I have my eye on a 1997 Glastron 20 ft., with 4.3 volvo penta, 190 hp and a cobra outdrive. This boat is located in Ohio, and has sat in storage for 2 years. I did a sea test and it was solid, but there were a few things I had in back of my mind, plus the owner did told me about a hydrolics issue with the outdrive gradually dropping when stored up - owner said he thought it was a seal on the trim ram.
The boat is nearly immaculate visibly aside from a few nicks and some small cracks on the vinly, but I wanted to get it looked over by a mechanic. The mechanic looked it over, said the compression checked out on the engine, the moisture reading was 2% on the transom and 5% on the stringers, hammer test sounded good, and that he checked the trim hydrolics for leaks and as there was none, the problem was not the ram seal, but inside the pump itself where the "check valve" either has debris or is damaged.
Another thing that is the trailer is a probably in need of a lot of work. I've towed it twice with my truck, and for a smallish boat it did not trailer well. Basically I think the brakes are frozen, but the seals are bad so the pads are covered with grease and so it goes down the road without locking up, but there is lots of shuttering. There is non-structural rust and plywood issues. The cost of parts basically make it a total loss, so if I want to do any inland towing, I'm looking at buying a new trailer.
This boat was listed for $7000. We agreed in principal at $6500. The owner will split the cost to repair the pump with me basically 70-30 with me being on the hook for around $500. He also points out that the boat runs fine with the slow pump run down that it's doing now (my concern is what will it do next spring when I go to put it back in the water??) I have not ideal what my cost is going to be to get the trailer in decent towing condition, or else to get a new one.
Does this sound like a good deal, or given the glut of boats out there am I getting taken? I basically "fell in love" on the sea test, so I need some objective opinions.
Thanks!
The boat is nearly immaculate visibly aside from a few nicks and some small cracks on the vinly, but I wanted to get it looked over by a mechanic. The mechanic looked it over, said the compression checked out on the engine, the moisture reading was 2% on the transom and 5% on the stringers, hammer test sounded good, and that he checked the trim hydrolics for leaks and as there was none, the problem was not the ram seal, but inside the pump itself where the "check valve" either has debris or is damaged.
Another thing that is the trailer is a probably in need of a lot of work. I've towed it twice with my truck, and for a smallish boat it did not trailer well. Basically I think the brakes are frozen, but the seals are bad so the pads are covered with grease and so it goes down the road without locking up, but there is lots of shuttering. There is non-structural rust and plywood issues. The cost of parts basically make it a total loss, so if I want to do any inland towing, I'm looking at buying a new trailer.
This boat was listed for $7000. We agreed in principal at $6500. The owner will split the cost to repair the pump with me basically 70-30 with me being on the hook for around $500. He also points out that the boat runs fine with the slow pump run down that it's doing now (my concern is what will it do next spring when I go to put it back in the water??) I have not ideal what my cost is going to be to get the trailer in decent towing condition, or else to get a new one.
Does this sound like a good deal, or given the glut of boats out there am I getting taken? I basically "fell in love" on the sea test, so I need some objective opinions.
Thanks!
