Buying a boat in storage?

[Hvymtl]

I'm looking at a one owner 1995 Genesis 21ft open bow with a 4.3 merc cruiser (205hp) that a friend has for sale. They bought it new in 1996 and it has been in building/barn storage the last 4 years. Is there anything historically or out of the ordinary that can go wrong with the 4.3 engine sitting that long?? . Boat was winterized before it was put away and had no issues according to my friend. Boat and trailer are in very good condition (no upolstory tears or gel-coat dings) ....and the price is $1600.00. This will be a buy as it sits get it at this price......


Would youy buy or pass?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Buying a boat in storage?

Sounds like it could be a nice deal. Check all the rubber parts (bellows, hoses, etc) carefully.

 

[Philster]

Re: Buying a boat in storage?

If you a store a nice boat properly, when unwrapped it is probably a nice boat. When you store a pile of junk properly, it's probably still a pile of junk!

Nothing inherently wrong with the process of storing something. Change fluids (and I'd change every piece of rubber on it) and take it from there.

The fuel that was left is the big issue. At that age, if you run it and it was varnishing over or has ethanol-related issues, you can cause much grief. Get it out.

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: Buying a boat in storage?

!600.00 is a rip off.... Give me the guys phone number so I can call and tell him so...

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: Buying a boat in storage?

Do a compression check to make sure the cylinders are equal(before you buy. Although, a friend "should be" straight up with you on the running condition). You can smell the gas and tell if it's bad instantly. More than likely it is, it will smell like varnish. If it's carbed, rebuild it.

 

[Prophammer]

Re: Buying a boat in storage?

will they let you try it out?

 

[Hvymtl]

Re: Buying a boat in storage?

will they let you try it out?

Part of the deal for that price is for me to take it as is they don't want to mess with it at all or pay storage after this month. I've know this couple for 10years..have no reason to believe they would lie to me about the previous condition HOWEVER, boat has been sitting for 4 years and a lot off stuff can corrode, dry out, or just go bad. I appreciate the inputs from everyone..... because at $1600 it sounds good, but if the block is cracked cause it wasn't winterized right..then the price is not so good.

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: Buying a boat in storage?

because at $1600 it sounds good, but if the block is cracked cause it wasn't winterized right..then the price is not so good.

Exactly. You can still do a compression test w/o moving the boat. Just need to spin it over. There could be an issue that your friends aren't even aware of....

 

[Hvymtl]

Re: Buying a boat in storage?

Nothing inherently wrong with the process of storing something. Change fluids (and I'd change every piece of rubber on it) and take it from there.

I'm new to this engine and the Alpha 1 outdrive (assume its Alpha 1 in a 1995 boat). What parts would you recommend replacing right off the bat?

 

[nitwhit]

Re: Buying a boat in storage?

I'm new to this engine and the Alpha 1 outdrive (assume its Alpha 1 in a 1995 boat). What parts would you recommend replacing right off the bat?

I'd drain and replace gas and any fuel filters as others have stated. Will probably need a carb rebuild after sitting for so long too if it's carbed. Fuel pump may also be suspect if it had ethanol gas in it. Pull the plugs and lubricate the cylinders before turning the motor over. Pull the drive and check/grease gimbal & ujoints. Replace impeller and bellows.

 

[Philster]

Re: Buying a boat in storage?

I'm new to this engine and the Alpha 1 outdrive (assume its Alpha 1 in a 1995 boat). What parts would you recommend replacing right off the bat?

Hit list: Fuel, belts, hoses

For consideration: The bellows (which prevent sea water from entering where drive parts enter/exit the transom).

Suspect: Carb

 

[jkust]

Re: Buying a boat in storage?

Since you posted this topic twice but with much more detail this time, I can answer with a little more insite. If the engine is not cracked and the compression test comes out acceptable...buy it. Everything else engine and outdrive related that could be suspect isn't that bad to replace just as preventative maintainance. Barn finds from an original owner in excellent shape just don't come that often. $1,600 is a rounding error in the checkbook so to think you can buy an excellent shape boat sounds to me like a buy.

 

[Maclin]

Re: Buying a boat in storage?

If I was the owner and the boat really had no issues then it just seems like more fun to ME if I just got the boat out of storage and had a weekend or two with it then sell it. Seems odd to me that they want to sell it that bad right now without even wanting to take the cover off so to speak.

