Possible purchase Need some advice

[ngoodart]

Hello All,
It has been a while since I have posted on here but I have an oppertunity to purchase a new-to-me boat and wanted some advice. It is a 1984 Sea Sprite Continental 1? I have tried a couple HIN searches and I dont care to pay for that right now. It has a 2.5L Mercruiser 4. It is in pretty decent shape for its age, mechanically sound and current owner states does run, unable to verify right now due to being in storage. It has 2 mechanical issues as of right now, the lower **** cable is bound up and wont shift, and it needs an exhaust boot. The Gel coat is in pretty good shape has some oxidation but no major issues there, nothing that can't be fairly easily fixed there are no holes and the deck is sound no soft spots, the interior needs some help been left to the elements no big suprise. Other then the lower shift cable and the exhaust boot all other issues are cosmetic. The owner is asking $800.
Thoughts on this possible purchase? If there is anyone out there that could help me out with the HIN seach PM me and I can send it to you.
Thanks for your help.

 

[444]

Re: Possible purchase Need some advice

I would be far less concerned about the HIN search and far more concerned about the engine and transmission. You can run a boat off of a garden hose with a pair of $5 "earmuff" adapters. Doesn't have to run it for long, just enough to show you it actually run and will idle and rev up a little. If the seller won't at least do this for you, that's a HUGE red flag and I would bail on it right then and there. I would have to assume a lower unit cable that is "bound" up means the transmission is trashed and won't shift, probably the real reason he doesn't want to start it up for you. Too many red flags for me. If you can't water test, at least wait for something you can see and hear run/shift.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Possible purchase Need some advice

To change the exhaust boot you need to remove the drive and should do the gimbal bearing and several other service items while you are in there and I would never take thier word for it that the shift cable is bound, could easily be the lower was exploded and won't shift.

Also if the interior was "left to the elements" so was the inside of the hull so you are looking at possible stringer transom replacement, not trying to pee on your parade just warning you this could be a huge money pit.

I am with 444, to many flags for me too,I would keep looking and if you do look at it $800 is way to much for a boat that won't run or shift.

 

[ngoodart]

Re: Possible purchase Need some advice

Ok thanks for your input, perhaps I should have been a little more clear on the mechanincal part. The boat does run, I know the guy that currently owns it and the owner before him. There is about 70 hours on the rebuilt motor. I have been doing alot of homework on here before I go to purchase anything. I have been in the boat and deck is solid it was stored bow up with the transom plug out and despite 2 days of hard rain there was no water in the boat except fpr wet cushions. The transom is solid I can hang on the out drive and it doesn't budge. The exhaust boot that I am referring to is the one that is on top of the motor from the header to the exhaust pipe. I dont see any reason to remove the drive to get at that part. The Current owner took the boat in to have the shifting problem looked at 2 months ago and the Drive got a clean bill of health other then the shifting issue. He was going to have it fixed and continue to use the boat himself but doesn't have the money to do it. Thanks for your advice on this. If I do buy this boat I planned on fixing the shifting issue, and the exhaust boot. Taking it out and playing a little and then garaging her for some much needed upholstery and oxidation removal. Thanks for your help

 

[5150abf]

Re: Possible purchase Need some advice

I see, more info is always good, i thought you meant the bellows which does require the outdrive to be pulled and since you knwoboth PO's and the boat history I think you are okay now.

I though this was a craigs list deal and some of those people will tell you anything to get rid of a boat.

If you do get it get some pics up, we love the pics here.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: Possible purchase Need some advice

That sounds like a maybe. The limiting factor is, can you take the time and do some mechanical stuff? On the Mercruiser forum you can get help on the shift cable, the exhaust tube and any thing that engine & drive system need.
Can you get the current owner to allow you to do some dissassembly to inspect? If yes, great. If no there are still some things you can do. The shift cables go through a linkage on the starboard side of my motor, yours will be similar. Without starting you can move(or try) the lever to see if it shifts without the motor turning. If it shifts but just shifts hard, then you are probably right about the lower cable.
For the exhaust tube just get one, btw it has 4 stainless steel clamps to hold it on, hopefully they are still there. If the exhaust tube has a burn hole you probably need to figure out why. Without going into a lot of detail the burn would indicate that the motor could have bee run without a water muff attached to the drive. That calls for some more work, but something most mechanically inclined folks can do.
A boat shop will charge you more than that $800 probably, but I have done that stuff myself for far less.

 

[04fxdwgi]

Re: Possible purchase Need some advice

Drive need not be removed to change exhaust bellows

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Possible purchase Need some advice

as long as you trust the seller, and have enough money to repower, why not?

 

[NHGuy]

Re: Possible purchase Need some advice

Engine was done 70 hours ago, could be fine. A shift cable, impeller & water pocket, & exhaust down tube from the riser to the outlet pipe might be the whole thing. Gotta check.

 

[ngoodart]

Re: Possible purchase Need some advice

NHguy thanks for the tips I appreciate it. The PO replaced the steering cables not too long ago as well becuase "they didn't get the full travel" out of them. I am going to check on the shifting part probablly tomorrow night going to see if can get a battery in it and make sure she turns over/compression check. If those things are good the rest I am comfortable with doing myself. Im pretty mechanically inclined and can fix most things and if I need help I have you guys right??? Could the sterring cable issue be similar to what is happening with the shift cable? could it simply just need to be adjusted? The PO told me that the mechainic that looked at the Outdrive said that the cable is moving just not getting enough travel to fully engage the F/R gears. Could it be as simple as an adjustment and the exhaust boot? Oh yeah and the impeller was recently replaced as well He replaced that when they were looking at replacing the shift cable and decided not to. I do trust the guy, I work with both of the PO. They are father and stepson.

 

[444]

Re: Possible purchase Need some advice

It's still 800 bucks for a non running, non shifting boat. I would still be very cautious because these repairs are never the simple thing that you think they will be. If you trusted the guy so much, why were you wanting to do a HIN search?

 

[ngoodart]

Re: Possible purchase Need some advice

OK guys,
I pulled the trigger and have the boat in my drive way. The PO and I took it to his house and put muffs on it and a battery in it. It took a little persuasion by cleaning the cables and priming the motor with a little fuel and it fired right up. I checked the drive out a little further and there is no slipping when the gears are engaged it ratchets like I have seen described in other posts regarding the drives. I found the problem with the lower shift cable it will need to be replaced it looks like it started to get a little slack in it and when they were running the boat while steering the drive was turned and pinched the cable, thus the lack of travel in it. I'm going to change the oil in the motor and obviously the drive when I replace the cables, I did notice while looking at the cable it looks like the roller arm on the shift interrupt switch has been tweaked and doesn't quite line up with the cam on the linkage. It tests out good with a multi-meter wo when I get the lower cable replaced Im going to look at replacing that as well. Next question, what is the best method to approach the lower cable replacement. I am going to order the manuals and parts today just was wanting to get some advice on the best methods to replacing it. I have a 2.5L 4cyl Mercruiser. Any tips and tricks will be greatly appreciated.