Going to look at a boat this weekend... It might turn in to my first one!!!

[jolio55]

Well, I am going to look at a 1979 Citation VC-210 this Saturday!!! This, if I get it, will be my first boat! It's got a 350 Chevy motor and a Volvo 280 outdrive with only 400 hours on the setup. I am very excited and wanted to share the news with my friends on iBoats!!!

Any comments, advice, or input welcomed!!

 

[ziggy]

Re: Going to look at a boat this weekend... It might turn in to my first one!!!

a very worthy adventure you getting ready to embark on.

Any comments, advice, or input welcomed!!

never believe the seller... find proof of what they tell you...

look very close for wood rot. any boat can have the best engine and drive there is, but if the boat isn't sound. the engine/drive make no difference...

never buy a boat w/o a sea trial...

 

[possum2082]

Re: Going to look at a boat this weekend... It might turn in to my first one!!!

make sure you band on that transom and the stringers checking for the dreaded THUD.

don't be afraid to ask the owner questions that would make you seemingly look stupid. who cares, right?

check for water in the outdrive.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Going to look at a boat this weekend... It might turn in to my first one!!!

Sounds like it could be a good one. As mentioned, your BIGGEST concern is rot in the transom, stringers, or deck. ANY soft spots in the deck could be indicative of more serious problems below. Rot is fixable but it's a major job and the materials aren't exactly cheap.

 

[bear_69cuda]

Re: Going to look at a boat this weekend... It might turn in to my first one!!!

Get a marine survey before you purchase...

http://www.marinesurvey.org/

 

[produceguy]

Re: Going to look at a boat this weekend... It might turn in to my first one!!!

Any comments, advice, or input welcomed!!

jolio55,are their any good lakes in Tucson or do you plan to drive to the AJ area,take a good look at the trailer.
Does it come with a trailer?
Yes, make sure you do a sea trial before you buy it.

 

[jolio55]

Re: Going to look at a boat this weekend... It might turn in to my first one!!!

So...the Citation didn't pan out, the guy didn't have the title to the trailer.... I did go look at a 1986 Four Winns Horizon 190 though!! The Horizon looked good overall. It had a OMC motor and outdrive with only 300hrs on it, the interior was okay, one seat needs recovering along with the motor cover, other than that the interior was clean. Exterior did have some dock rash along with some minimal oxidation. One area of concern was a 6"x6" soft spot in the floor in front of the motor cover.... the bilge area was clean and solid and the ski hold inside appeared free of deterioration... Any ideas of how to repair this area??

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Going to look at a boat this weekend... It might turn in to my first one!!!

Run like hell! Soft floor and OMC means moneypit! Keep looking!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Going to look at a boat this weekend... It might turn in to my first one!!!

I would not buy a boat with an OMC and that soft spot spells big trouble.

 

[rickryder]

Re: Going to look at a boat this weekend... It might turn in to my first one!!!

Look at my resto thread and you will see what a small soft spot repair turns into on a Four Winns......

 

[Kevin_971]

Re: Going to look at a boat this weekend... It might turn in to my first one!!!

The best way to be as sure as possible you will not bye the last boat of your life is to contact a professional. I know for example that Quality power and Sail is a serious company... Try to contact them, they gonna give you a solution!
Anyway, do not bye a "piece of ***" if you do not want to be disgusted by boats for your whole life!

 

[Rellik546]

Re: Going to look at a boat this weekend... It might turn in to my first one!!!

also look for dry rot on the trailer tires and dont forget to one over the trailer. the last thing you want is to be haulin ur nice boat assuming everything is in good condition and having a tire blow out. also replace the wheel bears and racers(if scorn or have grooves) who knows how well they were maintained and they are cheap enough.