DIY Survey questions when buying a used boat.
 

OK, my little ChrisCraft 169 Scorpion is a nice boat...but getting
smaller all the time.

I bought it used for $1500.00, and I thought I did good. After all,
thats cheap money if you come out on the short end.

OK, I'm now looking at a 24' Mark Twain with a 292 Chevy and Alpha-1
Mercruiser. The engine is clean enough and the oil lookes used but
good and no signs of any leaks even though the outdrive shows signs of
a bit of corrosion. probably from sitting for a season and collecting
lake skank. but has been cleaned up rather nicley.
Hydrolics are ok too.
It's been on a small lake a couple times this year. it was a trade-in
for a car, and is sitting on a used car lot. The boat has had at least
new carpeting and seats recovered, and the floor seems solid enough. A
couple very small blisters on the bottom, but don't look anything
scary.especially for a 1977 boat. all in all it does look like it's
been reasonably well cared for.

I was wondering how one can inspect the stringer ribs? Or is that
something that one would have to tear the floor out to do? before
shucking out about $3500.00 for it and the trailer, there are some
things I like to know.

BTW, the new carpeting has covered any inspection port or grate in the
floor. I don't know if thats a tattle-tale sign or not.

What say ye?

THANKS!
Tim

Well, I suppose at this venture it really doesn't amtter about the
stringers etc.

I went back and looked at the boat today and it was parked in a
different position. and I started taking closer looks at various items.


The guy that was there said "the boss took it out this weekend to see
what it would do etc. etc. I don't have any complaint with that, but
I'm glad he did. I cracked open the engine cover and hmmmmm, in the
bottom of the boat was some oily water and I looked on the starter side
of the engine and saw it was leaking fromt he valve cover and the side
inspection ports.

"Blow-by" was the first thought. PLUS I got a better look at the
transom and saw there were hairline cracks in it, which I really didn't
think much of, untill I saw great globs of clear silicone around the
large main gasket where the out drive connects to the boat.

I saw some other items I hadn't noticed before, and it was probably
mere nit picking, so no need to get into that.

But this did give me a good view of the larger picture, that the boat
had really been cleaned up well then traded in, evidently. I'm gonna
pass on this one. even though the cosmetics of the boat seem to be *OK*
the mechanical tell tale signs were evident.
Who knows? maybe the boat is worth doing some extensive maintenance on,
but it looked like grief down the road.


oh well.......


Tim