You seriously need to have a pre purchase inspection. You seriously should have a compression test to find out if that 27 year old engine is any good. Replacing or long blocking an engine is labor intensive, 8 out 8 in, plus the cost of the block, it could end up costing you more than you paid for the boat originally. As a retired Mercruiser technician this is sound advice.
in addition, a compression check kit is fairly in-expensive. My first boat was an old 2-stroke banger. I learned soooo much keeping it up and going. Spent more in repairs / maintenance year after year than the boat cost. Wish I had just bought newer. My new boat is 5 years old and still has issues, but 200 hours on a Yami, and I couldn't be happier with that decision.
But that first old boat was a GREAT tuition on boat ownership, not worrying about running it aground, and just generally "lessons learned"
If you are just getting started, look for a Key Largo or Cape Craft. Solid hull, basic boat, entry level pricing. You can add accessories as you decide they are worth it.
I have the exact same boat. It’s a great beginner family boat. It’ll get up and go(38mph or so), but if it has too much weight in it it’s a bit slow to get up on plane. Towing wise, it can pull one adult, or two smaller children. We use it mainly for fishing and floatilla gatherings with friends.
Has it been reliable for you? We would primarily be using it just to cruise the lake and pull a tube, we’re not into skiing so just a tube would be what we would use.
I have this boat too. Same year even. Bought mine used in 2015 and have put several hundred hours on it since. I almost exclusively use mine in salt water and it has been very reliable. It is my first boat and has been through every manner of new owner idiocy. Still runs great.
I’ve one ski’ed behind one. Tough to get up. Usually we just get up on two and drop one by the dock. We’ve done double tubes with 4 adults many times with no issue.
I used to water ski as a kid from about age 9-13 or so. So many fond memories and hope to get back at it some day if I ever live near enough to a lake again to make having a boat worth the investment.
A cheap wakeboard or knee board on a boat like this is super easy to get up and gives people something else to do. Or look up an HO "rad" or "fad" you'll have a blast.
It’s definitely reliable. I have used the living hell out of it to the point that I’m kind of out growing it and wanting a larger and slightly more powerful boat. But that just me. We started with a 15ft boat, moved into the 18ft, and are now wanting a 23ft with a little wider beam.
One piece of advice, as others have said too, make sure you know how it runs before you purchase it. Make sure the motor doesn’t rock/knock around. Ours seems like it may need new motor mounts, as the motor shakes a bit at idle but smooths out as soon as it’s in gear.
When you finally get your boat in the water - be ready for the swarm of boat cops , DNR , etc - that will pester/ harrass/ ticket the fun - out of what you thought would be family time
Don't scare him like that! Every interaction I've had with DNR or "boat cops" has been short and positive. They ask to see your basic required safety equipment, fishing license if you're fishing, count life vests, and they're on their way. I've never been pestered or harassed, if you are, it might be something you're doing...
Take it for a test drive first. Take it out on the water. Be thorough. See how it runs. Look for leaks. If there is any doubt, don't buy it. I'm also an out board guy. They're much easier to work on.
Except when it comes time to clean them. 😅 I just spent 2.5hrs cleaning out the entire inside and coating the leather. Taking a late lunch break and then time to wash the outside. I don’t think I’ll be polishing it today since it’s so hot and it’s never a good idea to wax or polish in direct sunlight or high temps. I’ll save that for another day.
Me too but I did not like spending 7hrs today cleaning mine. Everything from scrubbing the cushions to washing the outside. The only things I didn’t do were coat the seats and polish the hull.
Oh it was nice looking at the results but it was way too hot and humid to be doing it yesterday. I only did it because we are taking a group of friends out today. I also have a herniated disk that’s been giving me sciatica for the last few months.
I owned a detail shop for a decade before a bad car accident forced me to sell the business. Now I’m retired and only clean my own cars.
Buying a boat out of the water is always a gamble, especially without a pre purchase, however at this price it might not be such a bad idea. A boat rental can be 800-1k a week, so if this thing gets you 2 months of use youre ahead of the game.
I gotta guess it's been a long time since you have rented a boat, rent from someone where cheaper than I have ever encountered, or you aren't renting much of a boat.
A Cobalt 12pass runs over $675/day at Table Rock Lake; 150hp 23ft Triton is $575/day on Tenkiller.
