1986 Kayot Limited SX

[SotRH]

I just traded my 27' Mallard camper for this boat. It is a 1986 Harris Kayot Limited SX 21' tri-hull deck boat w/ 260HP 350 Mercruiser. We live on Lake D'Arbonne, and love to get out on the water and just ride, or pull the kids on the tube, and some fishing. We've been borrowing my brother's, or my parents', boat to do this, so we're excited to have our own. I got to take it out for quick test run the other day and she runs great. The previous owner took great care of her mechanically, but the seats need recovering and the carpet is torn.

Does anyone know anything about this boat? Have I made a good deal? Anything I need to know/watch for?

 

[SotRH]

Does anyone know anything about this boat?

Does anyone know anything about this boat?

Hey, folks! I'm new to the forum, so thanks for having me on!

I just traded for a 1986 Kayot Limited SX 21' trihull deck boat. It has a 260HP 350 Mercruiser stern-drive. I took it out for a brief trial run the other day, and she runs great (just had one squeaky belt I had to tighten). I'm looking for any input on this boat. Quality? Problems? Handling characteristics? Anyone's experiences? Do you think I made a good decision to trade my 27' Mallard camper for this boat, LOL? I just haven't been able to find much (really, ANY) info on it, so I'm hoping someone here has had some experience with one like it.



As soon as I can figure out how to downsize my other photos, I'll add them. Thanks, in advance, for the input!

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Does anyone know anything about this boat?

Re: Does anyone know anything about this boat?

No need to post the same question two day in a row. If no one has answered it is because not everybody visits iboats daily. Just be patient. Someone might know or maybe no one knows.

 

[SotRH]

Re: Does anyone know anything about this boat?

Re: Does anyone know anything about this boat?

 

[SotRH]

Re: 1986 Kayot Limited SX

 

[Levinz11]

Re: 1986 Kayot Limited SX

Sweet party barge. Looks like they went of business a while back. I don't know much about campers but if you'll get more fun out of the boat, then it's a good deal, right?!

http://www.boating.com/research/manufacturer/kayot-boats.html
http://boat-manufacturers.findthebest.com/l/6478/Harris-Kayot-Inc

 

[SotRH]

Re: 1986 Kayot Limited SX

Sweet party barge.

Is party barge the correct classification? I always think of pontoon boats when I think of party barge. It is certainly set up on top like one, but has a fiberglass hull and handles like a ski boat. It's sure different from anything I'm used to.

 

[SotRH]

Re: 1986 Kayot Limited SX

http://boat-manufacturers.findthebest.com/l/6478/Harris-Kayot-Inc

Hey, I appreciate the links! The parent company, Harris Floteboat, is still in business. I contacted them last week to request info on the boat... I'd really like to have an original owner's manual. They sent me some generic owner's manual that covered everything the made prior to 1993...not very specific, .

 

[SotRH]

Re: 1986 Kayot Limited SX

FINALLY got this one to upload. It's a much better overall pic.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 1986 Kayot Limited SX

It appears to be in very good condition on the outside and the seats are showing a bit of weather.

What motor and outdrive are in that boat? It is the first I have seen too.

 

[SotRH]

Re: 1986 Kayot Limited SX

It appears to be in very good condition on the outside and the seats are showing a bit of weather.

What motor and outdrive are in that boat? It is the first I have seen too.

I think it is in pretty good condition for it's age. The hull looks great and the floor is solid. The carpet has a few tears, the seats are starting to crack on top (two have already torn open, and the previous owner just taped them), and all the wood strips (trim pieces and swim decks) need to be refinished.

I'm new to this so I don't know much about the motor and outdrive. All I know about the motor is that it's a 260HP 350 Mercruiser. Is there something more you are asking about it? Also, regarding the outdrive, I see people talking about these on here (Alfa, Bravo, I, II, etc.). How do I know?

Please forgive the newbie's ignorance.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 1986 Kayot Limited SX

You have one of the better outdrive motor combo's on the market and it will actually have a label. My money is on it being an Alpha 1. Easy to work on and deliver great performance. That combo will be able to pull up a skier w/o a problem. If you can live with the seats for now and wait until the off season there are even people here who have learned to do their own upholstery repairs. I know the store has seats that will work but we also like people to keep an eye on their money.

