buying a boat... tech help please!

[SuperCab]

Looking at buying a boat... always wanted one, and the neighbor has a good looking one...
Looks about 70s vintage... bayliner, maybe 20 feet. has a merc i/o setup- looks like a gm iron duke 4 banger... says 120 hp on it. Guy says he hooked water up to it and ran the engin but dodoesnt know if the outdrive is good. so my question is, why am I even considering buying a boat, and how do you test a merc drive unit. also,any other problems I should look for would be apreciated.

 

[DNFXDLI]

If it sinks there is something wrong with it

 

[SuperCab]

I thought it was supposed to do that

 

[DNFXDLI]

 

[m78]

Are you planning on buying it from your neighbor ?

You would be better off, offering to help him fix it, and then you could ride with them.

 

[SuperCab]

He has had it for like 10 years and mever used it... kinda a collector of things that would be usefull to someone less lazy than him. he doesnt want much money for it though...

 

[m78]

check the prices here.
http://www.nadaguides.com/Boats

 

[SuperCab]

Looks like its worth $750 - 1000... His asking price is right in that range..

 

[CaFordDude]

I have never wanted to or considered owing a boat. Surprisingly though I am somewhat jealous of them. Good luck with your purchase.

 

[surewhynot]

I own a boat and know what it means.
Bust Out Another Thousand.

I'd rather just have a friend with a boat.

 

[SuperCab]

For the price though, I am seriously tempted...

So how does the drive work? Can you just start the engine and rev it up and see if the thing works?

 

[DNFXDLI]

Pretty sure you can fire it for a very short while without damage to see if it runs...it's been a long time since I've been around marine engines....I'm pretty sure they rely on lake/ocean water for cooling though.
Check the wiring..the last boat I had the pleasure of working on needed a complete rewire.

 

[SuperCab]

That's what I was thinking... Will look at the wiring... I hate electrical problems

 

[DNFXDLI]

If you do something rash and buy it.....and it does need rewiring....if you bring it here, I will do it for free...seriously.

 

[SuperCab]

I'll have to get my f250 out of storage before I even consider a trek to a fellow Ford owner



Thanks for the offer... Hope I won't have to take you up on it...

 

[DNFXDLI]

I know it's a haul...but the offer is there if you want..and trust me, it will be done to a high standard
If it needs minor stuff...I can help as well.

 

[SuperCab]

You are one of the greatest e-friends I have...

 

[DNFXDLI]

I'm just a happy passive Canuck that likes to help

 

[m78]

After sitting for ten years , you'll have that amount in getting it running.
Offer him $150 for it.

 

[fatherdoug]

As stated in here before, the two happiest days in a boat owner's life are the day he buys it and the day he sells it.

My dad used to take his small FORD-powered boat out into Chesapeake Bay all the time. The boat sank and he had to swim to shore. He never got in another boat.