Might go take a look at this boat. Is it worth my time?

[coreybv]

There's a boat on CL locally that is pretty much exactly what I'm looking for, and for about the right price, and I'm thinking about going to take a look at it. But there's a catch:

"and it has a overheating issue that I haven't figured out. Recently put on a new thermostat, impeller and water pump. If not overheating, it runs great!! "

OK, if those 3 things really have been replaced, what else would be causing it to overheat? Thermostat installed upside down? Sand plugging up the water jackets?

This is a Merc 4.3 in an 88 Sea Ray Seville.

Also, that makes it sound like he's been running it even with this issue, so any offer I make will take into account the fact that I will AT LEAST yank the heads and have them planed.

Just trying to get a list together in my head of things to check for.

 

[Maclin]

Re: Might go take a look at this boat. Is it worth my time?

Perhaps they had a previous incident where the impeller came apart and pieces of it are jammed in tight spots and not allowing raw water to exit. If that happened then all the pieces need to be backflushed out or surgically removed. If that did happen then there could have been a subsequent overheating incident extreme enough to have melted rubber exhaust components like exhaust flappers. If the flappers melted then their remnants could be blocking the exhaust/raw water exit.

Could be rusted scale up exhaust manifold passages or risers, again blocking the raw water exit.

Some of this could get expensive, and you may even still have the problem if not all contributing baddies are found. Not sure what the boat price and budget is but without more history from the owner about the initial incident (which is not likely) it is hard to say what all it will take to fix not just the overheating but the collateral damage caused.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Might go take a look at this boat. Is it worth my time?

I would price it as if it had no motor

 

[coreybv]

Re: Might go take a look at this boat. Is it worth my time?

The asking price on this boat is 2K OBO, which is right at the limit of what my budget can be at this particular time. Also, with that budget, I'm 100% at peace with the fact that anything I end up with will have a "project" aspect to it to one degree or another. Obviously I would offer a good bit below asking price on a boat that's overheating.

I'm sure I'll get a better idea of what the issue is when I go look at it and talk to the guy, just trying be prepared and get some ideas in my head of what to check for, rather than trying to brainstorm ideas on the spot. Hell, could be as simple as someone forgot to put the keeper back in when the impeller was replaced.

Should probably pick up a new compression tester before I go, too. Can't seem to find mine since we moved.

 

[Maclin]

Re: Might go take a look at this boat. Is it worth my time?

CorybV, Based on that then I think it is definitely worth a look. Good luck, it may be a "find"!

 

[coreybv]

Re: Might go take a look at this boat. Is it worth my time?

Naw, thats the last boat you should bother looking at...

LOL. OK, seeing it in that context it does look like a bit of a silly question, doesn't it?

Honestly, I don't really want a "water ready" boat. I'm fairly handy with a wrench, and with my budget I really feel that I can get more boat for my money if I get one that has a few issues. (As long as they are the "right" issues. )

And overheating seems like one of those issues that has a high likelihood of being a reasonably cheap fix as long as a guy doesn't mind putting in a little elbow grease to tear things down and track down the cause.

(Yeah, famous last words... I know... )

Waiting for him to send me a few pictures, and if it doesn't look like a completely lost cause in those I'll hopefully be able to go take a peek this evening.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Might go take a look at this boat. Is it worth my time?

The asking price on this boat is 2K OBO, which is right at the limit of what my budget can be at this particular time. Also, with that budget, I'm 100% at peace with the fact that anything I end up with will have a "project" aspect to it to one degree or another. Obviously I would offer a good bit below asking price on a boat that's overheating.

I'm sure I'll get a better idea of what the issue is when I go look at it and talk to the guy, just trying be prepared and get some ideas in my head of what to check for, rather than trying to brainstorm ideas on the spot. Hell, could be as simple as someone forgot to put the keeper back in when the impeller was replaced.

Should probably pick up a new compression tester before I go, too. Can't seem to find mine since we moved.

Ayuh,.... Offer 'im, 1/2 that, then dicker up abit from there,...

Ya might end up with a decent deal, or a money-pit,...
Time'll tell....

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Might go take a look at this boat. Is it worth my time?

...

And overheating seems like one of those issues that has a high likelihood of being a reasonably cheap fix as long as a guy doesn't mind putting in a little elbow grease to tear things down and track down the cause.

(Yeah, famous last words... I know... )
...

Or it can be very expensive, and since it's a boat it will be. You know it, after all.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Might go take a look at this boat. Is it worth my time?

I you are good with engines and outdrives, you may be able to figure this out without too much hassle.

It is best if you can take it for a ride and see exactly the overheating behavior. Since the seller has already done some of the obvious things, you might want to check the intake ports on the outdrive and even pull the outdrive off to see if there are any blockages.

Take the hoses off of the thermostat hosing to check for blockage and things like that.

