishing. It goes on easy. I usually put about 3 coats, to ensure full coverage on the sides above the rubrails before launching in the Spring and it seems to hold up longer through the season than any other last step products I’ve tried over the years.
 
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good morning..........well we did it...........made offer on the 215 and seller accepted..............now on to the inspection phase of the negotiations..............seller has agreed to repair anything found.............if major, which i doubt, i have reserved the right to walk away..............then a "sea trial" on a local lake, before the deal is completed......i again, want to thank all you folks for your advice and assistance......i intend to refer back to these posts for all the useful information provided......stay tuned..................
 
Congratulations! I hope all goes well. My wife and I looked at the 215 Express several times many years ago. We really liked it but eventually bought a used 24' Cuddy as our first "sleep-on" boat. While living in Las Vegas we once towed it to Long Beach, CA and took the boat to Catalina Island for 6 days sleeping on it every night. We ate ashore and there were even pay-by-the-minute showers for boaters. We soon learned that this was a lifestyle we wanted so we started looking for a bigger boat several years later. We eventually bought a 26' 4Winns with an aft cabin. We spent the first night on it with the 2 of us and 1, 90 lb. dog. The next morning we looked at each other and both said, "We need a bigger boat." Six weeks later we sold the 26 footer and bought a 34' 340 Sundancer. Four years after that we bought a 52' Motor Yacht.

Why did I tell you this story? Well, because many that start down this path end up like us and you may as well. For me, there is nothing like pulling into a new marina or anchorage after several hours of cruising to get there. Getting the boat squared away from the day's cruise and for the evening....making that first cocktail and enjoying the quiet of the surroundings and watching the sun go down. Then waking up after a totally relaxing night aboard, smelling the fresh morning air while enjoying the first cup of coffee or a Bloody Mary and anticipating the coming day's activities. It's addictive and you are starting down that path and I am envious. It's like falling in love.... Enjoy the journey.
Shawn
 
Sorry I am late to the talk, I have been on the water for some days now. jssearay, if you would like a 33 year boat builders opinion (for what's it worth), I will be happy to discuss gel coat with you, I can take you through freshman year to grad-school in one phone call. Yes, I would also like to post my thoughts, but like my mentor says, I go on a bit more than required and my post would resemble a War&Peace novel. So if you can PM me a number and good time to call, I will try and do just that. If you can stand next to the boat during our talk, mo' better.

Standing by!

Capt. Rusty
 
NorCal Boater said:
Congratulations! I hope all goes well. My wife and I looked at the 215 Express several times many years ago. We really liked it but eventually bought a used 24' Cuddy as our first "sleep-on" boat. While living in Las Vegas we once towed it to Long Beach, CA and took the boat to Catalina Island for 6 days sleeping on it every night. We ate ashore and there were even pay-by-the-minute showers for boaters. We soon learned that this was a lifestyle we wanted so we started looking for a bigger boat several years later. We eventually bought a 26' 4Winns with an aft cabin. We spent the first night on it with the 2 of us and 1, 90 lb. dog. The next morning we looked at each other and both said, "We need a bigger boat." Six weeks later we sold the 26 footer and bought a 34' 340 Sundancer. Four years after that we bought a 52' Motor Yacht.

Why did I tell you this story? Well, because many that start down this path end up like us and you may as well. For me, there is nothing like pulling into a new marina or anchorage after several hours of cruising to get there. Getting the boat squared away from the day's cruise and for the evening....making that first cocktail and enjoying the quiet of the surroundings and watching the sun go down. Then waking up after a totally relaxing night aboard, smelling the fresh morning air while enjoying the first cup of coffee or a Bloody Mary and anticipating the coming day's activities. It's addictive and you are starting down that path and I am envious. It's like falling in love.... Enjoy the journey.
Shawn
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shawn, thank you for the thoughts............maybe some day we will follow your path on water......we kind of follow it now as we also have a 40ft coach that we travel the states in..........yea, it is pretty nice lifestyle to see different things and different places on a regular basis...........for now, i just want to get through the inspection and the water trial......then, the fun begins...........................
 
Capt. Rusty Higgins said:
Sorry I am late to the talk, I have been on the water for some days now. jssearay, if you would like a 33 year boat builders opinion (for what's it worth), I will be happy to discuss gel coat with you, I can take you through freshman year to grad-school in one phone call. Yes, I would also like to post my thoughts, but like my mentor says, I go on a bit more than required and my post would resemble a War&Peace novel. So if you can PM me a number and good time to call, I will try and do just that. If you can stand next to the boat during our talk, mo' better.

Standing by!

Capt. Rusty
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thanks captain...............i intend to refer back to this string of posts and take advantage of all the good recommendations............and if we get it, and i decide to do the detailing, i will get my number to you, and let you walk me thru things....................gotta get thru inspection first..................thanks again
 
Congrats on the new boat. Hope all goes well so that you can complete the purchase. Where will you be doing most of your boating?

Suggestion...... please take Capt Rusty’s offer. In case you don’t know he is the retired delivery captain for SeaRay. Before for that he held several positions building the boats we all love. He his a wealth of knowledge. I have had the pleasure of meeting The Captain. Like his signature says, he wants to help improve your boating.

Good luck,
 
Buckeye Boater said:
Congrats on the new boat. Hope all goes well so that you can complete the purchase. Where will you be doing most of your boating?

Suggestion...... please take Capt Rusty’s offer. In case you don’t know he is the retired delivery captain for SeaRay. Before for that he held several positions building the boats we all love. He his a wealth of knowledge. I have had the pleasure of meeting The Captain. Like his signature says, he wants to help improve your boating.

Good luck,
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thanks casey.........we live fairly close to buckeye lake, not a big lake, and fairly shallow (avg depth about 6 ft).......wanna try it out "carefully"..........but also close to alum creek (used to boat there almost every weekend in a previous life)........delaware dam area, pleasant hill (up your way), indian lake, salt fork.......lots of lakes within 2 hours or less..........would like to take it up to the UP and do the area around st. ignace and mackinac island..........also heard a lot about cumberland and dale hollow......i have a friend that lives in canada, he wants me to come up there (he lives within a stone's throw of lake huron)....still working on the logistics of trying to travel with the motorhome and the boat.........my wife will probably follow in my pickup to use for local travel and to put the boat in the water (won't attempt that with a 40ft diesel pusher).............

i have been watching videos on polishing..........that idea scares me as i don't want to damage gel coat.......i intend on getting help from the captain and others on this forum on that................otherwise, we will see how the inspection goes........tired of searching as i think the sea ray is a good choice...........keep fingers crossed............thanks again
 
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