Learn me about boats...

BigClay

BigClay

Knower of useless ZJ things
Joined
Sep 24, 2008
Location
Winston-Salem
My boss is selling his boat; and the wife has been having a fit to have a boat for a long time (she loves to water ski). The only problem is... I don't know a thing about boats. I know the old saying "The best two days when you own a boat is the day you buy it and the day you sell it." Is this really true?

So my boss says it is winterized, what does that mean, and what do I need to do to get it ready to go back on the water? It has a 4.3 I/O, so what is different about a boat motor compared to a 4.3 in a truck?

Thanks for any advice you can give me! :beer:
 
yeah, i'm sure that saying is very true for the majority of people that own them who don't understand what it takes to keep one going. it's definitely no worse than maintaining a trail rig, so while you might not know much about boats specifically you probably at least understand what the downsides might be to owning one.
 
The saying "Hole in the water you throw money into" better describes boat ownership. All of your friends will like you more though. :flipoff2:
 
LOL, yeah I am sure all of my friends will now have nothing better to do than go out on the boat on Saturdays in the summer time :)

Yeah, I am not scared to maintain it, I just need to get the know how of what needs to be done, like how do I drain the boat, and boat specific things like that.
 
BigClay said:
I know the old saying "The best two days when you own a boat is the day you buy it and the day you sell it." Is this really true?
Click to expand...


I have heard that phrase 100 times and it has never come from an actual boat owner. I would say the bulk of boat owners who actually use their boat laugh and roll their eyes everytime they hear it.

Keeping a boat up is not free, usually between $250 to $700 per year depending on what size you have. Don't skimp on oil changes and tune ups and you can have a sweet setup last a long time.

Buy as new as you can afford. A warranty is a wonderful thing.

Keep your routine as simple as possible for getting out on the water. The more difficult it is getting from your couch to the water (packing towels, wakeboards, food, gas, life vests, sun block, cd's, hooking up trailer, etc, etc, etc), the less you will want to go.

My wife and I have a pretty easy routine and we have been on the water over 20 times this Spring (4 days in a row counting today :D). I would get rid of all of my toys before I sold my boat.


You need to figure out what you want:

Budget?
How far are you from a lake?
Ski?
Wakeboard?
Fishing?
Storage for boat?
Size?
Power?
 
My budget is rather small, so that is why I am looking at my boss' boat because I tihnk he is going to cut me a pretty good deal and throw in the trailer as well.

I am in Greensboro, so there are a couple lakes with in an hours drive.

I am a tuber only, but the wife loves to ski. I also love just cruising around the lake.

Unfortunately I don't have the space at my house to store the boat, but my uncle will let me store it at his house, and that is only a 10 minute drive.

I think the boat is 21 feet and has a 4.3 I/O, but I am not 100% sure of either, but I will know for sure tomorrow when I go look at it.
 
Why boats are better than your wife
1.Your boat doesn't care if you look at another boat.
2. You can have as many boats as you can afford.
3. You can go off with another sailboat and crew, and when you come home your boat is still happy.
4. If you buy your boat new sails, she/he doesn't want more.
5. Your boat will not make dirty dishes and then leave them on your boat.
5. Your boat will always be a warm place to snuggle up to.
6. Your boats systems will always work as long as you maintain them occasionally.
7. For that matter, you boat is low maintenance.
8. Your boat will always be there when you get off work.
9. No matter how old the marina, you boat will never demand a different place to stay.
and most importantly...
10. Your boat will not spend your hard earned money on lawyers to stab you in the back.
11. Barnacles on your boat's underside is okay.
12. Your boat's bottom side will always stay the same size.
 
