Neglected "newer" boat - what to do?

[lfunk11]

So I posted the other day about a 2005 Crownline 192 BR that was for sale locally

2005 Crownline 192BR w/ trailer

http://forums.iboats.com/boat-topic...rowline-192br-possible-first-boat-623777.html

Well I went to look at it today and the mildew on the seats was all over. The seats were in good shape, but it just looked like the boat was not well cared for. The cover looked as though water definitely was getting in when it rained, but the floor seemed solid and I could not find any soft spots. The boat ran well and there was no issues that I could find other than what was stated in the ad. I have seen the same model boat for $15K and he wants $9K so I think its a fair price, but I don't want a boat with mildew on the seats. I searched on here and I see people can remove it, but I am not sure I want to just trust something I saw on the internet with a $9K purchase. I am also concerned about water that was getting in because of the bad cover.

So do I just walk away since this will be my first boat?

 

[lfunk11]

Re: Neglected "newer" boat - what to do?

oh and the trailer has only been used once or twice in two years. The boat is maintained by the marina and they store it as well.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Neglected "newer" boat - what to do?

If you are sure that there is no rot then it sounds like a decent deal. I'm assuming that you can clean the seats up, but for 9K you've got enough money saved to replace them if you had to.

 

[moosehead]

Re: Neglected "newer" boat - what to do?

Mold on the seats in and of itself would not bother me. However, indications of water intrusion via the cover and mold in the cabin are a concern. If water sat in the bilge for extended periods, it could cause other structural issues.

Anyone know if Crownline had zero wood in the hulls? OP, did you get a surveyor to help you?

 

[lfunk11]

Re: Neglected "newer" boat - what to do?

I haven't had a surveyor to help me. I live in a small town and the guy selling the boat knows a bunch of people with the line of work he is in. I looked for a registered surveyor once and didn't see any near me - I was going to ask the service guy at the marina, but the guy selling the boat said his trailer is stored at the service guys house and was talking about him by first name. Likely not going to get an honest opinion there.

I am torn here - the guy was really honest about everything and I think he just has little interest right now in the boat and wants to get rid of it. He said he tried to get rid of the mildew, but I doubt he tried real hard.

 

[moosehead]

Re: Neglected "newer" boat - what to do?

Did he have service records to show proof of proper care and winterization? How did the bilge look? How was the water test?

 

[lfunk11]

Re: Neglected "newer" boat - what to do?

The boat ran well and I couldn't tell any issues, but I am still a novice. I didn't inspect the engine compartment too closely since when When I saw the mildew I basically decided I didn't want the boat. The pics in the add look so much better and I was disappointed! Now that I think I may be able to recondition the seats I may ask to meet again to check things more closely. I was pretty uninterested once I saw the condition of the seats. I looked in the engine compartment briefly, but as I said I lost interest the minute the cover came off.

I just know I won't see a boat like this in this price range again. It has flaws and that concerns me. I can afford a new boat, but I want something cheaper to get used to boating before I spend more money on a newer boat.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Neglected "newer" boat - what to do?

I would offer 5 k and say its going to cost 4 k to replace the interior.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Neglected "newer" boat - what to do?

Proper care includes the seats. If the PO didn't care enough to do that, what else did he short?

 

[lfunk11]

Re: Neglected "newer" boat - what to do?

I asked if it was OK if I came by and took a closer look tomorrow over lunch. If it were a perfect boat it would be more than I was willing to spend on my first boat and I realize that. I want to be sure the floor is solid and double check the bilge area. I am not going to get a 2005 Crownline for this price if there wasn't some sort of issue. I could get a well maintained mid 1990s boat for this price though (stingray/bayliner mostly). I really want to make sure whatever I get I can sell if I want something nicer or I am not into boating as much as I thought.

I can get this boat for nearly $3K more, but 6 years older. I am sure a few years after I get my first boat I will regret whatever I get

Crownline 202BR

 

[moosehead]

Re: Neglected "newer" boat - what to do?

Proper care includes the seats. If the PO didn't care enough to do that, what else did he short?

+1. The tattered cover, extensive mold, owner not knowing the powerplant, and low ask price lead for late model lead one to believe that this was truly neglected. My fear is that it was kept outside in the winter with no protection other than the tonneau cover, which is why the interior finishes and who knows what else is already beat.

OP, despite being a novice, you seem to recognize the potential risks/rewards and had a strong gut feel. On second look, insist on seeing service records, inspect the bilge/ski locker, look closely at the outdrive/prop/hull for condition, check the engine oil and the outdrive oil for either milky/muddy appearance (water in the oil) or black color (old), ask how and where she is stored offseason, and take a bunch of decent pictures so the board can opine further. It will be anecdotal, but should give some clues. As JimS said above, it seems improbable that the current owner took better care of the below decks mechanicals if he couldn't even handle the easily accessible and visible topsides.

Have you looked at a bunch of other boats? It's a good time to do so and patience will serve you well. Seller's will start to get real motivated after Labor Day and into the fall prior to storage.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Neglected "newer" boat - what to do?

