Would you do motor 30 miles on a used boat?

[island808]

Will do , thanks. I'm probably right next door. Out in davidsonville (outside edge water).

I as well think the carbs probably have varnish flakes et al clogging those famously small Honda jets. Only thing that had me thinking different was the intermittent-ness of the rough running. Carbs rarely unclog themselves while running. But maybe it was working stuff through.

[henecle]

Not sure where you're buying from, I bought my first Mac a at Casa Rio in Edgewater... after several years and way too much money for a boat that age and size, it was the boat it should have been when I bought it. There are nice boats that come up all the time. I bought my '02 last year from a board member here well outfitted for a great price and I know how it was taken care of. I'd probably keep looking for a more complete package... it will save you money and aggravation in the long run. YMMV.

[WASP18]

I suggest before you walk away, low ball the broker with a boat-only price of $8,500. I bought my 2000 X last year with a 50hp Tohatsu and Mac trailer with a low ball price of $12,500. The seller, through the broker, was asking $18,500. I didn't expect to buy it so I approached with a low ball after consulting with knowledgeable friends. I was told it was a buyer's market, and it sure was here in New England.

[island808]

Yea 12k was my lowball to start with.. Based on the promise of great engine and floating etc. the seller was asking 16. the offer read, "16k is a bit high if it was on a trailer and running perfectly.. It is not on any trailer and you quoted me 4k for a new nice trailer. So 12000 given that it runs perfectly and the hull doesn't leak is the offer ".

I am not a fan of the factory Mac trailer. So I'm willing to pay a bit of a premium on a brand new tandem aluminum. ( who uses a single axle painted steel for a boat?)

I just let the broker know I'm willing to renegotiate AS IS. Im willing to put off sailing for a bit to sort out what is probably a fine engine in need of some maintenance which i can probably easily do, and the skeg is broken (prop is old but fine, shaft is straight) SKEGGARD. Probably would pay to have the carbs synced since I've never gotten that right before on cars. Or try to trade it for a newer Efi outboard.

Other than being musty, and dirty from storage, the interior is tip top, and all there. those faucets corrode badly though but I was going to do on demand. I'm a former rv/boat tech, so I have that part down. Engines are a pastime.

hull barely has a blemish just some topside oxidation. windows seem good. Has all the gear to get going right now but a VHf radio. Just needs the engine and could use new rigging (rope). Stays are all nice, lights are all there. No sign of ever being stored in the water. Even clean in the centerboard slot. Engine is shiny all the way down to the broken skeg. Under the cover engine looks like new. I think the po really took care of it, but was a bit naive on engine storage. It's pretty tricky with Hondas, if my experience on generators and lawn equipment translates.

Anyway, not setting sail in the immediate future.

Thanks for all the advise!

[dlandersson]

Trust me, replace all the rope lines.

[island808]

They pulled the cooling system open and found something resembling soap or lithium grease and sand clogging the whole thing up.

No idea what it was, but supposedly it's running great now (on the muffs they didnt get it in the water) They think the rough running was it going into protect mode from being hot.

I think someone shined up the engine with too much wax or polishing compound and forced it into the cooling system.
Or we ran over some ambergris.


We'll see, but it might not be till monday.


Thanks

[Tomfoolery]

Or we ran over some ambergris.

I had to look that up.

Sounds like they fixed the cooling issue. The only other issue, assuming that's the case, is whether or not any damage was done. I don't have a suggestion for that, though.

[Crikey]

Save the Ambergris! It'll buy you a 90hp...

[dlandersson]

I'm sure they'll be honest about it - another price talking point?

Or we ran over some ambergris.

I had to look that up.

Sounds like they fixed the cooling issue. The only other issue, assuming that's the case, is whether or not any damage was done. I don't have a suggestion for that, though.

[island808]

I suppose a compression test is the only way to tell. Or further overheating. Water in the oil, but how can I see that easily on someone else's boat in the water?

Head could warp gasket could fail on an outboard right? Prior experience with well built (not 80s American cars) engines would tell me that a little overheat rarely does serious damage. Especially if it does have a limp home. Looks like head gasket replacement isn't a huge job and you can reuse the bolts.

I could bring up my compression tester. But it would really want a leak down, and I'm not set up for that in a marina.

I checked the manual and the engine does have a protection circuit to try to prevent damage on overheating. I didn't see any light or hear any alarm, but it may have gone unnoticed or was broken.

Like is said, it wasn't steaming or smoking when it stopped. Didn't smell hot, but the tech said it felt hot.. Was too hot for his hand when using the top of the engine to support himself while leaning over the edge.

[Catigale]

A black Merc case in the sun will get too hot touch with the motor off.

I think at this point you need to be on the boat for an hour running it hard to pay for a "well running, like new motor"

A poorly maintained " like new " motor is,....an old motor...

[island808]

Like new would be pushing it but the owner really thought it was tip top. We'll see. They're going to test it tomorrow or are right now and then I'll go test it. They've been straight with me so far. No "they all do that" type thing. Started running rough and dude said that's not right, checked the vent and put in. Called the techs on the way back. They were waiting at the dock.

[dlandersson]

That's a really good point.

A black Merc case in the sun will get too hot touch with the motor off.

[island808]

It was with the top cover off... Hand on the end of the crank cover.

This thing has gone on for a couple weeks now, between seeing it advertised, getting out to see it, getting an offer accepted, getting it serviced, getting back up again.

Really tested my resolve. As a first time boat buyer you never know if it's just an impulse buy...

But I still run around the house saying-boat boat boat boat boat...

I have about a dozen things in shopping carts around the internet just waiting for checkout. Only one I "slipped " on and bought were the dvd's from here.