Re: help purchase searay180
Hey..imma a newbie and just purchased a 95 Searay 180 Merc 5.0 Alpha 1 Gen 2 this season. Mine was a single owner who used it for tubing with his family. It set on a storage lot for the past year. Met the guy at the boat and battery was dead. (its expected after 1 year) Went to Walmart, got a new battery and the Searay fired right up on muffs after sitting for 1 year.
When you do a sea trial:
* put 10 gallons of fresh gasoline in the boat...even if you pay for it yourself.
carbs don't like old gas.
* let it idle for 30 to 45 minutes at the dock
While it's idling, check for oil and water leaks. Check all gauges, oil, temp, etc..and make a note of all the readings at operating temp. Take good notes
on what you hear and see.
* run it 1/2 throttle for 30 minutes. Again, take a note of all readings.
* run WOT for a few minutes. Again, take a note of all readings while on plane. Not after WOT.
* dock it and let it idle again for a few. Check for oil and water leaks and take more notes.
The note taking is so that you have something to compare to..and provide to your boat mechanic. But do not be afraid of a little water here and there, or a little oil leak. Just take good notes and even some pics so that you can analyze later on that evening.
* compression checking the engine is one of the most important things you can do.
In other words, educate yourself in the process..and if you do not get this boat, you'll know what to look for on the next. By all means, DO NOT be afraid of a little this or that..most things can be repaired.
If the boat sat last season like mine, then you'll be doing the regular maint stuff before taking it out anyway. I did all of the below myself so I saved much coin.
* impeller pump
* outdrive oil
* engine oil and filter
* gas/water filter
* packing the trailer bearings
* little bit of this and that all over the place
539 hours doesn't tell you much. I mean the meter ticks if the ignition switch is on, not just when the motor is running. It could be 539 hours or constant WOT or just 1/2 throttle cruising. Could even be a lot of moored and stereo blasting hours also.
$6000 ??? Well if this is the boat you want, and it all checks out..then 6k is not a high price if it's "something you want".
My wife wants a new BMW, but I say this price is too high. It's not high for her because she's the one that wants it! LOL!
Just take your time and focus on the boat..not the fun the owner is showing you during the sea trial.
Enjoy
