Looking to buy a 2001 210. What to look for?

[2g4u]

Hey guys I've been lurking on the forums for a while and have decided to pull the trigger on a 2001 210. It will be my first boat that I own and was wandering things I should look for when checking it out.

I'm going to look at it this weekend and potentially come home with her.

I know the usual test drive and compression test etc. What should the compression be running on each cylinder for the gt-40 engine?

Anything else?

The boat has 1000 hrs on it and looks immaculate to me.

Thanks!

[Quinner]

Technically if it's a VDrive the boat is either a Nautique Super Sport or a Super Air Nautique by model name. One know issue for that model year is the teleflex gauges going bad, if the gauge with the hour meter was replaced the hours prior would be lost. The color of the bezel "may" tell you if its been replaced or if the boat has an originally equipped perfect pass, the "actual" hours could be stored there.

Good luck, hope the boat looks as good in person for you.

[rmortime]

are you looking at the boat in Trenton? I've been eyeing that boat lately, seems like good deal. He has had it posted for a little while now and in multiple places. Might need some vinyl work but that is typical for that age boat and nothing to worry about.

The gauges are probably the number one thing to look for...especially if they have been replaced, might not be true hours then. Do some searches and you will find plenty of threads talking about the gauges and what to look for, same goes for compression tests. I believe I saw on here somewhere that anything over 15-20% difference on the cylinders you should start to worry, 5-10% is very good.

Make sure regular maintenance has been done also. Fuel filters/pumps have been known to go out on these boat also. Ask about the impellers too and make sure the v-drive isn't leaking.

Good luck and tell us how she looks after you check her out.

[2g4u]

So he is not willing to do a test drive. Should I be concerned? This would be my first sante and I really dont feel comfortable not putting it on the water

[TRIP]

Yes I would be very concerned! Why doesn't he want to do a test drive?! Come one, if you want to sell a boat you'll have to let people test drive it! He's nuts if he thinks people will buy it without driving it first. And if someone spends that type of cash without driving it, they're even more nuts!
Be careful and just say no way you'll buy without driving it.

[Quinner]

Would imagine it is winterized so he may not want to go through all that for someone who is not going to buy the boat. If you are really interested go check it out, if everything else is fine and you can come to terms on price, make the deal pending a test drive.

[swc5150]

Agreed.. If you go look at and have the money with you, look through the boat, and if it looks good enough to buy it, head to a lake for a test drive. If it drives fine, it'll be going home with you, so the seller won't have to worry about draining the block when you're done. You may want to bring a wrench and socket set to drain it however. I'm assuming there's open water where the boat is located too? One couldn't test drive a boat in WI right now, no matter how much cash you had on you

[xrichard]

When I've sold my boats in the past, I've been very slow to give test drives because too many people want a fun few hours on the water and turn out not so serious. When I've sold, mine have been in such good condition that I've only once given a test drive.

So, basically what Quinner said: if someone wants a test drive, one option is to do a firm deal with deposit and bill of sale contingent on a test drive showing no material deficiency. The deposit doesn't have to be huge...just something to show the buyer is serious and to compensate for time/expense if they're not. $250 would be fine. This is what I've told folks who have called and asked if they can test drive the boat. Most of the time I don't hear back from them. And the one time I did give a test drive, I didn't go through with the deposit/bill of sale because it was obvious the person was serious once I met him for the initial inspection (...not to mention he had to drive 2 hours to see the boat...another indication he was serious).

You could offer up something like this to the seller. If the test drive doesn't go well, he should give your money back (and if he doesn't, he's a jerk and you're out only $250). If he's confident the boat will test fine, he shouldn't have a problem with this because the money will cover his cost if the test drive goes well and you back out anyway.

[2g4u]

Well we have reached an agreement and a test drive is in order tomorrow. We will negotitate a down payment too.

Really excited about this!!

I'll keep everyone informed

[TRIP]

Cool, exciting! Good luck!

[jbach]

how far are you going to check it out? you ride barren river lake?

[jmo]

I would make sure to:

- Carefully inspect the hull and running gear for any damage.
- Pull the carpeted dividers on either side of the engine and crawl in there with a flashlight to inspect the bilge area underneath, this will be a good indication of how well kept it was based on how clean it is.
- If the trailer is original, watch out for the step boards being rotted out (if its carpeted), check the hubs to make sure they are full of new grease, and make sure the brakes are working. I had the brake line actually rust out and fail on my previous 2001 super sport.
- closely inspect the vinyl as it might have minor tears forming.
- If the gauges aren't original, ask to see the original as you could hook it up to a battery and try to confirm the original hours. I rolled the old hours onto the new gauge when I replaced mine, but the hours will just come down to trust.

Good luck,

JMO

[swc5150]

Good luck! Post pics if you buy it

[FLY6584]

I'm guessing the test drive didn't go too well because the for sale ad says it has a bad transmission now and he dropped the price $6500. Seems a bit shady to me... reluctant to offer a test drive and then drop the price drastically because of a bad transmission.

[jbach]

you got a link?