Buying a 2014 SAN 210 - Inspection Deal Breaker?

[jamwill]

I'm jealous of most of ya'lls familiarity with your Nautiques and ability to work on them.
I'm considering buying a 2014 that's out of state and I had an inspection done by the local dealer - I got the report back and a few things jumped out.
I'm curious if any of these 3 items are deal breakers in your mind (either because of the price to repair or I'm just inheriting a huge problem):

Exhaust manifolds/burnt/brown in color from overhead
Exhaust manifold cross over gaskets seem to be weeping water
Diacom diagnostic port on engine is damaged from melting - still works.
Cap, rotor, FCC filter and fuel filter are original (change/tune up)

I asked to speak to the inspecting company's service manager yesterday but they weren't in - hoping to talk with them tomorrow.
As well, I'm planning on calling the team at RCM in Charlotte to get their input as well.

Owner told me that his son took it out 2-3 years ago and the impeller stopped working, which caused the engine to overheat.

Any insight would be appreciated - I really dont want to inherit a problem.

[Skidave]

Unless you do a full engine inspection and find zero additional issues...I would pass. Unless there is a substantial discount due to the obvious engine issues. Still, a boat that turn key compared to one that needs major work...isn't a savings to many. Ask yourself if you want turn key or a project.

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[jamwill]

thanks - i had a full inspection done. a little more insight.
owner says no issues since that event happened either.

[NautiqueJeff]

Sounds like it must have overheated pretty badly at some point -- enough to melt the Diacom connector and burn the manifolds.

The impeller didn't just "stop working". It failed due to lack of maintenance. The impeller is a yearly replacement item. I am willing to bet they had never replaced it, meaning that it was at least six years old at the time of failure. And I bet it hasn't been replaced since then, meaning the current one is likely three years old. This should be replaced immediately, maybe even before the boat is used again.

The exhaust riser gaskets should be replaced immediately. Leaking gaskets there can allow water into the cylinders and ruin an engine quickly. It isn't a difficult replacement, but should be done soon. You can see below that this is actually something that PCM recommends inspecting DAILY.

FCC filter and cap and rotor being original shows a serious lack of maintenance.

Here's the maintenance schedule for that boat.

[jamwill]

Thanks NautiqueJeff, you probably saved me a call to Race City Marine.

[bturner]

The cap, rotor and gas filter while showing a lack of maintenance would not be a deal breaker for me. But yeah, the overheating would be enough for me to think twice and probably move on to the next one unless the marina or seller is going to pay to fix the issues. Even then its always going to be a bit of a wild card.

I personally believe the market has peaked so I honestly wouldn't be in a hurry to buy something. IMO you have a good month before everyone puts their boats away for the winter. A lot of people are going to be thinking about moving that boat that didn't get used as much as they would like this last season as they go to store them and weigh whether or not now is the time to leave boating. There's always another boat to buy and boat buying season is upon us.

[Scooter G]

jamwill, curious, how does the boat your considering compare to this 210?
https://www.smartmarineguide.com/L52520881
That boat has little old lady Sunday driver written all over it.

When you go a season logging more hours working on your boat than you spend on the water, it becomes slightly irritating. That would be our Summer, and problems that weren't apparent or missed by inspection, including my own inspection. I think you are looking at a rats nest here.
Skidave, bturner, and goes without saying NautiqueJeff, are a few of the brightest seasoned boat veterans on PN (not saying your old guys, lol).
Sounds like you are heeding their advice. That was a great idea throwing it out there for input I must say.

[Skidave]

Quote removed by Admin for not following the Guidelines for Quoting Previous Posts in a Thread.

Well put and thank you!

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[Jonny Quest]

Other than lack of oil / oil pressure, nothing will fry an engine like a serious overheat condition. I would pass. Waaaay too many latent problems that can and will show up down the road.

JQ

[jamwill]

Thanks for all the insight. I shared the news with the seller that I was going to pass.
he was actually extremely understanding and was going back to the dealer with the inspection to talk about how to correct it all before selling it.
Back to the search (looking for 2014-2016 210, maybe 230 if you’re selling one)

[bturner]

I think it's great that you provided the survey and input. I would certainly want and appreciate the same if it were me selling. Good luck with the search.

[shag]

The older Ford 351 Windsors were more robust with regard to tolerating an overheat situation imo... The newer motors not so much. As others have stated, that much of an overheat would have me a little worried, as well as the 'weeping water' ... That said, if it has run a good bit of hours after the situation was corrected, you may be fine. (doesn't mean something not still come up later). With regard to the original fuel filters being on? That to me, along with the PO's apparent unfamiliarity of the impeller function ("stopped working") indicates that basic maintenance MAY not have been done and I would at least plan to have to replace the high and low pressure fuel pumps and filters of course. It makes me wonder about oil changes, and other items that may have been neglected. I would have to see a pretty decent discount to buy this boat. Best of luck!

[SilentSeven]

IMO, good decision passing. Unless you want a project and are ready and qualified to manage one....look to buy a nicely loved boat with a good history. They are absolutely out there....

Go look at as many boats as you can - 4 or 5 at least - to get a sense of the range of conditions. You'll quickly get a feel to know a good boat when you see it - they just stand out after you've see enough. And you'll have the certainty to move quick with an offer.

I looked for a year and passed at least 6 boats before I purchased my 2004 206. 4 of those boats either had the wrong features or in a condition that I didn't want. One was primo and I wanted to buy it but the owner wanted more $$ than I thought it was worth. One I was just too slow I missed out getting it by a day. And then I finally found the right one 250 miles away. Here's a possible tip - many dealers will let you put a refundable deposit down to hold a boat for a few days to give you a chance to get there and inspect. Don't hesitate to ask if you can do this if you think you have the right one located. I didn't know this....missed that boat above as I was trying to decide yea or nay. Oh yeah, that boat that was primo and big $$, sold in a day after I passed...guess he was right in what it was worth. But then I found essentially the same boat with less hours for nearly 20% less - bought that one.

[NautiqueJeff]

jamwill Man, I wish you had been in the market a couple of months ago, I had a 230 that probably would have been perfect for you. It sold to another great family though.

https://www.planetnautique.com/vb5/f...on-with-zr-409

[Scooter G]

If it came from Jeff, you know it was pristine! That was a good lookin' 230, looked brand new, dang. There's the height of your bar jamwill