purchasing my first boat need advice

[sk8er406]

I am looking to purchase my first boat and was wondering if this one is worthing looking at and if its a good deal.

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/boa/2580745664.html

I know it says it has a little water in the oil and usually means a head gasket on cars and I can change those but could it be something else? What
should I look out for?

 

[southkogs]

Re: purchasing my first boat need advice

It's worth going to look at. The boat looks really clean in the photos - but you still need to check carefully for floor rotting and transom rotting.

The engine looks clean as well, and perhaps the water in the oil is an isolated incident. Could also be a major problem (he's selling a head gasket kit too - that's a bit of a red flag). I've heard good things about the Volvo out drives, but I've never owned one.

I bought a similar type (and age) of boat a year or so ago, in similar condition. I got mine cheaper than that, and have had to put in almost $1,000 to fix all of the bits and pieces. Probably have another $500 or so to spend over this coming winter. Mine's been usable all along, but not completely repaired.

Like I said, it's worth a look, but be careful.

 

[sk8er406]

Re: purchasing my first boat need advice

Thanks I appreciate it....The guy said the hour meter only said 250 hrs which seems really good. He also said the impeller was bad and had to change that so maybe thats where the water came from if that can happen. He never changed the oil after that or messed with it since june. He bought
the head gasket kit because he thinks thats what the problem is but isnt sure since he isnt mechanically inclined.

 

[MN-WaterGuy]

Re: purchasing my first boat need advice

Thanks I appreciate it....The guy said the hour meter only said 250 hrs which seems really good. He also said the impeller was bad and had to change that so maybe thats where the water came from if that can happen. He never changed the oil after that or messed with it since june. He bought
the head gasket kit because he thinks thats what the problem is but isnt sure since he isnt mechanically inclined.

If I read that right, you said he paid $300 for the head gasket kit. For a guy who isn't mechanically inclined, that's a lot of money to shell out for something he "thinks" is the problem, especially if he wasn't going to attempt a fix himself... Just a thought.

 

[southkogs]

Re: purchasing my first boat need advice

Thanks I appreciate it....The guy said the hour meter only said 250 hrs which seems really good. He also said the impeller was bad and had to change that so maybe thats where the water came from if that can happen. He never changed the oil after that or messed with it since june. He bought
the head gasket kit because he thinks thats what the problem is but isnt sure since he isnt mechanically inclined.

Don't rely on the hour meter, they don't work like a car odometer. Visual inspection, and get it out on the water. If water is getting in your oil from the impeller - it's just like having coolant in your oil in a car, sumthin's broke big. It might be best to have a marine mechanic look at it for you - it may give you a better idea of what you're up against. If everything was working perfectly on that boat, I'd consider $2,000 to buy it (maybe $2,500 if it was REALLY sharp). So, even having to do some work on the stern drive might make it worth it as a project boat.

Just be realistic when you're evaluating it. There's always a risk involved with a boat purchase - much like a car.

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: purchasing my first boat need advice

Seems like a decent deal, but I'm leary at some of the things the guy says. Doesn't want to mess with changing the oil? That's a 15 minute job IF you forgot where you put your wrenches AND have to stop for a beer half way through. Yes, some people are that lazy, but others are trying to hide something. Go take a look and read the guys body language.

 

[produceguy]

Re: purchasing my first boat need advice

That's a nice boat for 1,ooo$. Something tells me the owner knows something is not right.
In AZ, thats a 3'000$ boat all day long.

 

[sk8er406]

Re: purchasing my first boat need advice

If I perform a leakdown test and without having a radiator to see or hear bubbles how can I tell if the headgasket is the problem?

 

[The Famous Grouse]

Re: purchasing my first boat need advice

Avoid.

Too many red flags and the price is too high. Come on, we're talking about a 40, repeat four-zero, year old boat here.

IMO, you absolutely don't want to take on somebody else's head gasket problem unless the boat is damn near free.

Grouse

 

[produceguy]

Re: purchasing my first boat need advice

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=369864

 

[sbbamafan]

Re: purchasing my first boat need advice

I had one identical to that - except with Volvo 4 cyl (AQ130C). I always thought the 6 cyl would have been a wonderful improvement. Mine had a bit of oil / water mixing that happened at one point. In my situation, it turned out to be a gasket on the oil cooler. I'm not saying that is the problem here, but it COULD be something simple. There is only one way to know. As for the rest of the boat, unless it is REALLY wierd, either the floor needs to be replaced or it already has been done. I replaced mine but the stringers were good. Transom also had to be replaced on mine. My dad originally bought our boat. I had it until about 1987 or 88. I was meticulous about it bit as another poster said - it is 40 years old now. Wow. One other thing - You just can't beat a Volvo!

 

[dpoff]

Re: purchasing my first boat need advice

Just thinking.... He knows the impeller is bad.... Thinks it needs a head gasket... sounds like he overheated it enough to warp the head. Just thinking.

 

[sk8er406]

Re: purchasing my first boat need advice

Can I perform a leakdown on these like a car or does the cooling system have to be plugged first?

 

[sk8er406]

Re: purchasing my first boat need advice

The impeller isnt bad anymore....he had it on the water and it started running hot so he put a new impeller on it and it then it ran fine but stopped running it because of the water in the oil.

 

[JoLin]

Re: purchasing my first boat need advice

I'd walk unless I had a donor engine lined up. That's a real Volvo engine, not a Volvo-ized American block. Where would you find another if the block is cracked? Are they available?

 

[sk8er406]

Re: purchasing my first boat need advice

Wow, everyone seems to think the block is cracked. Isnt that worst case scenario? I thought it was pretty hard to crack a block. I havent gone
an checked it out in person yet but ill do a compression test and check the plugs before I decide.

 

[JoLin]

Re: purchasing my first boat need advice

Wow, everyone seems to think the block is cracked. Isnt that worst case scenario? I thought it was pretty hard to crack a block. I havent gone
an checked it out in person yet but ill do a compression test and check the plugs before I decide.

For those of us who live in freezing winter climates, that's THE common cause of oil in the water- a poorly winterized engine and consequently, a cracked block.

My .02

 

[sk8er406]

Re: purchasing my first boat need advice

I understand your reasoning now but being in cali should be a different story right.....

 

[spdracr39]

Re: purchasing my first boat need advice

PASS!! You want your first boat to be one you can use not spend an endless amount of money trying to fix. Even if it is a just a head gasket and impeller why take the risk when he wasn't willing to.