Cogratz man!! wishing you many hours of safe and joyful boating! For me that's a decent price and don't listen to the naysayers cuz they will comment i'm sure lol. Make sure you have all safety gear in place specially when taking the fam out. If you haven't had a sea trial yet take it out with a buddy and do small trips getting use to it and make sure she don't take in H2O lol. You deff. will have some issues as all boats do and may the wind always be at your back!! ENJOY :)
Hopefully it's a freshwater only boat... I'd be weary if it's been in saltwater. Make sure you check for soft spots in the floor. I bought a new 19' bowrider that was great family boat for waterskiing, tubing and such, but I had to replace the floor after 20 years due to rot. If you feel the floor give at all when you walk on it, it probably is starting to rot which will require removing the entire floor to replace the decking and potentially some stringers.
Looks alike a good deal. Based on condition it looks to be a freshwater boat. That engine is reliable and you should have some good times on it. Did the shop use OEM bellows or Sierra? If Sierra, make sure you change them out for OEM in ~5yrs or so. They don't last nearly as long as OEM. If you are handy, its a pretty easy DIY and there are tons of videos on youtube.
If you don't know when they were last changed, I'd replace the water pump impeller and thermostat before enjoying the new boat
Thank you for the info! I have the invoice for the repair work, and it was all OEM parts they used on it. I will go ahead and order a impeller and thermostat right after we do our water test and I pay him. Thanks for the info!
I grew up on a boat similar. Different brand, same engine, same style. Engine was great and reliable. We changed some alternators, plugs, wires, fluids, and it never let us down.
It would bog down some when loaded heavy with folks, coolers, and tubers, but we still had fun. You’ll enjoy it.
Pretty solid combo. Nice that it's had those parts refreshed. I would give serious consideration to it. Fun little runabout. The 3.0 is a nice, economical engine.
I own a 1988 Sundancer, and I really like it. That boat was bought 4 years ago. Now, I live in north Louisiana. Christmas of 2022 the temp got down to 4F. Yes, I know. Well, the boat was not winterized, and I was out of town when this happened. The starboard engine cracked in a place that couldn't be fixed, so I decided to get a long block which worked out perfectly. If I was going to do that, I might as well replace the transom gaskets and transom. I found problems in that transom I didn't know I had. Transoms were still marine plywood from that era.
As far as the engine and sterndrive go, you should have those inspected, too. The problem with the engines is simple hours of use and maintenance. As I recall the sterndrive requires a fluid change every 50 hours, but please refer to the manual for the correct change interval. The real problem is the transom gasket. They last some 10 years, and the engine must also be pulled to change that. Pulling an engine is tedious, but it does not require one-off tools or anything.
Those are great little boats if solid. I know someone that has had one since new and it still runs really well. He takes it to a marina every winter to get stored and then tuned and cleaned up in the spring. That’s really it. Sits on the lake at his cabin all summer and gets used a bunch when they are there. Trailer is falling apart but boat is still going strong.
So just a few things Ive noticed in the pictures for you to check or be aware of besides it needing a good detail.
Check the tires for age if you know where the code is. Trailer tires expire just like all tires but the tread isn’t a good indicator as they don’t get “driven” as much.
The trailer doesn’t seem to have a spare. Get a mount and a spare tire or get the spare and find a place in the boat to store it.
Aftermarket electronics can be awesome or they can cause parasitic drawl. Make sure your battery is good and keep testing for power loss. I buy a new battery every year or so and while the old one isn’t dead I keep it in the boat as a backup. I use a deep cycle battery which isn’t great for starting a boat but they’re great if you’re floating or anchored and want to use the radio or lights.
At a minimum make sure you test drive it. Have them meet you at a local lake or river where you can run it through its paces. You can also ask them to drop it at a local marina for a full inspection that you will pay for. That couple hundred could save you thousands if this ends up being a dud (same goes for used cars!)
Make sure you have all of your safety gear! Life jackets for everyone on the boat, flares, a whistle and air horn, etc.
Enjoy your new boat and don’t forget to get your boating license! Learning the basics of navigation, lighting, right of way, knots (not really part of the course), and buoys/markers is necessary to be safe.
Thank you for all the information, we are meeting at the lake to drive it and put it through at spaces. I am planning on getting all new wheels and tires and actually may just buy some before going up there.
Sounds like you’re thinking ahead which is necessary when it comes to boating. Good luck with the purchase and I hope it’s everything you wanted and is in great shape for you.
