Help and tips on checking a Boat thats for sale needed

[Big Pete]

Hi Guys

Today while in the Merc and SeaRay dealers over here getting some mercclean for the fuel, i had a nose around at some of there second hand boats they had in the yard .

Whilst most of them was 50,000 and stuff 1 nice little blue and white
SEARAY 200 Cuddy Cabin caught my eye and suited the budget better ..

Had a look over her and she is tatty on the upholstery and looks like she needs some TLC nothing major indeed something i would quite enjoy doing up etc..

The engine i was told by the sales girl runs well but has no dealer service history etc etc .. its old at 1990 and something they dont really want on there forecourt and would do a good deal to be rid as i assume it was a trade in against a newer boat ..

Its engine is a Mercruiser 4.3 V6 Alpha one with a stern drive .

I have decided to go back and have a closer look and see the engine running prior to deciding ..

So Guys , what do i watch out for to ensure i am not buying a dog of an engine or a bad boat ..

Hoping any SeaRay 200 cuddy cabin and or merc 4.3 owners could give me some pointers before i commit to buy the thing ..

 

[cpubud]

Re: Help and tips on checking a Boat thats for sale needed

start with a compression test on all cylinders.

 

[BTMCB]

Re: Help and tips on checking a Boat thats for sale needed

Can only comment on your question re the power as I have a 4.3L V6 190HP, with Alpha drive. I am very pleased with the performance. My boat, a BR, is 19' (21' LOA with platform) and weighs in dry at about 2,900lbs. With full fuel (35 gals) / typical gear at WOT (44-4600rpm) it does @ 52 mph (GPS) with just admiral and me. Cruises comfortably at about 34-3500rpm doing 35-37mph (same load). Had a FULL load this weekend (6 adults, 1 baby) - didn't open it up because of lake conditions / weight / and baby aboard but it didn't seem to work much harder to get on plane and it cruised about 30mph at 3500rpm. Hope this helps and good luck.

 

[Big Pete]

Re: Help and tips on checking a Boat thats for sale needed

start with a compression test on all cylinders.

Thats a good idea , will the dealer object hmmmmmmmmm i guess if they do then thats a warning i guess..

Can only comment on your question re the power as I have a 4.3L V6 190HP, with Alpha drive. I am very pleased with the performance. My boat, a BR, is 19' (21' LOA with platform) and weighs in dry at about 2,900lbs. With full fuel (35 gals) / typical gear at WOT (44-4600rpm) it does @ 52 mph (GPS) with just admiral and me. Cruises comfortably at about 34-3500rpm doing 35-37mph (same load). Had a FULL load this weekend (6 adults, 1 baby) - didn't open it up because of lake conditions / weight / and baby aboard but it didn't seem to work much harder to get on plane and it cruised about 30mph at 3500rpm. Hope this helps and good luck.

Thats good to know , what about reliability has it been good ? no expensive breakdowns etc, ?

 

[BTMCB]

Re: Help and tips on checking a Boat thats for sale needed

Thats a good idea , will the dealer object hmmmmmmmmm i guess if they do then thats a warning i guess..



Thats good to know , what about reliability has it been good ? no expensive breakdowns etc, ?

Not one single problem. And, if there was....I am still under warranty! Only money I have spent is on routine scheduled maintenance. BTW, I have only 87 hours on it since I bought it new last August.

 

[Stachi]

Re: Help and tips on checking a Boat thats for sale needed

as an owner of a1990 20' cuddy cabin boat , by a different manufacturer, but of the same vintage , and 'who knows' what kind of care it has seen ( tatty upholstery) pay attention to the deck , grab the gunwale and give it a good push and pull... give the transom a good push and pull and look for movement.... you may be faced with a complete tear-down to remove water logged foam , and then a stringer repair and glasswork......those older boats were built with a 'flotation' foam that actually HOLDS water....and rots everything away...anything it touches will be soaked.. wood framing , aluminum fuel tanks...etc...look for soft spots...take notice of the boat below in my signature...rebuilding deck now.....I'm guessing I removed 500 lbs of water logged 'flotation' from her bowels... I got her for free...sweat equity for me....

 

[Big Pete]

Re: Help and tips on checking a Boat thats for sale needed

as an owner of a1990 20' cuddy cabin boat , by a different manufacturer, but of the same vintage , and 'who knows' what kind of care it has seen ( tatty upholstery) pay attention to the deck , grab the gunwale and give it a good push and pull... give the transom a good push and pull and look for movement.... you may be faced with a complete tear-down to remove water logged foam , and then a stringer repair and glasswork......those older boats were built with a 'flotation' foam that actually HOLDS water....and rots everything away...anything it touches will be soaked.. wood framing , aluminum fuel tanks...etc...look for soft spots...take notice of the boat below in my signature...rebuilding deck now.....I'm guessing I removed 500 lbs of water logged 'flotation' from her bowels... I got her for free...sweat equity for me....

ok thanks for that ..

 

[Stachi]

Re: Help and tips on checking a Boat thats for sale needed

yw Pete...not so bad since I got her for free...can't imagine if I had to pay for her to start with... but then, I wouldn't have bought her ...lol...good luck bro...the right one will come along for the $ you want to spend.......don't be hasty...there is a sweetheart deal out there for you if you are patient...

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Help and tips on checking a Boat thats for sale needed

Yep, as Stachi said, rot is going to be your biggest concern. You want a solid deck and transom. ANY soft spots could (and probably are) indicative of larger problems below.