Things to watch out for in looking at a boat...
03-04-2019 | 04:04 PM
#1
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Things to watch out for in looking at a boat...
Hello!
I am looking at a 1987 Formula 272 SR1.
It has 600 hours on it. Everything seems to be in great shape with the exception of a few pieces of the upholstery.
The gentleman is asking 10K for the boat and trailer, guarantees it to run well. We are going to take it to the water as soon as the freezing temps have passed.
is there anything I should look out for?
Thank you,
John
I am looking at a 1987 Formula 272 SR1.
It has 600 hours on it. Everything seems to be in great shape with the exception of a few pieces of the upholstery.
The gentleman is asking 10K for the boat and trailer, guarantees it to run well. We are going to take it to the water as soon as the freezing temps have passed.
is there anything I should look out for?
Thank you,
John
03-05-2019 | 10:32 AM
#3
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Thank you. The floors are all fiberglass so I am not certain how to check those?
I am planning to put her in the water and run a bit, to make sure the engines run well and the outdrives are in good shape.
I am thinking of taking it to a shop and asking them to do a compression test.
J
I am planning to put her in the water and run a bit, to make sure the engines run well and the outdrives are in good shape.
I am thinking of taking it to a shop and asking them to do a compression test.
J
03-05-2019 | 10:34 AM
#4
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From: Ft. Worth TX
and then to add with old boats,, any part of soft or rotted structures is MOTOR MOUNTS, and engine alignment and engine coupler. all can be off and bad
gimble ring wear is a huge issue NO one checks and or tightens the pinch bolts to spec - its part of maintenance
Outdrive Life ?? and its sealing ? does it leak gear oil
engine especially top end - does it need to be rebuilt ?
steering and if its cable steering - when was a steering cable replaced ??
engine components ?? Belts - hoses seem to only get changed out after they break - next - tune up - cap and rotors and coils always seem to be old on used boats. Water circ pumps never gets changed out - 2 to 15 years is the norm depending on water conditions the boat is ran in. and so on for engine related parts
gimble ring wear is a huge issue NO one checks and or tightens the pinch bolts to spec - its part of maintenance
Outdrive Life ?? and its sealing ? does it leak gear oil
engine especially top end - does it need to be rebuilt ?
steering and if its cable steering - when was a steering cable replaced ??
engine components ?? Belts - hoses seem to only get changed out after they break - next - tune up - cap and rotors and coils always seem to be old on used boats. Water circ pumps never gets changed out - 2 to 15 years is the norm depending on water conditions the boat is ran in. and so on for engine related parts
03-05-2019 | 10:42 AM
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and then to add with old boats,, any part of soft or rotted structures is MOTOR MOUNTS, and engine alignment and engine coupler. all can be off and bad
gimble ring wear is a huge issue NO one checks and or tightens the pinch bolts to spec - its part of maintenance
Outdrive Life ?? and its sealing ? does it leak gear oil
engine especially top end - does it need to be rebuilt ?
steering and if its cable steering - when was a steering cable replaced ??
engine components ?? Belts - hoses seem to only get changed out after they break - next - tune up - cap and rotors and coils always seem to be old on used boats. Water circ pumps never gets changed out - 2 to 15 years is the norm depending on water conditions the boat is ran in. and so on for engine related parts
gimble ring wear is a huge issue NO one checks and or tightens the pinch bolts to spec - its part of maintenance
Outdrive Life ?? and its sealing ? does it leak gear oil
engine especially top end - does it need to be rebuilt ?
steering and if its cable steering - when was a steering cable replaced ??
engine components ?? Belts - hoses seem to only get changed out after they break - next - tune up - cap and rotors and coils always seem to be old on used boats. Water circ pumps never gets changed out - 2 to 15 years is the norm depending on water conditions the boat is ran in. and so on for engine related parts
I am a falry decent mechanic. I have put a few engines together, and always winterized my own boats.
I am not sure how to check any wood items, but where the stringers are for motor mounts I am sure I can look at.
There is a good boat mechanic in the area, and he has been the person winterizing and maintaining the boat. Maybe he can check it out for me and give me a maintenance history.
J
03-05-2019 | 06:26 PM
#6
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From: Thailand
I'd be looking for a decent surveyor in the area. Might be hard to find, people on here may be able to recommend someone.
A marine surveyor who knows about fiberglass should be able to detect moisture in the crucial areas. Respectfully, a 30 year old Formula was, and still is, a good design but could be full of rotted timber under the fiberglass and will cost more to fix than the boat is probably worth.
Do some reading about hull restorations, there's a lot of great threads on here. There's no 100% guarantees but try to minimize your risks.
Best of luck, my suggestion is pay attention to the posts above and also survey, survey, survey.
RR
A marine surveyor who knows about fiberglass should be able to detect moisture in the crucial areas. Respectfully, a 30 year old Formula was, and still is, a good design but could be full of rotted timber under the fiberglass and will cost more to fix than the boat is probably worth.
