My list of boat pre-purchase questions

It is a wonderful world at times partly due to the diversity of opinions. You know the saying about what everyone has
Personally, and this is nothing against the person I am differing with, I agree with you. When I am buying a boat, I want to know the most about it I can, so I have the best chance of knowing exactly what I am buying. Fully realizing that "perfection does not exist". Yes, the survey and mechanical are important, and are the buyer's responsibility. The survey is definitely the most important tool to help with determining overall condition of the boat. However, there is alot of the more "detailed info" that cannot be determined with that method. Having a detailed maintenance log (unfortunately not that common or purposely not on board) coupled with at least a few supporting receipts (for big ticket items or parts) can really help to establish a maintenance baseline for the new owner to start from. Without some of the info you are asking for, you have to assume that all of it is due now. Pretty time consuming and costly. An example of where info can be helpful: my surveyor stated that he advises that the PYI shaft seal be replaced due to no records of when it was done. My insurance required this within 3 months (or some other relatively short time frame). The seal was not leaking and looked in excellent condition, but I don't know how long it had been since servicing and insurance mandated it, so it was serviced.

Overall since buying my boat that the surveyor stated was in the best overall condition of any boat that age that he had ever surveyed, I spent about $15,000 in the first 3 years of ownership getting her mechanicals up to what I consider a starting point as far as maintenance is concerned. I am sure, that some of what was done could have been delayed had records been available. Examples: raw water components off engine cleaned and pressures tested, new custom exhaust elbow and hose, coolant changed, new belt, idler pulley, replaced CCV system and air filter, shaft seal, cutlass bearings, rudder seal, prop serviced, alternator rebuild, new thermostat and coolant tank cap, new zincs everywhere, replaced several fuel lines and coolant hoses, new raw water pump, with similar items on the generator (sure I am forgetting some things I did).

So for me, if a seller responded to questions regarding maintenance with the answers that Peter suggested, I would walk without a survey and find a boat I liked with a more forthcoming and obliging seller. I would wonder "what is he hiding?" Maybe just me, but I doubt it.
I do not think it is unreasonable for you to attempt to "get the answers" to your questions. However, if the current owner has owned for a short while, he may not know the answers
What is, in my opinion unreasonable, is to expect a "discount" off of an agreed price due to some maintenance that is not up to your standards. That should have been determined prior to offer (while in the process of considering putting in an offer and not asked just for curiousity), and discounts should only be negotiated for "larger ticket" items found on survey(s).
JMHO, and to each his own. But I feel, he who has the money, is in the driver's seat (as long as he is reasonable about it).
As a seller, I would take offence if a buyer made an offer and we came to a deal, then asked all of the maintenance questions, then asked for a discount due to the maintenance, especially since I maintain my boat to a high level, and then tried for an additional discount after survey.

Ralsy,It is a wonderful world at times partly due to the diversity of opinions. You know the saying about what everyone hasPersonally, and this is nothing against the person I am differing with, I agree with you. When I am buying a boat, I want to know the most about it I can, so I have the best chance of knowing exactly what I am buying. Fully realizing that "perfection does not exist". Yes, the survey and mechanical are important, and are the buyer's responsibility. The survey is definitely the most important tool to help with determining overall condition of the boat. However, there is alot of the more "detailed info" that cannot be determined with that method. Having a detailed maintenance log (unfortunately not that common or purposely not on board) coupled with at least a few supporting receipts (for big ticket items or parts) can really help to establish a maintenance baseline for the new owner to start from. Without some of the info you are asking for, you have to assume that all of it is due now. Pretty time consuming and costly. An example of where info can be helpful: my surveyor stated that he advises that the PYI shaft seal be replaced due to no records of when it was done. My insurance required this within 3 months (or some other relatively short time frame). The seal was not leaking and looked in excellent condition, but I don't know how long it had been since servicing and insurance mandated it, so it was serviced.Overall since buying my boat that the surveyor stated was in the best overall condition of any boat that age that he had ever surveyed, I spent about $15,000 in the first 3 years of ownership getting her mechanicals up to what I consider a starting point as far as maintenance is concerned. I am sure, that some of what was done could have been delayed had records been available. Examples: raw water components off engine cleaned and pressures tested, new custom exhaust elbow and hose, coolant changed, new belt, idler pulley, replaced CCV system and air filter, shaft seal, cutlass bearings, rudder seal, prop serviced, alternator rebuild, new thermostat and coolant tank cap, new zincs everywhere, replaced several fuel lines and coolant hoses, new raw water pump, with similar items on the generator (sure I am forgetting some things I did).So for me, if a seller responded to questions regarding maintenance with the answers that Peter suggested, I would walk without a survey and find a boat I liked with a more forthcoming and obliging seller. I would wonder "what is he hiding?" Maybe just me, but I doubt it.I do not think it is unreasonable for you to attempt to "get the answers" to your questions. However, if the current owner has owned for a short while, he may not know the answersWhat is, in my opinion unreasonable, is to expect a "discount" off of an agreed price due to some maintenance that is not up to your standards. That should have been determined prior to offer (while in the process of considering putting in an offer and not asked just for curiousity), and discounts should only be negotiated for "larger ticket" items found on survey(s).JMHO, and to each his own. But I feel, he who has the money, is in the driver's seat (as long as he is reasonable about it).As a seller, I would take offence if a buyer made an offer and we came to a deal, then asked all of the maintenance questions, then asked for a discount due to the maintenance, especially since I maintain my boat to a high level, and then tried for an additional discount after survey.

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I want to replace my raw water hoses, and after looking I'm kind of amazed at how expensive the 1" reinforced hose is, $6.85/ft. at NautiqueParts. I did some rough measuring and came up with about 11 ft. of hose needed, figured I'd order 12 ft. I'm assuming all the hose, from the pickup through the strainer to the pump to the thermo housing to the risers is all the same size, correct?

