1994 175hp o/b merc

[FREDDYPD]

I wasn't sure if I should post this here or under sea ray....
I am interested in purchasing a 1994 sea ray laguna with 175 merc o/b. I am a little new to boating and am nervous about a 12 y/o motor. I do believe it was owned by an older woman and well maintained over the years by a reputable mechanic. It has been kept in the water over the years in the NY area. It looks to be in great condition. Should I stay away from a motor this old?

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: 1994 175hp o/b merc

12 years is not old.

my 1960 sea king is OLD.

if its well maintained, there is no reason that motor wont perform like new.

i have a 1994 mercury 200hp on the back o-my mako20C. i love it to death, and i also have 2 1989 merc 150 v6's, a 1975 omc 115hp, 1978 merc 115hp, 1988 omc 14hp, 1969 merc 50hp, 1973 merc 85hp and 2 1960 sea king 3.5s, a 1968 omc 1.5hp and a 1972 omc 2.0hp.

dont bee scarred of a 12 year old motor if its been well taken care of.

youll want to take a compression test, spark test, check lower unit lube, and if possible, of course hear and see it run.

 

[FREDDYPD]

Re: 1994 175hp o/b merc

Thanks,
I would like to have a mechanic check it out. I hope he will look at all the things you suggested.

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: 1994 175hp o/b merc

if he dont, get a new mechanic

 

[FREDDYPD]

Re: 1994 175hp o/b merc

Thanks phatmanmike,
book value is approx 11k......I am hoping to get it just under 10k

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1994 175hp o/b merc

old is my '55 15hp rude, runs better now than new, thanks to iboats.
an older motor well care for can be better than a 2 y/o thats been abused.

 

[FREDDYPD]

Re: 1994 175hp o/b merc

Thanks guys for all your advice. I hope to look at the boat and "road test" it next weekend. I have been looking around and can't seem to find anything else worthwhile.

 

[FREDDYPD]

Re: 1994 175hp o/b merc

Thanks for all your help guys. I put the offer in for $14k, that would include the cost of a new trailer which the marina said would be $2500-3000. Lets see if they can make it work. I think the owner wants to hold out for the full 12k and the marina doesn't seem to want to help me out on the trailer cost. I called around for a trailer and I couldn't do much better than $2500.
I am willing to walk away if they can't make this offer work.

I saw a nice 2001 22' sportcraft w/a w/200 hp merc optimax. My wife didn't seem to like it. I could probably get this for $15K. Not sure if I could change her mind. I don't know much about sportcraft boats.

I also saw a 1999 angler 21' w/a $13,5k at adealer with a warranty til the end of season...looked kinda beat though.

I really want to get out on the water!!

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: 1994 175hp o/b merc

where are you located fred. thats an awfull lot for 1994 sea ray laguna, whatever nada says.

that would be a fair price for a mako, proline, grady or aqua spot........

 

[FREDDYPD]

Re: 1994 175hp o/b merc

I am out in Long Island NY. We don't have a very long season to begin with and it halfway over already.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1994 175hp o/b merc

SportCraft is a reliable boat. been around a long time, had one of the oringinals (wood) back in the 60's

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: 1994 175hp o/b merc

sport craft boats went outa business in 2003. they were very famous for having very thick , heavy sturdy hulls and strong construction.

they went under due to bad money investment ideas, not because they made shoddy products.

look on boattrader.com, and look for sportcrafts. you wont see many cause nobody gets rid of them.

sea ray is made by the same company as a nother, famous, boat company whose name i wont mention here in this forums.

 

[FREDDYPD]

Re: 1994 175hp o/b merc

UPDATE 8/4/06 ****** Thanks for all you help guys *****
I finally got the boat and went out today for the first time. I noticed the temp gauge rise up to 180-190 at slow speed on the return to the boat ramp. Unfortunately I did not notice the gauge while cruising. I called the marina where I bought it and he said that he had checked it with a heat gun and it was running fine. He even said during our "road test" he noticed the temp gauge rise on slow speed and fall on cruising speed. He said to keep monitoring it. Should I automatically change the thermo and water pump anyway. I am pretty handy. Is it difficult on a1994 merc 175 hp 2.5 liter?

 

[gss036]

Re: 1994 175hp o/b merc

That sounds normal for that motor. Watch it and when the poppet valve opens it will(should) cool right down.
Probably the best investment you can make is to install a water pressure guage.