2001 mercruiser 5.0 just put into service - good / bad idea

[samstutz]

I have an opportunity to get a new 2001 boat with a new 5.0 carborated mercruiser engine. The out drive has never been attached. The motor has never been run. Still like delivered from factory. Is the motor still OK after sitting in a climate controlled warehouse since fall of 2002? As I said, the out drive has not yet been installed. Might not have any warrantee. Give me a direction motor OK or just looking at major $$ down the drain?

 

[Doug Durako]

Re: 2001 mercruiser 5.0 just put into service - good / bad idea

Knock about $2 grand off the price for starters and have a complete survey done of the boat (cost is $10 to $15 per foot). You don't know where it's been stored or who has stripped what from it.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: 2001 mercruiser 5.0 just put into service - good / bad idea

Motor should be fine if it is as described.

 

[samstutz]

Re: 2001 mercruiser 5.0 just put into service - good / bad idea

For the boat/motor/trailer the NADA value states the following:<br /> year: 2001 Deckliner / VIP <br /> Length: 21' <br /> Model Name/Description: DECKLINER 215 SC(**) <br /> Boat Type: Stern Drive Power Boat <br /> Hull Material: Fiberglass <br /> Beam: 8' 6" <br /> Engine: 1<br />190 HP<br />Gasoline <br /> Net Weight: 3,200 <br /> Low Retail: $18,090 <br /> Average Retail: $22,330 <br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> Reported Engine Range: 201-230 HP <br />Total adjustment for your engine(s) - Add: $2,400 <br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> Optional Equipment <br />Power Boat: CANVAS <br /> Bimini Top: Low: $300 Avg.: $355 <br /> Boat Cover - Custom - 18 ft. thru 25 ft.: Low: $325 Avg.: $390 <br />Power Boat: ELECTRONICS <br /> Depth Sounder: Low: $155 Avg.: $185 <br />Power Boat: ENTERTAINMENT <br /> Stereo - am/fm CD player w/4 speakers: Low: $315 Avg.: $375 <br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> Totals <br /> Total Low Retail: $21,585 <br /> Total Average Retail: $26,035 <br /> <br />Think a decent buy for $20K or $22K?

 

[Northern Eclipse]

Re: 2001 mercruiser 5.0 just put into service - good / bad idea

If your buying from a authorized dealer then the warrenty should start from date of delivery,,if its a private sale look to see if its ever been titled, any bank leans against it or if possibly stolen, the motor should be fine if its still factory sealed, If its a private sale then you want to be sure there is a clear title or you could find yourself out of alot of money and the boat, record all the serial numbers from hull transom assembly, motor and outdrive, since I don't know where you live I'm unable to comment on how to check these issues, always remember that cliche "If it's to good to be true then it probably is". good luck and keep us posted.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: 2001 mercruiser 5.0 just put into service - good / bad idea

Absolutly without fail, Prime the oiling system before atempting to fire it up, That engine is dry, dry, dry!!! Oh, Did I say It was DRY!!!

 

[DJ]

Re: 2001 mercruiser 5.0 just put into service - good / bad idea

If this is from a dealer. It will be fine. Make sure the warranty starts the day you buy it.<br /><br />Enjoy!

 

[samstutz]

Re: 2001 mercruiser 5.0 just put into service - good / bad idea

More detail on the boat. Boat was sold in Dec. 2002. Buyer did not place into service in April 2003 as thinking he would. Boat was not placed into service in year 2003. Now he needs to sell the boat in April 2004. Dealer where originally purchased is trying to sell for the owner. Talked with same salesman in February and he never mentioned that particular boat. Called him this week and that is when I got the story. <br /><br />I am not familiar with VIP brand boats. Was not sure if the motor would be good after setting so long from the factory. From what I could see, the motor looks clean and new from the outside. The owner wants $22K and I figured there is some risk so I was going to make an offer below $20K. <br /><br />The dealer stated that the boat would be delivered with everything checked as to working condition - motor, trailer brakes, radio, lights.... I looked at the boat and it seemed dusty thus not unusual for a boat that would have sat 1 1/2 years. Dealership filed paperwork for warantee last year when scheduled to be in service. Thus 1 year warantee is over. Maybe mercruiser or the dealer has an extended warantee. Some kind of guarentee would be nice. <br /><br />That dealership has been around for 35 years in St. Louis, Missouri. Been looking for a deck style boat in 20-23 ft range so more people can be onboard. Something around the $20K mark relatively new and reliable. Thanks for all of the assistance.