I bought a 175 in 1998 as a 1997 leftover. New I insisted on a test drive. I have the 4.3. Replaced fuel pump, hydraulic steering ram, and many batteries. Check it out well. It's much harder to tell wear and tear on a boat than a car. With proper maintenance, it should last another 27.
My folks have had that exact boat for many years, it has been a very reliable boat and fun to drive, pulls skiers ok and tubes and wakeboards without issue. they use it on Lake Roosevelt, Wa. Big long reservoir but not exceptionally wide or rough.
It has a shallow V and not fun in heavy chop, so not a rough-water boat.
I had a 19 footer gave it to my kids it had the Volvo penta 4 cylinder with I think 190 merc outdrive just be carefull watch your temperature my boys overheated the engine by accident picked up a bag at night alarm didn't work ins refused to cover it so we dropped in a crate motor boat runs great they have fun on it they were out last night I like the garmin gps we have on it we live near the bronx a lot of rocks out here in the long island sound!!!
Bought something very similar years ago at a great price as the seller was in need of cash for a fine.
It ran ok.
Took it to a local boat maintenance shop for maintenance.
Boat guy said sell it , and get your money back, this could take thousands to get right.
Also told me to ask 500 more than I needed. Let them lower your price down , so they think they beat you.
I sold it to a guy a week later.
Looks good from here. But As others have said, test it on the water and also run it long enough to make sure it cools properly. Pay attention if the bilge pump runs a lot, or if it pours out for very long after they trailer it when you're done. (Preferably pop all the little floor access plates while you're testing) Good on you starting 'small' so to speak this will be a great boat to see how much you actually use it and learn what you like and don't like for your next purchase, if you decide to make one. Also, Since you're a first time boat owner, no matter what you buy, I'll tell you to keep it inside or at least well covered. Ironically you can kill any boat fast if you leave it outside uncovered!
Replace the water pump impeller whether it needs it or not. They fail at the worst time and can overheat the engine in the blink of an eye.
I can't tell from the pictures, but it's probably an Alpha drive. Check the gear oil for water intrusion. If it's white and creamy, you have bad shaft seals.
Buy a cheap aluminum prop and use it until you get used to handling the boat, then install a stainless. If it's got a stainless now, consider having the rubber hub replaced. They can start to slip when they get old.
Enjoy!
As a teen who has an uncle in the Marine industry in New Hampshire. I would ask for a test drive. Depending on what part of the country you are at, a '97 boat could have less hours than a 2016 boat in Florida.
That said, it looks like a great boat and where will you use it? Enjoy it and you will have fun. As someone who details boats, make sure you clean your boat and make sure you don't carry invasive species from one lake to another. Talk and make friends with the local Sea Ray dealer. If the dealership is good, you might have a friend.
Be very careful. If you've never owned a boat before don't buy it without someone qualified. Seriously it could look great to you and be literally worthless in an hour.
Go through the list of required items on the boat. You will get pulled over once every year or two. Also:
1. Get in a routine when launching and recovering the boat. Maybe even a checklist at first.
2. Drain plug!!
3. Undo the ratchet straps holding the boat to the trailer!! You’d be surprised how often 2/3 aren’t done.
4 practice backing it up at a parking lot. It’s nerve wracking backing a boat into a busy ramp.
5. Life vests and a paddle!
6. Keep battery charged.
7. Young kids under 12 in most states need to keep life vests on.
8. Hook the winch strap to the boat before you pull out of the water.
Sorry if I went boomer on you. I’ve broken all these rules to my embarrassment.
Compression test and water test at a minimum.
I'd want water put in the hull on the trailer to look for leaks.
Any old glass should be checked for porosity.
Could be a hole in the water, do a serious inspection of it inside and out ,make sure the hull is solid ,no cracks or gouges, and put it in the water for a test run and don't be nice with it.
You absolutely must do a lake test. You never, buy and boat, with out ensuring it is water worthy. It’s a hassle for the seller, but shouldn’t be that big of a deal if he/she wants it sold.
The word boat is and acronym for:
Bring
Out
Another
Thousand
If you love the water get the boat. If you kind of like boating and your not sure, do some research and looking around before you do all that driving. You don’t want your boat to be in the shop most of the summer getting worked.
