Potential new VIP VANTAGE owner

[socials2000]

Hi all,

I have been browsing your sight trying to get some back ground info on a boat that i may be purchasing. The Boat has obviously been imported here (Scotland) and is a 1991 Vantage. From the pictures she looks to be in not bad condition. The bad points that are mentioned are that the engine is sluggish on turnover since the starter motor was replaced. The engine is a 3.0l Cobra/OMC. Other problems listed are a spongy floor, they reckon it just needs bracing and not replaceing. I am somewhat new to the boat world and could do with some advice so i dont jump get my back end ripped off by jaws...excuse the pun.

Could some of you experianced and indeed new owners of VIP's please give some advice of what I should ne looking for on this specific model.

Any help is appreciated

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Potential new VIP VANTAGE owner

OMC went out of business years ago and parts and service for OMC sterndrives is getting scarce. A spongy floor is usually an indicator of more serious rot below in the stringers. Unless the boat is near free and you're up for a large project, I'd pass on this one.

 

[socials2000]

Re: Potential new VIP VANTAGE owner

Thanks for the info, as an aircraft engineer I am not adverse to a bit of stringer work but this sounds like it could be a bit of trouble. Below is the advert details....not great but all he has up:

THIS IS A VANTAGE VIP 1991 MODEL IT IS A VERY POWERFUL BOAT AS IT HAS THE 3LTR OMC COBRA ENGINE. WITH A LITTLE TLC THIS BOAT WILL BE BACK TO ITS FORMER GLORY. IT HAS BEEN STOOD UP FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS WITH ONLY ONE TRIAL BEGINING OF THIS YEAR WHEN THE ENGINE WAS UP AND RUNNING AGAIN. THE ENGINE IS GOOD BUT THE STARTER MOTOR HAS FAILED. I HAVE HAD THIS REPLACED LOCALLY BUT THE STARTER MOTOR IS VERY SMALL AND IN MY OPINION IT IS VERY SMALL AND IS UNDER POWERED AND DOES NOT SEEM TO BE TURNING THE ENGINE OVER THE WAY IT SHOULD. THE FLOORS IN THE BOAT ARE A BIT SPONGY IN AREAS THESE DO NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED BUT MERELY A COUPLE OF BRACER'S PUT IN. THE CARPETS AND THE INTERIOR COULD BE DOING WITH A CLEAN IT IS NOT TOO DIRTY BUT IS VERY SERVICEABLE THERE IS SLIGHT CRACKING TO THE TOPS OF THE SEATS. THERE IS A BRAND NEW STAINLESS STEEL PROPELLER A BAG CONTAINING SKI'S DINGY AND DONUGHT AND LIFE JACKETS. IF YOU WISH TO VIEW THE BOATBEFORE END OF AUCTION OR HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE CALL ME ON 07946253819 AS I CAN GET TO THE COMPUTER ALL THE TIME.

Again thanks for the info.....seems I have alot of thinkin to do as the boat is in auction and currently at ?1350 inc trailer.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Potential new VIP VANTAGE owner

Absolutely no way I would TOUCH that boat for more than a few hundred bucks. The only thing there that could possibly of value is the trailer. A rotted boat with a non-running motor you can't get parts for.

 

[javsam]

Re: Potential new VIP VANTAGE owner

Yes, walk away from that deal.Way to much money, for such a problem boat.