1st boat/What to look for

[crossent]

I have a friend of mine that wants to trade his boat for some fab work at my shop. I think it would be a good entry level boat for me and my family. I don't waterski, just looking for a cruiser and occasional fishing boat. It is a VIP kona 18' with a mercruser I/O 4cyl. I havent seen the boat in a couple years but was in great shape back then. I called VIP and they had no info on this boat. They only show it as a outboard only. Anyways, the boat has not been used the last 2 years and is located in so. cal. and has been under a canopy plus has a custom cover. I would appreciate some tips on what to look for and what should be done before taking it out if I trade for it. He did say he had the drive serviced after he used it last, but being 2 years ago, will the impeller be rotted along with other things? Is the impeller a do it yourself project?Were talking about 1,500 worth of fab he needs done on another project he has so it seems like a good deal. I consider him a good friend so I know if something was wrong that he knows about he would tell me.
I will try and get some pics soon.
Thanks in advance
Mike

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1st boat/What to look for

there is a lot to be done before even starting the engine. remove the distributer, and prime the oil pump. then with the plugs removed turn the engine over by hand. thru all cylinders. now it's ready for the starter, then a compression and spark check, then it's ready to start. the impeller needs to be replaced, the bellows to the outdrive need to be inspected, and possibly the outdrive remove, realigned, and serviced.

not knowing the year, can not place a value on it. but if all you want to do is cruise that 4 banger is ok. but for water sports, it will be a dog.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 1st boat/What to look for

I am not as pessimistic as T-D. Get a remote fuel tank of fresh gas and connect it to the fuel pump. Check the oil level and top it off. Charge the battery. Change the lower unit gear oil. Put on a flushing device, turn on the water and fire it up. Watch to see if it starts to overheat. Put your hand on the exhaust manifold and the engine water hoses. If they get hot enough to burn you, that is too hot, and you need to change the waterpump impeller. After your test run, change the engine oil and filter. Pull the outdrive and pump grease into the u-joints (Alpha I, Generation one drive), as well as the pivot points of the outdrive.

You will need to siphon the gas out of the tank, fill it with fresh gas. You can add the old gas back slowly as you use the boat.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: 1st boat/What to look for

Not run in 2 years? Everything suggested sounds ok to me, but I'd change the oil and filter first, filling the filter with oil.......don't install it dry. Then pull the plugs and shoot some Deep Creep (has oil in it) into each cylinder. Spin the engine over for 15-20 sec and shoot some more deep creep. Spin again.

Then put the plugs and wires back and light it off. This wets the cyls down and splashes some nice clean oil on the lower end. The deep creep will ignite in the cylinder and fire the engine putting some fresh oil on the valve train.

Would not want to start with cylinders dry.

Mark

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1st boat/What to look for

Chris, you obviously never had a bent push rod. i learned the hard way. you turn it over by hand, to find any uncommon resistance, then you go hunting. rather than find it the hard way. 1998 4.3L V6 mercruiser, sat for 18 months.

 

[crossent]

Re: 1st boat/What to look for

Thanks for the tips. The boat is an 86 VIP kona 18' open bow. VIP was taken over in the 90s so I was told. The new company does not show this boat as an I/O. Only an outboard. I checked NADA and it also shows as an outboard only. The guy at VIP said he wouldn't doubt that VIP made the boat because they were a small mfg. back then and did small production runs.
Mike