Starting up a winterized boat
 

Hi Guys I am going to purchase a boat this weekend. The boat is in Ohio and I live in michigan. So I want to hear it run before I buy it. Do I just have to start it up and the antifreeze in it will pump out? I do not want to hook up the garden hose and all that. I just want it to fire up and then shut it off. Also will I have to put back in the antifreeze that comes out?

This might seem like a silly question but I have never owned a boat and this will be my first one.

Also the boat has a merc 350 with alpha and thru hull exhaust.

You HAVE to have the drive submerged in water or earmuffed. With muffs, you have the option of running it on antifreeze. To do so, just fill a 5 gallon bucket with 50/50 antifreeze and let the drive "bong" it as you start the engine. There should be antifreeze coming out of the exhaust when you start it.

Best of luck with the new boat purchase!

Again anthor silly question, what if the drive is not submerged or earmuffed? will it damage the drive etc., Also I do not want it to run more than 30 sec.

I would put a deposit on it, with a sales contract, pending a sea trial in the spring when the ice melts if it was me. I would not start it without muffs on it. Also good luck with the purchase, congrats!

You wouldn't start my boat for 5 seconds without running water through it. (You would have to had already paid for it!!!)...and if the owner knows anything about boats he won't let you run it either.

BTW: and to really get a chance to see how it will run you'll need to let it run 30 minutes or more in cold weather so that it gets up to temp. My advice....bring 5 gallons or pink antifreeze, a bucket, and a set of muffs so you can re-winterize it after hearing it run.

I agree, don't be hasty. It may not take 30 minutes to warm up but the point is take the time and check it out completely.

The weather is supposed to be very cold in OH this weekend. Running the boat will be difficult to do with on a hose outside. I don't know your needs, but if you've never owned a boat before, I might try to contact a local marina and see if they have a heated shop that you could use to go over the boat run it and then have them rewinterize. Although nothing really beats a sea trial to ensure you are getting something mechanically sound. A lot of issues can be present in a boat that seems to run well on the trailer. I know this may cost something to do but it will give you piece of mind on your investment. Good luck and don't get too excited, look carefully.

I agree . Spring is not that far away . Will the seller wait a couple months ? I would want a sea trial to look for more than how the engines sound .
Paul

10 seconds of running it won't tell you anything anyway. Have the engine checked, with at least a compression check by someone who is qualified and re winterize it. Spend the $200.

KYElimEagle is on track. If you like the boat contact a shop in that area. Have them run it and do a compression test, check the drive and gimbal etc. Just ask them to spend two hours going over it including the winterization. Money well spent.

Agree with everything already posted. I'd either wait until it thaws or take it to a marina and ask them to do a thorough inspection of the boat and then re-winterize. It might sound expensive but if they find something that's going to cost several thousand dollars in repairs, you'll feel really smart for doing it.

Thanks for the advice guys I am going to do what is recommended, I am calling a marina in the area to work something out. Thanks again.

What part of ohio, maybe I can help you out

Better to be safe then stuck with a problem. Winter sales are tough. Get it checked out or you will be mad when spring comes if there happens to be a problem. And you will have no recourse. Good luck. Take precautions, lots of boats for sale, CHEAP

Yep as everybody else already said wait until you can get it on the water for a sea trial. Any number of problems could pop up after the boat is off the trailer, leaks, drive issues, etc. Plus then you will know exactly how fast the boat will run, cruise speed, etc. Just make sure you take a handheld gps with you.

I went through it a couple years ago, guy told me on the phone boat ran high 70's, with the gps on the boat it was hitting high 60's pinned and was scary as hell. Needless to say I didn't buy the boat.

The boat is a 1986 Baja sport 220 it is in Akron OH, there is a marina ( Sandy Beach Marina) that is 1 mile from where the boat is I am trying to contact them and see if we can work something out about doing a check on the boat on Sat.

If the marina is willing to help, get a compression test done. Should be easy and well worth a few bucks!

well not getting a response from them does anyone know of a good marina or mechanic in the aera that is willing to check out the boat tomorrow? its in Akron OH near the Portage Lakes state park.