"*JimH*" wrote in message
...

" *JimH*" wrote in message
...
Subject to favorable survey and engine compression check: Today we put a
deposit down on a 1997 20 foot Glastron 209GS with trailer, 4.3L Volvo.
45 mph reported top end. Immaculate inside and out. Bimini, cockpit
and mooring covers. Got it for less than NADA average retail.

Needs: Depth sounder, porta-potty, AM/FM/CD (replacing the unit old
cassette unit already in the boat).

Pics:

http://tinyurl.com/8y4ef

http://tinyurl.com/bq4mb

http://tinyurl.com/abnwu

http://tinyurl.com/8x7bg

I will arrange for the surveys next week and finalize the deal
(hopefully) by the end of the week. ;-)



The survey was completed today.

Results:

Compression test on the engine/outdrive: All cylinders within 4 psi
ranging from 158 psi to 162 psi. WOW!!!! Bellows on the outdrive in
excellent shape. Outdrive in excellent shape. Engine in excellent shape.
The dealers mechanic noticed a wrong fuel pump on the engine and they
installed a new fuel pump today.

All other mechanical systems work fine.

No structural issues....solid as a rock. A couple of cosmetic gelcoat
dings that the dealership will repair (over the winter).

A few issues on the mooring cover (needs restitching...no big deal), the
bimini boot cover (greasy hand prints....the dealership is cleaning it)
and the spare tire (needs to be replaced...to be done by the dealership
ASAP with me picking it up over the winter).

A done deal subject to a sea trial tomorrow at 2:30.

Great boat. Nice price. Great dealership willing to work with me on this
deal.

I will be taking out the silly sink/fridge/electric stove cabinet in the
cockpit as we do not need these things and they take up valuable space on
this 20 foot boat. Unfortunately the captains seat is part of the cabinet
assembly, so that will go also.

I will tear the cabinet out this winter, along with the red carpeting (hey
baby) and re-carpet with snap in berber during the winter (I will find a
local barn to winter store in allowing me to work on it during the
winter). I will also install a swivel pedestal for the helm seat and a new
high quality grade flip up (with bolster) captains chair. This will leave
room for an insulated cooler behind helm seat, also serving as a foot rest
for the rear starboard passenger.

All in all I am very happy with this boat purchase. Following the sea
trial (I predict no problems) we will drive it home tomorrow and plan to
have a shakedown cruise on Friday (just me and the wife). The kids will
join us over the weekend for tubing, skiing and wakeboarding. We will
take it out as many times as we can till the season ends.

I can then think about doing my work on it and have something to look
forward to next Spring. ;-)

After a 2 year layoff it is nice to be back into boating again. This 20
footer serves our immediate needs just fine.





Final update:

The sea trial was today and the boat passed with flying colors. It comes up
on plane in an instant and tops out at 46 MPH WOT even with 3 adults and a
full tank of fuel. It also handled beautifully in 2 foot seas.

Passed: Structural survey: Mechanical survey: Engine compression test:
Sea trial.

Done deal. ;-)

The dealer replaced the fuel pump (non standard fuel pump that the previous
owner installed), changed the oil and filter, replaced the trailer spare
tire with a brand new one, promised in writing to repair some gelcoat nicks
and scratches over the winter, outfitted the boat with anchor, anchor line,
dock lines, life jackets, visual safety flag, flares and throwable life
cushion. They also threw in a free tank of gas to boot. And this was a
used, not new, boat. Great folks and a pleasure to do business with.

If anyone is looking for a boat in the Cleveland/Akron/Sandusky area contact
Greg at Pat's Boats (Akron). They sell new Regals and used boats of all
types. Wonderful people who provide outstanding service.

We signed the papers and took ownership late this afternoon. Cash deal.
We drove it home tonight, loaded the safety equipment and other supplies and
plan to do some boating tomorrow and the weekend.

Late this morning I even found a secured yard (fenced and gated) 1 mile from
our house that will store the boat for free. Long story but in
short....the site houses a lawn maintenance company and the buildings and
land (14+ acres) are owned by a local resident....quite wealthy and quite
generous. I made contact to him via a long time business associate. We
were willing to pay him but he did not want the money. So we will store the
boat there until we get a dock next season. Sweet!

Nice to be back in boating and nice to see there are very decent people in
this world who don't make decisions based solely on the almighty dollar.

A big ****ty smile. :-)