Need help from experienced boaters

[probeklze03]

Im looking at a 1996 citation by seapro, i have found there is not much info on this boat anywhere on the web. The guy is a neighbor that hasnt used it in the last 6 years so the engine only has 120 hrs and the interior is perfect.
he is only asking 4000.00 for it w trailer w electric winch and new axel.

Questions i have
Gas has been sitting in boat for a couple years, the boat has been kept out of sun but would you recomend draining gas or putting a gas treatment in it has about 15 gallons in tank

fiberglass apperantly is leaking under rubber strip that he tried to calk from what i know the boat is usually two sections and this tends to happen when the two pieces pull apart, he says once on plane the bilge pumps it out but when back is sitting on water he gets water intpo back compartment


any info or insight would be greatly appreciated


Thanks
keith

 

[TimBobCom]

Re: Need help from experienced boaters

$4000.00 for a boat that has been sitting for 6 years and is known to leak? I'd pass.

 

[JimKW]

Re: Need help from experienced boaters

Maybe a $1,000 as a project boat, but not $4,000 for a boat that has not been on the water for six years. And it leaks!

 

[109jb]

Re: Need help from experienced boaters

$4000.00 for a boat that has been sitting for 6 years and is known to leak? I'd pass.

Sounds like the leak is where the top cap mates to the hull under the rub rail. If this is the case it isn't a big deal.

As for the gas, drain it and run a small amount at a time in your car/lawn mower/snow blower/etc. I'd also put a double dose of sea-foam in with the fresh gas.

The motor has low time, but has been sitting. This could mean that the carburetor would need cleaning. Before I committed to buying I'd want to see if it would at least run. Since he is a neighbor, I'm guessing he wouldn't have a problem with that. Drain the gas, put some fresh into it, charge the battery, put it on the muffs and give it a shot.

Having said all that, I am of the opinion that once you get past 10 years a boats condition is the biggest factor in determining its value. You didn't give us a length or tell us what engine and drive system it has so it is impossible to tell you what a ballpark would be. Heck, you didn't even say if it is outboard powered, I/O, or what. Is it a bowrider, center console, cuddy, etc. Basically we need a lot more info before we can tell you. Pictures are always good too.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Need help from experienced boaters

Can't tell about the leak, if it's a structural crack or something else, but as far as the motor is concerned you need to remove ALL the fuel from the Entire system Before you even try to start it up. Take your time and do it right and you may save yourself some plugged carb issue, that is if they're not already plugged up and in need of cleaning. Add a fuel/water seperator and do a water pump impellar replacement also, just to be sure!

 

[109jb]

Re: Need help from experienced boaters

Maybe a $1,000 as a project boat, but not $4,000 for a boat that has not been on the water for six years. And it leaks!

It amuses me how someone an give an opinion about a boats value before even knowing simple things like how long it is, I/O or outboard, bowrider, cuddy, center console, etc.

The leak sounds like it is at the joint between the top cap and the hull. This is common and is not a big deal.

 

[probeklze03]

Re: Need help from experienced boaters

Length: 19' 6"
Model Name/Description: 196 CC ROYALE
Boat Type: Stern Drive Power Boat
Hull Material: Fiberglass
Beam: 8'
Engine: 1
135 HP
Gasoline
Net Weight: 1800

has the mercury 3.0 inboard, which i have been told is a very dependable and strong motor.
I will be starting the motor tonight, so thats why i was asking about draining or just putting treatment in gas, as far as the carb or anything in motor a motor that has been sitting is much easier to clean than repalce one in a newer boat w more hours so as far as value im not concerned about this, my main concern was on the leak

no way you would touch this for a 1000.00

 

[probeklze03]

Re: Need help from experienced boaters

Sounds like the leak is where the top cap mates to the hull under the rub rail. If this is the case it isn't a big deal.

As for the gas, drain it and run a small amount at a time in your car/lawn mower/snow blower/etc. I'd also put a double dose of sea-foam in with the fresh gas.

The motor has low time, but has been sitting. This could mean that the carburetor would need cleaning. Before I committed to buying I'd want to see if it would at least run. Since he is a neighbor, I'm guessing he wouldn't have a problem with that. Drain the gas, put some fresh into it, charge the battery, put it on the muffs and give it a shot.

Having said all that, I am of the opinion that once you get past 10 years a boats condition is the biggest factor in determining its value. You didn't give us a length or tell us what engine and drive system it has so it is impossible to tell you what a ballpark would be. Heck, you didn't even say if it is outboard powered, I/O, or what. Is it a bowrider, center console, cuddy, etc. Basically we need a lot more info before we can tell you. Pictures are always good too.

that is where the leak is located under the bumper rail where two pieces connect

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Need help from experienced boaters

A 3.0 in a >19' boat? No thanks.

 

[109jb]

Re: Need help from experienced boaters

I did a quick search and it looks like we are talking about a boat like the one in the picture below. I agree that the boat would likely be underpowered with a 3.0. If your neighbor will let you take it for a sea trial then you can judge the power for yourself. I am a bit surprised that it would have a 3.0. Are you sure it isn't a 4.3? In any event, if the boat is as you describe, then it is likely worth what he is asking. I personally would make sure it has the power available for your intended use. If it indeed does have a 3.0 and you are looking to tube or ski behind it you may be disappointed.

