Question about buying a used boat

[gordy28]

Hey there
I am helping my Dad as he is looking for a new (used) boat
So far we have looked at a few nice ones - but twice have run into the same situation.
2 Lund boats, both very nice, well maintained with oldish motors (200 and 2003)
Both have had the lower units replaced - once because the guy cracked it on a rock, once cause the guy sucked a plastic bag into the intake
(We have had the same boat for 20 years, and the engine has never had anything replaced - and maintenance has been about draining the lower gear oil and storing inside - and it still starts o the 1st to 3rd pull every year - so it seems like a 6 - 8 year engine has been beat to need the unit repaired)


So in the above two situations - is this a buyer beware situation or is it just a fact and as long as the lower unit has been fixed by mechanic etc - its fine? Is there a better version - hit a rock or sucked in a plastic bag?
Both boats seemed to be priced fairly or even a little under market value

Thanks
Gordy

[JP]

It is always good to proceed with caution when purchasing a used boat from a private seller. You do not want to be stuck with someone elses problems.

The first case there the owner replaced the gear case beacuse of damage is fairly common. I have done that as well on the Ottawa with no harm to the engine. One thing you do want to worry about is what exacly was replaced. a rebuilt lower gear case is fine as long as it was done correctly. You should be able to tell with in minutes of a water test how it runs. Check the gear oil for water or milky oil, check the prop shaft by spinning the prpr and looking at the inner wall of the hub. If there is a wable then it could mean a bend prop shaft and you should investigate further. Ask the owner what was actually damaged in the hit. Was it the casing, gears, seals, drive or prop shaft? If they hit hard enough then damage could have been done to the drive shaft or the splines that the drive shaft fits into which could lead to problems down the way.

The second boat doesn't quite make sense. I have never heard of anyone having to replace a gear case beacuse of some debris that was sucked into the intake. Impellors and water pump housings yes but not whole gear cases. Now if the plastic bag had some how worked its way behind the prop and into the prop shaft seals then ok. You see a lot of this with fishing line tangling in prop shaft seals but in most cases it does not mean replacing the whole lower unit.

Last thing to ease your mind ask to take the boat to a marine certified mechanic and have not just the gear case but the wiring, engine and such gone over to ensure you are getting what you pay for.

[mikemicropterus]

Gordy 28 you answered your own question by your question......


Two boats less than ten years old needing lower units thats one HELL of a hit forget the lower unit check the transom for bends or better yet walk away....If it's worth it and the guys goin to sell it he will have all the service papers not just changing lower unit oil and storing in the basement sorry for being blunt but you will get what you pay for forget the mumbo jumbo and think logically he hit a rock HARD enough to need or he got taken by the service shop take your pick

I would not entertain any boat that hit a rock that hard without a professional mechanic to survey the boat FIRST and I mean PROFESSIONAL