Hi All - Newbie Looking at a 2003 200 Sundeck

[trumpetr]

Hey all, as are many others, I'm seeking out that perfect boat and diving in headfirst to understand what I'm signing up for from a repair/maint perspective. As advised by others I'm looking far and wide and willing to travel to find the right boat at a pseudo affordable price. I've got my eyes on one that is 900 miles away. I've had some local trusted eyes on it and for a 17 year old Sundeck, it appears to be in good/acceptable condition. One thing that has me a bit concerned is that while it's been in freshwater for the last 10 or so years, it started it's life in the salt. I did contact the original sellers marina and they think they changed the risers and manifolds out prior to selling it. I do notice some green corrosion on photos on the thermostat sensors and the starboard riser has paint that is coming off? Thoughts on if this is just heat/age or am I looking at a $1k manifold replacement. Local shop that winterized the boat looked over the engine during the winterization and didn't note any items that needed repair at that time and told me that there wasn't much benefit in paying for another lookover as they would just do the same thing that they had done prior. I know it's internet sleuthing and there probably isn't a good answer other than ask a mechanic, but what's the gut feel from those that know the more regular particulars.

 

[2016FLD]

Welcome to the forum. While I don't see much corrosion in the picture, I would hire a marine surveyor to thoroughly go over the boat and engine and Sea trial it. A common age related failure point on mercruisers V6 and V8's is the engine exhaust Y-pipe, they rot away where tough to see and usually require removing the engine to replace (just had it done). A good surveyor is worth the investment.

Hope you have a great holiday. -Michael

 

[trumpetr]

Welcome to the forum. While I don't see much corrosion in the picture, I would hire a marine surveyor to thoroughly go over the boat and engine and Sea trial it. A common age related failure point on mercruisers V6 and V8's is the engine exhaust Y-pipe, they rot away where tough to see and usually require removing the engine to replace (just had it done). A good surveyor is worth the investment.

Hope you have a great holiday. -Michael

Thanks much happy holidays to you also. Debating the survey, although it would be a good % of the boat price to get done right. Pay now or pay later right?

 

[Stee6043]

Thanks much happy holidays to you also. Debating the survey, although it would be a good % of the boat price to get done right. Pay now or pay later right?

I wouldn't debate the survey for too terribly long. It's a 17 year old Sea Ray. Chances are she's got some dampness or rot somewhere. Pay a few bucks to have someone tell you whether or not it's in a critical area...

Surveys are also one of the best negotiating tools a boat buyer can have. There's no way they don't find something worth more than the cost of the survey

 

[trumpetr]

I wouldn't debate the survey for too terribly long. It's a 17 year old Sea Ray. Chances are she's got some dampness or rot somewhere. Pay a few bucks to have someone tell you whether or not it's in a critical area...

Surveys are also one of the best negotiating tools a boat buyer can have. There's no way they don't find something worth more than the cost of the survey

Great advice, Thanks!

 

[WV 320 Dancer]

As everyone else has stated, do not buy a 17 year old boat or a 5 year old boat that has spent it’s entire life in salt water. Make sure your survey has a compression check and a leak down test on the cylinder’s. You may want to think pay now or pay later but if you buy a boat with transom rot or a couple of bad stringers you cost to repair will make your resale value null and void...

 

[trumpetr]

As everyone else has stated, do not buy a 17 year old boat or a 5 year old boat that has spent it’s entire life in salt water. Make sure your survey has a compression check and a leak down test on the cylinder’s. You may want to think pay now or pay later but if you buy a boat with transom rot or a couple of bad stringers you cost to repair will make your resale value null and void...

All very valid points. This one moved from salt water to fresh about 10 years ago, and then sat on a lift on a lake for a majority of the time after. The struggle with future resale in the price point we're looking at is real. Either paying for Sea Ray quality for a 17 year old boat or paying for a newer less "quality" boat for the price we are able to invest in the toy. Still worth getting checked out. Wood transom and wood stringers encapsulated in the fiberglass correct? Not past a year where they stopped doing that (if they ever did)? It is one of the first years that doesn't have the wood floor, that's a must in our book. Thanks all for the continued advise.

 

[MrHappy]

Thanks much happy holidays to you also. Debating the survey, although it would be a good % of the boat price to get done right. Pay now or pay later right?

I did not get a survey. I bought from a local dealer and received a 30 day warranty. I took her out 6 times within 30 days. 10 days after warranty, the lower unit blew. Dealer stuck to his warranty. Cost me $1,750.