 

[probeklze03]

Re: Need help from experienced boaters

that is the exact boat, so everyone agrees a 135 hp would not be efficent on an 1800lb boat. the guy told me w 4 people it would CRUISE AT 35

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Need help from experienced boaters

I think it would have to be darn near WOT to be going 35 with 4 adult passengers and gear.

 

[trendsetter240]

Re: Need help from experienced boaters

Questions i have
Gas has been sitting in boat for a couple years, the boat has been kept out of sun but would you recomend draining gas or putting a gas treatment in it has about 15 gallons in tank

Do NOT run the motor on this gas. Drain the tank and refill with fresh before starting it. Untreated gas over a year old is suspect..untreated gas more than 2 years old is garbage and will almost certainly harm the motor.

 

[Pez Vela]

Re: Need help from experienced boaters

Your description of the rub rail separation and caulking suggests that the boat is literally coming apart at the seams. Why? A closer look is necessary to see if it's a simple case of minor impact damage or a more serious flaw in the boat's construction. As described, that location (well above the water line) is not likely to allow water to enter the bilge in any significant quantity, if all all. I would suspect another source for the known leak. You need to spend a number of hours with the boat in the water before you even think about buying it. You need to know why the boat is leaking, how bad it is, and what it's going to take to fix it.

 

[109jb]

Re: Need help from experienced boaters

Leaks at the rub rail are common and can simply be from a poor caulking job at the factory if the factory caulked at all. The outside flange of the boat has to be larger that the upper lip on the hull or the cap won't go on. This difference in size of the top cap and hull is covered by the rub rail. It creates a scoop that can swallow a large amount of spray given the right conditions. My Sea Ray had this problem when I boughht it. It would take on lots of water through this joint in a hard turn. I removed the rub rail and caulked the joint and no more problem.

It does warrant further investigation but does not automatically mean there is ANY impact damage or a construction flaw.

 

[trexmerc]

Re: Need help from experienced boaters

not reel exp. on boat but glass ane engines i am. do not run the gas drain dry vacuum then put fresh gas in with some sea foam, spray carb down wit carb clean and alow to evap before starting. and check for leaks on all seals and lines once running. sitting that long you might need a carb rebuild. as far as glass goes anything can be fixed the question is how to go about it, sounds like a cap to hull disbond, get some epoxy that they use on corvettes to bond back to gether. can go into more detail later if needed. 4000 a lil steep in this econo shoot for 3000. there will be more wrong than you think wit a boat sitting that long, seals like to get hard and draw up sitting like that. also trailer tires will prob have flat spots.

 

[Lou C]

Re: Need help from experienced boaters

forget it...14 year old boat....6 years sitting with the same gas...a leak that could be structural...and they want 4 K for it...the phrase "out of your mind" about sums it up...he should PAY YOU the 4K to take it....

I really have to laugh...at what people think they can sell...if you wanted to sell a boat...wouldn't you at least get the tank cleaned and get it running so the prospective buyer could test it? Asking $4K for something that most likely will not run...without a fair amount of work done...

 

[shankbri]

Re: Need help from experienced boaters

but when back is sitting on water he gets water intpo back compartment

Sounds like it might also have a bellows leak to me. Rub rail would normally be above water line when floating on water.

 

[98Shabah]

Re: Need help from experienced boaters

As the owner of an 18' 2200lb boat with that exact engine I can say that the engine size shouldn't scare you off unless you want to run around at 40mph with 4 300lb people on board. My family of 4 (kids are 9 and 3) cruise at about 25mph which is where it seems to do the best on gas., a couple extra passengers doesn't seem to make much difference. At WOT it'll hit 40mph, but we rarely run over 30. I can pull tubes, skiers, etc.

that is the exact boat, so everyone agrees a 135 hp would not be efficent on an 1800lb boat. the guy told me w 4 people it would CRUISE AT 35

 

[probeklze03]

Re: Need help from experienced boaters

forget it...14 year old boat....6 years sitting with the same gas...a leak that could be structural...and they want 4 K for it...the phrase "out of your mind" about sums it up...he should PAY YOU the 4K to take it....

I really have to laugh...at what people think they can sell...if you wanted to sell a boat...wouldn't you at least get the tank cleaned and get it running so the prospective buyer could test it? Asking $4K for something that most likely will not run...without a fair amount of work done...

well the nada guide is giving average sell value at 3,500 and this boat is def better shape than average, now i wont know about the mechanical side of it until after i drain the gas and start it up to see if everything looks to be in decent shape. to the guys defense i went to hi mabout buying ot after not seeing it move for 5 years.

the leak from what i was trying to explain is def under the bumper rail bot on that boat when it is not up on plane sits in the water, i will look more into that tonight also and try to get some pics so you guys can help me out


i appreciate all the advice and as far as the motor goes im not sure im convinced that the 4cy is a bad option cause of what im using the boat for i dnt need to go 40mph on the lake but tubing worries me about the added drag on an already undersized motor from the consensus on here