Buying my first boat!

[Kyle_199]

Hi guys,
I'm currently looking at buying my first boat, and I have found myself a maxum 2500 scr, with a 5.0 mercruiser. The only issue the seller has told me about is that the engine turns over slowly... Which could mean a few things, risers rotten and leaking water into cylinders, faulty starter motor etc...

I'm a mechanic so I have no issues working on the engine. But the whole reason I'm posting here is because I think the deal is too good to be true after looking at the same spec boat on the internet. The seller wants £2000 for it and every where I look for one they go for £12k+

I can't go and view the boat as it's not located on the island I'm from, so I'd be buying sight unseen, just from taking his word and seeing photos.

I've attached some photos of it.

Any help greatly appreciated!

Cheers
Kyle

[Phillbo]

Thats a tough call. Does it run? Have him send you a video of it starting and running. Otherwise budget a few grand for a rebuild.

What year and how many hours on the motor.

I would suggest getting a survey done buy a mechanic of your choosing.

Love the layout of the boat. I have the 2500 SE. Nice boats.

[mrt214]

It might be a good thing to have a survey done. There's a reason it's so cheap and it may not be a good one.

[mmwjr]

Originally Posted by mrt214

It might be a good thing to have a survey done. There's a reason it's so cheap and it may not be a good one.

I agree 100%, hire a surveyor where the boat is located. Leaking fuel tank, rotten transom core, engine issues.... sight unseen and no sea trail lead to a bad buy nearly every time.

[Gugi47]

Don't send any money in front...No way you can buy a boat like that for only 2000.

[Phillbo]

The trailer looks to be undersized as well.... I would not want to tow with that.

[Kyle_199]

Thanks for the replys guys. The engine doesn't currently run, it just turns over slowly. Which makes me think the cylinders have water in so will need a rebuild. Which I have considered in my cost.

The thing I'm scared about is buying a rotten boat... I went and looked at a 24ft wellcraft nova for £1500 And it had rotten stringers, the engine looked like it was about to fall out! And I don't want that to babe the same with this maxum.

Like I said I'm not too bothered about the engine needing a rebuild as I'm capable of doing that myself which does cut the costs a fair amount. And if it does only need the engine done I could have it bought and running for under £4k and everywhere I look the go for £12k+

Thanks again
Kyle

[Kyle_199]

Oh it's also a 2005

[mmwjr]

At 13 years old the chances are there is no rot but the only way to know is have someone look at it.

Consider that the engine may not be rebuildable and needs to be completely replaced since you cannot examine it.

[Kyle_199]

I was originally talking to the owners brother, but got hold of the owner today, and he's told me that it had a new long block etc... 2 years ago

[shrew]

The trailer is definitely too short. Bunks should go all the way back to the transom. Can a double axle handle the weight capacity??

Another vote for hiring a surveyor. I've never heard of slow cranking caused by bad risers and manifolds, but I'll take your word for it. I'm not a mechanic.

[Kyle_199]

It's not coming on the trailer anyway mate, that's just a picture I got sent of it. And the only reason I say about the risers and manifold is because if water is getting into the bores it may cause a small amount of hydrolock. However it could be they have messed with the timing and it's too far advanced. I just don't know until I get it:/

Someone has had a look at it for me and said the hull is in good condition, been re fiberglassed in the Last few years as it had an extension

[gmc60]

Welcome

[Phillbo]

Originally Posted by Kyle_199

Someone has had a look at it for me and said the hull is in good condition, been re fiberglassed in the Last few years as it had an extension

Can you clarify what this means? Extension?

[mmwjr]

Originally Posted by Kyle_199

It's not coming on the trailer anyway mate, that's just a picture I got sent of it. And the only reason I say about the risers and manifold is because if water is getting into the bores it may cause a small amount of hydrolock. However it could be they have messed with the timing and it's too far advanced. I just don't know until I get it:/

Someone has had a look at it for me and said the hull is in good condition, been re fiberglassed in the Last few years as it had an extension

Extension? Adding a swim platform is typically a bolt on. Even if glassed on that doesn't say the transom core or stringers are sound.

Slow cranking can be weak batteries, bad battery connections, bad solenoid, bad starter, engine issues.

[Kyle_199]

Originally Posted by mmwjr

Extension? Adding a swim platform is typically a bolt on. Even if glassed on that doesn't say the transom core or stringers are sound.

Slow cranking can be weak batteries, bad battery connections, bad solenoid, bad starter, engine issues.

I see what your saying, but being a 2005 built boat it shouldnt have any rot surely? and if it does would it be catastrophic? its a risk i might have to take.

and yes youre right about the issues it could be, but if i prepare for worst case scenario then at least i wont be upset/angry when i have to pull the motor and rebuild.

[Kyle_199]

Originally Posted by gmc60

Welcome

Hi, thanks for the welcome!

[mmwjr]

Originally Posted by Kyle_199

I see what your saying, but being a 2005 built boat it shouldnt have any rot surely? and if it does would it be catastrophic? its a risk i might have to take.

and yes youre right about the issues it could be, but if i prepare for worst case scenario then at least i wont be upset/angry when i have to pull the motor and rebuild.

It comes down to how the boat was maintained. I have seen boats that were damaged and had fiberglass repaired that was a so so job. Small cracks formed letting water get to the wood core. This is not a visual issue, sounding the hull is required.

That’s my point expect the worst if buying sight unseen.