After three months of CL pain..

[Gromulin]

I finally bought my boat today. Well $500 worth, until Tuesday when we meet at my bank, go for a test ride and close the deal. Counter-signed bill of sale / contract in place with terms for down payment and final payment upon good test drive. (learned my lessons...)

2001 Doral 230BR
VP 5.7 GSi, duo-prop (280 hp? 310hp? the books disagree...)
180 hours
8'6 beam
24' LOA
70 gallon fuel tank
Zieman dual axle, 4-disc surge trailer
Wake tower with speakers,2000 watt stereo, 2 x 10" subs (like I care...)
Extra long new sunbrella bimini
Fresh water tank, small sink at port console and some kind of flush head with black water storage tank somewhere...(the PO had removed the head and used the space for the stereo equip...can't say I think it was a bad exchange, but might just hook it back up for the kids)

Good condition...not GREAT, but not poor either...it's 9 years old. Need a couple cushions re-stitched, has some chipped gelcoat along the keel at the bow from beaching. Normal wear and tear otherwise. The test drive will tell on Tuesday...heading straight to 6 day camping trip with it on Wednesday. Brave or Crazy...I can't tell anymore...It's the wife's Birthday on Monday...I'm a nervous wreck after today...

All for under 16K. $1000 under NADA "low" $2,800 under NADA "average". WELL under BUC values.

I think I did OK.

I did OK right?

Right?

Someone tell me I did OK...I need to sleep tonight

Forgot to link to cool video review of the exact model I bought:

http://www.usboattest.com/test/665/2001-doral-230-br.html

 

[rodbolt]

Re: After three months of CL pain..

GSI was the 280 HP version of the 5.7.
before heading out and before purchasing it make sure its been properly surveyed and new impeller and filters installed.
if used in saltwater when was the last manifold and riser replacement.
properly maintained the GSI sxdp package was nice.

 

[Gromulin]

Re: After three months of CL pain..

GSI was the 280 HP version of the 5.7.
before heading out and before purchasing it make sure its been properly surveyed and new impeller and filters installed.
if used in saltwater when was the last manifold and riser replacement.
properly maintained the GSI sxdp package was nice.

Thanks. It's freshwater boat, best I can tell. It came to CA via Las Vegas. I've got the hull VIN and am going to buy the report just for some extra peace of mind. IF I can find a surveyor in Sacramento...I'll gladly pay for his services, otherwise it will be up to me to make the call. I know they were known for hand-laid hulls, and the PO claims to have had full service, including impeller, done last Nov. I'll be watching water temp and RPM's at WOT closely. I'm both completely stoked and terrified..it's much more boat than I was originally looking for, so I feel like I'm playing catch-up ball here on all the extra plumbing, etc to do a quick evaluation on, if I can't find a reputable surveyor that's available Tuesday afternoon...

 

[RWilson2526]

Re: After three months of CL pain..

Check the engine for oil before your test drive and the check again after your test drive. Check your outdrive for oil before and after your test drive. Test run for as long as you can....run it for an hour. Turn it off it sit for a few minutes, start it again. Run it some more.... I personally know 2 people that bought boats that had parts in the outdrive JB welded by previous owner...hung on just long enough to survive a short little sea trial and then whamo.

Good luck with it....sounds like a cool boat.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: After three months of CL pain..

I watched the video. Looks like a nice boat. Too bad there isn't any seating!

The only thing I can add to your thread is to seriously consider putting the porta potti back in. If you go out with teh little lady, any kids, or friends...it will make a day on the water (much less a weekend) a much more enjoyable one. The more conforts of home, the better time both of you will have. Remember..."IF MAMA AIN"T HAPPY, AIN"T NOBODY HAPPY!"

 

[Gromulin]

Re: After three months of CL pain..

I watched the video. Looks like a nice boat. Too bad there isn't any seating!

