Inspection today 11-14-07 Wish me Luck

Skip said:
Todd,
Are you getting an independent survey done?
Skip
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No, I trust this dealer immensely. I have known the Service Manager for nearly 20 years and we have mutual friends. He is looking out for me on this transaction.
Also, I do feel confident on the hull survey I performed today. I will look at it again tomorrow, but he also said that he and his lead tech checked the hull after the cleaning an both said it looked good.
Morpheus said:
Not trying to be a thread stealer but just curious about this, every 3 months, is that with the boat just sitting or is it being used, I would think the salt water would just wash that right off.
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Are you talking about the Desitin? He says the boat is moored in saltwater and even though the Desitin can wear off during use there is still the film and residue. How long has is been since you have changed a diaper? I have twin 5yo’s, I haven’t changed a diaper in more than 2 ½ years, but I do remember that Desitin is very sticky…..rub it on your drive and I’d be shocked if it rubbed off severely after a few uses.

Every three months he has the local “fork lift’ dry storage lift it out, rub on a new layer and stick it back in. $20 is cheap insurance to lift it out for 10-15 minutes.
 
"At this point I told him I will take care of any "non-major issues" on the engine as long as he is will install a new outdrive."


Todd,
At this point I would not agree to pay for ANY repairs, no matter how small. This is purely a business transaction, and at this point you hold all the cards. There is nothing to be gained by absolving the owner of any shortcomings the boat may have. Don't forget you have a several thousand dollar bill in the future to replace the isenglass. Now is the time to factor that and any other defects you are sure to find in the survey.
 
Jg
You are correct. Not to worry, I feel confident after the phone calls today that everything will sort out.
We are working from the offer I proposed and he accepted prior to this inspection "based on the fact that the outdrive simply needs a periodic service and that the engine passes a compression and leak-down test"
Now that we know there are other issues, so far with the drive and we'll see with the engine tomorrow, I feel confident that we're going to be ok but like you mentioned I'm in a position of leverage.
JG300DA said:
at this point you hold all the cards
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ACE, ACE, ACE, ACE< King high
 
I'd reconsider the moisture meter. My 280 has an immaculate interior with no signs of water intrusion but the moisture meter showed higher than normal readings in the transom (most likely from the thru-bolts of the swim platform) and slightly elevated levels on the foredeck (likely from the cleat and/or rail thru-bolts) the surveyor also used a sounding hammer in those areas and found no evidence of delamination or other deterioration but it did point to a maintenance issue for me in the spring. I was tols that elevated moisture is to be expected in most boats but re-setting the screws/bolts with caluking should limit if not eliminalte the problem. Other areas common are around the trim tabs and transducer fitting. Food for thought. Good luck and remember to eliminate the emotion from the deal, draw your line and if you can't get there, walk there's tons of great boats out there.
 
I will. I'll see if that's something the dealer can do
Thank you
 
Todd, If the dealer can moisture test the boat have them check the readings on the engine stringers and also around the anchor locker / windlass area. Both are common spots for taking in exessive moisture when uncovered and in the water.
 
RiverRat said:
Todd, If the dealer can moisture test the boat have them check the readings on the engine stringers and also around the anchor locker / windlass area. Both are common spots for taking in exessive moisture when uncovered and in the water.
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:thumbsup:
 
Todd

On your replacement outdrive, make sure it is the correct gear ratio for your engine since there are different ratios available. The Prop chart available from Sea Ray's web site will have that information.

Dave
 
Dave S said:
Todd

On your replacement outdrive, make sure it is the correct gear ratio for your engine since there are different ratios available. The Prop chart available from Sea Ray's web site will have that information.

Dave
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I saw that they are 24" props and will remind Lake Union Searay to get the correct one, but I'm sure he's on that.

Looks like:2000~260DA~5.7L EFI~BR3~2.20 : 1~15 1/2 X 24 SS
 
Todd, good luck on the deal. It's one of those deals I'd actually like to find for myself. Just think, you may end up walking away from this with a nice boat, and instead of a satisfactory outdrive with unknown maintenance and conditioning, with a -brand new- outdrive, all yours for the safekeeping!
Not to mention, you'll have a fun and busy winter season getting it all ready for spring.
Wishing the best,
Tom
 
ok, compression check and Leak down are good. We have decided to get a survey.
Brand new O/D is on order and the owner will be paying directly for that.
SO if we get a :thumbsup: from survey guy ~ we won't be "Boatless in Seattle" too much longer. While I visited the dealer, Nehalennia II is there getting winterized. Wow, good to see her and hopefully soon she'll have a big sister.
Mechanic says other than the risers looking not too hot, it's mostly cosmetic and they should be ok to continue. I asked that they assess them when they pull the engine to replace the O/D and when they are ready to add the FWC.
I'm anxious to get past the survey and keep moving, but so far so good.
 
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Dave S said:
Good news Todd............when is the survey scheduled?

Dave
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I'm not sure, hopefully soon. The dealer works with these guys frequently which I like because I'm sure their more eager to keep them "moving forward" than a Yellow Pages finger flipper.

Also, another boat in the shop was getting a new Crated O/D .........
MAN! That's going to look good + Warranty.
 
Hey good call on the survey. Cost me about $475 for the entire boat here in Cincinnati but well worth it. I know every little issue and that all said,,,,,,,,,,, She's still y new boat. Atleast it will identify the small non-deal-killers that might have been minor anoyances if you descovered them on your own trying to enjoy a day on the water. Bigger issues helps to decide wether or not to lace up the walkin' shoes. Good luck. If you have the time I found it helpful to be present during the survey (took about 3 hours on land + 1 for the sea trial etc....) enjoy, get another boat ride out of it for the season.
 
Thanks Again everyone. Yeah I finally feel like we're getting to that point where it looks like it will happen. I just have to say it's a lot easier when there's an 1 1/2" rain everyday knowing it's not a great boating day verses it being the middle of Summer and anxious to get out there.
I'm excited to take some before and after pictures for sure
 
Geez.

You got past bad risers and a bum outdrive. . what *major* problem could a survey possibly uncover? A broken $150 radio?

But still. . . . you want to do the survey "just because". Also. . it will make life alot easier when you go to insure the boat.
 
The dealer's Service manager(that I've know for 17 years) and lead tech have never seen an O/D that is so bad and an engine that has had such little use. :huh:

yeah if the radio's bad I'm out................
 
Sorry to hear that... Looks like it's an example of how low-hours does not equate to good condition. Boat maintainence is required regardless if a boat is running a lot or not.

I know I've said this before but I know a guy here who bought a 260 DA back in 1999 used it twice that year, once with his wife, and it's been in a boat-tel rack ever since.... but it's got LOW HOURS!!! Imagine what those mechanical systems are like.
 
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