Boat buying questions

[archcityBob]

Hi. I'm still looking for a boat to buy and reading old threads.

A couple of questions ...

How do I know if the boat has water logged foam if the deck is basically solid?

Hooking up muffs to an engine to test it. Turn the water on before or after the engine is running? (A guy at work maintains he filled his cylinders with water on a Waverunner by turning on the water before the engine was running. )

Compression testing. Can I use a compression tester from Wal-Mart or Auto Zone? Then just bump the engine to get the readings?

Are there standard size threads on the spark plugs for the compression tester to thread into?

Will an automobile spark plug wrench fit on a outboard plug to remove/tighten it?

Why is it that when I didn't have any money there were numerous boats on Craigslist that seemed to meet my criteria. Now that I have cash in hand they are all gone.

 

[Lyle29464]

Re: Boat buying questions

Hi. I'm still looking for a boat to buy and reading old threads.

A couple of questions ...

How do I know if the boat has water logged foam if the deck is basically solid? you need to know the history of that brand. That boat. maybe even weigh it. If it look grarge kept, neat and clean, the owner is neat and clean his car is the garage is the boat should be ok. If it is in the yard. tires sunk 6 inches. water mark inside the bow area, his garage full of crap, bumber on his car touching the dirty driveway forget it.

Hooking up muffs to an engine to test it. Turn the water on before or after the engine is running? Before ( at least get the pump wet before you turn it over (A guy at work maintains he filled his cylinders with water on a Waverunner by turning on the water before the engine was running. ) Don't know much about wave runners except they screw up my gel coat.

Compression testing. Can I use a compression tester from Wal-Mart or Auto Zone? Then just bump the engine to get the readings? Sure just follow the inst. ( wet pump )

Are there standard size threads on the spark plugs for the compression tester to thread into? yup

Will an automobile spark plug wrench fit on a outboard plug to remove/tighten it? if your car is 40 years old. just buy one to fit plug.

Why is it that when I didn't have any money there were numerous boats on Craigslist that seemed to meet my criteria. Now that I have cash in hand they are all gone.

lots of good boats for sale now.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Boat buying questions

Hooking up muffs to an engine to test it. Turn the water on before or after the engine is running? (A guy at work maintains he filled his cylinders with water on a Waverunner by turning on the water before the engine was running. )

on an i/o or o/b. yes, turn the water on PRIOR to turning the engine over.
on a pwc. yes, turn the water on, AFTER ya have the engine running.
they are opposites for starting on the hose. applying the steps in the improper sequence for either or and damage occurs.

 

[jkust]

Re: Boat buying questions

Hooking up muffs for a test is not enough especially for an I/O. Muffs-only can mask some massive problems that a water test will show. As for the wet foam, don't buy an old boat. Technically, to be sure taking a core or two out of the floor isn't totally out of the question for an old rot prone-bad prior owner(s) boat. Sometimes you just can't tell even by jumping around since strange things could have been done to it such as a floor only redo. Turning the water on before the engine is running is the appopriate method.

 

[infideltarget]

Re: Boat buying questions

Just take a 6" hole saw with you when you go to look. I am sure the owner will not mind one bit if you drill some holes in his floor and transom to check it for rot. After all, he will probably thank you for pointing out the problems if there are any present, or confirming that his boat is indeed rot free. If you do decide to buy, just tell him you will be deducting the price for the "coring" repairs from his asking price. He will not mind at all. I would do the water test run BEFORE I performed these tests tough, for obvious reasons.

I am, of course, being a smart ***. I just cant see many potential sellers agreeing to let you take core samples and turn his boat into swiss cheese before you buy it. Especially considering that if you find problems, you will likely NOT be buying it, then he has a rotten boat with holes in the floor and transom.

Sorry jkust...I know this is the proper method, and is highly recommended, but I just do not see it happening for smaller boat sellers. Maybe for a high dollar big boat, or if someone is paying a pro surveyor, but just to let Jethro come look at my boat and start "taking core samples"? Nope. Aint gonna' happen.

 

[jkust]

Re: Boat buying questions

Sorry jkust...I know this is the proper method, and is highly recommended, but I just do not see it happening for smaller boat sellers. Maybe for a high dollar big boat, or if someone is paying a pro surveyor, but just to let Jethro come look at my boat and start "taking core samples"? Nope. Aint gonna' happen.

No I recognize that too but given his questions he isn't speaking the language yet and just really wanted to give him the lay of the land. If you don't want a project on your hands and can't adequately tell if there may be unseen problems, move along to something else. If someone came to look and wanted core samples out of my oldest boat I'd tell them to take a hike and wait for a less educated buyer or otherwise. I have lost track of the stories on Iboats of the new boat buyer who bought a boat only to find out the floor was rotted. At the end of the day, we are here to help you and hopefully avoid some of the mistakes we have either lived or read about. If money grew on trees and time was not precious, my outlook would be different. My best advice, buy a relatively new in the 2000's boat in regards the rot issues.

 

[infideltarget]

Re: Boat buying questions

No I recognize that too but given his questions he isn't speaking the language yet and just really wanted to give him the lay of the land. If you don't want a project on your hands and can't adequately tell if there may be unseen problems, move along to something else. If someone came to look and wanted core samples out of my oldest boat I'd tell them to take a hike and wait for a less educated buyer or otherwise. I have lost track of the stories on Iboats of the new boat buyer who bought a boat only to find out the floor was rotted. At the end of the day, we are here to help you and hopefully avoid some of the mistakes we have either lived or read about. If money grew on trees and time was not precious, my outlook would be different. My best advice, buy a relatively new in the 2000's boat in regards the rot issues.

Agreed. I like cheap, and I like projects, so older is good with me. But you are right, some are not ready in the ways of the project.

 

[jkust]

Re: Boat buying questions

Agreed. I like cheap, and I like projects, so older is good with me. But you are right, some are not ready in the ways of the project.

My wife will yell at me for just detailing my boat for a couple hours. Opening the hood of the car or applying a coat of wax = not spending enough time with the family. A project would be catastrophic.

 

[archcityBob]

Re: Boat buying questions

Thanks to almost everyone for their responses. But the question is moot. I bought a boat today. See I Bought a Boat Today

Anyway, the seller had removed about 600 pounds of wet foam when he replaced the deck. No idea why it was there in the first place. So I didn't have to take core samples from the boat. Thanks again.