Testing systems pre-purchase

[boatman37]

So I know of a boat that neither engine will run but pretty sure we know the problem and is a pretty simple fix. Can the gennie and AC be tested on the hard? Or would I need to get it in the water to test those? It's on a trailer so not that big of a deal but I would need to rent/borrow a truck that can tow it.

Survey would be a must but just wondering if the surveyor would even be able to check those on the trailer

 

[bbwhitejr]

When I had my 260DA, I used to run both on the trailer. I took the indeed hose loose from the seacock and put it in a 5 gallon bucket. Filled the bucket with water and stuck a garden hose in with it turned on wide open. How long you can run the gen depends on the volume from your garden hose. I could run the gen a minute or two before it would catch the garden hose. Did the same with the AC and it would run all day as it did not use as much water.

Another option is to back the trailer in the water and just leave the boat on the trailer and crank and run.

Bennett

 

[fwebster]

You didn't ask this, but if you intend to diagnose the problem before you have a contract to buy the boat for a specific price with survey contingency, you could be shooting your self in the foot by trying to start the motors. The seller may see that there isn't much of a problem and raise the price.

 

[boatman37]

Yeah. A friend had been working on getting the motors running and is pretty sure he knows the problem but his work schedule changed and he doesn't have the time to finish it. He knows the owner and has told her what he thinks the issue is but she just wants rid of it. I did take a quick look at it but she wasn't home but I did talk to her on the phone a few weeks back and told her I wasn't interested because there were too many unknowns and it was bigger than I wanted. It's a 32'er. Am looking for about 29 or so. BTW-it isn't a Sea Ray...lol. I told her on the phone I was leery of buying a boat that had unknown issues but that if they were fixed then it might be out of my price range then. These boats are selling for about $50-60k. My friend thinks I can get it for about $30k as is. I'm thinking the most I would offer might be $25k. It has a 3 year old $7500 trailer and both outdrives were gone through 3 or 4 years ago before they parked it but the impellers would likely need replaced (my understanding is that it hasn't been in the water since the outdrives were done). The canvas needs a little work to but not sure of the extent there. The boat is a 2000 and it is the original canvas so I was figuring $6000-8000 for new canvas? I may be able to get by for a year or 2 with the original canvas but not sure. I wrote this one off after I looked at it but now thinking maybe it might not be a bad deal if I know the extent of the engine issues. It's a Volvo and pretty sure the fuel pumps need cleaned out. Pretty common for these from what I hear. Both engines run if you pour fuel into the throttle bodies.

 

[Carpediem44DB]

Well if it ain't a Searay.....

 

[romanservices]

Yeah. A friend had been working on getting the motors running and is pretty sure he knows the problem but his work schedule changed and he doesn't have the time to finish it. He knows the owner and has told her what he thinks the issue is but she just wants rid of it. I did take a quick look at it but she wasn't home but I did talk to her on the phone a few weeks back and told her I wasn't interested because there were too many unknowns and it was bigger than I wanted. It's a 32'er. Am looking for about 29 or so. BTW-it isn't a Sea Ray...lol. I told her on the phone I was leery of buying a boat that had unknown issues but that if they were fixed then it might be out of my price range then. These boats are selling for about $50-60k. My friend thinks I can get it for about $30k as is. I'm thinking the most I would offer might be $25k. It has a 3 year old $7500 trailer and both outdrives were gone through 3 or 4 years ago before they parked it but the impellers would likely need replaced (my understanding is that it hasn't been in the water since the outdrives were done). The canvas needs a little work to but not sure of the extent there. The boat is a 2000 and it is the original canvas so I was figuring $6000-8000 for new canvas? I may be able to get by for a year or 2 with the original canvas but not sure. I wrote this one off after I looked at it but now thinking maybe it might not be a bad deal if I know the extent of the engine issues. It's a Volvo and pretty sure the fuel pumps need cleaned out. Pretty common for these from what I hear. Both engines run if you pour fuel into the throttle bodies.

walk away

 

[boatman37]

Talked to the owner again the other day and they are taking it to a marina to get it running then putting it up for sale. If they stick to their price they mentioned it will be a pretty good deal but not sure it is the right boat for us right now.