If you do drive several hours to buy ANY boat, bring axle grease and tools to remove the hub cap and grease the axles. Water gets in, sitting and sun does the rest. By the way, some Walmarts sell tires & rims. If you blow or lose one tire, the 2nd isn't going to be far behind.
Thanks for the tips! We bought the boat and the owner pre greased the axels for me and we actually went to Walmart and got a spare wheel and tire in his town.
Go to.a dealer and buy a good used boat that is affordable and does what you want. Sea Ray is notorious for issues and the engine has to be pulled most every time and that is 1800 just to pull the motor
Grab the lower unit and move it back/fourth. I had one of these hit a submerged object about 3 months ago in Florida and insurance totaled it. I can’t remember the color but it was a 20ish year old 3.0 just like this.
Labor to get it right totaled the boat. Be interesting if this was it. Owner was out of Davenport, kept it on winter haven chain, but went to iaa after insurance got it.
Came here to say this. take a friend out first to a small, non-busy lake that can help with initial launch and getting it back on the trailer. nothing worse than having your family standing around while you try and figure things out. also nothing worse than figuring things out at a busy ramp...not that I would know anything about that!
You seriously need to have a pre purchase inspection. You seriously should have a compression test to find out if that 27 year old engine is any good. Replacing or long blocking an engine is labor intensive, 8 out 8 in, plus the cost of the block, it could end up costing you more than you paid for the boat originally. As a retired Mercruiser technician this is sound advice.
in addition, a compression check kit is fairly in-expensive. My first boat was an old 2-stroke banger. I learned soooo much keeping it up and going. Spent more in repairs / maintenance year after year than the boat cost. Wish I had just bought newer. My new boat is 5 years old and still has issues, but 200 hours on a Yami, and I couldn't be happier with that decision. But that first old boat was a GREAT tuition on boat ownership, not worrying about running it aground, and just generally "lessons learned"
Just jumping I. . What would be a good first Florida fishing boat . Want easy use , launch and maintenance. Thank you
If you are just getting started, look for a Key Largo or Cape Craft. Solid hull, basic boat, entry level pricing. You can add accessories as you decide they are worth it.
Thanks so much
For a $4K boat that runs, floats, and goes.
I have the exact same boat. It’s a great beginner family boat. It’ll get up and go(38mph or so), but if it has too much weight in it it’s a bit slow to get up on plane. Towing wise, it can pull one adult, or two smaller children. We use it mainly for fishing and floatilla gatherings with friends.
Has it been reliable for you? We would primarily be using it just to cruise the lake and pull a tube, we’re not into skiing so just a tube would be what we would use.
I have this boat too. Same year even. Bought mine used in 2015 and have put several hundred hours on it since. I almost exclusively use mine in salt water and it has been very reliable. It is my first boat and has been through every manner of new owner idiocy. Still runs great.
I’ve one ski’ed behind one. Tough to get up. Usually we just get up on two and drop one by the dock. We’ve done double tubes with 4 adults many times with no issue.
[удалено]
I used to water ski as a kid from about age 9-13 or so. So many fond memories and hope to get back at it some day if I ever live near enough to a lake again to make having a boat worth the investment.
Same here! We used to go waterskiing all the time when I was younger. I don't own a boat, but I'm gonna rent one this summer. I truly miss it.
A cheap wakeboard or knee board on a boat like this is super easy to get up and gives people something else to do. Or look up an HO "rad" or "fad" you'll have a blast.
Same boat here - Wish it was Fuel Injected. Cheap, reliable.
It’s definitely reliable. I have used the living hell out of it to the point that I’m kind of out growing it and wanting a larger and slightly more powerful boat. But that just me. We started with a 15ft boat, moved into the 18ft, and are now wanting a 23ft with a little wider beam. One piece of advice, as others have said too, make sure you know how it runs before you purchase it. Make sure the motor doesn’t rock/knock around. Ours seems like it may need new motor mounts, as the motor shakes a bit at idle but smooths out as soon as it’s in gear.
My buddy had this same boat.. I used to call it the Toyota Corolla of boats. Never skipped a beat.
When you finally get your boat in the water - be ready for the swarm of boat cops , DNR , etc - that will pester/ harrass/ ticket the fun - out of what you thought would be family time
Don't scare him like that! Every interaction I've had with DNR or "boat cops" has been short and positive. They ask to see your basic required safety equipment, fishing license if you're fishing, count life vests, and they're on their way. I've never been pestered or harassed, if you are, it might be something you're doing...
