Should I be suspicious - new engine

Whitelighter said:
Try selling a boat with a knackered engine.
Engines dies, want to sell boat. Can’t. Put new engine in and test for a few hours then sell boat.
Honestly, if you are wary of a new engine don’t bother, buying a second hand boat isn’t for you.
Stick to camping
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Lovely attitude as ever..... The chap is learning so how on earth would you know what is for him or not
 
Looking at the pics I would guess it is a new block with the old bits bolted on. Looks like a nice boat. I would have the condition of the risers checked as these are a perishable item and if not replaced in time could ruin the engine. (water leaking back into the engine). Someone looking to sell could cut corners and put risers back on with a limited life. Get a specialist to look at the engine. If the base engine block is really new you could have a good setup just take into account it my need some extra cash spending on to get the engine to where it needs to be. That said the previous owner has already eaten the largest cost of a new block.
 
Bigplumbs said:
Not sure how you know what most wives would want or expect but never mind. But for accuracy My S24 has hot and cold water and most 24 footers do also from the main Builders of Sports Cruisers.

Also remember that once you go over 24 foot you are generally into 2 engines
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My advice was rounded and balanced. I do not doubt 24' is fine for many, especially couples, but once there are four of you ?

Also we spent our honeymoon on a 22' sailing boat with 4' headroom and a manual flush toilet (AKA bucket). But then there were just two of us, a tad younger and no kids (at that time).
 
rlw said:
Looking at the pics I would guess it is a new block with the old bits bolted on. Looks like a nice boat. I would have the condition of the risers checked as these are a perishable item and if not replaced in time could ruin the engine. (water leaking back into the engine). Someone looking to sell could cut corners and put risers back on with a limited life. Get a specialist to look at the engine. If the base engine block is really new you could have a good setup just take into account it my need some extra cash spending on to get the engine to where it needs to be. That said the previous owner has already eaten the largest cost of a new block.
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AFAIK you can still buy new, non-dry joint manifolds and risers from various after market US companies. I would think fitting the old manifolds/risers back onto a new motor a seriously bad move.
 
PDF said:
Hi all,
The short story is my wife and I are looking for a boat in the 24' range that is four berth, from about the year 2000. We were hoping to start seriously looking next January
As I like to be prepared I have been keepng an eye on boats for sale in the local area
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Might be worthwhile indicating where you intend boating, this really can make a difference as to which boat might be a better bet for you.
Not that uncommon for a first boat to be the last. Which may be why the owner of the boat you are looking at bailed out to cut his losses.
Do not act in haste, you may need to look at 10 boats to find a decent, cared for, well maintained one.
Boatyards are chock full of old heaps chock full of hidden expence, their owners desperate for new mug to come along and buy the mistake they bought in haste.
Good Luck.
 
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Great reading and thanks to the majority for replying. We're not going to buy the boat linked above as there were too many questions that the seller couldn't answer. Plus the general condition of the rest of the boat shows it really hasn't been looked after.

We are in no rush to buy and will keep looking even if it takes us into spring next year.

It's interesting, not just from this thread but from many others as to the debate on petrol v diesel, everyone has a strong opinion. I'm not sold on either and certainly wouldn't dismiss a boat if it was in good condition and had petrol or diesel.

There are 3 of us, two adults and an 8 year old, we'd be keeping the boat in Poole harbour and the majority of use would be days out. We would eventually do overnighters and weekends.

Having done quite a bit of research 24-26' boats are in our price range, including on going repairs, berthing, seastart and of course fuel. We don't really want a duel engined boat.

Thanks again, the search goes on.
 
It is market reality that Petrol boats are less desirable. It costs more to run, can explode ( my Grandfather blew one up ( to smithereens not a minor pop) in San Remo harbour with Ronnie Corbett so dont let people tell you it can't happen!) in some places can be hard to buy, and most importantly because of that is harder to sell. The flip side is they are cheaper.

Do follow the previous advise of buy as big as you can. Most people grow out of boat 1 rapidly and then sell it with associated commissions and purchase surveys etc. Skip step 1 if possible.
 
My advice would be to look at everything and anything remotely within your price bracket.
You might well find that your long cherished preconceptions of the boat "you want other people to see you whizzing along in may not actually be the boat you actually need. :)
Do not limit yourself to local boatyards/marinas, your boat just might be moored on the Thames,a vast repository of all sorts of boats up for sale on your very doorstep.
 
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oldgit said:
Might be worthwhile indicating where you intend boating, this really can make a difference as to which boat might be a better bet for you.
Not that uncommon for a first boat to be the last. Which may be why the owner of the boat you are looking at bailed out to cut his losses.
Do not act in haste, you may need to look at 10 boats to find a decent, cared for, well maintained one.
Boatyards are chock full of old heaps chock full of hidden expence, their owners desperate for new mug to come along and buy the mistake they bought in haste.
Good Luck.
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Is that old Cup of yours half full or half empty..... I think I know
 
Bigplumbs said:
Is that old Cup of yours half full or half empty..... I think I know
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....after more boat purchases than OG cares to remember over the last half century and the experiences/expences endured by colleagues and friends, I would not trust me to sell a boat to me . :):):)
 
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oldgit said:
....after more boat purchases than OG cares to remember over the last half century and the experiences/expences endured by colleagues and friends, I would not trust me to sell a boat to me . :):):)
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But we must try and keep Cheerful about our Boating don't you think
 
Be wary definitely but also look on the positive side that the owner has gone to the trouble of getting a new engine and not tried to bodge it.
Get a marine engineer to go over engine and the drive - as well as the usual surveyor - thats if you go for it.
Jon
 
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