The only thing I can add to your thread is to seriously consider putting the porta potti back in. If you go out with teh little lady, any kids, or friends...it will make a day on the water (much less a weekend) a much more enjoyable one. The more conforts of home, the better time both of you will have. Remember..."IF MAMA AIN"T HAPPY, AIN"T NOBODY HAPPY!"

Yep...I hear ya. This boat will be filled with kids and Mama's. I've been looking at bowriders for 3 months, but this is the first one that had a head and freshwater tank. I know NOTHING about marine plumbing. The PO showed me the thru-hull fitting in the ski locker that brings lake water to the head...my first thought was I better keep some of corks onboard in case something springs a leak. I sure hope there's no petrified #2 in that black-water tank.The damn thing has scuppers, too...only seen those on Ship Shape TV
I've got a self-contained porta-potty for the kids for now that will fit in the captain's helm storage space. Man...just overwhelmed with all the stuff I need to learn about now!

 

[Fireman431]

Re: After three months of CL pain..

It will come easier than you think. If it has a manual, read it. If not, find one and read it or get someone who know boats to help you out. I know how you feel. I went from a 21' offshore fisherman with a single outboard to a 40' convertible with dual inboards. It isn't rocket science.

Anywhere there are thru-hull fittings, I have a wooden tapered dowel on a zip tie. The possibility of one failing isn't great, but things do happen. The more prepared you are for an emergency makes it that much less of an emergency.

Get to know your boat. The head for example, pretty simple. Water comes in to the head and leaves the head. You need to know:
1) Where does it come in?
2) Where does it sit static (if at all)?
3) Where does it go? Holding tank? Overboard (not if you're not off shore)?

The PO should be able (and more than willing) to go over the options with you.

I had to learn about dual inboards, shaft drives, generator, control panel, transfer switching, enclosed fresh water head, shower, dual A/C's, sump systems, etc. the day I picked it 150 miles from home. Then I had to get it home on the water.

It can be done. Have fun with it.

 

[Gromulin]

Re: After three months of CL pain..

It will come easier than you think. If it has a manual, read it. ...

The PO should be able (and more than willing) to go over the options with you...

It can be done. Have fun with it.

No Doral manuals came with it...email sent to Doral begging for whatever they have available...

The PO, honestly, used it just to take his wife / adult kids out on the river for day-trips. He knew EVERYTHING about the tower, stereo, amps, speakers, bimini etc. that HE added. Said no one in his family wanted to use the head (it is a small space) or the freshwater tank...and didn't even know where the black-water tank was, just where the pump out cap was. I believe him, we sat and talked about everything for about an hour before I made my offer. I have a pretty good feel for people, and I didn't get any strange vibes from the guy...he just honestly didn't know.

 

[oops!]

Re: After three months of CL pain..

edit....wrong thread

 

[Gromulin]

Re: After three months of CL pain..

another thread in running in the restoration section about the same thing.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=429440

please read ondarvrs comments.

bubba did a great post on it in this thread as well......but remember, not many people have his resources, and can do it in the capacity that he is doing it with out considerable investment. purchasing is the key

Thanks oops (great handle...hopefully WILL NOT be the new name of my boat!) Not sure if you linked the wrong thread...I'm not looking to "flip" anything. This boat will be with us until the kids are at least out of high school...and they are 7 and 8 now

 

[seabob4]

Re: After three months of CL pain..

The lengthy seatrial is a must. Run her at all speeds, WOT, cruise, idling along. Shut her down. Let her sit for several minutes off. Lots of older motors, once things get warm or hot, the electricals can give you issues when you go to restart, as well as fuel supply. Shift in and out of gear many times, both into forward and reverse. Don't know if that drive has a shift interrupter switch or not, but if it does, this will point out any problems with it, as well as the intermediate shift cable.

Simple, non-electrical marine heads are pretty easy to deal with. You probably just have a dockside pump out option, overboard discharges require a macerator pump. Besides, in inland waters it's illegal. For us down here on the West Coast of FL, we have to go out 9 miles in the Gulf before we can pump overboard...

