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Looking to get input on the following situation:
Found a well-priced 2002 SANTE. Based on my admittedly high standards, I would say the boat is in overall average condition. Interior is clean, but with some expected wear in the vinyl due to age/use (a few cracks in the rear seats and rear corners of the v-drive lockers). Exterior has a few blemishes (scrapes in the Air decals along the sides and one small puncture in the gel coat near the nose. A new factory PCM motor was put in in 2011 by the local Nautique dealer after the owner left the boat in the lift on the lake without winterizing and an early freeze here in TX cracked the block. There is a little over 60 hours on the new motor and a little over 500 total hours on the boat.
Went for a test drive, the boat started and ran great for about 10 min when I noticed that the temp gauge was continuing to rise past normal. We idled it back to the boat ramp and the owner took it to the local Nautique dealer for repair. The Nautique dealer said the impeller had gone bad and replaced the impeller along with performing some standard maintenance (oil change, new battery). Owner provided the receipt showing the work done by the Nautique dealer, which ran a little over $600 in total.
Went back for a second test drive today and the boat would not start. However, it was not making any of the "normal" engine not starting sounds (e.g., the clicking of a low battery or spinning of a bad starter). Instead, there was a pretty harsh metal-on-metal sound coming from the engine. It definitely did not sound good. Any thoughts on what could be wrong? Another new motor? Regardless, the owner is taking the boat back to the Nautique dealer for repair, which leads to my dilemma.
Assuming the owner is willing to pay for any repairs that are necessary (he indicated that he is), would you still be willing to buy this boat or would you simply walk away and try to find another boat?
Found a well-priced 2002 SANTE. Based on my admittedly high standards, I would say the boat is in overall average condition. Interior is clean, but with some expected wear in the vinyl due to age/use (a few cracks in the rear seats and rear corners of the v-drive lockers). Exterior has a few blemishes (scrapes in the Air decals along the sides and one small puncture in the gel coat near the nose. A new factory PCM motor was put in in 2011 by the local Nautique dealer after the owner left the boat in the lift on the lake without winterizing and an early freeze here in TX cracked the block. There is a little over 60 hours on the new motor and a little over 500 total hours on the boat.
Went for a test drive, the boat started and ran great for about 10 min when I noticed that the temp gauge was continuing to rise past normal. We idled it back to the boat ramp and the owner took it to the local Nautique dealer for repair. The Nautique dealer said the impeller had gone bad and replaced the impeller along with performing some standard maintenance (oil change, new battery). Owner provided the receipt showing the work done by the Nautique dealer, which ran a little over $600 in total.
Went back for a second test drive today and the boat would not start. However, it was not making any of the "normal" engine not starting sounds (e.g., the clicking of a low battery or spinning of a bad starter). Instead, there was a pretty harsh metal-on-metal sound coming from the engine. It definitely did not sound good. Any thoughts on what could be wrong? Another new motor? Regardless, the owner is taking the boat back to the Nautique dealer for repair, which leads to my dilemma.
Assuming the owner is willing to pay for any repairs that are necessary (he indicated that he is), would you still be willing to buy this boat or would you simply walk away and try to find another boat?
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