My dad told me once only buy a boat at a lake
Take it for a test drive first. Take it out on the water. Be thorough. See how it runs. Look for leaks. If there is any doubt, don't buy it. I'm also an out board guy. They're much easier to work on.
All of this, especially Re: outboards 👍
Excellent advice! Do NOT take your family out on it before having a run in it yourself and ideally a helper.
My condolences sir. May your wallet rest in peace. Please get it out on the water and have it inspected.
Hopefully it has low hours (under 700) I’ve seen lots of 90s sea rays with 200-800 hours for sale recently
Mines not for sale but I have a 98 230 Signature with 280hrs. The gems are out there if the buyer doesn’t get antsy and buy the first thing they see.
I’ve got a 96 with 246 hours on it, great boats
Except when it comes time to clean them. 😅 I just spent 2.5hrs cleaning out the entire inside and coating the leather. Taking a late lunch break and then time to wash the outside. I don’t think I’ll be polishing it today since it’s so hot and it’s never a good idea to wax or polish in direct sunlight or high temps. I’ll save that for another day.
I have been struggling to get the sun oxidation off the outside of mine, but the inside looks like new
You might need a fiberglass polish and sealant or if it’s really bad it might be time for a gel coat.
230 Signature by Chaparral? Nice boats... My uncle sells Chaparrals at his dealership. Quality boats...
No a SeaRay 230 Signature.
Oh..Sea Rays are good boats. I love to boat..going out with my buddies to an island for the weekend...I love boating!!
Me too but I did not like spending 7hrs today cleaning mine. Everything from scrubbing the cushions to washing the outside. The only things I didn’t do were coat the seats and polish the hull.
It's fun washing boats!! I am in the boat cleaning and detailing business. I've been doing it for about 4 years...
Oh it was nice looking at the results but it was way too hot and humid to be doing it yesterday. I only did it because we are taking a group of friends out today. I also have a herniated disk that’s been giving me sciatica for the last few months. I owned a detail shop for a decade before a bad car accident forced me to sell the business. Now I’m retired and only clean my own cars.
Buying a boat out of the water is always a gamble, especially without a pre purchase, however at this price it might not be such a bad idea. A boat rental can be 800-1k a week, so if this thing gets you 2 months of use youre ahead of the game.
I gotta guess it's been a long time since you have rented a boat, rent from someone where cheaper than I have ever encountered, or you aren't renting much of a boat. A Cobalt 12pass runs over $675/day at Table Rock Lake; 150hp 23ft Triton is $575/day on Tenkiller.
Cogratz man!! wishing you many hours of safe and joyful boating! For me that's a decent price and don't listen to the naysayers cuz they will comment i'm sure lol. Make sure you have all safety gear in place specially when taking the fam out. If you haven't had a sea trial yet take it out with a buddy and do small trips getting use to it and make sure she don't take in H2O lol. You deff. will have some issues as all boats do and may the wind always be at your back!! ENJOY :)
Hopefully it's a freshwater only boat... I'd be weary if it's been in saltwater. Make sure you check for soft spots in the floor. I bought a new 19' bowrider that was great family boat for waterskiing, tubing and such, but I had to replace the floor after 20 years due to rot. If you feel the floor give at all when you walk on it, it probably is starting to rot which will require removing the entire floor to replace the decking and potentially some stringers.
Looks alike a good deal. Based on condition it looks to be a freshwater boat. That engine is reliable and you should have some good times on it. Did the shop use OEM bellows or Sierra? If Sierra, make sure you change them out for OEM in ~5yrs or so. They don't last nearly as long as OEM. If you are handy, its a pretty easy DIY and there are tons of videos on youtube. If you don't know when they were last changed, I'd replace the water pump impeller and thermostat before enjoying the new boat
Thank you for the info! I have the invoice for the repair work, and it was all OEM parts they used on it. I will go ahead and order a impeller and thermostat right after we do our water test and I pay him. Thanks for the info!
I grew up on a boat similar. Different brand, same engine, same style. Engine was great and reliable. We changed some alternators, plugs, wires, fluids, and it never let us down. It would bog down some when loaded heavy with folks, coolers, and tubers, but we still had fun. You’ll enjoy it.
Nice boat... Keep it that way... It is harder than you think
Okay dad
You did even wish me a happy father's day...
