Re: 76 Gypsy King / MFG Is this a good first boat consideration
Well after looking at the boat on fiberglassics.com library section all I can say is I hope you saved some retro disco gear for your cruising,lol. Man them models were decked to the max. Anyway back to your 1st question.In the boat you look/feel for soft spots on the floor.You do not want to be ripping up a floor and then find bad stringers as well,a big job even in retirement.Now on to the transom,tap it with a hammer/rag over it so owner does not get mad, and listen for a even ping sound no thuds.dead spots. If you can take a small pick type instrument and probe in any screw holes for dry wood or mush wood.You will have to take a screwdriver to remove screws which will no doubt be somewhere back there.You should be able to bounce that motor and see if the transom is flexing which is a no no.Even stand on the back of the motor and bounce a little,make sure trailer has support in the stern area while doing that.If it looks good and the guy has not drilled a bunch of holes or has sealed them correctly you should be good to go on the hull.May have some electical glitches being a a older boat but that is usually minor and just bad/ old connections,not a big deal.
Now on to the motor,see if he will take you for a trial run and offer him 20-50$ which you will take off the selling price if you buy it.Compression should be checked and read fairly even with all cylinders,if 3 are 125 and one is 100 you probably have a problem$$. if within 4-10 lbs that is acceptable on a older motor. It will need a new impellar for preventive maintanaince,ask when it was last changed,you want to see water coming out of the pee hole or the motor will overheat.When was the lower unit oil changed last? if not recently before it is started up you can drain it and see what color it is. Milky oil is a sign of a bad seal and maybe more damage depending on how long it sat,if dark and oily I would say your good to go on making a offer....Now when I look at a boat at someones house I casually look around to see if the guy is a slob or neat freak.This will be a reflection on his upkeep of the boat, the better the surroundings the better the odds are he took care of the boat.If it's a pigpen and crap is all over the place the boat is probably in the same condition.Any idea of how many people owned the boat before him and what is he asking for it?
It is not a agressive tri hull so it should take bigger waves without the usuall pounding of the more "square" looking tri hulls take.It looks semi sleek in the brochure and I prefer the captain style chairs over the back to back which it list is standard equip.Good luck and let us know how you make out............
