Closed the Deal on the '99 Prowler
 

Well, looks like I have finally joined the Sonic family. Closed the deal on the '99 Prowler Friday. I live in MD and have to go to Stuart, FL to get it. Deal is contingent on my inspection and a demo ride. I'm pretty boat savy but are there any Sonic specific things I should look for?

My only concern is the trailer tires. I may replace before I head North. Owner garage kept the boat but will have to check the DOT tire manufacture date.

The boat is on a Rocket trailer and from what I have read on this site they are not considered good trailers. Since this boat has mostly fresh water hours I'm assuming the trailer is in decent shape. From the pictures it looks OK.

Would appreciate any feedback.

Ed

get a survey

congrats on the purchase and I agree it's worth it to spend a few bucks to get a survey done

Get a survey done, pay to have the trailer bearings and brakes serviced if the survey is good. Bring 4 spares on rims and everything to change them with you. You can get tires and wheels reasonable here:
http://www.etrailer.com/maindept.asp...FdID5QodUhuIwQ

A spare set of bearings would be a good idea too.

Oh yeah, Congratulations! Hope it goes well. You might consider having them send you video of the whole boat too. I flew to Chicago to look at a 42SS that was trashed (dealer said it was very clean). Looked great in pics, even in the pics I took of it. From 50' away my first thought was "I can't bring that POS home". I also discovered the engines weren't what the said they were. Cost me $700 in airfare and car rental to find out. Dealer was enough of a Dick to get mad, red in the face, that I wouldn't sign the contract to buy it. I did get my deposit back though.

Survey for sure.

I've trailered a LOT of boats on Rocket trailers, most have been good experiences. The smaller trailers have a tendency to wear tires due to incorrect boat placement or uneven toe in of the axles. Also depending on how the trailer is set up for boat support depends on how the trailer performs too. They designed them two different ways --- adjustable bunks and non adjustable bunks. The non adjustable ones tend to be better, but for a smaller boat it is likely its the adjustable style.

PM me if you need any help

Hey, Go4broke is right, DO NOT believe anything til you actually see it. We both looked at the 42 he mentioned. POS !!!

Good luck

45Sonic............thanks for the trailer advice and the help offer.

Before I leave FL I'm going to check the tire manufacture date and if over 6 years old I'll probably get 4 new tires before I start back. I had good tires on my Scarab trailer until the belts started splitting. The tires were 7 years old and were in the sun a lot. Also going to jack the trailer and check for bearing play and pull the bearing caps and make sure there is grease and no grease and water mixture.

I hear you about your POS experience. The contract I signed says the deal is contingent on my inspection and the demo ride. The deal is off if either goes nipples skyward.

Again, thnaks to all for the info.

ED

Good Luck with the deal........Just a fyi....I had a 98 Prowler(pur.new) with a Rocket it was junk, bearings were junk.....and even had a leaf spring snap in half on the front axle pushing it into the second.Thank god I was pulling if with a F350 Dually super crew.(the only thing the trailer had going for it was the Diamond Plate fenders that were strapped well)Didnt touch the boat haul).Check the trailer very well.....oh and rockets customer service sucks....at least in back then it did.....Sorry if I am ranting but hearing the name Rocket Trailers brings back nightmares.........

Congrats on the Prowler purchase ! I can echo the sentiments with regards to Rocket trailers. They are JUNK ! My 31 is on a triple axle Rocket Trailer that has left me stranded a couple of times ! Wheel bearings have failed wiping out the axle spindles (you have to buy the entire axle), brake calipers installed upside down, incorrect tire weight ratings, etc. I took mine to a local trailer repair shop and had ALL the wheel bearings replaced, brakes reworked, etc. With what I paid for the trailer plus the repair / service costs I could have gotten a Myco !

I was actually impressed with the Rocket I have. For 11 years old it did well. I had to get 4 new tires. That was a given before I left. The DOT date on them was 0501. Not worth the headache with 10 year old tires. While they did the tires I pulled and repacked all of the wheel bearings. Checked the surge brake and that was OK. What surprised me is no leaf springs. I have torsion suspension on my Rocket. Had to extend the wire harness 1' to reach my truck connector and clean 4 grounds to get the lights to work. The tailer did not present one problem from Stuart, FL to southern MD.

Ed

Glad to hear you got the boat and made it back safe. Look forward to seeing you this year

I have a cousin that lives in Banks O Dee. We go to the Island every once in a while. I have seen your boat on Island. Nice Ride!!! Is it "Sea N' Red"?

I normally come up their in June when they have the Island Festival.

Ed

That would be me. Give me a shout next time you're headn over

Get a hold of Noise Pollution an speedwake or boatfreaks. He has the same set-up. 26' Prowler on Rocket trailer. Has a 540ci in it now.

Thanks for the info.

My next two big upgrades, once I figure out how everything works and where everything is, are fresh water cooling and Procharger supercharger. Not sure the supercharger will fit. But that will probably require an outdrive upgrade. Have to get some better pics from procharger. Not much room in front of the belt. Not in any hurry.

Got the oil changed in both the O/D and the motor. Both needed it. Just been tinkering and figuring stuff out. First thing I need to do is clean a lot of contacts in the fuse/CB panel.

However, this coming Summer I'm going to leave it stock except for maybe the fresh water cooling and just enjoy some nice rides in rough water for a change.

Ed

I'ld suggest going with the Whipple units, much cleaner install and much less B.S. with set-up calibration. Costs a little more up front, but the savings in headaches are well worth it. I did a Pro Charger on a 502 and would never do it again. I know they can be great, but very tricky to set-up properly. Just my 2cents. I had a Prowler and considered a supercharger, if you cut away the overhanging floor in the bilge, I think you can get the belt clearance. I decided to go a simpler route and dropped in a 525 EFI, sold the 502, and for the cost of a blower upgrade, had a stock, blue powered boat. It'll sell 4 times as fast as an add-on supercharger boat! Steve

I'd have to agree with 509