Looking to Buy

[askipper3]

Well, not me, but my good friend is looking to buy a Seacraft and we finally found one; a 1973 20'(Potter Hull), with a 1988 Mercury 225(must HAUL). It is out of his price range, but it's such a great deal we don't want to pass it up. While we are thinking of ways to be able to purchase this boat with lack of funds, we really want some idea's about the hull.

We have been on it(on trailer), and there are really no soft spots, the engine was compression tested and the numbers are good(turn key). Needs some paint and TLC, but it seemed to be very solid all around and he wants her BAD.

Looking for someone locally to help us look for bad things on her...(to be fixed) or reasons to NOT buy. He's going to ask his Madre for funds but that may fall through. I would help but every penny I get goes to gas and such for mine. Can't finance either at 4,000$. Any idea's, if there is any availible?

Here's the add on boat trader.......and it has since been cleaned up from these shots(were there today checking it out).

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/19...NSOLE-92575182

[Ikan Besar]

check your PM's

The only thing I can see from those photos is the metal plate on the transom which always deserves scrutiny.

[htillman]

I second the metal plate, see if you can find a moisture meter to get an indication of the condition of the transom.

[eggsuckindog]

I put an alum plate on my 23 when we put the V8 on it kinda just because it was mounted really high, worth checking but doesn't mean anything about the transom condition.

[askipper3]

Thanks Ikan, I cannot reply to PM for some reason, but anyway- I was just knocking on the transom and stuff. All seemed good. Asked the Broker about it, he said the owner added that when they put the 225 on their because of it's weight and power. Apparently the hull is only rated for 140, so he wanted that extra security?

Also, I am pretty sure it's a no go, his mom doesn't want to help him with the purchase and it already has a buyer that seems very interested from West Palm.


Too Bad, would have been cool rolling out together with our seacrafts side by side....

[Bigshrimpin]

Man do I despise boat brokers . . . There was no 225 in 1988. That's a 1980 or 1981 motor non-oiler merc. Get the serial number on the midsection. It begins with a 6. There is also a stamp with the manufacture date of the starter. If the starter is original . . . it'll tell you what year it was built.

If you want some negotiating power then inspect the wiring from the trigger and stator, harness, Trim and Tilt Lines (are probably shot . . . $150 each to replace) . . . that motor has an external trim and tilt pump (make sure it works). Coils if they haven't been replace are probably cracked . . . look at them carefully.

Absolutely do a compression test . . . around 125psi is normal for tat motor. Chrome bore mercs cannot be honed or bored oversized.

That's a 25" motor on the boat . . . don't think any 1973 hulls had a 25" transom . . . so look at that too. The plate was probably used to raise the transom 5" . . . Tell him you want to sink a drill bit into the transom . . . right around the rinky dink swim platform (gauranteed rot around that spot). Teak rails might leak too . . . so you want a sea trial with the bilge totally dry.

That boat is not going to move anytime soon, so keep a cool head.

If you want to mess with the boat broker . . . ask him to show you the oil injection and to find the spark advance modules . . . above the carbs. Ask him why the wires are rotten or why they are missing. I can go on and on . . . if you can give me a bunch of digital pics of the motor. I'm just picking out a few weak spots. That motor is tough as nails . . . sadly it's not worth much. $800 - $1000 is prime condition (needs nothing). One good thing about that motor is Wh-20 carbs . . . they are worth $200. wh-15's are not as good.

also check gear oil . . . for water or milky color.

[Bigshrimpin]

Here's a few pics of my old 1981 V225. It was a mess when I bought it . . . but I learned a ton fixing it up. PM me if you end up buying it . . . I can help you get that motor is tip top shape if it's rough. I think you can widdle price down a LOT.

[Blue197320]

i dont want to de-rail this thread but i gotta ask big is that 225 a 2.4L? and how can i tell the difference beween wh-15's and wh-20's? i have 3 sets of 2.4 carbs at home. im going to pm u big, ive got a few more merc Q's for ya if u dont mind.

[Bigshrimpin]

There is a stamp on the top of carbs wh-##-1, wh-##-2, wh-##-3

[askipper3]

The Broker said no sea trails for the boat because of it's low asking price, and it was 4000 firm.

You think I could change his opinion bigshrimpin?