I'm going to look at a 1988 27ft twin 454/bravos on Wednesday. My question is, what should I look for in a preliminary check? I am going to get the boat surveyed/water tested but before I do I want a "pre-check". The boat is winterized and has the drives removed. Salt water ran but trailered. No bottom paint. Any advice is kindly appreciated. Thanks George

What brand of boat?

Take a dead blow hammer and knock around on the hull especially the transom and stringers. You should hear a consistant sound. I like to take a look at the dip stick and see if it is clean. If it is clean then he probably did regular oil changes if it is covered in black then probably not. I would take a look at the wiring in the dash and engine bay and see if all the stuff works like lights, bilge pumps, bilge blower. Check the seats and seat bottoms for rot. Just look at the overall condition of the boat and trailer.

Jon

Sea-Dated - Fountain

Jon, thanks I'll be sure to do said items

Any other suggestions, I'm leaving @ 9am tomm. Trying to make a list. Thanks

Get down on your hands and knees. Climb into every single compartment, and turn your head all the way around, (don't break your neck, but look up, down, left and right; and stick your hands into places you can't see). It sounds goofy, but you will want to know this stuff. Look for things that look out of place; corrosion, loose wiring, loose parts.

Don't buy the boat without a sea-trial, and full mechanical checks on both engines and drives.

As always, a full hull/power survey by a qualified NAMS surveyor is worth every penny.