Hello new member and a real newbie to boating

[scbackpacker]

Hello all I'm such a newbie I don't even have a boat yet. I'm going to look at a 1986 230 Weekender which is supposed to be in really good condition. Now it's time to let you guys know what I know about boats. They float and there are inboards and outboards.....hummm... yeah that about sums it up. What do I really need to look at when I go see this boat. As far as I know it has always been in fresh water. It has 2004 trailer and owner wants $6000.00 for the boat.

 

[BiffStroganoffsky]

Well, not all boats float so that would be the first thing you want to check. If the owner won't put it in the water for you to test, you can fill the boat up with a garden hose to check for leaks. Make sure you have the drain plug in before you do. Also, if the inboard is outboards (in the shed) or the outboard is inboard (in the pilot seat), just walk away from the deal...quickly. You might also ask how much the owner wants for the trailer if you are planning on towing it home as it will be very useful. You do have a tow vehicle, right? Is it Friday yet?

 

[FireIsland1]

Take someone who knows more then you.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Take someone who knows more then you.

Yup. Or hire a mechanical surveyor - check around, get references.

There's too many things to try and tell you to check - such as bellows, hubs, compression, de-lamination (although that's not usually an issue with a Sea Ray), bearings, brakes, all kinds of electrical stuff...

Sorry for being short, but I don't want to see you get burned.

On another note, welcome aboard and I hope it all works out for you!

 

[scbackpacker]

I haven't seen the boat yet but she told me that it has the 5.7 liter engine. A little over 700 hrs and the previous owner had it rebuilt. The cubby is like new. There is a tear in one of the seat where it was seamed. It has been winterized ever year and kept under a shed until she put it up for sale. I will be towing it with a 06 F150 super crew with 5.4 triton and 3.55 rear end. She had it serviced and the mechanic adjusted the throttle and told her that the seal needed to be replaced due to the age of the boat. I'm guessing that it's the seal at the Gimbel bearing. She had the bilge pump rewired and said it does get some water in which she pumps out but no more than the ski boat that she has. If she hasn't sold before Monday I may ride down and see it.

 

[JediJD]

Google a boat mechanic near where she lives and ask what he would charge to go with you and check it out.

If you are looking for a mechanical hobby and a place to put wasted and unused $100 bills...older boats are incredibly satisfying. The absolute least worry is the torn upholstery and the finish of the fiberglass. You will be amazed how cheap it is to fix that stuff...what you are worried about are outdrives and engines and wiring and electrical systems. Having said all that...in my part of the world (metro Atlanta) $6k including trailer is pretty cheap for a boat that size in good shape. Wouldn't be surprised if the bellows (the black accordion looking thing between the outdrive and the boat) is what's leaking. The mechanic could give you a price. I dealt with that problem in my last boat (after it sank...but that's another story) and the bill was somewhere around $1000 as I recall.

 

[scbackpacker]

Hello JediJD I live in Easley SC so I'm not far from you. OK so there should be no water leaking in. Humm I don't know if seller was blowing smoke at me or it's a different seal. Seller told me a $30.00 part and $150 to install. Can I see if the bellows is bad by looking at it or does it need to be in water. I wouldn't even think about buying the boat unless we spent time in the water. I have a friend who just had his boat repaired and I'm sure I could get the mechanic to go with me to check the boat out. I would to know what things to look for that would throw up a red flag right off the bat. Is 700 hrs a lot of hours on a 5.7 engine?

 

[JediJD]

I apologize for not getting back earlier. I had a couple of distractions.

It sometimes seems to me that thirty dollar boat parts are the bane of a boater's existence. It isn't the thirty dollar part that usually is the killer, its the access, disassembly, and reassembly of all of the components necessary to get to the thirty dollar part that will kill you.

Your seller may be accurate...however, I doubt it. In the boating world, a $200 problem is something you just fix...its unusual to sell a boat with a critical leak that $200 would have solved.

700 hours is an interesting number, but by itself meaningless. A cheap econobox car, with no maintenance, is completely worthless at 70k miles, while with good maintenance, a standard sedan these days is probably good for 250k miles. If these have been rebuilt...the clock really starts over on the main components, however, in my experience, owners use the term "rebuilt" when they actually mean "had major repairs", and those are two entirely different terms. To me, rebuilt means the bottom end has come out of the boat and you have new rings and crankshaft bearings. I cannot tell you the number of times someone has referred to an engine as "rebuilt" when the only thing that was done was top engine work...valves or heads...which is certainly important, but not comprehensive. You could tell a lot with a compression test...wet and dry, which you or your mechanic could do in just a few minutes.

Bottom line, lots of people get into boating with "fixer uppers". It is less expensive on the acquisition side, and you end up with a LOT of knowledge about your boat and boating in general that you simply cannot get by having something new and shrink wrapped delivered to you as your first toy. Don't be afraid of the project, but have realistic information. Boaters sometimes fib. Get YOUR mechanic to price the leak repairs as a real number. You could always ask the seller to add $180 to the price and let her get it fixed and guarantee it <g>.

 

[scbackpacker]

Thanks Jedi I'm going to pass on this boat. I found one that is 2 years newer and looks like very good for $1500.00 more, interior is like new and less hrs on engine
and it also has a cover. I've been having doubts about getting a boat this big for my first boat. I know it would be difficult to launch a 23 ft cabin cruiser by myself and I know my wife wouldn't want to go every time I went fishing. I'm in no hurry so I'll keep looking until I find what I want.