partially submerged '97 super sport

polkaking27 · Outlaw Joined: 31 Jul 2004 Posts: 142 City: Vancouver

I am buying a 97 super sport nautique for 5,500. The only problem is that is has been partially submerged. It was submerged up to the seats, so not too much. I was just wondering the problem areas to look for in a deal like this. Also, we don't know if the engine is bad or not. How would we test it to see if we need to rebuild it or if it just needs the oil changed. Anyone have experience with sunken/ partially submerged boats. I hope this is as good a deal as it seems.

Brit Rider · Posted: Sep 24, 2004 7:46 am Post subject:

jlakey-lake · Newbie Joined: 17 Jun 2004 Posts: 47 City: Corydon

I bet it was putting off a huge wake with all that weight...

...jk

Brit Rider, Laughing

wesgardner · Posted: Sep 24, 2004 7:51 am Post subject:

Hey polkaking27,

Here are some quick assumptions -

Starter and alt. go to the rebuilder
Trans is full of water
Check engine light might be on Puppy Eyes

, just kidding - someone with that exact boat can tell you at what point the motor goes underwater...
Some electrical stuff will need replacing

Wes

Wes

vette74 · Posted: Sep 24, 2004 8:23 am Post subject:

Check for water in the oil, change oil, pull all the spark plugs and turn over the engine by hand, if water comes out put a tea spoon of ATF in each spark plug hole keep turning over by hand several times. Put plugs in and fire it up.

If it does not start check for spark and replace necessary components.

change tranny fluid

run for a few minutes in forward, reverse, neutral

change all fluids again

Make sure all seats are completely dry and maybe throw a few of those "damp-rid" buckets in various spots.

If you don't want to tackle this project I might be interested in buying the boat.

Swass · Guest

How long was it submerged?

Was it salt water, or fresh?

89 skier · Addict Joined: 30 Jun 2004 Posts: 729 City: Dallas

If the transmission fluid is white or foamy, first check to make sure it uses the red ATF fluid like you put in cars. Some trannys use a grey colored gear lube for stern drives, so it being white wouldn't necessarily mean it has water in it. But if the fluid is supposed to be red and it's pink or white or foamy, then there's definitely water in it. So change it. And once you get it running, I would change it after the first and second time you take it out, because there are little galleries in the transmission that hold fluid that you can't pump out. So it will take 2 or 3 changes of the fluid to get all the white or foamy fluid out.

And when you change the oil (if you can't get the engine up to operating temp first) you may want to use an chemical to break down the oil that may be clumped up in the bottom of the oil pan. It's something you can get at Autozone.

kmayotte · Newbie Joined: 10 Apr 2004 Posts: 26 City: Pelham

i sunk my 93' ski nautique a couple years ago. I put the boat in at 1 in the morning and forgot the plug. a pleasant surprise to wake up to, looking out at the dock and seeing the whips bent all the way over holding one gunnel of the boat out of the water. We took it out and drained the oil. we got the six quarts and then about 8 gallons of water. literally. We did all the stuff that that everyone else has listed. Boat was running later that week. Although i will admit, it has never run as good as it did before it happened. It runs ok but it has all kinds of compression issues and doesn't have the pulling power it used to. so i guess i'm just saying buyer beware.

Sbt3 · Soul Rider Joined: 27 Jan 2003 Posts: 279 City: Okauchee

polkaking27, where did you find the boat, I have always wondered if there is a place that has boat listings that have blown motors or things like that. I would buy it for 5500 in a heartbeat.

BIGMAC · Posted: Sep 24, 2004 8:11 pm Post subject:

Stan Tanner, You and me both!! What a deal!

polkaking27 · Outlaw Joined: 31 Jul 2004 Posts: 142 City: Vancouver

swass I think it was only submerged for a matter of hours, in fresh water. It was flushed after it was pulled out, but it has been sitting like that for 2 months.

Stan Tanner it was one of those friend of a friend deals.

new question. Is there a transmission and a v-drive (gear drive) becasue the tranny has red atf and it looks fine, but connected to that is the "gear drive"(thats what the data plate says at least) and the oil in that looks pretty white and clumpy. I guess I'll just drain in and use some clump breaking chemicals and hope for the best.

Bruky · Guest

deleted.

Laptom · Outlaw Joined: 22 Nov 2003 Posts: 219 City: Eindhoven

polkaking27,

Yes, you've got a motor (with motor oil), Tranny (with ATF) and a v-drive unit (with motor oil).

