Put a deposit on a Cafe Racer today, going to pick it up next week.. i know every boat has their weak spots and from the research ive found there were a few Cafe's with transom issues where the k-planes mount up.. Should i be concerned about this? should i remove a lower tab bolt on each side and check? should i buy a moisture meter? honestly im still kind of new to the boat thing, i got lucky with my Baja but want to make sure this boat is right. im open to any tricks, tips, etc when it comes to inspecting this thing.. post articles or whatever youve got, any help is appreciated..

PS.. SO ****ING EXCITED TO BECOME A CIGARETTE OWNER!

Justin

Check the transom, but its not a k plane position issue as much as if whatever they were sealed with is still holding up.

one word... SURVEY !

good luck!

big +1

Any references on the survey? Boat is on Long Island..

I have no refs for you but I would get a survey... Is this boat in Freeport by chance

Yes it is.. Know anything about it? Haven't been able to find any history on it, supposedly it came from Michigan..

This one?

http://longisland.craigslist.org/bod/4231458496.html

Just tap around on the inside of the transom you'll know pretty quick if it's bad or not. Usually the problems are around the taps or transom assemblies.

I have three for you.

1) Pat Dender (Accredited Marine Technologies); (732) 988-5483: He is located in south Jersey but will travel (He went to Rhode Island for me). He is extremely knowledgeable and can/will do compression / leak down / balance tests on the engines which you absolutely should do. I have used him on my two Fountain pre-purchase surveys; he is very thorough; you will pay him a few extra bucks to go to Long Island, but absolutely worth it. I also call him pretty frequently to pick his brain on stuff and he is always helpful and responsive. Great guy' I cannot say enough good things about him. If you call him, you can tell him Neil H. referred you.

2) Mike Kurnides (516) 637-5854: Haven't used him personally, but a close friend has on two of his boats and swears by him.

3) Greg Michael: (631) 806-2628: Haven't used him personally, but recommended highly from the guys at my marina.