Winterize means a couple different things for different types of boats. But, the one thing that they have in common is that it deals with just the engine. With a boat like the one that you are looking at has an Inboard/Outboard motor. The inboard part looks and usually is based of a similar car engine has the same parts except most do not have a closed loop cooling system, most are open loop. Meaning they take water from the outside the boat and then pump it through the engine and back out into the water to cool the engine. An Inboard/Outboard has an outdrive that looks like the lower unit on an outboard motor. When an engine is winterized the lower unit is drained of the gear oil and fresh gear oil is put in. I am going to try and change my about every two months, but my boat is also on the water 2+ times per week not 2 times per month. Then the motor must be flush of all water that is in the block, if it is not completely flushed then the water will freeze in the block and you'll have nasty problems(a new engine). Then lastly the motor is fogged. Many companies make a winterizing fog that is sprayed into the engine until is stalls(think seafoam). Then the boat is put up for the winter. Hopefully the your PO put some type of gas preservative in the tank (stabil) so that it will not be gummed up when you go to start it. When you go to take the boat out for the first time, which should be before you buy it, just make sure that you have all your ducks in a row before you go. I would make whoever you are buying to boat from put it on the water for a test. If they don't want to put the boat on the water walk away. The PO needs to have some confidence that the boat is going to perform the way that they say it will.

There are somethings to look for when buying a used boat:
Make sure there are no soft spots on the floor-just step everywhere and put pressure on all points of the floor. In fiberglass boats there is a wooden core, if that is rotten your in for a heck of a mess
Make sure there are no soft spots on the transom-this is the very back of the boat. Make sure all the bolts going through the transom are not leaking.
Make sure there are no cracks or holes in the boat.
Make sure the bilge pump is working
Make sure the navigation lights work
Make sure the gauges work
Make sure the trailer is in good shape
Make sure the transom tie downs are good
Make sure the bow strap is good

When on the water
Listen to the boat, a motor is a motor and if you have been around enough of them you can listen to it.
Make sure there isn't too much water in the bilge area
Get the boat on plane and make sure that it handles how it should
Make sure the tilt/trim are working properly.


Loading and Unloading the boat
Go to a local boat ramp
Sit and watch
I would say watch as many people as you can load/unload their boat

If you are like me it is a one man show. I love my wife, but she can't back the trailer in the water nor drive the boat.

Here is what I do:
1. Arrive at the ramp-do not line up to put the boat it, there is usually an area leading up to prepare the boat.
2. Park truck/trailer/boat
3. Take off transom strap
4. PUT IN THE PLUG
5. Take off transom saver
6, Pump fuel bulb
7. Put on my fish finder
8. Put everything we are taking into the boat
9. Back the trailer into the water
10. Start the boat
11. Unhook bow hook
12. Back the boat off the trailer
13. Wife parks the truck
14. Pull up to the dock/beach
15. Wife gets in
16. Enjoy the water

Putting it back on
1. Pull up the ramp
2. Jump on the dock with rope tied to boad
3. Tie the boat to the dock (wife holds rope)
4. Back the truck/trailer into the water. How far depends on boat/trailer combo
5. Drive the boat on the trailer
6. Raise motor
7. Secure bow strap
8. Pull the truck out of the way to tie down area
9. Lower motor to let drain
10. Pull the plug
11. Transom straps
12. Raise motor-install transom saver
13. Take off fish finder.
14. Secure everything down
15. Leave.

It sounds like a lot of steps but once I'm at the ramp in can be in the water ready to go in about 5 min. Whatever you do have a routine and stick to it. Some people float the their boats off of the trailer and then start it. I like to start mine while it is on the trailer just in case it doesn't start I don't have to work to put it back on the trailer.

I would take some that is familiar with boats/boating to check out whatever boat you are going to buy. That way they can give you a fair/unbiased opinion on what the boat is worth.

If you have more questions I don't have any problems trying to answer them. A boat is a huge investment, spend the money upfront or it will nickle(50) and dime(100) you to death!
 
push on the hull when out of water to see if it flexes too much, alot of boats will have a little movement. Check the bellow boots for replacement, with the outdrive up it is the boot between the transom and the outdrive. It seems like he trailers it so damage from muskrats are probibly low to no existant. Other things to check are prop, transom for stress or leaks, hull etc. remeber that ski boats are either v drive or inboard so pullin g the wife might be harder than a skiboat do to the hole shot and getting on plane. It's not bad if you are use to it, remember to use the trim to adjust the bow height while driving, that is usually located on the throtle. Also check the pressure of the steering with the drive down to see if it has too much play or is binding, if so check the fluid near the steering wheel or linkage. Check the water line in the engine compartment. If above the oil/transpan check fluid and seals for water.

