Advice please

[Kerley99]

I am considering buying my first boat and have agreed what I consider to be a good price. I am a little bit worried about the fact that the boat hasnt been serviced since 50 hours. It is 5 years old and has done 200 hours. I have read that engines should be serviced once a year or every 100 hours. Is this correct? Should this be a big worry for me -should I insist on the servicing being done before purchase? Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Kawasaki]

200 hours in 5 years is ok
At least the vessel has been used.
I would be more worried if the engine hours were 50!
By all means have the motor serviced by the Vendors if you can.
No doubt you have hired a Surveyor to check out the rest of the boat.
Don't be too worried or hung up about the 'missing' service
If you are not familiar with mechanical things or engines
It might be a good idea to get an expert to check the engine out.
I presume the vessel is fitted with an inboard.
It is the drive train (outdrives/ shafts or whatever) that may need some scrutiny too.
Again , presuming you have hired one, a Marine Surveyor will not get 'down and dirty' with things mechanical during his inspection unless you specify this area.

Servicing is just 'servicing' and thats that
A service might not reveal any nasties if thats what your thinking.

In short, don't be too worried about it but if it's in the deal - Great!

 

[hlb]

Yes, get a full service done before purchase and be fully prepared not to buy until fully satisfied.

 

[jimg]

I am considering buying my first boat and have agreed what I consider to be a good price. I am a little bit worried about the fact that the boat hasnt been serviced since 50 hours. It is 5 years old and has done 200 hours. I have read that engines should be serviced once a year or every 100 hours. Is this correct? Should this be a big worry for me -should I insist on the servicing being done before purchase? Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Probably OK as others have said, what sort of boat and engine is it ?

 

[lovezoo]

Don't be too worried or hung up about the 'missing' service

But if the boat is 5 years old and has had only one service, that is 4 years of missing services as it should be serviced annually. Depends when in that five years the service happened and what engine/drive it is.

If it was me, I would not be happy looking at an outdrive boat that was last serviced 4 years and 150 hours ago...

 

[Kawasaki]

Oh! I read, it aint been serviced since 50 hours ago!

 

[hlb]

Oh! I read, it aint been serviced since 50 hours ago!

My concern is that it's been neglected for five years. So what else has been going wrong??

 

[tinkicker0]

If an outdrive, those bellows will need replacing if they are 4 years old. Likewise the impeller.

With all these type posts, impossible to say without knowing more.

Is the boat on a trailer, or has it been bobbing in the briney for 5 years? Is it raw water cooled?

These things have a major bearing on the opinion. You need a professional in to look and advise.

 

[Kerley99]

Thanks for the advice.
The boat is a 39' sports cruiser and as far as I know has been kept on the water. I am going to get a survey on it so hopefully any problems will manifest themselves then.
The guy has already dropped a long way and is keen to sell. I am thinking of making the purchase subject to survey and service just in case anything comes to light or will the survey pick this up?

 

[Dave_Snelson]

Thanks for the advice.
The boat is a 39' sports cruiser and as far as I know has been kept on the water. I am going to get a survey on it so hopefully any problems will manifest themselves then.
The guy has already dropped a long way and is keen to sell. I am thinking of making the purchase subject to survey and service just in case anything comes to light or will the survey pick this up?

That depends on what type of survey. You should include a mechanical survey as part of a full survey. Don't skimp - it may be a well priced boat but just bobbing on the water for 4 years hasn't done it any favours. There are all sorts of things that need changing every 3 years. Then there's the underside of the boat...

Get a good recommended surveyor and if the vendor does not want to put money into the service (and why would he?) then negotiate a further reduction by the amount of snagging issues & servicing costs if you decide to buy.. The fact that this guy has left it alone for 4 years tells a story.

One last thing - leave your "rose-tints" at home (unlike me...) and be prepared to walk away. Its still very much a buyers market - and good luck!

 

[hlb]

Thanks for the advice.
The boat is a 39' sports cruiser and as far as I know has been kept on the water. I am going to get a survey on it so hopefully any problems will manifest themselves then.
The guy has already dropped a long way and is keen to sell. I am thinking of making the purchase subject to survey and service just in case anything comes to light or will the survey pick this up?

The big risk is, if the anodes have not been changed ever year, or sooner in some cases. The engines and drive chain could well be knackered. A normal survey wont look at this.

Thinking further, if they have not been changed for five years, I'd walk away. With out stripping the whole lot down, you wont know what damage has been done. But damage there will be.

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

39ft sportcruiser - prolly on outdrives? Four years without servicing the engines is one thing; four years without changing anodes or bellows on outdrives has got to be a problem. I'd want to know more about exactly what has and hasn't been done before committing to a purchase, even a conditional one.

Cheers
Jimmy

 

[PCUK]

Too many assumptions going on here. Without full details of the boat and it's prior use and location all comments are pure conjecture!