Should I buy it?

[kevinwburke]

Looking at a 2004 Glastron 175 MX. If I cannot water test the boat should I view that as a red flag? Price seems good ($3700 asking) and the pics look great. Need to determine if I should drive 2 hours if they are not open to a water test. Any suggestions appreciated.

The person said it was a repo but is in great shape. Pictures seem to back it up. he said they will start it but do not do water tests. Seems odd to me.

This is they type of boat Im looking for and would suit me (would prefer the SX model though. Should I keep looking? Getting tired of kissing frogs out there though looking for my prince of a boat.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Should I buy it?

Welcome to iboats.

What is the MX model?

What power outboard or IO

Need more info and maybe pictures?

 

[SigSaurP229]

Re: Should I buy it?

Its worth looking at. If it is in great shape you will know it when you get there. Not being able to do a water test in the middle of the winter is extremely common, honestly the thing that concerns me is that he boat hasn't been winterized. If it was a repo I would be going over everything with a fine tooth comb (if you can't afford the payments you can't afford the maintenance).

Check oil for signs of milkiness, then move on to the outdrive. If it passes then I would move on to a compression check. I would absolutely positively check for signs of rot again if you can't afford the payment you can't afford proper storage.

Seems like a decent deal otherwise.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Should I buy it?

Why are they avoiding the water test? Is there a trailer included? Seems strange

 

[SigSaurP229]

Re: Should I buy it?

Pictures would help greatly.

 

[kevinwburke]

Re: Should I buy it?

Motor is a 3.0 Volvo and Penta outdrive here are pictures.

 

[kevinwburke]

Re: Should I buy it?

And not sure why they are avoiding water test. The boat is at a Car repair type lot. The person said his father has some in with a marina where he gets boats. Has a trailer and there are some lakes nearby. That is my concern....is this a red flag? Should I insist if boat looks good?

 

[SigSaurP229]

Re: Should I buy it?

I wouldn't be afraid of it at that price.

If there is no milky oil, compression checked properly, it ran well on the muffs and the lower unit looked good.

Additionally there would have to be no signs of rot AT ALL NONE.



* I am not an i/o guy I run outboards only, so my knowledge of the power train is really limited, but from the pics it looks good.


More experienced members will chime in about the engine/ outdrive combo shortly

 

[Grub54891]

Re: Should I buy it?

Check oil for signs of milkiness, then move on to the outdrive. If it passes then I would move on to a compression check. I would absolutely positively check for signs of rot.

Them are all good things to check. The only one thats tough to do is checking for rot,if stored outside,everything wet will be frozen if the climate you are in is like where I'm at,and sound solid. You can drill holes in key areas,such as lower transom,stringers,ect,but most sellers wont let ya.
Grub
Ahh,I see the pics now,I see the florida decal, not frozen!

 

[kevinwburke]

Re: Should I buy it?

I have read that the Glastron has a fiberglass floor so less worries about rot there.

Is there anywhere on this forum that has a checklist one should go through when buying a used boat?

Thanks for all the comments.

 

[SigSaurP229]

Re: Should I buy it?

And not sure why they are avoiding water test. The boat is at a Car repair type lot. The person said his father has some in with a marina where he gets boats. Has a trailer and there are some lakes nearby. That is my concern....is this a red flag? Should I insist if boat looks good?

Not a huge concern for me. The companies insurance may not allow test rides.

Lift all of the hatches, lift the motor housing, look everywhere for rot. Bang stuff with a rubber mallet, try to flex the outdrive, look in all the little corners and under the hatches.

My concern might be that the boat was a piece of junk they put lipstick on a pig by cleaning it up and are now trying to resell it.

I wouldn't worry about the no test drive as long as everything else checks out.

In my mind it is worth the drive to go look at it.

Also make sure the boat and trailer have the proper title.

 

[SigSaurP229]

Re: Should I buy it?

I have read that the Glastron has a fiberglass floor so less worries about rot there.

Is there anywhere on this forum that has a checklist one should go through when buying a used boat?

Thanks for all the comments.

It would be a plywood floor wrapped in fiberglass. Which is the way 99.9% of fiberglass boats are built it really isn't any less of a concern but if it is rotten you will know when you start poking around.


I just gave you a really good check list.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Should I buy it?

Well I think on the surface it is a good deal.

Be advised up front....... you will find it a bit cramped (small) and if you decide to sell it I bet you make your money back at the low price you are saying.

Offer to pay for a water test out of your pocket. Tell the guy $50 for the water test and I bet that might work (If you are in an area where the weather is okay......hope you are not in VT!!)

Hmm a checklist....... yes, we could put one together.

Depending how mechanical you are depends on how deep you go.

People have mentioned things above

 

[kevinwburke]

Re: Should I buy it?

Thanks for the input. I had a Larson 176 years ago and the size was good for me. Prefer a smaller boat so I can trailer with my mid sized SUV. And we are in Florida (relocated last year from Mass) so no worries about a test ride for weather (or winterizing).

Good idea on offering the $50. I am sure they get lots of tirekickers (or bumper kickers?). Money usually talks.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Should I buy it?

How about proof of ownership and proper documentation . . . particularly if it was a repo boat. Do they have clear title to the boat? What do you need in Florida for Boat title & registration?

 

[FTB530]

Re: Should I buy it?