I had a 01 xstar that would vaper lock, take on water and broke the steering cable twice.
 
BigBody79 and Hyperlite, that is exactly what I was looking for, thanks! :beer:
 
I've never been a boater but some boating friends have told me the 2 happiest days of owning a boat is the day you buy it and the day you sell it.. :)
 
The first day is going to have alot of bearing on the last day. Many of us know car and trucks. We can go out and reasonably find a vehicle that we think will work and won't let us down. The problems that affect cars and trucks also affect boats, except they are more expensive to work on. If you go out and buy a quality boat with a good motor in it, you are going to get years of dependable service out of it. There have been many unhappy days since I have owned my boat (just since feb) but the times that I have been out on it have far outweighed the bad. I don't think that I am exaggerating then I say I have had my boat out 30+ times since feb. Many boaters don't see it that often, therefore don't get the same level of enjoyment out of it.

Most of the time, the happiest days you own a car are the day you buy it and the day you sell it. When you buy it is new to you and if your lucky enough to buy new it smells good and the paint is great. Then you start to put miles on it, the smell wears off, and the paint starts to get stratches, then the brakes, tires, windshield wipers, oil, alternator, water pump, power steering pump, radiator....(etc), then you think i'm tired of putting money in this thing, so you sell it. Happy again!


If you take care of a boat, every day is a happy day to own it! Especially if your wife looks good in a bathing suit!
 
Love my boat me and the boy took it out this morning....
I can not express how much it recharges my batteries even just cruising....bought to fish but more than I can count I have gone out and just to relax...the fishing is secondary

It will humble you, it is like learning to walk...you will screw up people will see and you will learn to laugh at yourself.

First boat I ever bought, I took it straight to the lake.....got it off the ramp while the wife parked the truck....only to realize the plug was still in the dash...you would be shocked how much water how quick a boat can take on....then I went and left the keys at home....like has been mentioned you will have to get a routine down...

things to check for
1) The motor is a huge one...outboards especially will kill you financially but even I/Os parts are generally more than car engine counter parts and you only wish ATS were as cheap as stern drives...
2) if the motor is solid it is solid, this is probably the area you can bst check
3) Hull integrity. You should be able to take it out ride float for an hour or more pull the plug and no water should come out....if it does it could be overwash or uyou may have a leak
4) Options...this is where you can royally screw up. You can get a seeming great deal on a boat only to learn that electronics (sonars and GPS especially, but also radios, lights etc.) can bleed you dry. Dont overlook the trailer, how are the hubs? does it show rust? how are the tires? A blown tire could be a $1k mistake if it gets into the boat.seats if they need to be recovered will cost more than you expect..

I wouldnt trade my boat for anything, but your first boat needs to be water ready, you dont want a project vessell....at least not first go round
 
BigBody79 said:
Go to a local boat ramp
Sit and watch
I would say watch as many people as you can load/unload their boat
Click to expand...

Yea do that it can be very entertaining sometimes

Putting the boat in and out of the water once you get a routine it will be alot easier. I would not unhook the boat from the trailer until it is almost in the water I have seen boats fall off of the trailer before they got in the water
 
i absolutely love my boat,i wouldnt trade it for the world.

just one more thing,you have an I/O...when you are loading up to put it in the water turn your blower on to exhaust all gas fumes.you will have a great time on the water and just like wheeling you meet a whole different class of people.

fish and game officers are pretty serious about safety violations but from my exp(no safety violations yet) theyre not jagoffs,most of them.
 
