buying a used boat, tech questions...

gvb · Posted: May 14, 2003 5:25 pm Post subject: buying a used boat, tech questions...

hey guys... looking at a 1989 MasterCraft PS 190 w/ 307 hours. boat is super clean, original interior is in REALLY good shape. motor looks good as well.

took it for a test drive this morning. hadn't been in the water since last summer. battery was low, so the third time cranking it over the battery died. after connecting a jump box it started up and then died, and then started after another attempt and stayed running.

is this something to worry about? I know a lot of people say when buying a used boat make sure that it fires up easily when cold, but does this sound normal? we turned it off while out on the lake and it fired up right away when warm.

still waiting for the compression check results.

thanks guys.

-gvb

Jay Dutton · Posted: May 14, 2003 5:53 pm Post subject:

Sounds pretty normal to me. Does it have a carb? Holley carbs are finicky when cold. My boat starts first try every time when I store it inside over night and when it's warm out. When it's cold out and it's been outside overnight, she runs a little rough for a few minutes and will sometimes die once or twice or take a 2-3 times to start.

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

I have a 88 master craft, it sounds pretty normal to me. Depending on the temp the boat tends to start hard when it is cold. I usually have to warm it up for a minute or two before I can put it in gear. I am sure it has a holley carb with a electronic choke. It is just how a carb boat runs cold. I wouldn't worry about it. Mine has 700 hours and runs like a top.

Troy · Criminal Joined: 16 Apr 2003 Posts: 79 City: Nor Cal

I'de go by the results of the compression test. My last boat acted just like that every time it sat for more than a few days.

boehnkew · Outlaw Joined: 26 Mar 2003 Posts: 112 City: Kennewick, WA

Doesn't sound too bad to me. Carb boats can get to be tricky for cold starts. In my experience the best solution to this is EFI. If that is not an option, you should get used to hard cold starts, find someone to work magic on the carb, or learn how to work magic on the carb.

Good luck,

graphik · Addict Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 727 City: miller lake

yeah me too. I bought a 93 tige in September and it started fine. Then it sat in a slip for a month while I got a hold of a trailer and went to pick it up. I put it in the water and turned it and it started and then died. I'm in canada, so in October it's colder than September was, and the water was just probably 45 desgrees. Turned it over again and it started fine. Gave it a bit of gas and let it idle for a bit. Chances are if the boat is uper clean and no rips or anything, then it was well taken care of. Mine was.

DCovington · Newbie Joined: 07 May 2003 Posts: 48 City: Richmond, VA

Did the owner put Sta-bil in the fuel and fill the tank when it was winterized? If not, your starting problems could be a result of bad fuel. Further, I agree with the Holley carb comments above. The compression test will be the real indicator. Further, if the oil hasn't been changed recently, you could have the oil analyzed for around $50-$100. This will really tell you what's up with the engine.

Don't forget to take a wrench and really torque down on the engine mounts to try to find soft spots in the stringers. A boat that old still contained wood in the stringers.

If you really want to know if what you are getting is worth the money, call a marine surveyor and have them check it out. It will probably cost you $250, but it will pay off if there are $4000 worth of problems.

Good luck!

driftwood · Posted: May 15, 2003 12:02 pm Post subject:

yeah that sounds just fine - prolly has a combination of bad gas and a couple other things - you will likely need to replace the battery - but overall that is not uncommon.

Shawn Madison · Posted: May 15, 2003 4:59 pm Post subject:

Yeah-the carb. is probably full of gunk! Once it has run through a couple gallons of gas, it should run better. But, it would be a good idea to have it serviced!

Sounds like the boat hasn't been run that much-ofcourse, hrs. can be tampered with too!

tigepaul · Newbie Joined: 29 Apr 2003 Posts: 6 City: Pittsburgh, PA

Heve the boat surveyed by a professional. That way you will know exactly what's coming your way. They can review the boat mechanically for sure and check out the cabling and hull. Talk to the previous owner if the boat is at a dealer.

Good Luck!

clipper · Newbie Joined: 02 Apr 2003 Posts: 4

gvb · Posted: May 21, 2003 11:14 am Post subject:

thanks for the replys...

what kind of compression numbers should I expect from an 89' 351 with 300 hours on it? I should get the results today.

-gvb

gvb · Posted: May 21, 2003 7:46 pm Post subject:

Went down and did a compression check myself today. All cylinders at 130-135. All plugs looked really good.

Going to drop off a cashiers check and pick up the boat tomorrow morning and take it out to San V to run the rest of that old gas out of the tank.

Thanks for the help, and you'll be seeing a lot more of my newb questions as I get aquantied with wakeboarding and boat tech.

-gvb