What would you look for??

[samagy16]

Gentlemen,

I am presently looking for a boat in the 20' range between the yrs mid 80's to mid 90's that needs a new engine or engine work.

I am basically looking for a boat in pretty decent shape cosmetically that simply is being sold because it needs engine/ engine work so that I can deal with that issue.

My question to you all is the following, since a sea trial is obviously out of the question, what are the Top 5 things that YOU would look for to make sure that the boat is in sea worthy shape other than engine wise?

I am not looking for a project boat, I am looking for a boat that needs few and minor things besides the engine. I am hoping to find one as described for a good deal and in the spring sometime install/ repair engine and have ready for next summer.

Thanks in advance for your responses.

 

[Hogger]

Re: What would you look for??

Where are you located?
This look right up your alley. It's just outside Seattle.


I would look for:
Dry rot.
Outdrive.
Upholstery.
Helm stuff, ie. steering, electrical, gauges,radio, etc...
Trailer condition

 

[samagy16]

Re: What would you look for??

Where are you located?
This look right up your alley. It's just outside Seattle.


I would look for:
Dry rot.
Outdrive.
Upholstery.
Helm stuff, ie. steering, electrical, gauges,radio, etc...
Trailer condition

thanks for your response.

I am in Miami Florida.

I mainly want to know what YOU would look for once you indentify the choices as they come along.

 

[captkevin]

Re: What would you look for??

Why does it have to have a bad engine?

 

[samagy16]

Re: What would you look for??

Why does it have to have a bad engine?

Great question.

It actually does not have to be. It just simply narrows down the possibility of being able to find within the scope of type, size and price of what I'm looking for.

i.e. I may find a late 80's early 90's CC of about 20' and the price difference may be a few K between the one with the good engine and the one with a bad engine. What the one with the bad engine allows me to do is to make my own choice as to engine type, HP etc and know what I actually have instead of a box full of surprises.

 

[Robbabob]

Re: What would you look for??

Great question.

It actually does not have to be. It just simply narrows down the possibility of being able to find within the scope of type, size and price of what I'm looking for.

i.e. I may find a late 80's early 90's CC of about 20' and the price difference may be a few K between the one with the good engine and the one with a bad engine. What the one with the bad engine allows me to do is to make my own choice as to engine type, HP etc and know what I actually have instead of a box full of surprises.

You'll still have a box (boat) full of surprises!

I am certainly no expert! However, I do have an opinion

Check the hull and keel for damage or obvious repair work.
Check that the transom feels solid.
Check the floors are solid, no soft spots.

Connect a good battery, then check all electrical -- gauges, lighting (including the nav and anchor when switched), fuses actually hooked up and not jumpered out. Verify operation of the bilge pump, blower and trim/tilt.

Check the prop will turn smoothly by hand.
Not sure how else to check the condition of the outdrive.

There are deals to be had all the time... and suckers, too. Hope you don't wind up being the 2nd!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: What would you look for??

granted it will take some luck but your best deal is an old boat, same owner all or most of its life, and the engine just broke down and isn't worth fixing; the owner is ready to move on. Or someone who got too old to use it any more (any of them in Florida?)
You could well find one with an engine that might work--sitting for two yers, etc., but you get it cheap enough that your budget allows you to repower a week later. Old boats with old motors don't sell for much.
If you get a quality basic hull, you probably can't go wrong unless there's somethnig obvious. Whaler, Grady, Mako, Parker, etc. If you want a reliable hull you have to get one made for serious boating--not something with a lot of carpet cushions and wood.
PLan on rewiring everything as part of the purchase. You'll be getting new controls and either new guages or skip them.

 

[samagy16]

Re: What would you look for??

Rob and Home Cookin thanks for your replies,

Great pointers and exactly what I was looking for. That is what I figure, to search until I find that one boat that its' owner is ready to move on from because of lack of $$ or just simply wants to upgrade and doesn't want to deal with a bad engine repair. Finding a good hull from a reputable maker would be great and what I'm looking for. I would love to repower that way I can make the choice of motor etc. I am also aware that by buying a used boat I am rolling the dice and I may very well find a box of surprises regardless. LOL.

 

[444]

Re: What would you look for??

Problem with this idea is a decent used outboard by itself seems to cost as much as or nearly as much as that same outboard bolted to a hull sitting on a trailer.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: What would you look for??

Problem with this idea is a decent used outboard by itself seems to cost as much as or nearly as much as that same outboard bolted to a hull sitting on a trailer.

Correct. But that same outboard bolted to an ugly rotted hull is usually real cheap!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: What would you look for??

Problem with this idea is a decent used outboard by itself seems to cost as much as or nearly as much as that same outboard bolted to a hull sitting on a trailer.

when you buy an old boat, you are usually only buying the motor. The rest has little value.

 

[Robbabob]

Re: What would you look for??

when you buy an old boat, you are usually only buying the motor. The rest has little value.

I shouldn't say this.............. oh my goodness no, I shouldn't! :redface:

Same with starting a relationship?

Oh my,,, I said it!!!!!!!

 

[RWilson2526]

Re: What would you look for??

I'd buy this one right here....of course I'm partial to V-20's

http://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/boa/2026240408.html