 

[redone4x4]

Re: After three months of CL pain..

wow that thing holds alot of fuel! got any more pics of it?

 

[Summer Fun]

Re: After three months of CL pain..

All for under 16K

This is just MY opinion only !!!.
I think you can find alot better boat for that kind of money.

Its still a buyers market out there !!! .

 

[Gromulin]

Re: After three months of CL pain..

This is just MY opinion only !!!.
I think you can find alot better boat for that kind of money.

Its still a buyers market out there !!! .

I can get a newer boat for the same...but much much smaller

I can get a larger boat for the same, but pre-98.

If you are looking for an 18' bow-rider, you are in absolute hog-heaven in Sacramento right now. I could get a 2006 18' Sea Ray for the same price..but once you get over 21'...well, lets just say I've missed 3 (1 crownline, 1 chaparral, 1 Sea Ray) because I didn't call / email fast enough.

It is a buyers market for everything right now as long as the size/type you are looking for is on the right side of the supply / demand equation in your market

 

[Summer Fun]

Re: After three months of CL pain..

2001 Doral 230BR

For some reason I didn't see that. :redface:. I thought it was a cuddy cabin.

Well any hooo Good luck with her.

 

[Gromulin]

Re: After three months of CL pain..

For some reason I didn't see that. :redface:. I thought it was a cuddy cabin.

Well any hooo Good luck with her.

SF, I agree with that line of thinking completely...if it was a cuddy, in Sacramento (think sauna 6 months / year) the price would be much lower...but it's a Bow-rider with a head and freshwater...with muscle.

 

[Summer Fun]

Re: After three months of CL pain..

Make sure you take alot of pics of her !!.
We like to see pics of other peoples boat.

if it was a cuddy, in Sacramento (think sauna 6 months / year)

My tug has Air Conditioning. . Don't the boats out there have it also ??. Just saying.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: After three months of CL pain..

Said no one in his family wanted to use the head (it is a small space) or the freshwater tank...and didn't even know where the black-water tank was, just where the pump out cap was.

More than likely, it's in the floor, under a lift-up panel. Raw water in and a capped pump out? Easy. pump it out at the fuel dock at the end of the day and rinse it out with fresh water. If not, you're gonna need a gallon of Febreeze.

I believe him, we sat and talked about everything for about an hour before I made my offer. I have a pretty good feel for people, and I didn't get any strange vibes from the guy

Gut instincts mean a lot. I've walked away from good deal because "something just didn't feel right" and I've brought home winners because of a solid gut feeling. My last deal was letting a guy buy my 2003 Angler with a personal check as he towed it back to Texas. I made some specific notes just in case, but the check cleared in 3 days. It could have come back to bite me, but there was that 6th sense.

Of course, his 6th sense mught have been "I see dumb people".

 

[1960vw]

Re: After three months of CL pain..

Take it to Folsom Lake at put it through the paces. Nice looking boat according to video. I'm headed out camping too this week but not Folsom, too busy of a lake. My family have our favorite spot that we go three times a year camping and every other Sunday for boating only. Have fun!

 

[Gromulin]

Re: After three months of CL pain..

Take it to Folsom Lake at put it through the paces. Nice looking boat according to video. I'm headed out camping too this week but not Folsom, too busy of a lake. My family have our favorite spot that we go three times a year camping and every other Sunday for boating only. Have fun!

Hey...my very first car was a 1960 VW Type 2 Westphalia, with a woppin 40 horse and a heater than ran on Gasoline!...I still have the tent kit for it...been dragging it around with me for 30 years

That's exactly where we are heading for the test drive - Folsom. Should only have a few Lake lice to deal with at Granite bay on a Tuesday afternoon.

Wife's birthday tomorrow...camping trip is up to Union Valley - Wench Creek, Wed - Sun (UV is only 10' below top of dam...in August!)...kids back to school Tuesday after. I'll be glad when the next two weeks are over!