Need advice for diy survey

[saltyfries]

Hello, I'm looking at an 18' Starcraft Holiday outboard and need some advice on how to make an assessment of its condition prior to purchase. I will do a compression test on the engine. Should I take something like a scratch awl to check the condition of the floor? Are there susceptible areas to which I should pay attention? What do I look for on the transom? Any other advice or recommended tools would be appreciated.

Thank you.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Need advice for diy survey

It really depends on your background and knowledge. I'm not sure that enough can be explained over an Internet forum.

Here is a link to a thread where someone has done some major work on a Starcraft Holiday. So, maybe by checking out that and similar threads, you may get a better idea of the guts of the boat, etc.

http://forums.iboats.com/starcraft-...project-97-finished-starcraft-sec-512522.html

 

[classiccat]

Re: Need advice for diy survey

Do you have any pictures of the boat?

on the outboard:

• compression; watching for unevenness in the compression #'s
• Lower Unit; you're watching-out for milky LU fluid (water intrusion) and large metal shards on the magnet...and if no magnet is present, in the fluid itself.
• A spark test is also a good idea as ignition parts can get pretty expensive (coils, powerpack, stator, etc.).

on the boat itself:

• check for soft floor especially around fasteners as well as the bilge...you don't need a scratch awl; just walking or pushing on the areas of concern is adequate. If I were a seller and I saw you jabbing an awl into the floor, I wouldn't be too happy :lol:
• Grab the outboard and push it in/out to see if the transom flexes...any flex = replacement.
• check for cracking in the splashwell (also a sign of a weak transom)
• check for cracked knee brace
• look for damage to the bottom of the hull where the transom skin is tied-in to the bottom (trailering mishaps).
• Check the condition of the hardware (windshield, bow/stern lights, cleats, rub-rails, transom/bow caps)...is it pitted or missing?
• check for cracking on the outermost chine (I believe some guys refer to this as the splash rail).
• crawl underneath and look for dents/hooks and potential band-aid fixes.
• check the condition of the bow keel plate
• electrical; overall condition of the wiring, functioning of lights, fuel sender, bilge pump, etc.

 

[saltyfries]

Re: Need advice for diy survey

Perfect. This is exactly what I was looking for. When you say "cracking" do you mean separation of one component from another, or actual cracking of the component itself? Never seen that before; sounds severe. Is that common?

In answer to the first question, I have strong mechanical skills, have rebuilt an outboard engine, own a machine shop. I have a boat, a 14' aluminum Lund, but this would be my first boat with a floor.

 

[classiccat]

Re: Need advice for diy survey

I'm in the process of restoring (rescuing) a '75 SS and most of what I have listed was discovered on my hull.

cracked knee brace (the flange separating from the body):


cracked splashwell:


damaged chine..this one was worn due to moronic guide-bunk setup. Watch for cracks here as well.


I didn't mention it above, but also look at the Rib ends very closely from the bottom. This damage was hidding under epoxy putty, epoxy paint and bottom paint.


If you see a bunch of band-aids especially around mid-ship, inspect closely and inquire:

 

[classiccat]

Re: Need advice for diy survey

Flex-seal is another huge red flag (see the black schmutz on the bow keel plate.


A feeble attempt at fixing 2 holes caused by corrosion.


from the inside...

 

[saltyfries]

Re: Need advice for diy survey

Wow! Lots of great information here. Thank you very much!