New to Nautique - need advice buying boat

[FZ6er]

I have had bowriders most of the time accept for a Malibu Echelon in 1994. I am purchasing a used 2003 Super Air Nautique TE with 400 hrs on it. Boat is absolutely mint. Very well cared for.

I wont be able to test it out on the water. What is the best way to run it on the trailer and any things I should be looking for? I know its best if I could run it on the lake but that cant happen right now.

Any advice would be a great help. Thanks!

[azeus17]

attach a hose to the raw water intake. I usually disconnect the hose from the exit side of the strainer and attach the garden hose to it. You won't be able to run the engine anything above idle, but at least you will hear it run. Beware that there could still be lots of problems with a boat besides the eninge.

Why can't you lake test right now? I am in MI and the lake I live on is about 90% liquid at this point. Unless you are in Canada or something, I would think you should be able to water test wtihin the next week.

[s_kelley2000]

There are some good tips in this thread:
http://www.planetnautique.com/vb3/sh...ne-on-dry-land

I usually go with the bucket method myself. It's tough to get a full read on the health of a boat without getting it in the water. Being that your are in BC I am guessing most are still frozen? I would run it on the hose for 15-20 minutes so that it has time to get at and presumably stay at operating temp (+/- 160 degrees). I'd look for any visible leaks during this time, especially around the risers and transmission cooler. If it has a heater look for any leaks by the drivers feet because that is where the heater core usually is(note: it may have ball valves to isolate the heater from the rest of the cooling system). After you shut it down I would check oil, transmission and v drive fluids to make sure they all look normal. If they look like a milkshake it means water is mixing in. It's tough to diganose a steering cable without being under power but I would check to see that the wheel spins smoothly lock to lock without binding. I'd also spin the prop and make sure it spins easily and doesn't make any grinding noises that would indicate worn cutlas bearings.

Unfortunately you can't fully test the ballast system on land. There are three fill and three drain pumps if it is the factory system. You press the dash button once to fill and twice to empty. I would individually test each function and listen for the pumps kicking on so that you know you at least have power to each pump.

I'd also check each function on the keypad to make sure everything such as blower, horn, nav lights, etc are working. That's all I can of at the moment. Good Luck!

[FZ6er]

attach a hose to the raw water intake. I usually disconnect the hose from the exit side of the strainer and attach the garden hose to it. You won't be able to run the engine anything above idle, but at least you will hear it run. Beware that there could still be lots of problems with a boat besides the engine.

Why can't you lake test right now? I am in MI and the lake I live on is about 90% liquid at this point. Unless you are in Canada or something, I would think you should be able to water test wtihin the next week.

The guy is not willing to take it to a lake, I think maybe should back away from the deal.

[azeus17]

Yep, back away! Any seller not willing to test drive is hiding something. Either that, or they are the worlds worst sales person. Most likely the first.

[s_kelley2000]

Agreed, I would never buy a boat that I couldn't water test unless it was the deal of the century and even then I would be weary. If it's because he doesn't want to re-winterize it if you back out then come up with some sort of agreement that you will pay to re-winterize if you back out. Maybe put down a deposit and if you back out you get that back less the cost of winterizing. All this is assuming it is still getting below freezing at nights where you are. Although if winterizing was the problem I suppose he wouldn't let you run it on a hose either. Sounds like maybe there is something wrong (perhaps drive line vibration or transmission issues) that will show itself on a water test but not on a hose. Something sounds fishy, trust your instincts. I'd demand a water test or a steep discount to help cover the cost of anything he is hiding.

[2001SAN]

Water test is a must. Test everything to avoid disappointment when you launch for the first time in the summer. Water test will let you check transmission, ballast, WOT, voltage/charge, temp and oil pressure under load etc. Look at it in the flesh and agree a price subject to a successful water test. Why take the chance?

D.

[FZ6er]

Agree. Thanks everyone for making me see beyond my emotion! I was going to see it this weekend pictures look like mint but I need to test drive it for sure. If he says no I am not even going to look at it again. Its a 3.5 hr drive for me as well.

[FZ6er]

Asked him again for a water test and this is his response -There is no trailer insurance and no boat insurance so not going to test it on the water. No water even close to where the boat is as well. If there is a crack in the motor anywhere you will see the temp gauge get hot and the alarm would sound.


Told him I would have to back out then and his response - I am thinking it's for the best that you back out as I would be stupid to let it go for 32k so thanks anyways, too bad you had the steal of the year easily. I will put the new ad up and ask what I really wanted anyways your paranoia has gotten the best of you. Good luck

[Nordicron]

Don't worry about it! I would hardly say 32K is the deal of the century! I'd reply back that your offer still stands you would still consider buying the boat at that price but you have to have a water test, and of story. I don't think he will ever sell it without a water test. A person would be a fool to plunk down $32k on a boat and not run it.


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[seth]

Yeah, the steal of the year would be 22k. Guy sounds like a tool anyway with a response like that! I would write him back and tell him your willing to give him 30k!!!!

[lucky7t]

I deal with certain individuals daily that have "multiple personalities" when selling our product. This seller is "special" to say the least.
The insulting email back to you is his way of jabbing at you. I would simply reply with ok.

[5bison]

^^^ This!

[HS]

"selling season" is just open (esp. if you're in BC) . . .more will be hitting the market soon and you'll find another one.

[4th ski-doo]

There's a lot of boats out there. Some are cleaner but it's hard to find one cleaner than this one. I know it's more but it's newer and I know the owner. He has really gone out of his way to take care of this boat and it's sharp on the water.

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/20...-210-102154266