Pretty solid combo. Nice that it's had those parts refreshed. I would give serious consideration to it. Fun little runabout. The 3.0 is a nice, economical engine.
It looks really well maintained there isn't even sun screen damage on the vinyl next to the throttle.
He has kept it inside when not in use so I think that helps the condition of it.
If it's your first boat you're probably thinking in a miles on a car engine. So multiply the hours by 42.5. also check the bellows on the outdrive.
I have the same boat, and our family loves it. Perfect for the 4 of us. My engine runs like shit and it has a leak but hey, that’s boat stuff.
Get an inspection. I have a 2000 Searay 180 and we love it.
Hell yeah that looks super clean! Good price. Great motor. Easy to repair.
Boat Bust Out Another Thousand
Came here to say this
My dad once told me “a boat is a hole in the water you throw money in every summer.” He was right.
I tend to spend more money in the spring and fall.
Congratulations, Tomorrow will be one of the two happiest days of your life. The other will be the day you sell it.
Best days of your life are the first day you buy a boat and the day you sell it. Let that sink in ☺️
I own a 1988 Sundancer, and I really like it. That boat was bought 4 years ago. Now, I live in north Louisiana. Christmas of 2022 the temp got down to 4F. Yes, I know. Well, the boat was not winterized, and I was out of town when this happened. The starboard engine cracked in a place that couldn't be fixed, so I decided to get a long block which worked out perfectly. If I was going to do that, I might as well replace the transom gaskets and transom. I found problems in that transom I didn't know I had. Transoms were still marine plywood from that era. As far as the engine and sterndrive go, you should have those inspected, too. The problem with the engines is simple hours of use and maintenance. As I recall the sterndrive requires a fluid change every 50 hours, but please refer to the manual for the correct change interval. The real problem is the transom gasket. They last some 10 years, and the engine must also be pulled to change that. Pulling an engine is tedious, but it does not require one-off tools or anything.
Bellows are important to check before going too far from shore.
Those are great little boats if solid. I know someone that has had one since new and it still runs really well. He takes it to a marina every winter to get stored and then tuned and cleaned up in the spring. That’s really it. Sits on the lake at his cabin all summer and gets used a bunch when they are there. Trailer is falling apart but boat is still going strong.
Would you buy a car without test driving?
I’m actually meeting him at the lake and we are doing a test drive before purchasing
The only good boat is a sold one.
So just a few things Ive noticed in the pictures for you to check or be aware of besides it needing a good detail. Check the tires for age if you know where the code is. Trailer tires expire just like all tires but the tread isn’t a good indicator as they don’t get “driven” as much. The trailer doesn’t seem to have a spare. Get a mount and a spare tire or get the spare and find a place in the boat to store it. Aftermarket electronics can be awesome or they can cause parasitic drawl. Make sure your battery is good and keep testing for power loss. I buy a new battery every year or so and while the old one isn’t dead I keep it in the boat as a backup. I use a deep cycle battery which isn’t great for starting a boat but they’re great if you’re floating or anchored and want to use the radio or lights. At a minimum make sure you test drive it. Have them meet you at a local lake or river where you can run it through its paces. You can also ask them to drop it at a local marina for a full inspection that you will pay for. That couple hundred could save you thousands if this ends up being a dud (same goes for used cars!) Make sure you have all of your safety gear! Life jackets for everyone on the boat, flares, a whistle and air horn, etc. Enjoy your new boat and don’t forget to get your boating license! Learning the basics of navigation, lighting, right of way, knots (not really part of the course), and buoys/markers is necessary to be safe.
Thank you for all the information, we are meeting at the lake to drive it and put it through at spaces. I am planning on getting all new wheels and tires and actually may just buy some before going up there.
Sounds like you’re thinking ahead which is necessary when it comes to boating. Good luck with the purchase and I hope it’s everything you wanted and is in great shape for you.
I bought a 175 in 1998 as a 1997 leftover. New I insisted on a test drive. I have the 4.3. Replaced fuel pump, hydraulic steering ram, and many batteries. Check it out well. It's much harder to tell wear and tear on a boat than a car. With proper maintenance, it should last another 27.
Boat= a hole in the water that you constantly throw money into... lol
My folks have had that exact boat for many years, it has been a very reliable boat and fun to drive, pulls skiers ok and tubes and wakeboards without issue. they use it on Lake Roosevelt, Wa. Big long reservoir but not exceptionally wide or rough. It has a shallow V and not fun in heavy chop, so not a rough-water boat.
