What to look for when buying used

[87rocket455]

I am looking at buying a 1991 19' Centra Cuddy cabin with a Merc3.0L alpha 1 outdrive. My question is what are some things that i can inspect to make sure i am not getting ripped off. Obviously i am going to run it outside with muffs. Other than running what can i check. look for?


Much Thanks,
Darrell

 

[mkast]

Re: What to look for when buying used

Have a survey done.

 

[87rocket455]

Re: What to look for when buying used

OK thanks... lets say i don't have access to get a survey done.

 

[mkast]

Re: What to look for when buying used

Then you have to suffer with what you get.
Your question is too general to answer.

 

[tarheelebbtide]

Re: What to look for when buying used

Don't just run it on the muffs...put it on the water for about an hour.

 

[leoo24]

Re: What to look for when buying used

i've read that you should do two things, take it on the water for a run and run a compression test on the cylinders, the compression test being the most important

 

[87rocket455]

Re: What to look for when buying used

mkast thanks for the help. I will be sure to suffer.

Bubba great info just what i was looking for. I will try and get through most while wearing my Sucker Shirt.

 

[tmh]

Re: What to look for when buying used

Well, that was a pretty good list! I assume you're in the $3-4k range on that boat so maybe a full formal survey is overkill....but SOMEONE needs to check out the boat and the engine.

However, before you waste your time, get two or three fat friends and go for a test drive. I'd bet you find out that boat is way underpowered. Older boats like that were often built heavier than today and that 3.0L engine is likely not quite what it was when new (at best). It will either be a pig out of the hole or very slow on the top end (or both), depending on what prop is on it.

Skip the test drive and you'll forever wish you hadn't.

Now, if you just wnat to put around and don't care about skiing, tubing, etc. then maybe it's OK.

 

[87rocket455]

Re: What to look for when buying used

tmh i am assuming the boat may be a bit underpowered, but you are correct looking in the 3-5k range and getting a survey done is a little overkill.
I will be sure to give her a proper test.

Thanks

 

[jedi1485]

Re: What to look for when buying used

I was looking at a 1994 Centra 210CC. I agree it's not a high end boat but it is worth the money to have it checked out. I took the boat for a water test and it ran like a champ. Then I took it to a professional to have the mechanics looked over thoroughly. It turned out the boat had 2 cracks in the engine block and the transom was rotting severely. The point I am trying to make is the people who check boats are professionals (dont let you friend who "knows boats" do this). A good mechanic will tell you things to look for and any areas that may become a problem down the road. In my case the mechanics even felt bad for me because of how excited I was to get a boat and only charged me $50.00.

Do yourself a favor...Have the boat checked by a professional or run the risk you are going to end up with a bucket of bolts and a money pit!

Thx to D&D Marine for saving me what could have been a butt load of money!

 

[williegilligan]

Re: What to look for when buying used

Dont make the same mistake a lot of people do.

MAKE SURE THE TRANSOM IS NOT ROTTED OUT.

Some owners try to hide this with seats and engine covers.

Good Luck!

 

[chiefalen]

Re: What to look for when buying used

17 year old boat. Any records on what and when things where replaced?

Salt water used or fresh water used boat big, big difference.

If used in fresh water only big plus.

If used in salt water a BIG minus.