Sylvan 209 Barritz

[Rivergator]

I am about to buy a Sylvan 209 Barritz bow rider. Where can I type in the VIN number for the boat to find out the specifics about this boat? Nowhere can I find a website that provides that service. I will list the number here and hopefully someone on this forum will be able to interpret this number and tell me all about that boat. I am not even sure what year it is. Here is the number: SYL38237A888. Also I noticed that the prop on the Alpha one unit has about 2 or 3 mm in/out play. Somebody said that that was normal. I can't believe that, but is it? Also the engine has 422 hours on it. Is that good, bad or horrible? Thanks for a quick response, because I need to make a decision by tomorrow. Thanks a million.

 

[GA_Boater]

A 10th of an inch of play is nothing. There is some built play and that isn't excessive and is normal.

Have you taken a test drive?

Before decoding - It's a Sylvan built in 1988. Decoding the HIN won't tell you much because NIH's are not like auto VIN's, but here goes;

 

[Rivergator]

Thanks GA, great info. What I needed. So its a 1988. What about the hours on the 4.3 V-6 engine. Compared to a car engine would that be like an engine with 50000, 100000 or 200000 miles on it, if I can use that analogy. No I am not able to test run the boat, because they lost the ignition key to it and according to the seller the boat hasn't been in the water for 2 years, because the owner was sick and eventually died. He inherited the boat and says he knows little about it. I know, its a cat in a bag and I stick my neck out, but the price is right, a 1000 bucks for both boat and trailer. Everything else on the boat looks pretty good, except the upholstery and even there I have seen worse. If drive and engine are good, I'll be fine, if not, well life is a gamble. That's why I appreciate any and all tips you guys can give me.

 

[wahlejim]

Hours don't mean much as long as it was maintained. Any maintenance records? Winterization records? Without running it, I would walk away.

Many things can go wrong with an improperly stored boat. Freeze damage, cracked block and manifolds. Not to mention the fuel varnishing and having to clean the fuel tank and replace gas lines, rebuild carb, etc. Figure out a way to get it running before you spend any money on it.

 

[GA_Boater]

The hours work out to only 15 hrs/year. As Jim said, it's not hours, it maintenance.

If you are going to take a chance without running it, at least hook up a charged battery to see if things like gauges move and the tilt/trim works. Pull the plugs looking for rust on them and water in the cylinders. Also use a jumper on the solenoid to see if the motor turns over and water doesn't shoot out of the plug holes. And look for water in the oil.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

I guess like everything else you get what you pay for. I wouldn't buy any vehicle with out a test drive no matter the cost. Around here 30 year old boats that have sat for 2 years are a dime a dozen, usually they are bought for the trailer alone. To dispose a boat in land fill will cost more than what a boat might be worth. In my opinion the hours on that boat is a moot point if it doesn't run well. After 2 years it's a guess. I don't want to be downer Dan but I would not touch it until you do at least what GA_Boater suggests. No splash, no cash. What is the seller asking for it?

 

[Rivergator]

Thanks for all the advise. I bought the boat. It was a leap of faith based on my gut feeling and sixth sense. The one concern I have is the engine, I put a wrench to the crank to see if I could turn it by hand to at least know that the engine is loose, but was not able to do that, unfortunately. However, the bolt on the crank was a small 9/16 and I chucked if off to not enough leverage. I did check the oil and it looked clean and NO water in it, so I took the chance. The rest of the boat looks pretty good and the Alpha One drive seems to be in good shape. I got it for 900 bucks incl. trailer and if push comes to shove should always get my money back by selling it one piece at a time. I will pull the plugs, squirt some oil in each cylinder and try to turn the engine again by hand in the comfort and convenience of my man cave where I have all the tools and trickery. I am an optimist and hopefully the engine is A ok. I will keep y'all you posted how it goes. Thanks for now.