1st Time Buyer, Again.

[happyskahater]

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=280753

Figured I'd start anew for some new advice. Continued from that post ^ but no longer looking at Bayliner.

Looking at a ski boat:

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/boa/870587568.html

http://www.dfwboats.com/site_page_309/item_374342.html?listing_page=listing_sum_index_1.html

One more for the list of contenders:

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/boa/886411009.html

or FourWinns SeaRay or:

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/boa/885818466.html



On the ski boats, what problems should I be looking for on true inboard motors? How can I best check for rot in the hull? I tapped the last boat I looked at and it sounded fine, but when I took it to the mechanic he said it was completely rotten. Any advise is appreciated!

THANKS

 

[happyskahater]

Re: 1st Time Buyer, Again.

Oh, and one more thing. On Pricing:

The Natiques I see are all around $6500, is that a fair price when blue books $2k lower? I realize blue book is only an estimation and boats that old really vary... Just wondering. I'm still confused in this whole process, just when I thought I had a good one.

 

[jonesg]

Re: 1st Time Buyer, Again.

I would ask the mechanic to come out and show you how to look a boat over yourself, I find lots of good mechanics on craigslist.

I like all those boats, especially the first one.

 

[Godfirst]

Re: 1st Time Buyer, Again.

Hi,
The only boat with no problems of rot is a new one.... take only a experience boat mechanic.

 

[happyskahater]

Re: 1st Time Buyer, Again.

Anybody know a good mechanic in north Dallas?

 

[fixb52s]

Re: 1st Time Buyer, Again.

That Supra is one hell of a boat... as long as there is no rot.

The best way to check this is to open the engine dog house and put a socket on the engine mount bolts. They should be good and tight. If they are loose, chances are the wood is gone. (In 92, they had the same dreaded wood covered stringers.) The same goes for the drive bolts. Give the stringers the "thud" test with a mallet and see if they sound hollow. Pull the panel off behind the doghouse and look around closely, checking the stringers as before. Look at the hull around the output shaft for any cracks. Don't worry too much about the transom. Inboards do not have the wood encased transoms like I/Os, but do have wood glassed in to support the swim deck and hardware.
Pull that panel off the front seat and try to get under the bow to check the deck under there. It might be tough, but check the deck for signs of any wood that might have been placed over the existing. Carpet cover up a lot.

If it does check out, you will love this boat. They handle extremly well and will pull stumps with that engine. Just be aware it has a classic low profile hull and will ride a little rougher than something with the deep V hull. The price is within reason, as long as it is good.​