On Apr 3, 9:29*am, John H. wrote:

Make sure you get a chance to have the boat and engine inspected before
plunking down your money!

Everyone says that as a kind of CYA. However, in truth paying $800 to
inspect a boat that is otherwise pretty new and been maintained (with
documentation) by a well-known shop may not be best bang-for-buck.

-Robert

"Robert M. Gary" wrote in message
...
On Apr 3, 9:29 am, John H. wrote:

Make sure you get a chance to have the boat and engine inspected before
plunking down your money!

Everyone says that as a kind of CYA. However, in truth paying $800 to
inspect a boat that is otherwise pretty new and been maintained (with
documentation) by a well-known shop may not be best bang-for-buck.

-Robert


I agree if you have some knowledge of what to look for. However, the OP
indicated he was purchasing his first boat and came across such that it
appears this is a new experience for him. If he's buying an old boat for
a couple of $1000, that's one thing. But he was considering outboards,
inboards, I/Os in the 3-6 year old range which are likely to be a more
significant investment. For example, finding out what risers are on the
engine and the fact that they need to be replaced every 4-6 years is not
something he is likely to be aware of .... until they go bad.

That situation is ripe for the assistance of a surveyor and mechanic's
inspection, IMO.

Eisboch

"John H." wrote in message
...

On Thu, 3 Apr 2008 13:27:06 -0700 (PDT), "Robert M. Gary"
wrote:

On Apr 3, 9:29 am, John H. wrote:

Make sure you get a chance to have the boat and engine inspected before
plunking down your money!

Everyone says that as a kind of CYA. However, in truth paying $800 to
inspect a boat that is otherwise pretty new and been maintained (with
documentation) by a well-known shop may not be best bang-for-buck.

-Robert

I might not plunk down $800, but I'd take it to a mechanic and have the
engine looked over. I've a feeling he could get something in the 18' range
checked out for a lot less than $800.


For sure.

If you are not familiar with a boat and it's various systems, a survey can
be well worth it.
When we bought the Navigator it was brand new and had never been
commissioned. We paid cash for it, so a survey for financing was not
required. I still retained a surveyor anyway and spent the day with him
while he went over the boat. He knew a heck of a lot more about it than the
dealer and the time and money was well spent in terms of getting me up to
speed on the boat.

*That* survey didn't cost 800 bucks either and he through in two afternoons
of on the water handling lessons that were very helpful. That was almost 8
years ago, and prices have probably gone up since then, but it was worth it.
I learned a lot.

Eisboch

"Eisboch" wrote in message
...

"John H." wrote in message
...

On Thu, 3 Apr 2008 13:27:06 -0700 (PDT), "Robert M. Gary"
wrote:

On Apr 3, 9:29 am, John H. wrote:

Make sure you get a chance to have the boat and engine inspected before
plunking down your money!

Everyone says that as a kind of CYA. However, in truth paying $800 to
inspect a boat that is otherwise pretty new and been maintained (with
documentation) by a well-known shop may not be best bang-for-buck.

-Robert

I might not plunk down $800, but I'd take it to a mechanic and have the
engine looked over. I've a feeling he could get something in the 18'
range
checked out for a lot less than $800.


For sure.

If you are not familiar with a boat and it's various systems, a survey can
be well worth it.
When we bought the Navigator it was brand new and had never been
commissioned. We paid cash for it, so a survey for financing was not
required. I still retained a surveyor anyway and spent the day with him
while he went over the boat. He knew a heck of a lot more about it than
the dealer and the time and money was well spent in terms of getting me up
to speed on the boat.

*That* survey didn't cost 800 bucks either and he through in two
afternoons of on the water handling lessons that were very helpful. That
was almost 8 years ago, and prices have probably gone up since then, but
it was worth it. I learned a lot.

Eisboch


edit .... try "threw" in ..... instead of "through" in.

See Vic? I am even forgetting how to speak. or type.

Eisboch

On Thu, 3 Apr 2008 13:27:06 -0700 (PDT), "Robert M. Gary"
wrote:

On Apr 3, 9:29*am, John H. wrote:

Make sure you get a chance to have the boat and engine inspected before
plunking down your money!

Everyone says that as a kind of CYA. However, in truth paying $800 to
inspect a boat that is otherwise pretty new and been maintained (with
documentation) by a well-known shop may not be best bang-for-buck.

An hours shop time might cost $125 max - most likely $95 to $100.

A full inspection by a surveyor might cost $300 max for the type of
boat he's looking at. If he doesn't require a written report just a
verbal report that the boat is in decent shape, even less.

On Thu, 3 Apr 2008 13:27:06 -0700 (PDT), "Robert M. Gary"
wrote:

On Apr 3, 9:29*am, John H. wrote:

Make sure you get a chance to have the boat and engine inspected before
plunking down your money!