Boats under cover in warm weather where moisture, including humidity, are present will form moisture on upholstery. The only time I had mold on the seats was when the boat was covered and the cover did not leak. Sometimes those gray dots are near impossible to remove. Ask the marina for records of maintenance. All services completed including oil changes, impellor replaced at interval, and etc? No flex in the transom? Nothing unusual under the floor? Sounds like a good deal. If you cannot get a surveyor go by your gut. Wish I were closer at looks like a decent flip. I'd take it to PA/Ohio and sell it.

 

[lfunk11]

Re: Neglected "newer" boat - what to do?

+1. The tattered cover, extensive mold, owner not knowing the powerplant, and low ask price lead for late model lead one to believe that this was truly neglected. My fear is that it was kept outside in the winter with no protection other than the tonneau cover, which is why the interior finishes and who knows what else is already beat.

OP, despite being a novice, you seem to recognize the potential risks/rewards and had a strong gut feel. On second look, insist on seeing service records, inspect the bilge/ski locker, look closely at the outdrive/prop/hull for condition, check the engine oil and the outdrive oil for either milky/muddy appearance (water in the oil) or black color (old), ask how and where she is stored offseason, and take a bunch of decent pictures so the board can opine further. It will be anecdotal, but should give some clues. As JimS said above, it seems improbable that the current owner took better care of the below decks mechanicals if he couldn't even handle the easily accessible and visible topsides.

Have you looked at a bunch of other boats? It's a good time to do so and patience will serve you well. Seller's will start to get real motivated after Labor Day and into the fall prior to storage.

The seller is a dentist in the area (my wife actually saw him a few months ago) and he stored the boat through the marina each year. I don't question that, but will check to be sure. The seats and generally everything seems in really good shape except for the mildew. He just had a baby a month ago and I truly believe he didn't use the boat this year and let things go. I am sure he makes a decent living and thus the boat is generally cared for with respect to regular maintenance, but not CARED for. By that I mean cleaned regularly and not neglected. Some people make a good living and might not care for things the way others might. I am guilty of that at times

Thanks to all that responded - this site has been so valuable for the responses here and the searches I have done. I can't imaging buying a boat without the internet! If I go forward with this I fully realize the risks involved.

 

[calvinator]

Re: Neglected "newer" boat - what to do?

I followed your other thread too.

If $9k is your budget, I would skip this boat and keep shopping. There will be another boat that is in top condition for that budget. With fall season coming, there will be deals to be had too.

Don't get hung up on the year of the boat either, it is all about condition. You will find a sweet mid to late 1990s boat in perfect shape for $6000-$7000.

 

[JASinIL2006]

Re: Neglected "newer" boat - what to do?

It looks like Crownline still uses wood in their boats (see: Crownline Boats: Sport Boats, Fishing Boats, Cruisers, Cuddys, Runabouts, Bowriders - Tour - Wood & Fiberglass Hybrid).

Given that, I'd be really looking carefully at any structure you can (transom, bulkheads and stringers along ski locker, etc.) to gauge the integrity of the wood, especially in a boat that clearly has had some water intrusion. I'd be checking any part of the transom shield I could reach from the inside, jabbing it with a screwdriver or, ideally, drilling a hole for wet wood (probably not likely the seller would allow drilling, I know). Even if the boat has really wet wood, there's a good chance as an '05 boat that you wouldn't yet see the results of rot that will develop if the transom shield or stringers have been really wet.

If the wood is reasonably dry, I think the boat is a pretty good deal (at least in my neck of the woods); cosmetic stuff isn't too bad. If the bones are wet and likely to rot in the next 5-10 years as a consequence, it's not a very good deal.

I'd be looking for signs of water where you'd rather not see any. Too much of that, and I'd walk away.

 

[lfunk11]

Re: Neglected "newer" boat - what to do?

I know the value in this boat, but I have a feeling I am going to pass. Just too many questions and not enough experience on my part.

this is next on my list - a solid 2+ hour drive from my house, but hopefully it is in better condition. Already in touch with the guy.

Crownline 202BR

Hopefully boat owner ship is less stressful I already know the answer to that though :lol:

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Neglected "newer" boat - what to do?

The last boat you looked at was bargain priced for my area-- this one may sound good in your area but is far over priced here. Season is over up there -- $6500 - $7500......

I know the value in this boat, but I have a feeling I am going to pass. Just too many questions and not enough experience on my part.

this is next on my list - a solid 2+ hour drive from my house, but hopefully it is in better condition. Already in touch with the guy.

Crownline 202BR

Hopefully boat owner ship is less stressful I already know the answer to that though :lol:

 

[agallant80]

Re: Neglected "newer" boat - what to do?

I would really look at the crownline. The mold can be cleaned up. For all you know the mold issue happened in the last few months. It happens on every boat. My last boat no matter how hard I tried the cover always go mold on it and looked like crap even though it was only 2 years old. I would really reconsider the crownline. 2005 is not that old.

 

[steven_p]

Re: Neglected "newer" boat - what to do?

I'll bet the pictures in that ad in your first post are several years old. I would skip this boat as it appears to have been neglected. Find another boat that's actually been used and maintained.

 

[lfunk11]

Re: Neglected "newer" boat - what to do?

I decided to pass on the boat. I realize that the seats likely could be cleaned, but for my first boat I would rather get something that doesn't need work right away. I think it could make a great boat for someone who knows more about boats than I do. Thanks for the help - this site is really valuable.