Need some help -1999 VIP

[StopShort]

I've been looking for a VIP and found one somewhat close to me. Here is the CL ad:

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/boa/1749813343.html

The owner sent me some additional photos. There's something that looks like corrosion on the outdrive that has me somewhat nervous. Before I drive three hours to look at the boat can someone please help with identifying what this could be?

 

[jelli]

Re: Need some help -1999 VIP

i dont know alot but to me looks like salt water corrosian ond if he didt rinse it off i bet he never flushed it id be warry

 

[texomatom]

Re: Need some help -1999 VIP

Probably spent some time on Lake Texoma. My outdrive on my '98 Valiant looks very similar. In my case, it's the brackish Texoma water evaporating on the drive sue to heat. I haven't been concerned enough to scrub it off (but reading here it seems I could do so if I chose to).
Edited to add:
If that's truly a 220HP engine, it should be the fuel injected model. That's about a $1200 upgrade (the tabdem trailer is also an upgrade). I'd be real leary about the "easy fix" steering problem though. I'd spring for a good survey and make any offer based on the results.

HTH

Tom

 

[Subliminal]

Re: Need some help -1999 VIP

I'd ask yourself:

How good of a DIY guy are you OR how much are you willing to spend at a repair shop in the near future?

If the answer to the first one is yes, or the second one is as much as it takes, I'd say go for it...if thats what you're looking for!

 

[StopShort]

Re: Need some help -1999 VIP

Thanks for all of the help. It looks like the price is well below book value and that always concerns me.

Never owning an I/O I'm not sure what could cause the steering problem. Could the outdrive being bent(?) contribute to the problem?

Here is another picture. There are some oil spots on the driveway under the motor. I'm not sure if they are from the boat or another vehicle that was parked there.

 

[RL Gman]

Re: Need some help -1999 VIP

Dont know what the steering problem could be. That would be my biggest concern. Thats a lot of boat for that money!

Like someone else said, if that's the 6 cyl, then it has to be fuel injected, that would be nice. The trailer it's sitting on is probably worth 2 grand.

You could put an entire new oudrive on that for 1200 bucks and still be under 6k...

Looks like a deal if that engine was taken care of. And I'm pretty sure that model has power steering, so I dont know what the problem could be there. I mean, hitting a rock should damage other parts of that outdrive before it would effect the steering (I would think).

Oh yeah, one last thing, I dont like to see the words "shattered fiberglass" next to each other, but he does mention it is on the gel coat? Could be easy to repair.

 

[RL Gman]

Re: Need some help -1999 VIP

Oh yeah, and that fin isnt helping the steering...what a waste...

If I had that boat, I'd drop the fin, and put tabs on it...probably smart tabs if you're looking at budget.

 

[StopShort]

Re: Need some help -1999 VIP

Looks like an easy fix????

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Need some help -1999 VIP

That fix doesn't look too bad to do. And definitely dump that stupid fin! I agree that thing is at least half of the steering problem. Is the skeg bent? The steering could also be something as simple as a weight balance problem. Trim tabs baby! They fix a lot of evils!

 

[HAV2FISH]

Re: Need some help -1999 VIP

Looks to me like part of the skeg is missing (hard to tell). If thats the case it would cause some steering problems.

 

[RL Gman]

Re: Need some help -1999 VIP

That fix doesn't look too bad to do. And definitely dump that stupid fin! I agree that thing is at least half of the steering problem. Is the skeg bent? The steering could also be something as simple as a weight balance problem. Trim tabs baby! They fix a lot of evils!

+1 I'm in full agreement with dockwrecker.

2 other things I would consider if you did pick up the boat.

1. I would see if he'll let you de-winterize and take for a spin...shouldnt be too much work to do that.

2. I wouldnt want to bring it home and take it out on the water...I would spend some time doing all the maintanence that you are not sure has been done. He does mention that he doesnt know anything about boats...so I would do the following at a minimum...

Check bellows
Change engine oil
Change water pump (full kit)
Change lower unit lube
Lube gimble
Check all other oils (power steering, trim, greese steering (might fix the problem as well...))

All of these things can easily be DIY. And everything mentioned here has several threads already complete that give it pretty much a step by step, not to mention the manuals are free to DL.

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Need some help -1999 VIP

The fact that he put that stupid fin on there confirms the prior owner knows nothing about boats. And that fin! (get the feeling I'm not fond of the fin?)

 

[RL Gman]

Re: Need some help -1999 VIP

(get the feeling I'm not fond of the fin?)

Nope, haven't gotten that feeling yet...

 

[StopShort]

Re: Need some help -1999 VIP

Finally spoke with the owner. She purchased the boat last year for 10k and figured out after a few outings that they weren't "boat people". The prop damage was due to hitting some rocks "after they had ran out of gas" and they were towed in by a jet ski. She said after they they had the prop reworked it wouldn't steer right and she was scared to drive it. The skeg is definitely broken as there's only a small piece of it left. They need to sell it quick as they are moving in a month. Vinyl needs some work but i could live with it for a season or two while i work out the kinks. I think I'll drive over in the morning and see what kind of deal we can work.

As I already mentioned, I have never owned a I/O. Can you do a compression check even though it is currently winterized?

 

[RL Gman]

Re: Need some help -1999 VIP

As I already mentioned, I have never owned a I/O. Can you do a compression check even though it is currently winterized?

Yes, but you're probably good if it was properly winterized and the man's look good (granted cant tell from looking). Yes, CT would be good to do and possible.

btw, that's good news that they ran out of gas and hit the rocks, that means they weren't making way, so it probably didnt hit that hard.

Not having much of the skeg is DEFINITELY the problem with steering. The prop is torquing the steering. And fixing the skeg should be no problem at all...sounds like you found a good deal...