Anyone have a direct source for hose that is more reasonably priced?

'63 American Skier - '98 Sport Nautique

David,
It doesn't need to be "marine"!!!

Autozone!David,It doesn't need to be "marine"!!!

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77 Tique

64 X55 Dunphy

Keep it original, Pete
&lt

64 X55 DunphyKeep it original, Pete&lt

Seems suitable.
$5.15/ft
Since I'm not a blue guy I would probably pay the $7/ft for the PCM silver stripe if that's still available.

$5.15/ftSince I'm not a blue guy I would probably pay the $7/ft for the PCM silver stripe if that's still available.

pbrainard wrote:

Autozone!
David,
It doesn't need to be "marine"!!!
Pete, not that I checked but not so sure Autozone has steel reinforced suction hose.

Pete, not that I checked but not so sure Autozone has steel reinforced suction hose.

'63 American Skier - '98 Sport Nautique

Hollywood wrote:

Seems suitable.
$5.15/ft
Since I'm not a blue guy I would probably pay the $7/ft for the PCM silver stripe if that's still available.

I guess it just caught me by surprise that it cost $80 plus in hose to replace it all.

I guess it just caught me by surprise that it cost $80 plus in hose to replace it all.

'63 American Skier - '98 Sport Nautique

Might that change your mind on doing the job? I'm assuming you're talking about doing this on your Sport.

63 Skier wrote:

pbrainard wrote:

Autozone!
David,
It doesn't need to be "marine"!!!
Pete, not that I checked but not so sure Autozone has steel reinforced suction hose.
I mentioned Autozone in jest! However, there are plenty of other sources besides any auto supply. Any industrial supply house including McMaster has wire reinforced hose.

I mentioned Autozone in jest! However, there are plenty of other sources besides any auto supply. Any industrial supply house including McMaster has wire reinforced hose.

54 Atom

77 Tique

64 X55 Dunphy

Keep it original, Pete
&lt

64 X55 DunphyKeep it original, Pete&lt

David,
Keep in mind it's only the suction side to the RWP that needs to be reinforced.

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77 Tique

64 X55 Dunphy

Keep it original, Pete
&lt

64 X55 DunphyKeep it original, Pete&lt

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Yes, the Sport. I know the hose will likely never fail, but I've cut into it twice now, once for the T for running off the hose, one for the T for the heater I installed. I'd slightly relocate both T's, actually just leave a little more slack on the heater T, if I did it over again so figured it's an easy job, why not just replace it all. Likely easier to feed new hose over barb connectors than the hard 18 year old hose too. So, I'll probably still do it.

'63 American Skier - '98 Sport Nautique

pbrainard wrote:

David,
Keep in mind it's only the suction side to the RWP that needs to be reinforced.
Right, but that's most of the hose. Beyond the pump is only the short piece to the thermostat housing, then the 2 short lengths from the housing to the risers. So only about 3 ft. of it is on the pressure side.

Right, but that's most of the hose. Beyond the pump is only the short piece to the thermostat housing, then the 2 short lengths from the housing to the risers. So only about 3 ft. of it is on the pressure side.

'63 American Skier - '98 Sport Nautique

I would definitely keep wire reinforced hose out of the RWP. Indmar had a recall on splitting that hose in their early MCXs (normal auto nylon reinforced). This may never be an issue on the Ford PCM system but thought I'd mention it for everyone.

I've seen plenty of converted nylon reinforced PCM riser feeds, as well as it being factory on most other brands. In the 80s at least, hull pickup -> strainer was nylon reinforced too, not wire.

I would just buy the piece you need and leave the rest alone.

12-13' sounds right. Check go2marine and Jamestown distributors, their pricing on 1" reinforced hose may be better than Nautique Parts. I do like the white/silver PCM hose if still available though. SkiDIM sells green stripe I think.

I saw a noticeable (10-15) deg difference in cooling temps when I replaced all my hose... Split ends and small air leaks surely were the reason. If one hose looks bad, $80 to replace it all seems like a decent idea.

Careful Tim, Nautique parts is a site sponsor now. Ha

phatsat67 wrote:

Careful Tim, Nautique parts is a site sponsor now. Ha
Zach,
I think Tim slipped and meant to say N3!!

How's it going selling construction equipment parts VS: boat parts?

Zach,I think Tim slipped and meant to say N3!!How's it going selling construction equipment parts VS: boat parts?

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77 Tique

64 X55 Dunphy

Keep it original, Pete
&lt

64 X55 DunphyKeep it original, Pete&lt

White lake supports the site but that doesn't mean you have to order all your parts from them. SkiDIM, Go2marine, and Jamestown are quality vendors and have their place.

I didn't slip. Zach doesn't work at n3 and n3 isn't a site sponsor either... Seems Pete is confused.White lake supports the site but that doesn't mean you have to order all your parts from them. SkiDIM, Go2marine, and Jamestown are quality vendors and have their place.

TRBenj wrote:

I didn't slip. Zach doesn't work at n3 and n3 isn't a site sponsor either... Seems Pete is confused. .
Who's confused? Did I say anything about N3 being a site sponsor? Didn't I ask Zach how things are going selling construction equipment parts?

Who's confused? Did I say anything about N3 being a site sponsor? Didn't I ask Zach how things are going selling construction equipment parts?

54 Atom

77 Tique

64 X55 Dunphy

Keep it original, Pete
&lt

64 X55 DunphyKeep it original, Pete&lt

Sure you did.

Lol, life is good here Pete. Just learning the machines and what's worth money and what isn't.

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