Now for the reality of their offer, even with a cracked block the $1600 may not be too out of line if the boat is in really nice shape everywhere else, like solid floor, like-new interior, shiny gelcoat, shiny trailer, etc.

They will have forgotten everything bad about it by now so buy at your risk, be ready to have to spend almost the purchase amount again in maintenance and repairs. So, $3200 for a really nice boat, and I mean the intererior has to scream PRISTINE, is still not too bad. And who knows, maybe it is all ok "as is" right now.

 

[hostage]

Re: Buying a boat in storage?

I was looking at boats in that size and powerplant for about $4,500 a couple years ago in Upstate NY. If you can test drive it and it runs great, then it is a steal. Check for any soft spots on the deck.

 

[Hvymtl]

Re: Buying a boat in storage?

Seems odd to me that they want to sell it that bad right now without even wanting to take the cover off so to speak.

The owner has had some health issues and the kids are grown and gone and he's told his wife to sell it. She causually mentioned it to me during a social last week and I thought the price is very right if there is nothing majorly wrong besides replacing fuel, hoses, and other rubber parts, plus some elbow grease to clean off the upolstery. Boat is in very nice shape inside and out - dirty from storage, but nice. Just didn't know if there were any quirks with the 4.3 that would cause major problems form sitting 4 years (from the responses I guess not). Thanks for all the replies and help

 

[Lowe170]

Re: Buying a boat in storage?

Maybe mention all the potential maintenance things you've read in this thread and try to work the stated asking price down a few more hundred? Good luck, sounds like a pretty good deal to me...

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Buying a boat in storage?

here's my take:
it's an as-is where-is deal and that's why it's cheap,. the risk and reward is passed along to you. Nothing surprising about this type of seller not wanting to get more $, take it out, mess with starting, mess with test drive, or give any warranty--in this case it is not a sign that something is amiss.

The most important question for you: how much would you spend, and how much can you afford, for this type of boat, similar age, in good runnnig condition? let's say that number is $4,600. Buy this boat and without looking put $3000 into it--replace the rubbers, get a pro to start it and purge the tank, get trailer tires. First get the mechanic to evaluate if there is a major problem. OK hopefully it won't be $3000 but that's the concept.

Don't turn it over unless you disconnect the fuel line.

So grab it and go--unless $1,600 is your budget.

 

[choppywaters]

Re: Buying a boat in storage?

I would say at 1600.00 your getting a steal so even if you had to spend a couple grand your still ahead. Things I looked for was any obvious things, cracks/big chips in the gel coat, spider cracks can be normal (ours had a few). One of the biggest things would be the motor and with 4 year old fuel in there I don't know if I would even fire it up. Things we found AFTER we bought our "turn key boat" when it went to a local dealer was the fuel lines were starting to deteriorate and the dealer replaced lines, filters and installed a fuel/water separating filter system, the trim pump had water in it so they flushed that all out and had to put a new block of some type on b/c the other one broke while trying to remove the trim pump lines. I guess in short if it were me, I would expect to spend a couple grand to make it a reliable boat.

 

[Maclin]

Re: Buying a boat in storage?

the owner has had some health issues and the kids are grown and gone and he's told his wife to sell it. She causually mentioned it to me during a social last week and i thought the price is very right if there is nothing majorly wrong besides replacing fuel, hoses, and other rubber parts, plus some elbow grease to clean off the upolstery. Boat is in very nice shape inside and out - dirty from storage, but nice. Just didn't know if there were any quirks with the 4.3 that would cause major problems form sitting 4 years (from the responses i guess not). Thanks for all the replies and help

buy it

 

[halfmoa]

Re: Buying a boat in storage?

Hit list: Fuel, belts, hoses

For consideration: The bellows (which prevent sea water from entering where drive parts enter/exit the transom).

Suspect: Carb

I'd like to add...

Hit list: engine oil, outdrive lube,

Consideration: Trailer tires and wheel bearings

Suspect: trailer wiring and lighting (it's almost always screwed up after even one winter)

Will definately need replaced: impeller, flares, battery

Hidden costs: trailer registration, boat registration, insurance

Does it come with life jackets? Anchor? Lines (rope)? Is there mouse damage? Do you own a vehicle that will safely pull it? All these things add up so keep that in mind and keep us up to date with your decision!