Do some reading about hull restorations, there's a lot of great threads on here. There's no 100% guarantees but try to minimize your risks.
Best of luck, my suggestion is pay attention to the posts above and also survey, survey, survey.
RR
03-05-2019 | 08:40 PM
#7
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From: Thailand
Some good info here about checking for rotten wood....
How to 'Sound Out' a Hull . . . - Cruisers & Sailing Forums
Some boat owners are a bit funny about a bloke bashing around with a hammer on their pride and joy, maybe a surveyor can get away with a bit more.........
Transom, around exhaust outlets (if it's got through hull exhausts), stringers in the engine bay and even the bulkhead between engine bay and rear lounge. If that's soft, there may be moisture going further forward via the stringers and even 'trapped' water into the cabin floor. It may be dry and solid everywhere but be aware of the worst case scenario too. Moisture meters can help but short of drilling holes, nothing's 100%.
Check the cockpit floor for soft spots, just walk around every part and you'll feel any wet spots move. Around the mounting for seat frames (through bolts) are a common trouble spot on older boats.
RR
How to 'Sound Out' a Hull . . . - Cruisers & Sailing Forums
Some boat owners are a bit funny about a bloke bashing around with a hammer on their pride and joy, maybe a surveyor can get away with a bit more.........
Transom, around exhaust outlets (if it's got through hull exhausts), stringers in the engine bay and even the bulkhead between engine bay and rear lounge. If that's soft, there may be moisture going further forward via the stringers and even 'trapped' water into the cabin floor. It may be dry and solid everywhere but be aware of the worst case scenario too. Moisture meters can help but short of drilling holes, nothing's 100%.Check the cockpit floor for soft spots, just walk around every part and you'll feel any wet spots move. Around the mounting for seat frames (through bolts) are a common trouble spot on older boats.
RR
03-05-2019 | 09:14 PM
#8
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From: Mason, Ohio
Where is this boat located? I own 311 now and had a 242 SR1 prior. I would say a good surveyor would be helpful as they can check crucial areas for moisture, across the transom to see if there are differences that could indicate water issues. But if you don’t have a surveyor, you need to scrutinize the boat. Inspect:
k-planes...are they corroded and look like water seeped in behind.
Cables that come through transom.... sheathes busted.... check for water.
Around transom assembly.... corroded and loose or soft spots.
speedometer...... 87 will have the tube on transom.... remove the screws and see if the transom is wet there.... good spot to do it. Bring with you a pick and caulk.... caulk it back up when put together.
engine mounts.... on them formulas you will see if the stringers are rotting, the through brackets are really squeezed in and compressing the stringer or they have angled themselves inward some.
the rear hatch lift.... if it’s loose.... odds are the center stringer has some rot.
Fuel vapor system in bilge.. remove those screws and inspect stringer.
gimbal rings.... check foot wear and the upper swivel pin..... check for up down movement and side side play. With the swim platform, you can’t install merc. Plugs on transom to repair swivel without removing the platform first.
Records for bellows, gimbal bearings, steering cables, tuneup etc.
cabin.... check floor for signs of moisture and discolor in headliner.
check window frames for attachment
rear sun pad rot
Swim platform..... if someone removed platform and gutted it.... many times it’s bolted back up and it cracks at attachment pts on top and guys use big plates behind the tow eyes.
hope that helps..... just the basics to check..... any questions.... don’t hesitate to call 740-777-2909
k-planes...are they corroded and look like water seeped in behind.
Cables that come through transom.... sheathes busted.... check for water.
Around transom assembly.... corroded and loose or soft spots.
speedometer...... 87 will have the tube on transom.... remove the screws and see if the transom is wet there.... good spot to do it. Bring with you a pick and caulk.... caulk it back up when put together.
engine mounts.... on them formulas you will see if the stringers are rotting, the through brackets are really squeezed in and compressing the stringer or they have angled themselves inward some.
the rear hatch lift.... if it’s loose.... odds are the center stringer has some rot.
Fuel vapor system in bilge.. remove those screws and inspect stringer.
gimbal rings.... check foot wear and the upper swivel pin..... check for up down movement and side side play. With the swim platform, you can’t install merc. Plugs on transom to repair swivel without removing the platform first.
Records for bellows, gimbal bearings, steering cables, tuneup etc.
cabin.... check floor for signs of moisture and discolor in headliner.
check window frames for attachment
rear sun pad rot
Swim platform..... if someone removed platform and gutted it.... many times it’s bolted back up and it cracks at attachment pts on top and guys use big plates behind the tow eyes.
hope that helps..... just the basics to check..... any questions.... don’t hesitate to call 740-777-2909
03-06-2019 | 03:28 PM
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I appreciate it! The boat is in Wenatchee, WA.
This is the only one I have seen without the fiberglass swim step. it has the teak one.
I will make a note to check all these things, but will try to have it surveyed prior.
Thank you!
J
This is the only one I have seen without the fiberglass swim step. it has the teak one.
I will make a note to check all these things, but will try to have it surveyed prior.
Thank you!
J
