Looking For My Next Boat - Opinions

[jebby]

Hi guys looking for more boat. My family has outgrown my tin can and its small for my local water. Wife gave the ok for a cheap upgrade. Going to see this tomorrow. Any opinions. Not much experience with a sterndrive (its not a true inboard ignore the list saying that) https://www.kijiji.ca/v-powerboat-motorboat/windsor-area-on/doral-boat-19-1985/1502136083

 

[jbcurt00]

A 5k 35yr old boat w a new deck (floor) would have to include pix proof of the rebuild to warrant a look. Including a grest deal of details about exactly what was used and how it was rebuilt. Deck to hull tabbing, new stringers and glass work overall. New flotation foam, interior and vinyl.

Be careful, there are lots of 'rebuilt' new to them boats posted in the Resto forum, that were deckovers. New plywood and carpet laid over the old.

 

[jebby]

Old but rebuilt mercruiser 898 (gm 305?)

Old but rebuilt mercruiser 898 (gm 305?)

Going to look at this tomorrow. Any tips? Im new to i/o always been a small outboard guy but the family has outgrown my tin can and the water around here is a bit big for it. https://www.kijiji.ca/v-powerboat-motorboat/windsor-area-on/doral-boat-19-1985/1502136083

 

[jebby]

Keep in mind this is canadian dollars and i wont pay listing price. Regardless ill be checking it over. Any pointers on what where and how to check im interested to hear

 

[jbcurt00]

https://forums.iboats.com/forum/gen...eeding-help-buying-a-boat-a-buyer-s-checklist

 

[tpenfield]

+1 to jbcurt00 comment about the deck-over. Lots of times it is to hide a rotten structure beneath it. You may be able to tell by looking in the area of the engine bay or ski lockers to see if the deck has 2 layers. Also look to see if the stuff below the deck looks new or old - good or rotted.

 

[jebby]

much thanks guys, we will see.

 

[alldodge]

35 years old and they want it gone, might have some issues. If your unable to take it for a test ride your rolling the dice on the motor. The deck was replaced but said nothing about the transom.

 

[jebby]

I wont buy it without putting it in the water. I'm going to see tonight and throw the muffs on to see if its worth taking it out. don't want to waste anyone's time if its a dud from the get go. I just know chevy small blocks are known for longevity. not sure if there is a known flaw I should be checking for?

 

[nola mike]

I'd want meticulous details about what was done to the floor. That's much harder to deal with than a mechanical issue... Up to and including new engine. And yes, transom suspect as well. Running on muffs is not the same as a sea test. No knows flaws, but after 35 years literally anything and everything can be bad. Check compression and for signs of freeze damage.

 

[jebby]

spend a good 3 hours with her last night. boat was actually in better shape than I expected. got it woken up and running easy enough and it passed my initial tests. took it out and discovered it was having temp issues and bogging down. also had some electrical gremlins. May go back if nobody else buys it and I don't find another with a much lower offer but as if last night, I passed. several more on the list to check this coming week.

 

[Chris1956]

Just so you know, sterndrive motors need a lot of scheduled maintenance and lots of unscheduled repairs in my experience. If you can do the work yourself, it may be fine.

For some reason sterndrives need to have the following things replaced on a regular basis: Thermostats, starters, circulation pumps,alternators and of course, manifolds and risers. Other stuff that fails are oil pans, timing covers, pulleys and belts, and other stamped steel items.

Other maintenance items are shared with outboard motors, like spark plugs, water pump impellers, gear oil etc.

Overheat can be caused by plugged risers or manifolds. Of course it can also be caused by the more traditional things like thermostats, waterpumps and head gaskets.

Just MO.

 

[jebby]

3.0 on an 17' bow rider

is this enough meat with the potatoes? I know how to stand up fairly quickly but weight 180 ish. 3 adults 2 small kids in the boat at full load. 1 of the 3 adults would be on the board for pulling. we have had success with similar bowrider and a 70hp outboard, looking to see how the 3L compairs. almost double the HP but also more than double the weight. Was originally looking for a 4.3 or a 305 but the 3L seems to be everywhere and the fuel efficiency is appealing.

 

[harringtondav]

A test drive will answer you power questions, plus many more assessments you need to make before buying any boat.

 

[jebby]

for sure, I wasn't super concerned about any single issue. Like I said it passed my initial inspection, sea trial proved I didn't want it for the prices we were talking. At the end of the day its a 35 year old boat. only 4-5k value in my area in good condition. if it takes me 2k to get it there I need to get it for 2-3k before I value my time (my time is expensive) if they get tired of looking at it and want it to go away for 1500 bucks they know how to find me.

 

[jebby]

the joys of boats...…. they make more every day. I learned a few hard lessons long ago about getting attached to toys

 

[jebby]

indeed, I have no desire to buy any used boat without a test run and fairly involved inspection. I'm just trying to get my ducks in a row before I waste a potential sellers time and mine. The more knowledge I can go in with the less hassle I am for everyone involved. Also the more potential boats I can eliminate on knowns means more I can eliminate at inspection before making the boss lady angry

 

[Scott Danforth]

with a 3.0, you will most likely carry a spare prop, not because they fall off, however because there isnt enough motor to give you a good hole shot and any decent speed, so you will need multiple pitches. I had 3 props for my 3.0 powered boat, a 15p for water sports and trolling for salmon, a 17p for general fishing and pulling a tube and 19p for cruising.

in a 17 foot boat, you may get 40mph (consider that maxed out with a 3.0)

you may need to move an adult to the bow to get thru the hole shot.

not sure where the economy comes in, you will be in the throttle constantly with a 3.0 other than simply tooling along.

I burned about the same amount of fuel in my 3.0 than I did in a bigger boat with a 5.0

 

[Tassie 1]

My brother has a 185 bayliner BR. ( didn't ask anyone ) with a 3.lt donk here in Oz,
it's only used on one. FW river,
His two boys...and their mates...are all in their late 20's now and it's all they have have needed so far...~ 10 yrs

Not gonna get a bigger boat or motor any time soon.

 

[achris]

It'll be all about the propping when it's time to play.

Chris......