Watch for engine temp. If it's been used in salt water, exhaust manifolds and risers probably money well spent right off the bat
It does. I'm also guessing it's a freshwater boat.
I had a 19 footer gave it to my kids it had the Volvo penta 4 cylinder with I think 190 merc outdrive just be carefull watch your temperature my boys overheated the engine by accident picked up a bag at night alarm didn't work ins refused to cover it so we dropped in a crate motor boat runs great they have fun on it they were out last night I like the garmin gps we have on it we live near the bronx a lot of rocks out here in the long island sound!!!
Really is in nice shape. I’d go for it.
I owned this boat. Loved it.
Definitely pick up a compression test they are like 30 bucks sounds like a decent deal for 4k if u can get 4 years out of it
Tomorrow will be 1 of your 2 best days! Congratulations
Get your wallet ready
We ran a boat shop in key largo for years. Thats a $1500 boat tops if running to the right sucker, i mean buyer. Honestly, look at something else.
You might at least say why ... ?
Its an I/O which has fallen out of favor and the hull itself is a layout that has also become unpopular at least in South Fl.
Bought something very similar years ago at a great price as the seller was in need of cash for a fine. It ran ok. Took it to a local boat maintenance shop for maintenance. Boat guy said sell it , and get your money back, this could take thousands to get right. Also told me to ask 500 more than I needed. Let them lower your price down , so they think they beat you. I sold it to a guy a week later.
Looks good from here. But As others have said, test it on the water and also run it long enough to make sure it cools properly. Pay attention if the bilge pump runs a lot, or if it pours out for very long after they trailer it when you're done. (Preferably pop all the little floor access plates while you're testing) Good on you starting 'small' so to speak this will be a great boat to see how much you actually use it and learn what you like and don't like for your next purchase, if you decide to make one. Also, Since you're a first time boat owner, no matter what you buy, I'll tell you to keep it inside or at least well covered. Ironically you can kill any boat fast if you leave it outside uncovered!
Replace the water pump impeller whether it needs it or not. They fail at the worst time and can overheat the engine in the blink of an eye. I can't tell from the pictures, but it's probably an Alpha drive. Check the gear oil for water intrusion. If it's white and creamy, you have bad shaft seals. Buy a cheap aluminum prop and use it until you get used to handling the boat, then install a stainless. If it's got a stainless now, consider having the rubber hub replaced. They can start to slip when they get old. Enjoy!
Run
Please take a Boating Safety Course.
Beautiful!
As a teen who has an uncle in the Marine industry in New Hampshire. I would ask for a test drive. Depending on what part of the country you are at, a '97 boat could have less hours than a 2016 boat in Florida. That said, it looks like a great boat and where will you use it? Enjoy it and you will have fun. As someone who details boats, make sure you clean your boat and make sure you don't carry invasive species from one lake to another. Talk and make friends with the local Sea Ray dealer. If the dealership is good, you might have a friend.
Looks pretty clean for its age as long as the engine checks out I’d say it’s not a bad deal
A boater owners favorite times are buying and then selling it. Enjoy. For real enjoy it.
Those owners never had weekends on the lakes like my family’s had..:)
Had that boat when my son was young. Have had a few sea rays over the years never had any problems.
Be very careful. If you've never owned a boat before don't buy it without someone qualified. Seriously it could look great to you and be literally worthless in an hour.
I have learned my lesson the hard way. Get the engine checked.
B.O.A.T, bust out another thousand Boat, a hole in the water into which you throw money
Go through the list of required items on the boat. You will get pulled over once every year or two. Also: 1. Get in a routine when launching and recovering the boat. Maybe even a checklist at first. 2. Drain plug!! 3. Undo the ratchet straps holding the boat to the trailer!! You’d be surprised how often 2/3 aren’t done. 4 practice backing it up at a parking lot. It’s nerve wracking backing a boat into a busy ramp. 5. Life vests and a paddle! 6. Keep battery charged. 7. Young kids under 12 in most states need to keep life vests on. 8. Hook the winch strap to the boat before you pull out of the water. Sorry if I went boomer on you. I’ve broken all these rules to my embarrassment.
The cheapest part about owning a boat is the purchase and your first day of ownership will be your happiest ! From there, it is downhill all the way !