If one of them looks whity I would pull the entire unit out and take it apart. It's a nice winter project and you don't wanna rush with this. But if the engine doesn't ran after the submerge part, there could be water in places where the oil looks good.
You could have no damage, but I would take eveything (motor, tranny and v-drive) out and take it apart. Visually check it and clean everything. If everything looks fine, put new seals/gaskets on it and have a trouble free summer. It's also good on your mind if you're 100% sure everything is fine; now, in the summer and if you're gonna sell it.
You could place 2 new engines in this boat and still have a good resale price.
Go for it!

tommyadrian5 · Addict Joined: 16 Sep 2003 Posts: 907

yea, if you're not concerned about losing it for the rest of this season, stick it in your garage/shop, and work on rebuilding parts of it all winter, then you'll have alot less to worry about come spring. Also, if you aren't gonna get it running before winter, make sure its drained well and EVERYTHING, inside and out (engine) is coated in fogging oil or some other water displacing lubricant. I would fear buying this thing, then letting it sit with water in it corroding away all winter.

wait, you're from SLC, its winter there already

Brit Rider · Posted: Sep 25, 2004 7:33 am Post subject:

hey a point that may be worth worrying about if its winter - has it been freezing yet? if theres still water in the engine you won't want it freezing in there also i'm guessing it hasn't been winterized due to its state? something that WAS fixable could get real ugly.

if you are going to buy it i would be pretty speedy to get it dried out and the engine drained.

polkaking27 · Outlaw Joined: 31 Jul 2004 Posts: 142 City: Vancouver

Firstoff, It hasn't started freezing yet here, but I will definately take care of the water before it gets any colder. This weekend I changed the oil in the engine and tried to start it, it would crank freely, but just wouldn't turn over. I imagine I still need to drain the fuel system. What are some of your ideas on how to get it started... i.e. check ignition system, fuel injectors. How would I go about checking these things. Thanks guys.

P.S. I hope to post some pics soon and see what everyone thinks about the new toy.

bucknaked · Posted: Sep 27, 2004 10:28 am Post subject:

Was this boat submerged in Lake Powell by Halls Crossing?

YELLOWMOBIUS · Addict Joined: 25 Apr 2004 Posts: 776 City: da region

Maybe check your starter

polkaking27 · Outlaw Joined: 31 Jul 2004 Posts: 142 City: Vancouver

barenaked... The boat was at lake powell, I'm not sure if it was at halls or bullfrog but one of the 2. did you see it. It was tied to the back of a houseboat and a storm flooded it.

If the starter is cranking the engine without a problem could that really be it.

YELLOWMOBIUS · Addict Joined: 25 Apr 2004 Posts: 776 City: da region

did you put a new battery in it maybe it donst have enought power to turn the starter over

YELLOWMOBIUS · Addict Joined: 25 Apr 2004 Posts: 776 City: da region

can we see a pic of the boat?

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

polkaking27, I would check for spark. take out one of your plugs and take a test light to it. That way you will know if you are getting any spark or just not enough to turn it over. I would definately do tests before you go replacing parts.

polkaking27 · Outlaw Joined: 31 Jul 2004 Posts: 142 City: Vancouver

yellowmobias Yea, I got the pics taken finally I just need to find the usb cable to attach and download on the computer. Hopefully by tonight. Thanks for the advice y'all

SILLY · Newbie Joined: 23 Jul 2004 Posts: 46 City: VICTORIA B.C.

One thing that might not be noticed right away is your main bearings.
in a year or so you might have to change them if you hear any nocking.

wakejunky · Outlaw Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 147 City: Cal.

You will more than likely have to pull the tranny and replace the damper plate. It's sorta like a clutch on a car, it dampens the engagement of the tranny to the motor. Anyway, I've seen a few boats that the was "just a little" water in them. Well anyway, that's what the owners say.
Water will rust that damper plate even if it just touched it.
Not to hard to replace on either Ddrives or Vdrives, remove the tranny and then pull the damper cover and finally the fly wheel, probably have to condition the flywheel.

Looks like you're on the right track.

Chris

intotheflats · Posted: Oct 04, 2004 2:02 pm Post subject:

get a moisture meter and check the stringers, or better yet, have the current owner pay for a survey. Maybe offer to split the survey costs if you are that serious