You could also do a cylinder leak test on the engine. It is possible that the block is full of sand. You would want to pop the core plugs out and use the pressure washer.

If you go for it, factor all this into the price as if it needs engine work.

 

[coreybv]

Re: Might go take a look at this boat. Is it worth my time?

Ya might end up with a decent deal, or a money-pit,...
Time'll tell....

Yup...

But funds are tight and I'm itching to get back on the water really bad. Gotta work with what ya got, right?

What I'm hoping for, realistically, is this:

1.) Something that's actually worth fixing up
2.) In good enough shape to get one season of boating out of.

Then when winterizing time comes around I can start tearing things apart and begin fixing things up right.

If I could find out where my Stingray is I'd just go pick her up and I'd be all set. I'm sure I'll get her back sooner or later. (LONG story behind that one...)

 

[ShellBack89]

Re: Might go take a look at this boat. Is it worth my time?

Or it can be very expensive, and since it's a boat it will be. You know it, after all.

B.O.A.T.

Bust Out Another Thousand!

 

[coreybv]

Re: Might go take a look at this boat. Is it worth my time?

Finally got some pictures. Nothing jumps out and makes me thing run away so far, although you can only tell so much from pictures.

This is nearly a twin to a buddy's boat that I've wanted to get my hands on for years. Only this one's 10 years newer, in better shape cosmetically, and it's less money than he'll let go of his for.

I need to be careful, I'm starting to REALLY want this thing, and I haven't even had a chance to give it a look face to face yet. Could still be some nasty surprises once I get there.

Going to see it in person tomorrow evening.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Might go take a look at this boat. Is it worth my time?

Or it can be very expensive, and since it's a boat it will be. You know it, after all.

Yep, anything from a faulty sending unit for the gauge up to a new motor, or anything in between.

 

[arks]

Re: Might go take a look at this boat. Is it worth my time?

Looks like a nice boat.
Listen to what they're saying Corey.
In the current market, that boat- with a known overheat problem- is worth no more than $1K if the trailer is included!
If you're lucky you might find it to be an cheap fix, but DON'T count on it.
Low-ball the guy if you want - maybe $500 cash. You never know.

I bought this 23 footer a year ago for $700. He was asking $2600. In my case, the seller couldn't get the engine to crank and accepted my low-ball.
It had some minor cosmetic issues but the engine and drive were A-OK, just a frozen starter.
The interior is close to perfect.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Might go take a look at this boat. Is it worth my time?

Yep, anything from a faulty sending unit for the gauge up to a new motor, or anything in between.

And it's a 24 year old boat. In that vintage 4.3s had those "batwing" exhaust manifolds, didn't they? Well, those aren't available anymore, so you have to replace manifolds and risers and it gets pricey.

I also like that style of cuddy cabin. There is a guy here in Peoria that has that same style boat (his is a 23', not 21') and I always thought the cuddy was a lot more useable than current (or even 90's) cuddies.

Check the floor closely, cause the cover leaks, it sounds like.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Might go take a look at this boat. Is it worth my time?

I'd be more concerned about what's lurking under the deck than the engine... the engine you can get to and look and see, below deck not so much.

 

[coreybv]

Re: Might go take a look at this boat. Is it worth my time?

Check the floor closely, cause the cover leaks, it sounds like.

Sounds like you found the ad I'm looking at.

Yep, I'll definitely be checking for rot. In fact, I'll be going over anything I consider buying with a fine tooth comb. I'm OK with the idea of buying a boat with issues, but I plan to know what those issues are and weigh them into any offer I make.

 

[oops!]

Re: Might go take a look at this boat. Is it worth my time?

I'd be more concerned about what's lurking under the deck than the engine... the engine you can get to and look and see, below deck not so much.

this is correct....

its an 88.....that is lots of tiem for the foam to soak......esp in IL.

i would start with what bondo was saying.....1k and go up from there.....if the deck is soft, chances are its a full gut restoration, never mind the overheating

 

[coreybv]

Re: Might go take a look at this boat. Is it worth my time?

Well, the overheating problem was simple to spot. Water intake hose through the bell housing was disconnected.

The floor is as solid as my concrete driveway, EXCEPT for the panel over the gas tank. Smalll amount of stringer rot visible in the starboard rear of the gas tank cavity where they are exposed. (If you've followed friscoboater's Sea Ray build, this gas tank is installed exactly the same as his. The rot is in the corner where the connections are.) Any other structure that I could put eyeballs on looked good and solid. Transom seemed solid as well. Carpet and vinyl have seen better days.

Trailer looks good, and has brakes.

Going to think it over for a few days. Think I might offer him a thousand providing a compression test comes out ok.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Might go take a look at this boat. Is it worth my time?

Going to think it over for a few days.

It'll be gone by then. It's spring and he's at least close to fairly priced.