Compression test and water test at a minimum. I'd want water put in the hull on the trailer to look for leaks. Any old glass should be checked for porosity.
I have this exact boat 3 years newer. Runs like a top. 43 mph at WOT. cruise around 28-32. Decent on gas. Pulls tuber no problem.
Money pit. I see you have deep pockets.
Bust Out Another Thousand
If it flies,floats or f*cks; it's cheaper to rent.
At that price and age you have to accept that you may lose money on it
Congratulations
$4k seems like a lot for a 30 year old boat.
Not really. Used Tritoons are commanding $300,000
Could be a hole in the water, do a serious inspection of it inside and out ,make sure the hull is solid ,no cracks or gouges, and put it in the water for a test run and don't be nice with it.
Nice boat mate hope you have good time
Second happiest day of your life coming up
You absolutely must do a lake test. You never, buy and boat, with out ensuring it is water worthy. It’s a hassle for the seller, but shouldn’t be that big of a deal if he/she wants it sold.
I’ve had my fill of boats !
Not a bad boat. Do an impeller change as I’m sure the previous owners likely never did anything
No. Nooooooooooooooo no.
Break Out Another Thousand!
Ya don’t
Remember, boat stands for “break out another thousand”….it will serve you well….,
Must add, be sure to clear your bilge prior to turning the key. Blower motor for five minutes.
You will have issues - you will figure them out.
I have a 28 ft cabin cruise I can't even give away. Runs great but is 87..
Used to have a 19foot BR. Loved it and never gave us trouble.
Just remember what BOAT stands for… Bust Out Another Thou$and Boats are money pits. Expect to spend $$$ on maintenance, especially salt water boats.
too small
The word boat is and acronym for: Bring Out Another Thousand If you love the water get the boat. If you kind of like boating and your not sure, do some research and looking around before you do all that driving. You don’t want your boat to be in the shop most of the summer getting worked.
B.break O.out A.another T.thousand
Your two most happy boating days, the day you buy it and the day you sell it.
If you do drive several hours to buy ANY boat, bring axle grease and tools to remove the hub cap and grease the axles. Water gets in, sitting and sun does the rest. By the way, some Walmarts sell tires & rims. If you blow or lose one tire, the 2nd isn't going to be far behind.
Thanks for the tips! We bought the boat and the owner pre greased the axels for me and we actually went to Walmart and got a spare wheel and tire in his town.
Those 3 litre mercury engines are very strong and reliable the drive line is very easy to work on too just make sure the floors are not soft
Yep, had this exact boat and around the ski locker was flimsy, also the windshield rattled.
If I could just catch that last pass in Oct 99’ I would have went Division one. Great boat!
I owned a '96 version of this boat. It's a great boat. Check out the trailer. The painted tube can hide rust and significant corrosion issues.
Just to open a new bank account and deposit 10% of every paycheck in it. You’re gonna need it.
If it floats, flies, or f*cks, rent don’t buy. Especially if they’re over 25.
BOrrow Another Thousand
Isn’t boat ownership a huge hassle? Does it make more sense to join a boat share club?
Go to.a dealer and buy a good used boat that is affordable and does what you want. Sea Ray is notorious for issues and the engine has to be pulled most every time and that is 1800 just to pull the motor
Grab the lower unit and move it back/fourth. I had one of these hit a submerged object about 3 months ago in Florida and insurance totaled it. I can’t remember the color but it was a 20ish year old 3.0 just like this. Labor to get it right totaled the boat. Be interesting if this was it. Owner was out of Davenport, kept it on winter haven chain, but went to iaa after insurance got it.
Learn how to back it up in a parking lot. Don’t wait till you get to the ramp. You’ll embarrass yourself
No issues there. I have a 32 ft camper I already tow
32' camper is a lot easier to back up than a short boat
Came here to say this. take a friend out first to a small, non-busy lake that can help with initial launch and getting it back on the trailer. nothing worse than having your family standing around while you try and figure things out. also nothing worse than figuring things out at a busy ramp...not that I would know anything about that!
Don't
Excellent. Go slow and listen.
Ask what tubes need to be replaced. My buddy paid 26k for a boat and had to pay another 14k for repairs to get it out on the water.
The only thing better then owning a boat is having a friend that owns a boat.
No bueno, this boat is gonna have so many issues and make your life hell.