Greetings

9

97Searay175

New Member
Feb 14, 2011
31
Houston
Boat Info
Bowrider 175 5 Series
Engines
3.0 Mercruiser Alpha One
Hey guys,

I'm from Houston, Texas and have been boating off and on for years, but have never really bought one for my own self. I am very interested in purchasing a 97 bowrider 175, which looks as if it is in excellent condition. I hope to have good discussions with you all in the near future. We will be testing the boat in the water tomorrow. Any questions I should ask about the motor/hull that would be important for a boat like this?
 
Welcome to CSR!

Find out what motor and out drive it has, and how may hours. Ask about any recent maintenance the previous owner has had done.

Good luck!
 
JimG said:
Welcome to CSR!

Find out what motor and out drive it has, and how may hours. Ask about any recent maintenance the previous owner has had done.

Good luck!
Click to expand...

3.0 liter mercruiser alpha one outdrive - I have seen it, looks pretty clean - belts in good condition. Anything I could possibly do while testing it on the water to see if it's a good engine?

Thanks for the feedback!
 
Ask the current owner if they have any maintainence records (receipts) for any work done to the boat. It gives you an idea if there has been any major work done.
 
Just closed on the deal - thank you all for the great feedback and comments in helping me close the sale.
 
techmitch said:
How much did the survey cost and what was the outcome?
Click to expand...

:huh: I'm a rookie at this.

I was assuming you meant write down a small checklist/survery to take with me to check it out.

We took it out on the water and inspected it pretty well. Had all the paperwork/receipts of work done. 2nd owner. Paid 4K for it - he threw in all the skiis/jackets/etc, along with two stainless steel extra props. I was also in moment and been having the buying fever for a while so I jumped on it. :smt001
 
On a boat of that size, a survey is completely unnecessary IMO. You did good. Look it over real good, run it on muffs in on the trailer, then go for a test ride and put it through it's paces.

I actually bought my 175 without a test ride! It was in pretty rought shape, the guy wanted to get rid of it, I looked it over real good and he ran it on the muffs. Started right up, sounded good, ran smooth and accelerated and held steady just fine. I made him a pretty lowball offer to get the conversation started, based on the fact I didn't trouble him for a test ride, and he accepted.

Spent awhile reconditioning it and it's now 5 years later and looks and runs great!

The 175 is a great boat. Congratulations!

btw, I did get a full hull survey and sea trial on my 280DA...at that point, it's worth it.

Tom
 
I agree, on a boat that size a survey is a bit of overkill. Here is what I would have done:

I would just pull the dipstick and check out the oil. If it is fresh, then you won't see much. If it is used, make sure it doesn't smell burnt or have metal in it.

Lower the drive and start to remove the bottom drain screw and make sure no water comes out. You don't have to take it all the way out, just until some fluid starts to run. If no water, the drive should be in good shape.

After that, what Gunn said and all should be good.:thumbsup:
 
Gunn said:
On a boat of that size, a survey is completely unnecessary IMO. You did good. Look it over real good, run it on muffs in on the trailer, then go for a test ride and put it through it's paces.

I actually bought my 175 without a test ride! It was in pretty rought shape, the guy wanted to get rid of it, I looked it over real good and he ran it on the muffs. Started right up, sounded good, ran smooth and accelerated and held steady just fine. I made him a pretty lowball offer to get the conversation started, based on the fact I didn't trouble him for a test ride, and he accepted.

Spent awhile reconditioning it and it's now 5 years later and looks and runs great!

The 175 is a great boat. Congratulations!

btw, I did get a full hull survey and sea trial on my 280DA...at that point, it's worth it.

Tom
Click to expand...


+1 :thumbsup:
 
Thank you Muff/Aqua. I do appreciate the advice!

The only thing that got me a little skeptical at one point is that upon acceleration, it didn't really hesitate, but there was a split second where you heard a gap that I caught on. He had stated that if you used higher octane gas, it wouldn't have something like that in there. It's a 97', but is that something to worry about, look into?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,241
Messages
1,429,111
Members
61,122
Latest member
DddAae
Back
Top