2012 Super Air 230 (team?) $45,000D

[nautiques4life]

PS if anyone has any leads on a used 230 trailer, or even one that would work let me know, looking at new alumninum for about 5k, thanks.

[swankster]

Agreed, the description does not match the photos. My only experience with salt water is my pool and although the chemistry is easy and it is great to swim in everything else, furniture, toys, etc., deteriorates faster.

[BoardNBama]

I would be very cautious. You can see the obvious flaws, but once you spend your first day in it and clean it, you will likely find more. And coming from someone that has "barefeet only" rules, it doesn't sound like you will be happy here. I have purchased cars that seem to need very minor cosmetic work, then it turns into more once you get it apart.

Why are they selling? Do you feel comfortable with proper maintenance being performed?

Either way, good luck!

[nautiques4life]

Story continues... Owner realized it was a 12, not an 11 as he had thought (and the original ad had said), as we are going over paperwork. Ups the price to 50. Seems too shady, owner resistant to disclose it was sank in salt water. Recommend a VERY thorough inspection if anyone else is considering this boat. (My deposit is off the table so the boat is available again) but buyer beware; just a heads up to fellow PN'ers.

Might have to look @ BoardnBama's 230 a little closer now

[seth]

Wow good thing you found out! Run away from that!!!

[Miljack]

Story continues... Owner realized it was a 12, not an 11 as he had thought (and the original ad had said), as we are going over paperwork. Ups the price to 50. Seems too shady, owner resistant to disclose it was sank in salt water. Recommend a VERY thorough inspection if anyone else is considering this boat. (My deposit is off the table so the boat is available again) but buyer beware; just a heads up to fellow PN'ers.

Might have to look @ BoardnBama's 230 a little closer now

Wow, after you gave him a deposit on the boat? Nice...
And yes, if that boat was submerged in salt water, RUN!

[pe4me]

Did you ever hear of "pickling" an engine? Neither did I until I purchased a boat that was flooded from the bottom up as a result of tidal waters from hurricane Isabel. As I understand it, you basically flood the motor with diesel fuel prevent corrosion/damage. I yanked the motor and inspected the top end to find out there was no major damage. I had to run the motor/tranny multiple times to get the fluids clean. To the point, I spent a few long weekends chasing water and cleaning every imaginable crevice, gambling I would get lucky. My biggest fear was trusting the dodgy seller at his word or worse, spinning a bearing or dealing with recurring electrical issues. I had none after I sorted them out. Its a craps shoot as to what extent the motor was exposed and what measures were taken to preserve the condition. You would like to think SOME on a 80k+ boat...?
I sunk a few snowmobiles that I had running the next day without any issues for years.
Someone has to see the value for what it is, but in the end it has to make sense for the buyer or like everyone is saying, it could be your worst investment ever. Even though I found the 94 t"echnology" package protected pretty well the electronics are the prices they command these days are ridiculous in comparison.
After it sits all winter, and the guy wants to get rid of it, ake your lazy 30-35 grand and see what happens. Is this broker owned on an insurance deal?

[nautiques4life]

Pe4me glad to hear you had good luck with experience, similarly this one could go either way. It's the unknown that makes figuring out a price difficult- I feel like I could put 10 in and still be ahead, but I could also put 10 in and still have a long scary road ahead- at which point i'd have been better off buying one with pride of ownership for 15 more. I do believe this one was flooded just like you said from the bottom up- rookie owners that just didn't care. Like my first posting says there is a new engine and trans, but odds are good that after they got the new engine and trans that they didn't break it in, and haven't flushed it since, they didn't buy the closed system and I'd be willing to bet the engine is full of salt water right now as I am typing this. The electronics worry me too, although I looked into it a complete loom for the entire boat is under $1000, plus it would give me the chance to really go through and take everything apart and clean it all up. I think had the owner had a trailer and honored the price we agreed to and I had put a deposit down at I would have still bought it, but between the history, the owner's actions, and the unknown along with his new price, I had to walk away. Who knows, maybe he'll call me in a month. (Since you asked... Not a broker, not insurance, just a 22 year old party animal that probably treats his ferraris about as well as he did the boat)

[nautiques4life]

Most recent update... I thought the deal was dead; but he just emailed me saying if I meet him in the middle its mine. Ugh so stressed; don't know what to do.

[ddipert]

What does your gut tell you?

[nautiques4life]

50% hurry up and buy it before the guy changes his mind- its a great deal
50% its going to be a nightmare-RUN.
...Just can't wrap my head around either side.

[Miljack]

10/12 hrs in salt is not going to kill a replacement engine that quickly, as long as you get it flushed when you pick it up..Will you continue to use in salt, or will this become a freshwater boat? Will you store it in SD? The electrical is the big issue on that boat, especially if you've learned it's been submerged, how did you get that information? Did the seller disclose?
So a summary of your deal;

2012 230 Team
$47,500
+trailer $5k
good PM from Nautique dealer
$750
Bimini top
$1,000
starter (if it wasn't replaced w/new engine)
$300 + labor

Still under $55k for '12 230, I'd say you're about $15k to the good on this deal, so you could stash away the extra in an investment and hope you get some decent return on it, or run it and see what happens.
If you decide to run it in salt, go for the closed cooling kit ~$1,000, would be worth it to go for the "full closed" cooling setup which includes the manifolds/converters.

good luck!

[seth]

Tell him no unless its for the original agreed upon price, if you really want it. I would still be a little scared of this boat even for 45k. It obviously hasnt sold yet and I dont think it will with the info you have provided. People dont like salt water boats. From your previous post this kid obviously does not care about this boat and does not have a concept of what money is.

[nautiques4life]

Miljack that's exactly the post I needed. Logic and numbers really help. Thank you for your time- what did you quote out at nautiques dealer "good PM for $750"?
Boat would be moving to AZ and most likely never see salt again.
Heard about sinking from a high school friend that works in the service department.

[Miljack]

Miljack that's exactly the post I needed. Logic and numbers really help. Thank you for your time- what did you quote out at nautiques dealer "good PM for $750"?
Boat would be moving to AZ and most likely never see salt again.
Heard about sinking from a high school friend that works in the service department.

so you're "insider" info is awesome! Have you shared this with the seller? If not, AND he's called you back to negotiate, then you have a good chance for LESS than $45k!
How extensively and how long was the boat submerged? I'm thinking a PM as a fluid change, have a dealer inspect the steering cable and interior electrical connections. You could tell the dealer what you're worried about and let them come up with a couple of items to inspect as well.
If it was deep enough that he had to replace the interior vinyl, then you have some other issues to consider. Before you
make the deal, go look at it again and pull the panel under the dash and bring a good flashlight or headlamp so you can have a good look at the back of the LINC panel and breakers and battery switch.
The other item that may be toast is the steering cable, but CC upgraded those a few years ago, and even if it fails that's not a big spend.
If you do end up purchasing the boat, spend a good weekend with a toothbrush and electric contact cleaner and go over all of the connections in the boat. CC uses a LOT of
"weatherpack" type of connectors which are sealed pretty well, almost "waterproof" so those should be good, but worth popping them and spraying some WD40 on the connections.
If you're a buy and hold kind of buyer, you can most likely work through most of the issues, and if you work the deal, you should be financially ahead to address any bigger issues that may pop up later.
good luck and keep us updated!