Might buy boat, what to look for?

[beast96z]

I have a good friend at work who dosen't want to sell his boat, but is willing to sell it to me if I show up with cash. (He wants a new truck) The boat is a 96' model Nitro. It's 18' with a 125 Tracker by Mercury w/ a fresh rebuild. It has a trolling motor (not sure of the thrust), a depth finder, a fish finder, and 2 brand new batterries he just put in this past weekend. He did mention that every now and then it will foul the plugs, but he says it is from being to rich. He has since backed off on his oil mixture and says it's doing better. I'm looking at $5k even for the boat. NADA has it priced out at around $6500. My question is, does this sound like a good deal, and what things should I look for when I go to test drive this thing? Thanks for the help, Jason

[Mr. bigmouth]

I would find a little more info about engine. 1) why was it rebuilt already in the first place?2) have compression checked and leakdown tested.3) that motor is oil injected unless it has been disconnected so unless its misadjusted it really shouldnt be fouling plugs hardly ever unless is has a ton of idling.I would pay close attention to hole shot and so forth as that boat with a 125 is just a little but underpowered..With all that being said the merc 125 is a very good engine has pretty good power but do not want to turn it over about 5300rpms.The price sounds like a pretty good deal.I would say just use your best judgement.

my 2 cents
good luck
jerry

[beast96z]

I'm not quite sure on the rebuild part. The boat was bought by one of my good friends at work, from someone I don't know. He then sold it to another good friend at work so he could buy a Harley. I'll find out from the first guy tommorow if the original owner told him why it was rebuilt. Keep in mind that both of these guys are people I have to look at every day, and both say it is a hell of a nice boat. I do need to find out about the oil injection though. I assumed it should have been injected as well, but he started talking about 100:1 mixtures and so forth so I wondered. I'll find out alot more tommorow. I just made sure that he would sell it if I had the money today. I've been trolling some boat forums this evening, so I'll have a few questions for them tommorow.

[Mr. bigmouth]

If the motor is not completlely broken in yet he maybe running oil in the gas tank as well to finish the breakin.Most techs recommend extra oil for the first 10 hours on a new or rebuilt carb. outboard.I was just trying to give you a few things to think about but from what you say the package sounds like a good deal.But as Im sure you know I would insist on driving the boat before buying it.Just curiouis, does the boat have a jackplate on it?

good luck
jerry

[cchamp]

I've seen several friendships go south after some sort of deal......
He may not has any problem, but you could have some.  Rember it's just a boat
and not worth a friendship over....

[beast96z]

Thanks for the tips guys. I test drove the boat today and it seemed to run fine. The motor is not oil injected. It has to be mixed in with the gas. After talking with him and the former owner, I found out that the "original" owner of the boat had let a friend borrow it for a day of fishing. He did not know that oil had to be mixed in with the gas and he ruined the head. It was replaced under warranty by the dealer. The boat itself is in good shape, but needs some minor things like new stickers (small ones), one window/visor is cracked, and the top plastic cover of the motor had flown off into the road and has some dings/cracks. It also needs a good cleaning, but that's nothing I can't handle. Anyone know off hand where I might find a new lid for the motor?

[Elwood]

It may be just me but I would not touch a inline four from Mercury.  I have had two (a 100HP and a 115HP) and will tell you straight up that they will nickle and dime you till you ready to sink it.  There are a lot of good boats out there for the money you are willing to put into this one.  Before you decide to buy I would look around for all of the options available in your area.  A good V-4 in the 115-130HP range will serve you better than the Mecury inline four.  Not trying to bash Mercury and would own another one but only in a V-6.  Good luck with what ever you decide on.

Elwood

[mitchell]

The motor cowlings are not cheap and the decal stickers for the motor will cost around 200.00. Make sure to check the trim and prop, they cost alot to replace also. Just some tips.

Mitch

[Railroader]

I had to replace my cowling and with my discount it was 761.00 and the stickers were 150.00. you can buy mine..

[beast96z]

I've had the boat for almost 3 weeks now and it's doing great. For the price of a new lid, the one that's on it isn't that bad. I'll have to live with the minor cosmetic spots. I had no clue that the hoods cost that much until I started researching them. I've got the boat all slicked up with Mike Nobles waterlass wax/wash and I have to say that it cleaned up good. I've had it on the lake a few times, and it's been running excellent. I can't complain at all so far.