Hey all, new here. I’m currently looking at a 1998 Donzi LXR 19 with the 4.3 on marketplace. It’s been sitting 2 years but the owner says it starts and runs. What should I look out for? I do know to check over the drive and listen for bad gimbal. I tried to find information on the hull, materials used etc but can’t find much. Are these boats all fiberglass? Any other tips much appreciated. Thanks!

How far are you from the boat? Where is the boat. Lots of OSO members help others by putting an eye on a boat for another of the distance is great

Standard stuff to check-
Get some fresh fuel in there, preferably pump what is there out. Check the fuel filter or replace. If you cant pump it out use and external supply from a 6 gal outboard tank.
Compression test on engine.
Milky oil after running or excess condensation on valve cover.
Slop in gimbal ring.
Transom condition.

Thats just the quick list, I am certain if you google you will find an extensive list of things to check, that's just my shortlist to decide if needed to look deeper.

Thanks for the tips! I wound up driving a little over an hour to see the boat. Woah was it a basket case…and not represented well! Water covering entire top of fuel tank/corroded wiring, soft spot in floor, chips in the hull, bilge pump didn’t work, blower didn’t work, engine cover bracket broken, trailer rusted at bunk brackets, hull severely oxidized, and the list goes on. It did actually run ok. I thought from the Marketplace listing (asking $5K) that it would need a detail and some minor repair after sitting a couple years. To me the boat would have been worth it if the guy was giving away for free.

I'd run it on the hose a bit and see if it overheats,its usually from the manifolds being corroded and needing replacement.then after that,compression test and leak down.check oil for moisture.

Surprising what people are passing off. Details aside there was a FB listing around here for a 29 twin Outaw. Add clearly stated boat runs fine but freeze plugs "fell out" and does not effect its operation. He says he simply did not have time to replace them. You could see the mold and mildew on the cover and hatch vents where the bilge had been sitting wet for a loooonggg time. Listed at 16.9 and that is close to what it would cost to repair the "freeze plugs". Sometimes a casting plug will pop but usually due for a new block.

On the other hand sometimes you can find a boat that looks like azz and seller knows it but engine and drive is fine. These are good parts boats if you simply need a low budget repower. There was a early 90's Baja with about 150 hours on it that sat neglected with no cover for several years. Engine and drive was fine, just a little rusty. It went for 5K with a good trailer.