Possible boat purchase!

[Canadianboater43]

Hey all, new to posting on the forums but definitely not new to reading them or older boats (this would be the newest one I’ve owned yet). I’m currently on the market for a cheaper boat. I stumbled upon what I think is a great deal.
As I was browsing the local classifieds I found a 1995 Genesis 20 or 21 ft. Bow rider. It is in really great shape. The floors are really solid, the transom seems very solid (after the sound test) and it only has 435 hours on it. It has a Volvo Penta setup with the 4.3 Vortec GM engine and a VP SX out drive. From a visible inspection everything seems to be complete. Fresh oil change, new filter, properly winterized ect. The only few things I’ve noticed were that it will need are: an exhaust bellows (I will change them all) and possibly another oil change as there is a tiny bit of water in the oil (when I say tiny I mean little to none and it is due to the condensation of the northern climate). I was just wondering if any of you folks have heard anything about these boats and your thoughts on the drivetrain. I forgot to mention the boat is only $2000 with a nice trailer that has brand new tires.
The only thing I am slightly apprehensive about is that it has sat for a year.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated

 

[Scott06]

VP SX drive and 4.3 is a very, very reliable and good powertrain for that size boat. It is of the age that rubber componets liek the bellows will fail. Exhaust bellows are no issue as they have water in them anyways. If the driveshaft bellows leak you get water in the boat and ruin the ujoints etc. It seems liek they have repair or winterization records ? If they did the annual maitenace likely is a good boat that the owner just doesnt use much anymore

On a boat of that age I would check closely for stringer floor and transom rot, which unfortunately is best done by drilling holes to see if they are wet or have dry wood. If the stringers and transom are dry and solid would be a good boat.

For $2k I would plan on at least some repairs bing needed. Defeintely do a water test. if you dont feel comfortable checking it out a marine surveyor might be worth the $300-400 for a inspection

 

[Starcraft5834]

I'd compression test the engine for sure.. tandem trailer or single axle?, @ 20-21 ft.. that boat probably weighs 3500lbs... single axle boats at or near axle capacity can have bearing problems. Sitting for a year isnt a big deal as long as it was stored properly, folks in the north park their boats for 9 months usually

 

[Scott Danforth]

at the top of the forum is sticky with the guide for people buying boats. suggest you go thru it. that boat being 26 years old is going to have issues as boats are designed to last about 15 years and be replaced.

the vinyl is showing signs of mold/mildew coming from within the foam. so assume that the upholstery needs work.

 

[Toyelectroman]

I could be wrong but isn't the Volvo sx a OMG cobra outdrive?

 

[JASinIL2006]

The sound test is pretty much meaningless for checking the transom. Most owners won't let you drill test holes, but you might be able to poke around in the wood of the transom with a screwdriver to see if the wood is solid. A 25+ year old boat is a pretty candidate for rot, and since the boat is being sold for $2000 in a market that is really hot for used boats, I'd be very, very careful, or you may be buying a project...

 

[Canadianboater43]

Hey all, thanks so much for the reply’s. I figured as much about the rot, however at that price and for the style and shape it appears to be in I’m not too concerned if I need to put some work into it. I do believe the SX is a remastered OMC king cobra according to my reasearch. I will definitely pay close attention to any signs of rot and decay next time I go to look.
Really appreciate the reply’s and advice!

 

[Canadianboater43]

I just realized I missed some questions. It is a single axle trailer (I’m not sure of the weight rating but I’m also not very concerned about bearings, those are super easy to do)

For the tubber components someone mentioned above, how hard is it to change the bellows? I’ve only seen very little from research.

I will get back to you all if I get any more updates. Thanks!

 

[roscoe]

Definitely get her in the water for a half hour and put her through the paces.

 

[hugh g]

I just realized I missed some questions. It is a single axle trailer (I’m not sure of the weight rating but I’m also not very concerned about bearings, those are super easy to do)

For the tubber components someone mentioned above, how hard is it to change the bellows? I’ve only seen very little from research.

I will get back to you all if I get any more updates. Thanks!

Take it out for a test run. While in the water open the engine cover & check the bilge for water intrusion. If there is it could be a leaking u- joint bellows or the transom is bad.

 

[lprizman]

Run it for a good hour and put it through its paces and then some...triple check everything....
Best of luck!!
Lance

 

[Lou C]

The Volvo SX is a development of the OMC Cobra where during the joint venture between OMC and Volvo the Cobra drive was re-designed from dog clutch shifting to cone clutch shifting and identical models were sold from '94 to '98 under both brand names, after '98 Volvo bought out the rest of OMC's interest in the stern drive division and they were all sold as Volvos after that.
With that boat my main concern is the carpet covered decks, if that is a plywood deck with a thin coat of resin and carpet on it all these years, if in a damp climate there is a high probablilty of rot in the deck. See if the seat mounts flex, is there any springyness in the deck, open up the ski locker and look in there for signs of rot (brown/black wood, smells musty). Also look at the engine mount pads any cracks around them due to wood rotting and the weight of the engine flexing the 'glass. The 4.3 V6+Volvo SX is a nice power package. I would not be put off by some mechanical repairs (bellows, exhaust manifolds/elbows, starter, carb clean and rebuild) but if there are signs of rot move on, it can turn into a huge job. Been there and done it, and once was quite enough for me. No more old boats for this old driveway mechanic. They will take your blood sweat and tears....and $$$ as well. Don't be misled by the low price.

 

[Canadianboater43]

The Volvo SX is a development of the OMC Cobra where during the joint venture between OMC and Volvo the Cobra drive was re-designed from dog clutch shifting to cone clutch shifting and identical models were sold from '94 to '98 under both brand names, after '98 Volvo bought out the rest of OMC's interest in the stern drive division and they were all sold as Volvos after that.
With that boat my main concern is the carpet covered decks, if that is a plywood deck with a thin coat of resin and carpet on it all these years, if in a damp climate there is a high probablilty of rot in the deck. See if the seat mounts flex, is there any springyness in the deck, open up the ski locker and look in there for signs of rot (brown/black wood, smells musty). Also look at the engine mount pads any cracks around them due to wood rotting and the weight of the engine flexing the 'glass. The 4.3 V6+Volvo SX is a nice power package. I would not be put off by some mechanical repairs (bellows, exhaust manifolds/elbows, starter, carb clean and rebuild) but if there are signs of rot move on, it can turn into a huge job. Been there and done it, and once was quite enough for me. No more old boats for this old driveway mechanic. They will take your blood sweat and tears....and $$$ as well. Don't be misled by the low price.

Thankyou very much for the thorough reply. I will definitely go back and check it out again. I will update soon!

 

[JimS123]

26 years old and water in the oil is a non starter for me.

 

[nola mike]

It's worth more than 2k in parts.

 

[Canadianboater43]

It's worth more than 2k in parts.

I was thinking that myself, or even resale, especially here in Ontario!

 

[Paddichuck]

I was thinking that myself, or even resale, especially here in Ontario!

That boat and trailer is for sure worth more than $2k in parts.
If OP doesn't buy it, I will!

 

[JimS123]

It's worth more than 2k in parts.

It all depends on what your pleasure is. Do you want to sweat taking stuff apart and then wait at home for people to come to you to buy the parts? Is your motivation to make some extra cash?

Personally, my spare time is spent out in the boat swimming and drinking beer.