Would you buy a car with out a test drive??Oh wait i just bought a boat motor and trailer with out a test drive,but mine was only $700!

 

[kevinwburke]

Re: Should I buy it?

How about proof of ownership and proper documentation . . . particularly if it was a repo boat. Do they have clear title to the boat? What do you need in Florida for Boat title & registration?

Need clear title to boat and trailer...they said they have both. I guess Ill find out soon enough. I think its time to take a ride based on the input form all these good folk on the forum.

 

[SigSaurP229]

Re: Should I buy it?

Again being a repo place money may not talk, especially if their insurance won't allow it.


A Good Buyers check list.

The hull.

1. Start at the bow outside and work your way back.

Go over it from bow to stern with a fine tooth comb Are there any major knicks or gashes. Are there any splits in the fiberglass.

Look for gel coat spidering or stress cracks.

Is the gel coat or paint faded or is bright as if it has been cared for?

Is the hull straight no major dents in especially on the bottom side.

Is there barnacle build up on it anywhere?

How does the rub rail look is it mashed in anywhere (signs that a boat was owned by an inexperienced owner).

Move to the inside of the hull.

Start from bow to stern

How is the general condition of the upholstery does it look well cared for?

How solid is the floor in ALL spots if it is spongy squishy or weak in any spots walk away (unless you are looking for a project).

Lift all the hatches and look underneath are there any signs of dampness?

Poke prod and feel everything especially all of the hidden areas.

Look in the ski locker if equipped how does it look any signs of dampness or rot?

Look at the seat bases for signs of dampness and rot.

Test all of the electronics.

Make sure the bow and stern light are functioning properly.
Make sure the horn is working properly.
Make sure the bilge pump and blower are working properly.
Follow the wires do they look like they are properly connected and running through proper USCG approved fuse boxes?
Test the radio and speakers make sure they are connected and working properly.
Test the steering to make sure it functions properly and easily.

Move to the stern.

Lift all of the hatches and motor cover.

Inspect the motor mounts do they look dry and clean inspect for dampness and rot.

How does the bilge look is it clean or has someone been draining the oil into the bilge?

Are there signs of brown water stains in the bilge area?

Inspect the transom from the inside look for signs of rot.

If everything passes move on to the engine.

For an I/O

Check the oil is it milky or watery?

Look at the block and manifolds are there any visible exterior cracks?

Do the freeze plugs look intact?

Run a compression check
Are all cylinders within +/- 5% of each other?

Look at the spark plugs

Are they excessively oily?
Do they look steam cleaned?

Make sure that it is a proper marinized marine engine with a spark arrestor on the carb and fuel pump.

Inspect the shift and steering cables.

For an outboard.

Run a compression check on each cylinder.

Check the spark on each cylinder with a spark tester.

Prime the fuel system does the primer bulb get hard.

Hook water to the lower unit and follow the advice below.

For an outboard lower unit follow the same advice as below except there are no belows.


Hook water to the outdrive
Start the engine

Does it sound normal or make any ticking or knocking noises?
Does it start easily?

Make sure all of the gauges are functioning, temp, voltage, oil pressure, and trim gauge.

If the engine passes move on.

Turn the engine off and then turn the water off.

Inspect the general condition of the outdrive

Does it look beat up? Are there large chunks missing from the skeg? Is the Skeg broken?

Is there barnacle build up?

Inspect the bellows (rubber boots on the back of the boat) does it look dry rotten?

Make sure the outdrive trims up and down properly and that it stops trimming up when the limiter is reached.
Open the lower unit and sample the gear oil

Do metal shavings come out?

Is the gear oil white? (if it is that is water intrusion)

Put the gear selector in forward. Make sure that the prop only spins in forward. Like wise for reverse and neutral.

If all of this passes move on to the trailer.

What is the general overall condition of the trailer does it look maintained or is it a rust bucket?

Is it galvanized or aluminum? (some buyers have a preferance).

How do the tires look? Are they checked or spider cracked? Do they look dry rotten?

Jack up one side of the trailer does the tire spin freely without noise? Repeat for the other side

Do the brakes look functioning or are they rusted and locked?

Inspect the trailer wiring any frays or shorts obvious?

Inspect the winch strap and post does the strap look good or rotten?

Is there a safety chain for the winch post?

Inspect the lights for tail, brake, left and right turn independently.


After all of that ask yourself is the boat trailer and motor safe?


Then ask the seller an important question

DO YOU HAVE THE PROPER PAPERWORK.

Remember 90% of a boat's value is judged by the condition and maintenance.

Even if the boat is immaculate without the proper paperwork it is useless.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Should I buy it?

I know of more than 1 boat that ran great on muffs and not at all under load....

 

[limitout]

Re: Should I buy it?

great list but if you move "DO YOU HAVE THE PROPER PAPERWORK?" to number one on the list he doesn't need to continue on to do the long list of checks

a way to get further info is ask if the boat was repoed on the water or from a residence, if it was repoed on the water you can assume it was in good running order if it was still being used. if it was not then its not a bad indicator, its just saying it wasn't being used when they stole it back from the guy who wasn't paying for it.

its also safe to assume since its a repo that the guy didn't do or pay for ANY maint on it, again that's not a problem per say you just need to do everything to it as soon as you purchase it and then it will be ready so you can start enjoying it in the spring.