Buy used - what to do on the day?!

[vampirefish]

Hello. I'm looking to buy a boat...and with this great forum and great friends, I think I'm armed with as many questions/inspections of areas that I could be. My question, is let's say, I go to check out a boat for sale today (for sale by owner).... all checks out in his yard... (here's where I think I know the answer to this entire post, but would love everyone's input)...is it 'normal' to ask him to take it out on the water? I mean, what else, far from him starting it at his home (hooked up to hose of course) can I ask of him that's not 'unreasonable'? I plan to ask him to take it out on the water so I can see it run and perform -- I wouldn't think that would be unreasonable. And once I'm out on the water...make sure instruments work, trim, etc... <br /><br />Any advice would be mucho appreciated as I respect all given here!!

 

[ZR8RIDER]

Re: Buy used - what to do on the day?!

When you get the go ahead for a test drive, set up with a marine mechanic to go with you. Pay him a couple hundred and let him go through the boat bow to stern. Best money you could ever spend on buying a used boat. Good luck. ZR

 

[vampirefish]

Re: Buy used - what to do on the day?!

Thanks... I've found a boat I'm interested in. It's a 92' i/o with 567hrs on it. Some old timer told me that if you multiply the hrs *70, you'll get a rough estimate on how many 'miles' is on an engine. If this is somewhat true, it should have approx 40k on it. Does this seem like ALOT for a used boat..? Should I just steer clear? Seems the engine is in great shape - always been winterized and dewinterized..of course have not 'seen' it yet. thanks ahead of time!

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Buy used - what to do on the day?!

Is it fwc or rwc.Makes a big difference with 567 hrs.Salt or fresh water ??I would make sure to do a compression test.As a matter of fact,I would not consider it w/o doing a comp. test.Paying a mechanic to check it out is ALWAYS money well spent.

 

[vampirefish]

Re: Buy used - what to do on the day?!

Sorry, what's fwc or rwc? It's a 5.0l Cobra AMC h.o. v8. <br /><br />Guy says never been in salt water and the previous (1st) owner had it on a lake (lifted out of water when not using). <br /><br />It just got back yesterday from dewinterizing/yearly maintenance (he was then able to tell me the hrs on it). Does dewinterizing/yr maint include compression check? I should ask to see the paperwork to see if there are any results of the testing...

 

[vampirefish]

Re: Buy used - what to do on the day?!

Sorry, that's OMC

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Buy used - what to do on the day?!

FWC means fresh water cooled which would make it work more like a car engine as far as the use of antifreeze cooling the block.These motors generally last longer.RWC is raw water cooled which means whatever your boat is floating in ,is what cools the motor.If it is in salt water ,the life of the motor is usually shortened because of what salt does to metal combined with heat.A compression check is not part of any maintenance including spring comissioning.I feel it is absolutely essential because it will tell you the condition of the heart of the motor .

 

[tommays]

Re: Buy used - what to do on the day?!

You really dont want to go down the OMC road when theres so many used boats with drivelines that are still made <br /><br />there out of business which makes the parts and service thing a PITA<br /><br />tommays

 

[vampirefish]

Re: Buy used - what to do on the day?!

So OMC's aren't made anymore?

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: Buy used - what to do on the day?!

As an OMC Cobra owner, sorry but that's bull. There are many OMC owners out there and still many parts available and so they will continue to be as long as there are owners. I have a fellow that works on OMC and stock piled used OMC stringers and cobra drives in my area and know of a good place to buy new OMC drive parts (TC Electonics). BRP is also still supplying parts for OMC drives as well. I'm set for life! <br /><br />However, do make sure you get it for cheaper than if it was a Merc or Volvo drive. It will cost you more to sevice the drive for gears and clutch dogs whenever they come due.

 

[glasply1]

Re: Buy used - what to do on the day?!

In your area I would be surprised if it was never in salt water. Someone would have missed some terrific boating opportunities if they never took it in the Sound around Port Orchard. (Poulsbo, Port Orchard, etc.) I would definitely prefer fresh water cooling for any boat that was or will be in salt water.

 

[jch7450]

Re: Buy used - what to do on the day?!

I love my COBRA

 

[vampirefish]

Re: Buy used - what to do on the day?!

Hey, how can I tell if the engine is FWC or RWC? Went to see this boat last night and the guy didn't know...he thought it was RWC... So is there an easy way I can tell when I go to see other boats? thanks!

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: Buy used - what to do on the day?!

If it's FWC it has one of these:<br /><br /> http://i-netmarine.com/he/heat_exchanger__mercruiser_305.htm

 

[Solittle]

Re: Buy used - what to do on the day?!

If that engine has the original exhaust manifolds and risers on it you can plan or replacing them whether it is fwc or swc. The rig is 14 years old.<br /><br />I also suggest that you go to the I/O section & use the red search at the top of the page entering OMC as a search argument. OMC I/Os are controversial.

 

[vampirefish]

Re: Buy used - what to do on the day?!

Thanks for all of the info, everyone. I think I'm going to steer clear of this boat. It's really beautiful...but I don't want to be dealing with an engine (as described in the replies) like that.

 

[Belchy]

Re: Buy used - what to do on the day?!

I will add a little bit of input here as well, regarding OMC, I am on my second boat with the OMC Cobra drive and have absolutley no trouble with it. The first OMC Cobra I had was a 1991 4.3L bought brand new and sold with over 1300 hours on the meter still running strong. This boat I got now I bought used with a 1992 drive and have only had to replace the impeller in it to date. Maybe I am running on luck, but other than stiff shifting I can't complain about the Cobra. I love it!!<br /><br />If the boat is in good shape, consider getting a marine survey. They are kinda pricy but definilty worth the money.<br /><br />Belchy

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Buy used - what to do on the day?!

I like my OMC Cobra. It is not unreasonable to ask the seller to give you a test run.<br />The compression test is a must.It will be money well spent. When i bought mine it sounded fine running on the trailer but i later found out the head gaskets were bad.I'm lucky it was just the gaskets..just the labor was 500 bucks to replace them..So spend a few bucks and have it checked out.