Re: Funny "TLC needed" boat ads on Craigslist.
I responded to an ad 2-3 weeks ago for a twin-engine variant of the boat I already have. I spoke with them quite lengthily via email until I was satisfied a visit in person would be in order, and then went to see it.
When I met up with the guy, I explained I just needed a couple minutes to check everything out and then if I was serious, I would put down a deposit, have it surveyed and do a sea trial prior to purchase. He explained it ran and shifted great, however he didn't want to mess with a sea trial or anything. I explained that without knowing if anything worked, it was really a hull with some scrap iron in it, which didn't seem to phase him. I thought I'd check it out anyway.
It was described as "still winterized" which to me means it hasn't been out this summer, however "winterizing" meant disconnecting ALL cooling hoses inside the engine compartment and leaving it like that for just under 3 years.
Engine compartment bilges were predictably nasty, I think he probably did his oil changes with them.
When we got inside, the first thing I noticed was the smell... of mold of course. The whole thing smelled wet. One of the walls had a large galvanized steel heating duct stuck through it where a home-made A/C system had been, and below it an outlet-box sized hole where the thermostat once was. The cabinet top was full of holes where the power and cooling came through the top.
The front bilge had water just touching the floor.
The owner was the type that never will understand why his boat has been for sale for 2 years. "He knows" it runs/drives 100%, the trailer's worth $4500, and the interior just needs to be "pumped out".
It probably was a nice boat before it sat which just needed the interior wall fixed, now it's a goner.
