97' Baja Hammer question
 

Hey yall, I was looking at a 97' Baja Hammer for sale with mercruiser 350 mag. and around 300 hrs. My question is, it's at a marina I use regularly and the guy said it was a trade in from a local car dealership, so they don't really know the history other than it was used up north. I haven't actually gone to look at it yet, but was curious if this would be too risky to mess with not knowing the history?

Thanks,

JR

I would have a complete survey done on the boat by a professional before considering !

I think you'd be OK with a proper survey/mech check. By Up North do you live in MI?

Thanks for the responses, I figured a survey would be good, just wasn't sure if it would ok to have the actual marina inspect it or try to find somebody not affiliated with the shop. I actually down south, the boat came from somewhere in NY.

If its an EFI engine you can have a dealer scan the motor for engine hours.

If you can get a picture of the boat and a little more info someone on here might know who's it was and some history on it

A survey on a 21 foot boat to me is a little excessive.

Check it out, see what you think, scan the motor, test drive it... its not a 20-100k boat it would be priced in the teens. also at that size it most likly did not sit in the water so the hull should be fine as well.. just look it over like a normal bow rider.. and purchase appropriately.

So I spoke with the marina and they said they could run it on a hose but couldn't let me take it out on test drive as it is on consignment from a car dealer, sounds a little sketchy to me as I really would like to drive it first. Any thoughts?

BajaDawg: If a deal seems sketchy then it normally is!!!! A water test is not out of the question unless the boat has been winterized. If it has been winterized simply offer to pay to have it re-winterized after the water test. just my 2 cents.

I'd keep looking just from what you've shared. I understand not wanting to take tire kickers on free boat rides...I get that. But, WTF buys anything they can't test drive? If they are willing to "run it on the hose" then they aren't concerned with it being re-winterized. SHADY.

If you ARE just "looking around" don't be offended if a seller asks you for a good faith deposit prior to a "test drive". Selling a power boat has a history of broke ass "high rollers" wasting peoples time and fuel. Listening to it idle on the hose is a LONG way from a sucessful sea trial. As always, my opinion is worth what it cost ya. Good Luck.

Thanks for the responses, and def agree, just seems weird too considering I've bought from them new before and use them for storage that they wouldn't say "heck yeah we'll take ya out if your really interested." Now I did just call em haven't actually gone out yet as it's been pretty cold and they are closed on Sundays.

BajaDawg: I have a clean 272 Shooter for sale in the classifieds, just listed it last night. If you have any interest give me a call I'm in SC

if they can run it on a hose they can put it in the water. unless the water is frozen . i wouldnt buy aboat with out a sea trial!

I bought my boat without a sea trail, however... I bought a one owner with original paperwork. Called Sea Ray to verify HIN and all options, had mechanical inspection including compression and ECM scan. Looked at the boat and was as the seller described. Brought it home 8 hours away without ever hearing it run.

I agree water test if they will fire it on a hose.... may require a deposit,, but its better drive it before i buy it.

After chasing electrical problems in my last boat for 3+ years (that didn't surface on the trailer running on a hose). Exhausting favors from knowledgeable friends, paying multiple "experts" to "fix" it. I'll never buy another boat without a comprehensive sea trial again.

I do think both parties should have a purchase agreement in writing prior to the sea trial. I've seen way too many tire kickers when selling my boats. Should be the same for a $10k boat as a $100k boat.

I appreciate all the input, and I definitely would be good with putting a deposit down if they required in order to do the sea trial as I really want to make sure the boat runs properly. I found another one on craigslist I'm going to check out as well, and this person said they live right by the lake they use and will do a sea trial. Will keep yall posted!

Oh one other question, there is one down in Florida, gulf coast I was looking at on boattrader, would a low hour (130) 2006 Baja 202 be ok if the engine was flushed properly after each outing?

salt water is saltwater...

BUT its also not the end of a boat. more boats use din salt then fresh... just maintain them

any update on this...what were they asking for the Hammer? I love mine, fun boat,

Actually still looking around, kinda turned me off when they said I couldn't do a sea trial. They are asking 10k, which seems pretty cheap don't ya think? Makes me wonder if something could be wrong with it. Sucks tho I really love that boat. Looking at a little bit newer 03' outlaw 20.

that is cheap I think so something is a bit funny....I bought mine last spring for $16,500 with a built 454, 500+ hp 10 hrs on motor and just under 300 on the hull, and absolutely mint condition... trailer mint too...I looked at the 20 OL but my opinion the hammer is way more boat

When you say they wouldn't seatrial... They may just want a deal on hand with $$ before they take it out. Being that it's on consignment, they may be clueless about boats or don't want to be liable if anything happens to it. Lack of seatrial should not be a deal breaker but you could make a buyers contract stipulate a seal trial prior to taking possession.

IMHO

Good luck

didn't seatrial mine...ran it on the hose...you can do your research hear and see how the boat will perform I guess.

Can anyone tell, is this bad from the photos? Boat has been used in saltwater but stored in dry storage, rinsed (supposedly) each time it's stored.


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