Considering this boat, worth it?

[bpmcl00]

Hello everybody.

so my buddy has bowrider for sale its a 94 dixie v 19 with an I/O mercruiser 4.3 alpha one drive. he bought it the beginning of this season and now wants to sell it. the interrion is a little trashed, but he only wants 1000$ for it.

i have taken it out twice in the past week to cruise to make sure noting major is wrong. the motor boggs a little when you feed large amounts of gas at a time. and requires started fluid to start it if it has sat for more then 24 hours. and there is a soft spot on the floor. he said the bogging is only because the boat needs a tune up, and oil change. which he hasnt done since he bought the boat.


from the sounds is 1000 a good deal for the boat. also if i buy it i will attempt to winterize it myself. minus taking the drive off

 

[BigJ08]

Re: Considering this boat, worth it?

I'm no expert but it sounds like the carb needs work. If you have to fix the floor too, I'd try to talk him down from the $1000 price tag.

 

[ne7800]

Re: Considering this boat, worth it?

a $1000 dosen't sound like that bad of a price but................. the question is are you prepared to do a little work? using starting fluid is not the answer need to do a tune up and probably a carb kit. the soft spot on the floor should be fixed but if you can store the boat inside you probably have some time before it becomes a problem to fix it your going to have to pull the interior remove the rotten flooring check for wet foam and bad stringers and glass in the repaird area

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Considering this boat, worth it?

Remember a soft floor is usually a sign of more rot underneath.
So if you are prepared to do a bunch of work,replacing the stringers,transom and floor then its worth it to you.
You can add another couple thousand very fast if you want to fix it right.

 

[bpmcl00]

Re: Considering this boat, worth it?

im deffinetly prepared to do some work. my only question is how much money am i looking at investing and how can i tell that its only the carb and nothing major. also if i winterize it now, really do i have any insurance that the boat will run in the spring ???
As i mentioned earlier i took it out twice, and had to spray a little starter fluid to get it to crank both times . but after the motor warmed, i had no issues. trim is very smooth and boat took on no water the whole time i was out. motor idles at 1500 RPM. which seems a little high. also when i gas it very quickly it boggs just for a second before picking up.

i figure its some some carb cleaning, but the boat tops out around 45mph, i ran it wide open for a while around the lake (allatona) and it seemed okay.

im no mechanic. but it seems most of the stuff i can do myself. so i figured why not spend 1000 and get a decent boat for the spring

 

[mthieme]

Re: Considering this boat, worth it?

With the little bit of info given, it doesn't sound like it has been taken care of very well. You already know it needs a floor, interior, tune-up, and carb rebuilt. You're easily at $2K doing the work yourself and going cheap. Personally, I would pass on it, but then I have enough projects on my plate.

 

[ne7800]

Re: Considering this boat, worth it?

i would say just plan on doing a tune up and carb kit in the spring before you put in the water then i see no reason why it shouldn't run, and if it dosen't all you have to do is come in here and ask for help there are a bunch of great people in here that are very willing to help

 

[BigJ08]

Re: Considering this boat, worth it?

I agree with these guys about the time and $ that is going to be needed to get the boat right, and no I don't think you have any insurance that it will run right in the spring because unseen problems can arise quickly. Unless you really want it and can talk him down, pass.

 

[bpmcl00]

Re: Considering this boat, worth it?

i partially pulled the flooring up. most is okay accept at seems and one soft spot in the rear. i have a friend who is willing to help with the flooring. my question is how much of a prioroty is the flooring??

also how do you guys feel about the product SEAFOAM ?

if i buy the boat i plan on addind stabilizer. changing oil and drive oil fogging engine and draining/anti freeze. then storing it until cold goes through. thats it for the engine. and maybe tinkering with the floor.

i just hope nothing goes stale in over the winter leaving me with a motor issue in the spring.

 

[lkbum]

Re: Considering this boat, worth it?

You say you are in Marietta, if I were you I'd take a glance at craigs list (www.craigslist.com) for the Atlanta area. It is currently LOADED with boats for sale..

 

[bpmcl00]

Re: Considering this boat, worth it?

You say you are in Marietta, if I were you I'd take a glance at craigs list (www.craigslist.com) for the Atlanta area. It is currently LOADED with boats for sale..

thanks mate. i have deff. been keeping my eye on craigslist.

 

[BigJ08]

Re: Considering this boat, worth it?

I'd say having a solid floor is a pretty big priority, you also have all winter to do it. I currently use seafoam in my outboard as the carbs like to clog easily, it seems to do a decent job (dump a little in with every fill up).

 

[ne7800]

Re: Considering this boat, worth it?

i partially pulled the flooring up. most is okay accept at seems and one soft spot in the rear. i have a friend who is willing to help with the flooring. my question is how much of a prioroty is the flooring??

if it isn't a huge area you could probably go a few years with out touching it but be warned if it is spongy then water can get in there and create more problems

 

[bpmcl00]

Re: Considering this boat, worth it?

yes is is a little spoongy. but only at one spot in the rear. and i beleive it shoud be a somewhat easy fix..
as far as the starting issue. im sure some new plugs and a fuel induction service should have her running good. i figure 1000 dollars and a little work can bring about a decent boat.

How is the company Dixie?? what does their reputation look like?? i know they are no longer producing.

 

[ne7800]

Re: Considering this boat, worth it?

well i personaly have never heard of them but that doesn't mean anything i do know that the 4.3 mercruiser is a good motor

 

[bpmcl00]

Re: Considering this boat, worth it?

sweet i think i will go ahead and get the boat. and also try to talk him down on price.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Considering this boat, worth it?

There are many Dixie boats around the Southeast. Overall the ones i have seen looked to be a fairly well built boat.

The biggest thing is to get it winterized.
I carb rebuild and a complete tune up in the spring and it will probably run ok.
It should idle at about 650...That points even more to a carb problem and the choke not working.
Shifting into gear at 1000 rpms is very hard on the drive.

Those carbs are not hard to rebuild if you have mechanical skills.
Or you can exchange it for a rebuilt here,
http://www.flyingfishcarburetors.com/lookuptable.htm

 

[bpmcl00]

Re: Considering this boat, worth it?

There are many Dixie boats around the Southeast. Overall the ones i have seen looked to be a fairly well built boat.

The biggest thing is to get it winterized.
I carb rebuild and a complete tune up in the spring and it will probably run ok.
It should idle at about 650...That points even more to a carb problem and the choke not working.
Shifting into gear at 1000 rpms is very hard on the drive.

Those carbs are not hard to rebuild if you have mechanical skills.
Or you can exchange it for a rebuilt here,
http://www.flyingfishcarburetors.com/lookuptable.htm

glad to hear about the dixie's, what kind of price am i looking at for a tune up and carb rebuild?? any guestimate would help..

 

[ne7800]

Re: Considering this boat, worth it?

glad to hear about the dixie's, what kind of price am i looking at for a tune up and carb rebuild?? any guestimate would help..

if your doing it your self should be able to do it all for under $250

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Considering this boat, worth it?

Tell the seller the carb is bad.Offer him 800 and take the other 200 and buy a new carb..
The tune up parts you can get at Napa or order them here at Iboats..
Napa has the marine parts book to look it up.