Winterize question

[Zapit2um]

I'm looking at buying a pontoon boat with a mercruiser I/O motor. I'm trying to get the guy to take it out so I can test drive it but he is telling me that it is winterized and if we take it out we will have to re-winterize it afterwards since there will still be a chance of freezing. His solution is to run the motor in a barrel so I can see that it runs. Well I'm no boat expert but wouldn't running it in a barrel still flush all the antifreeze out and require a re-winterization?? Plus I'm not hip to just running it in a barrel. I want to see how the motor does under a load.

 

[Zapit2um]

Re: Winterize question

Well looks like I posted in the wrong section, on my iPhone and am having a difficult time seeing the page. If I could get a mod to move me to the right section I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks and sorry about that!

 

[90stingray]

Re: Winterize question

You are correct... running in a barrel is the same as on the water... concerning winterizing. But yeah, I would want a test on the water just to be sure all is well. if I was a seller, I would be willing to spend 10 minutes to drain the block for a potential sale. But I would not be giving free rides... there had better be a deal on the table with cash in hand.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Winterize question

I'm looking at buying a pontoon boat with a mercruiser I/O motor. I'm trying to get the guy to take it out so I can test drive it but he is telling me that it is winterized and if we take it out we will have to re-winterize it afterwards since there will still be a chance of freezing. His solution is to run the motor in a barrel so I can see that it runs. Well I'm no boat expert but wouldn't running it in a barrel still flush all the antifreeze out and require a re-winterization?? Plus I'm not hip to just running it in a barrel. I want to see how the motor does under a load.

Ayuh,.... Yer Right, No difference....

That motor can be drained in 5 minutes, so long as the 2 drain plugs, 'n the big hose on the circulatin' water pump can be reached....

Drainin' the water out of it, is ALL the rewinterizin' it needs...

I'd push for the boat ride, or walk....

 

[Oshkosh1]

Re: Winterize question

Looking at your forecast(assuming you're in Ok) other than tomorrow night...I don't see another freeze in your forcast for another 8 months. I think it's safe for the seller to "unwinterize" down there. Maybe an isolated night...but that's why they make work lights w/100w bulbs and/or a couple of oven heated bricks in the engine compartment. Sounds like he has something to hide...pretty lame excuse(assuming you're serious) if you ask me.

 

[Zapit2um]

Re: Winterize question

You are correct... running in a barrel is the same as on the water... concerning winterizing. But yeah, I would want a test on the water just to be sure all is well. if I was a seller, I would be willing to spend 10 minutes to drain the block for a potential sale. But I would not be giving free rides... there had better be a deal on the table with cash in hand.

Well if everything goes well we will buy it but if something is wrong with it then I'm not gonna drop 11 grand on it.

 

[Oshkosh1]

Re: Winterize question

Well if everything goes well we will buy it but if something is wrong with it then I'm not gonna drop 11 grand on it.

11 large and he won't get it wet without a fuss?
Smells fishy...

 

[Zapit2um]

Re: Winterize question

According to him the motor only has 12 hours on it. The boat was refurbished with all new seats and a new motor. What I'm thinking is that the guy had it winterized so he knows nothing about what it takes he's just thinking I'm gonna have to pay to do it again if this guy doesn't buy it and he can't afford to have it done again. Heck he wanted me to bring the antifreeze for it to be re-winterized if I didn't end up buying it.

 

[90stingray]

Re: Winterize question

Just curious... where do you plan on boating with this new rig....... Grand? Oologah? Eufaula? Keystone?

But it sounds like he has no clue... and doesn't want to have to pay to have it winterized.

 

[Oshkosh1]

Re: Winterize question

Heck he wanted me to bring the antifreeze for it to be re-winterized if I didn't end up buying it.

Bring a couple of wrenches and a screwdriver...winterization done! That's all I use...where it gets REALLY cold, REALLY long!

 

[MarkSee]

Re: Winterize question

Heck he wanted me to bring the antifreeze for it to be re-winterized if I didn't end up buying it.

Pretty small price to pay if he's willing to give you a "test ride".

Think about it if you were trying to sell the boat having to de-winterize it then winterize it again and again for everyone one wanting a "test run" or "test ride".....for free who maybe really had no intention of buying it.

If someone isn't willing to cough up a few bucks for some anti-freeze then the chances of them wanting to shell out several thousand dollars is small in my book. I wouldn't do it.

When guys called about wanting to take a "test ride" in my Maxum when it was up for sale, I said sure, you're going to pay for the diesel in my truck to get to the marina, the launch fee and some portion of gas depending on the time spent. Up front.

You buy the boat, it gets refunded.

Maybe you don't have any freeloaders where you live, but we do out here.

Mark

 

[Zapit2um]

Re: Winterize question

Just curious... where do you plan on boating with this new rig....... Grand? Oologah? Eufaula? Keystone?

Ft Gibson & Skiatook mostly. I only live 20 mins from a boat ramp at Gibson. Will do some fishing for hybrids at Skiatook, it's further away but catching hybrids is a blast!

 

[Zapit2um]

Re: Winterize question

Pretty small price to pay if he's willing to give you a "test ride".

Think about it if you were trying to sell the boat having to de-winterize it then winterize it again and again for everyone one wanting a "test run" or "test ride".....for free who maybe really had no intention of buying it.

If someone isn't willing to cough up a few bucks for some anti-freeze then the chances of them wanting to shell out several thousand dollars is small in my book. I wouldn't do it.

When guys called about wanting to take a "test ride" in my Maxum when it was up for sale, I said sure, you're going to pay for the diesel in my truck to get to the marina, the launch fee and some portion of gas depending on the time spent. Up front.

You buy the boat, it gets refunded.

Maybe you don't have any freeloaders where you live, but we do out here.

Mark

Yea I see your point. So far we are the only ones interested enough in it to take a look at it. He's had a couple text but no follow throughs. I'm a bit surprised at that because it priced well and it's a really nice boat.

 

[MarkSee]

Re: Winterize question

I'm a bit surprised at that because it priced well and it's a really nice boat.

Then that's even better for you to offer to pay for the anti-freeze as he should then see you're a bit more respectful to him and if you like the boat and want to make an offer, he'll take you seriously having treated him respectfully.

Mark

 

[agallant80]

Re: Winterize question

I can understand where the owner is coming from. When I tried to sell my boat during the winter (ended up trading it in) I wanted to avoid people who were just kicking tires and seeing what is out there. I told them that I would be more than happy to put it in the lake but I would require a $30 deposit to reqinterize the boat if they did not buy. There are allot of people out there with big plans but no ability to execute. I wanted to weed those people out.