Went and took a look at the boat today. It is not the prettiest thing I have ever seen. It is a 1992 Dixie with a 4.3, and it is 19 feet. I didn't realize how small a 19 ft boat is. The motor looks OK, but there is a small crack in the exhaust manifold. The interior is in OK shape, but it is blue! :) The tralier looks OK as well, but it will need a coat of paint for sure. He is asking $2k, and I am not sure if that is a deal or what. NADA has this boat for ~2,300. Here is one question, what would be an average amount of hours for this boat? I did not check the hours (I am actually not sure if you can), and he hasn't said what they are (I actually haven't asked yet).
 
NADA is a guideline. With today's economy, I wouldn't offer more than 50% of NADA as it either doesn't take into account the economy or is extremely slow in reacting, so the value could be falsely inflated.

Expect to put some $$$ into the boat when considering how much you should spend on buying it.

Take it for a ride and get a mechanic to check it out at the same time.
 
Something else to note.. this is another hobby that requires FUEL. That is not as big an issue at $2.xx per gallon, but if we see $4.xx and up again in the next year or so...?

Filling up ON the lake is 1.5 to 2.x what it costs at your local station.

Breaking down / cannot get the stupid boat to fire / getting towed back to your dock/ramp will cost you $$$ (ask me how I know)

Since she is a water ski person, other options may not work (skidoo or a sail boat for low $ chilling) I think this is an age thing..loved the ski boat when I was in my 20s too. Now I like my little Scanoe / thinking of putting a sail on it for heck of it.

Nice part about the i/o type engines is the motor is more "normal" So you can use the Autozone parts for a 4.3L engine, the only difference is the "transmission" which is basically the outboard drive part.

Whereas an outboard motor...although it uses the same concept / chances are you cannot pickup everything to work on it at Autozone.

Almost every piece of furniture / inside will be rotten but can be replaced. (If/when you do that and replace the floor carpeting, check the floor itself. You may need to replace with marine grade plywood and recover)

The outside is fiberglass and can be worked just like on a Corvette, etc. (So painted, SEALED, etc..but not rattle can type stuff)

Good luck.
 
On the inboard - run the blowers on the trailer - before backing down the ramp - after the prescribed time - 5 or 10 minutes - can't remember - bump the starter and make sure the motor will turn over.

Cracked exhaust manifold - depending upon where the crack is it could cost some bucks. Plus you need to make sure a replacement is available if one is needed.

The exhaust jacket could be cracked in a water passage - remember this is a freshwater (raw water) cooling system. Water could be passing in the exhaust manifold as part of the cooling system.

Replacing a exhaust manifold can be a chore. Think boat - water - rusted studs and bolts.

If it is a water jacket that cracked - it is likely to have cracked from water freeezing in the manifold. That could mean a crack somewhere else.

That said - it is not unusual to have to replace a exhaust manifold on an older boat.

I recommend the Coast Guard Auxilliary Safe Boating Courses. They will teach you the rules of the road for being on the water. Then remember this one thing - every other boater on the water is like a ATV'r in Uhwarrie - you have no clue what they are going to do. Even if you have the right away - don't count on the other boat following the rules of the road. Give way to any one you see driving a boat with any beverage in their hand. It truly takes two hands to safely operate any motor boat.

I've been the towed skier and had to drop off the line so my dad could take emergency measures to avoid another boat that wanted to ask us if we had their ski. Pure idiots.

That said - many many boaters are responsible and safety conscious and willing to lend another boater in distress a hand. We blew an engine @ around 10 PM on the 4th of July. Popped a flare and within 5 minutes had plenty of boats around to give us a hand getting back to the dock.
 
Also if you get a ski boat show some respect to the fishermen... no closer than 100yards is a nice rule of thumb.

Think about it skiers depend on being able to move to have fun and enjoy the water, fishers depend on being able to sit relatively still.....buzzing on is akin to them pulling in front of a ski puller and parking
 
No worries about the fishermen, as Jeff Foxworthy says, I are one. :)
 
Sorry just a raw nerve..tried to get in a few hours tonight only to be literally splashed 3 times by a particular skier....
 
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