Everyone says that as a kind of CYA. However, in truth paying $800 to
inspect a boat that is otherwise pretty new and been maintained (with
documentation) by a well-known shop may not be best bang-for-buck.

-Robert

I might not plunk down $800, but I'd take it to a mechanic and have the
engine looked over. I've a feeling he could get something in the 18' range
checked out for a lot less than $800.

"Reginald P. Smithers III" "Reggie is Here wrote in message
news
Eisboch wrote:
"Haas C" wrote in message
...
Hi all!

I am about to purchase a pre-owned/used boat soon - it will be my
first time purchasing. I am going to buy something between 3-6 years
old - with that kind of age, what would be a good use of engine hours?
Not sure if i am getting an outboard, inboard, I/O, but would welcome
any and all suggestions. i am going to be boating mainly on lakes.
When i see ads, i usually see engine hours listed - just wanted to
know how many hours are too much, etc. Thanks!



Retain the services of a professional surveyor and also a engine
specialist to inspect before purchase.

Hours on an engine are only a rough estimate of time between rebuilds or
repower. Some gas inboard or I/O engines need a rebuild in less than
1000 hrs. Some, better maintained engines will last longer.

As a rule of thumb, however, 1000 hours for a gas inboard or I/0 is
about average. I don't now about outboards.

Get it inspected .... there's lots more to be concerned about than the
engines. Hull, fuel tanks, outdrives, etc. can all be expensive to
replace. Faulty thru hulls and sea cocks can sink you. Jury-rigged
wiring by a previous owner can fry you.

Eisboch

I have over 1200 hrs on my I/O s, and was told by a mechanic, if you
follow the recommended maintenance schedule (especially oil change every
50 hrs, and at the end of the season and fogging your engine whenever you
won't be using the boat on a regular basis, a fresh water boat you should
be able to get about 2500 hrs before a rebuild. He said if it isn't
maintained properly, or run at much higher RPM, you can expect a rebuild
in the 1000 -1500 hr range. I hope this info is correct. The engines
currently purr, especially if I rub them them just right.

I don't run the boat WOT, and normally will back the rpm down to 3200-3400
once I am on plane so they don't take as much abuse as some engines.


My 351 Ford engine was still OK but down on power at 1450 hours. They say
the newer engines are good for 2000 hours with decent service.

On Apr 3, 4:11*pm, "Eisboch" wrote:

edit .... * try "threw" in ..... *instead of "through" in.

See Vic? * I am even forgetting how to speak. * or type.

Eisboch- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -


Richard, you've been readingg too many fo my podsts.!

On Apr 3, 3:41*pm, "JimH" wrote:
"Robert M. Gary" wrote in ...
On Apr 3, 9:29 am, John H. wrote:

Make sure you get a chance to have the boat and engine inspected before
plunking down your money!

Everyone says that as a kind of CYA. However, in truth paying $800 to
inspect a boat that is otherwise pretty new and been maintained (with
documentation) by a well-known shop may not be best bang-for-buck.

-Robert
==============

It cost me $385 to have my 20 footer surveyed. *The survey included the
structure, mechanics and a compression test on the engine.

I would never buy a used boat without having it surveyed.

I'm no expert, but I bought both of my boats without a survey or a
"sea trial" The prices were right, and I'm no expert, but I can check
stuff out fairly well. Been well satisfied with what I have.

On Apr 3, 6:02*pm, "JimH" wrote:
"Tim" wrote in message

...
On Apr 3, 3:41 pm, "JimH" wrote:





"Robert M. Gary" wrote in
...
On Apr 3, 9:29 am, John H. wrote:

Make sure you get a chance to have the boat and engine inspected before
plunking down your money!

Everyone says that as a kind of CYA. However, in truth paying $800 to
inspect a boat that is otherwise pretty new and been maintained (with
documentation) by a well-known shop may not be best bang-for-buck.

-Robert
==============

It cost me $385 to have my 20 footer surveyed. The survey included the
structure, mechanics and a compression test on the engine.

I would never buy a used boat without having it surveyed.

I'm no expert, but I bought both of my boats without a survey or a
"sea trial" *The prices were right, and I'm no expert, but I can check
stuff out fairly well. Been well satisfied with what I have.
=====================

Glad it worked out for you so far Tim. * I look at a survey as a bit of
insurance and a good second opinion.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

That's a good thought, now that I re-read my post I feel that I may
have seemed a bit arrogant to the OP, which wasn't my intention. I
would deffinately agree that being a first timer with little or no
knowledge of the craft they wish to by, then a good, independant
mechanical survey may be just the ticket. But I would suggest that one
should really pick oput the best they can find in the price line they
can afford, almost as if it is to be "the one" THEN have it
researched. otherwise a eprson can survey them right down the line and
do nothing but waste a lot of their time and money for the existing
owners benefit.