We have a dedicated forum section for their repair. http://forums.iboats.com/forumdisplay.php?f=21 On the top of that forum are two "sticky" posts with great information concerning repair tips.

This is one of the links that you will find valuable http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=329915

iboats maintains a store for parts and lots more at the top of the page.

I don't know if you got any history on the boat but I would get the water pump impellar checked so you do not overheat and do damage.

Since you are a newbie (funny that is where we all start) I would also suggest you google Online Boating Safety Course and take it.

You will like it here

 

[SotRH]

Re: 1986 Kayot Limited SX

Bob_VT, I very much appreciate the information and advise. I'll look for that label tonight when I get home.

I can definitely live with the seats until the off season. I actually have a couple of family members who have upholstery experience. I hope to enlist their help then. I'm sure you can tell from the pics that the two swivel seats are new, and do not match the boat. The previous owner kept the originals and gave them to me, so I'm looking forward to re-upholstering them as well. They match so much better, and were larger and looked a lot more comfortable.

I did get a binder full of service records... this guy seemed to be a believer in preventative maintenance; however, I'm not finding anything in it about a water pump impeller. The boat does have working temperature and water pressure gauges. How reliable are these?

It's funny you should mention the boater's safety course. According to my state, I'm not required to take it (missed the birthday cut-off by 4 months); but, I decided to take it anyway once I got my own boat. I swear by the course now! I'd been on, around, and driven other people's boats all my life, but still learned a LOT of valuable information from the course. My .02, for what it's worth: everyone who operates a boat should have to learn those basics.

I already like it here!...lots of helpful folks. Thanks again!

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 1986 Kayot Limited SX

You got lucky and it appears to be a great deal.

Carpet - no problem since it is a big flat piece. You have family that can help with the seats !! Bonus!

The temp gauges are okay if you pay attention. If it goes up and gets hot STOP and shut down. Look for weeds or debris around the prop first that could be blocking the water intake. Plastic bags are the worst!

Depending on where the boat has been used (sandy areas)it is a good rule of thumb every 2-3 years.

Read through the Mercruiser information, look for a maintenance schedule, and recommended fluids. Just try to be proactive and plan.

 

[rogerwa]

Re: 1986 Kayot Limited SX

I think your classification of boat would be an early deckboat. Which is a cross between the funcitonality of a pontoon with the planing hull of the bowrider or v-hull.

There are quite a few of these out there still running, some with outboard config and some like yours with the I/O. The hull is like a trihull in which is will give you very good stability at rest but ride will suffer when running in rougher water.

In my area, this boat would probably be worth around $3500-$4500. Whether it is a good deal depends on how much your trailer was worth, what your area would value a boat like this, and if you are happy with the deal. The latter one is the most important.

 

[SotRH]

Re: 1986 Kayot Limited SX

Also, regarding the outdrive, I see people talking about these on here (Alfa, Bravo, I, II, etc.). How do I know?

Please forgive the newbie's ignorance.

Well, don't I feel like a dummy for asking that...could it have been labeled any plainer? LMBO

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 1986 Kayot Limited SX

LOL

Very clean outdrive for that year. That appears to have been well taken care of!

 

[rogerwa]

Re: 1986 Kayot Limited SX

If it were me, my first two things if I did not know the service history would be to replace the impeller/water pump just to be sure and to check your driveshaft bellows (the upper one) for the condition. If the upper bellows springs a leak, you will ruin your gimbal bearing and start to take on water. Depending on the size of the leak will determine how much water will leak into your boat.

The lower bellows (exhaust) is not a big deal as the newer replacements have holes in them already.

 

[SotRH]

Re: 1986 Kayot Limited SX

This says it all!!

 

[southkogs]

Re: 1986 Kayot Limited SX

Congratulations SotRH! That smile is great.

There were several Kayots on the lake I grew up around ... I've always like the boats, and that deck boat layout is fantastic for family and friends on board.