 

[Doug Durako]

Re: 2001 mercruiser 5.0 just put into service - good / bad idea

Whether it has touched water or not, you are eating three years of depreciation. You are buying from the owner, not the dealer.<br /><br />I assume you get a new Alpha drive with this deal?<br /><br />I would get a mechanical survey and do a test drive before offering below the low NADA value. But that is just me. Looks don't mean anything.<br />That's a heavy boat for 190 horsepower---have yo driven on like it? Would you buy a "new used" car without a test drive?<br /><br />Good luck!

 

[outboardguy]

Re: 2001 mercruiser 5.0 just put into service - good / bad idea

We had to rig a new old boat that was carbureted once.It was quite a scare.The electric fuel pumps that feed the carb are almost identical to the one's that feed the EFI boats.Well after sitting for a few years the gas that was in the pump from the factory had become gummy.What happens is that the check valve in the pump gets stuck and the pump that normally put out 6 psi will now put out 40 psi.Long story short as we cranked the engine the carb was overflowing into the engine and hydolocked the engine with gasoline. Not a pretty picture.

 

[Doug Durako]

Re: 2001 mercruiser 5.0 just put into service - good / bad idea

Just noticed two things in the past replies.<br /><br />"Boat not put into service" Why? Bakruptcy? Divorce? Jail time?<br /><br />Who signed the title? Be ware if it is signed by two parties and only one is selling!<br /><br />And, on your NADA quote, why are you adding for engine adjustments? You have the base motor for this rig--no upgrades.

 

[samstutz]

Re: 2001 mercruiser 5.0 just put into service - good / bad idea

Thought a Mercruiser 5.0 was 220hp. I had concern over the engine not being used and left as recieved from the factory for 2 plus years. Great idea to test it out. Do not know if new Alpha drive or one that sat for 2 years. I would assume that if the owner really needed to sell it then they would get the out drive on, fire it up, test drive it, and move it out. That dealer sold the boat in 2002. Owner is in late 50s. Maybe need to talk to the owner. So far an offer would be lower than 18K including a test drive it on the water. Great ideas and many things I did not think of. Still thinking about and may look at it again. Will post again.

 

[skicat]

Re: 2001 mercruiser 5.0 just put into service - good / bad idea

The carb. 5.0L is 220HP<br />The EFI 5.0L is 240HP

 

[Jemc02]

Re: 2001 mercruiser 5.0 just put into service - good / bad idea

"Dealership filed paperwork for warantee last year when scheduled to be in service."<br /><br />Find out how close the boat was to being ready to be put into the water. Did they just do the paperwork on the warantee's or did they fill all of the fluids and fire the boat up on muffs to make it ready to be put into the water? <br /><br />We bought a 2001 dealer holdover boat in 2003 so ours sat for 2 years +. Ours is a 21 foot bowrider with the same 5.0 L, 220 hp engine. It was fine and move our 3200# boat to 50 mph at WOT. <br /><br />Go to boat trader online or one of the other sites and find out what your "used" boat is going for on there. Our boat price with all warantees intact was a little lower than the prices listed for the same boats that had been in the water for those two years. So we got the bumper to bumper factory warantee (one year) and the dealer threw in a second year for the engine systems all for less than I could have bought the boat used...<br /><br />Offer a reasonable price (but low) and make sure you include a sea trial and a survey (you never know what sitting for that long might do to some of the systems). And make sure the title is clean, no additional lein holders.

 

[samstutz]

Re: 2001 mercruiser 5.0 just put into service - good / bad idea

Thanks for the ideas and input. Believe I am going to see about a different boat. Too many risks to worry about. Thanks to all.

 

[Doug Durako]

Re: 2001 mercruiser 5.0 just put into service - good / bad idea

Drive those deck boats before you buy!! They look nice in the water, but in my experience, they ride rough in waves and are a pain to get on and off the trailer. That wide front end is difficult to maneuver. Also, some models offer little protection on a chilly day from the wind and water. Good luck!

 

[samstutz]

Re: 2001 mercruiser 5.0 just put into service - good / bad idea

Thanks a million. There are alot of things that just slip your mind. I believe were are not going to get that boat. Looking at a Glastron or Sea Ray runabout.