ZERO hour 2003 boat?

[ryanr623]

I have a chance to buy a never titled, no gas ever in it 2003 bayliner. Since not being titled, it will come with only a 1 year warranty. Now, this begs the question.... Could I run into problems early or later on because it has sat for 8 years untouched and unused? It's from a dealer so it was always stored inside.

Needless to say the dealer will be willing to cut me one HELL of a deal to get it off their books.

ANY insight would be GREATLY appreciated.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: ZERO hour 2003 boat?

I'd want all the fluids changed, a wet compression check and a water test. Only concerns I would have would be rust in the motor from sitting.

Good question for the dealer is why has it been sitting for 8 years unsold?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: ZERO hour 2003 boat?

I'd want all the bellows replaced.

 

[Knot Waiting]

Re: ZERO hour 2003 boat?

I second the fluid change, the bellows replacement would be ideal but not sure how a dealership could include that kind of job on a steeply discounted rig. Either way if it was kept indoors, has a warranty, and is backed by a reputable dealer... I say heck yeah.

 

[QC]

Re: ZERO hour 2003 boat?

The biggest issue to me is whether or not there is any rust inside the engine as noted above. I'd want to pop the valve cover off, and ideally I'd want to carefully hand crank the engine over with the plugs removed and feel for any "tight" spots from cylinder/ring adhesion. Ultimately I'd like to see in the cylinders with a bore scope.

No matter what, bellows, engine, whatever it is, the price needs to reflect these risks or they need to be addressed. Does Mercruiser agree that the warranty is still intact? If the engine has good compression etc. after a season of running, then I would assume all is reasonably good. One problem is that if the engine fails due to improper long term storage, Merc may not honor that. Warranties are written to cover defects in material and workmanship. Storage issues are neither . . .

P.S. Mercruiser is an assumption for this boat . . . heck, it could be an OB. Dunno.

 

[superpop]

Re: ZERO hour 2003 boat?

I would budget to replace all seals, hoses, bellows, basically anything rubber on the motor and or drive as most of it will probably rot out after some use. Also would want to find out if it was a lemon return that they brought back from a customer, or truly was just a lost and forgotten boat in inventory. What kind of a moron dealership loses track of an entire boat they own for 8 years.

 

[ryanr623]

Re: ZERO hour 2003 boat?

Thanks all! I was mostly concerned like all of you said... rust! It was never moved from the showroom, so it was warm and dry, but rust can still happen. If there was a little rust, would running it clean it out or cause problems?

 

[ryanr623]

Re: ZERO hour 2003 boat?

I would budget to replace all seals, hoses, bellows, basically anything rubber on the motor and or drive as most of it will probably rot out after some use. Also would want to find out if it was a lemon return that they brought back from a customer, or truly was just a lost and forgotten boat in inventory. What kind of a moron dealership loses track of an entire boat they own for 8 years.

This too. It was never titled and brought back i know for sure.... because the dealership titles it right when you buy it. Would have been a record at the BMV. Plus no gas smell from the tank.

 

[emoney]

Re: ZERO hour 2003 boat?

If the 1 year warranty is all inclusive then it's hard to go wrong I'd think. If there were to be rust in the engine, it will manifest itself long before the year is up. Stored inside, especially if it's been showroom kept, probably didn't have a lot of fluid ever put in it since it wasn't intended to be started without prep. But, the ONLY way to buy that boat is to assume it's a USED 2003 because that's what it is. I know it hasn't been used, but from a value standpoint, that's the way you've got to consider it, as I'm sure any financial institution would. Could turn out to be a really good find so good luck!

 

[ingalp01]

Re: ZERO hour 2003 boat?

I would expect to replace anything plastic or rubber in the first couple of years. Time is enemy to all things, not just hours or mileage. Personally I would want to replace these things before I ever put it on the water. Who wants their "NEW" eight year-old boat breaking down on them first time out? If it was still prepped and packed for shipment in AS NEW condition, I wouldn't worry about the engine too much. I bought a "NEW" five year-old 4-wheeler form a Kawasaki dealership under similar conditions and have never had a lick of trouble out of it. GO FOR IT...

 

[Brewman61]

Re: ZERO hour 2003 boat?

How indeed can a dealer let something stay in inventory that long? Something a little strange there. Not sayin it's not legit, but it's sure a head scratcher.

 

[zagger]

Re: ZERO hour 2003 boat?

Go for it, bellows will be fine since they were not exposed to UV or heat, same goes for rest of the rubber. Was it stored with drive up or down? Showrooms are usually climate controlled so there is no condensation issues as apposed to something stored outside. Have the dealer take the plugs out and spray some lubricant in the cylinders for initial start up, the engine will be dry for first couple seconds since all oil would have run down to the pan. I just recently bought a 2008 Regal with .4 hours on meeter! Brand new never registered with full factory warranty. The boat was tided up in bankruptcy court with several others. The dealer took possession and filed bankruptcy two weeks later. I saved 60% over new and never had any issues. Love the boat and a once in a lifetime deal I got.