Engine related boat buying help please. Should I walk?

[island808]

This one has a fish finder, which I have no fish interest in. I don't subsistence fish, if I did it would be with a net. I guess it's a good backup to a chart for a depth sounder. Sand tends to move.

It's a nice garmin color backlit unit.... But no chart plotter.

Is there "a season" in a place like south Maryland. I ride my motorcycle year round. Doesn't that mean boating year round? I think I could hit up a few days between November and feb (it was 90 I early march this year)

At least in winter you can dress warmly and duck out of the wind. Summer... You just die of heat stroke and skin cancer. Though falling overboard considerably more pleasant in the summer. Though I wouldn't want to slip the boat in winter. Occasional ice and freezing temps could top weight that thing. But... Trailerable...

[dlandersson]

Mine had a "fish finder/chartplotter/depthfinder. Nice unit. Kids LOVE the "fish finder".

This one has a fish finder, which I have no fish interest in. I don't subsistence fish, if I did it would be with a net. I guess it's a good backup to a chart for a depth sounder. Sand tends to move.

It's a nice garmin color backlit unit.... But no chart plotter.

Is there "a season" in a place like south Maryland. I ride my motorcycle year round. Doesn't that mean boating year round? I think I could hit up a few days between November and feb (it was 90 I early march this year)

At least in winter you can dress warmly and duck out of the wind. Summer... You just die of heat stroke and skin cancer. Though falling overboard considerably more pleasant in the summer. Though I wouldn't want to slip the boat in winter. Occasional ice and freezing temps could top weight that thing. But... Trailerable...

[Tomfoolery]

This one has a fish finder, which I have no fish interest in. I don't subsistence fish, if I did it would be with a net. I guess it's a good backup to a chart for a depth sounder. Sand tends to move.

It's a nice garmin color backlit unit.... But no chart plotter.

Fishfinders are perfectly good depth instruments. Mine came with one, and I put some effort into a better mount at the helm for it. I wouldn't spend any money for a depth instrument for this boat, as it only needs skinny water and everything is kickup anyway, but with a keel boat it's important. Charts are good for depth, assuming they're accurate, but when you want to get close to shore for swimming or whatever, it's hard to tell from a chart just where it's getting too skinny, or how much safety margin you have, without an instrument (in the dirty water I'm used to around here, at least ), though as I said, with an it's not as critical to know if you go easy and watch the tides and bottom condition (unintentional beaching on rocks isn't good ).

Oh, and I use my notebook computer with NOAA charts, which you can download for free, as a chartplotter, but if I was going to do it now, I'd use an iPad or something like it rather than a dedicated chartplotter, especially on a boat this size. They're super energy efficient, too.

[island808]

Mine had a "fish finder/chartplotter/depthfinder. Nice unit. Kids LOVE the "fish finder".

Yea, the fish finder wa just floating freely (the pivot bolt was removed) and the kids were hovering around it.
Anything with a screen.

I'm working on an iPad app. There's a Free chart plotter out there. I'm looking into all options. Till then, I have my garmin Etrex. It has costal waters but it's tiny tiny. If I'm close enough to shore, I guess I have google for some direction.

Was thinking of getting a hand held and making the kids navigate for me.

[dlandersson]

A screen connected to the fish finder that the kids could use in the cabin would be nice.

Not sailing - but I have an older 15" laptop that we use for DVD/youtube cartoons on the boat.

Mine had a "fish finder/chartplotter/depthfinder. Nice unit. Kids LOVE the "fish finder".

Yea, the fish finder wa just floating freely (the pivot bolt was removed) and the kids were hovering around it.
Anything with a screen.

I'm working on an iPad app. There's a Free chart plotter out there. I'm looking into all options. Till then, I have my garmin Etrex. It has costal waters but it's tiny tiny. If I'm close enough to shore, I guess I have google for some direction.

Was thinking of getting a hand held and making the kids navigate for me.

[dlandersson]

FYI a Mac 26X with trailer is on ebay for between $10 and $13k

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/96-MacGr ... a0&vxp=mtr

So, I've been trying to buy an http://www.macgregorsailors.com/forum/v ... 69#p267669

Yesterday's shake down didn't go well. Talked to the salesman, the techs have found one problem, haven't gotten hold of the owner to approve repair.

The engine was running fine when we left, came back running bad and no water out the Tell-tale.

They found the remnants of the old impeller in the engine. Needs to be fished out obviously. They do NOT have the original broken impeller. I don't know what that means, if the one they removed was thrown away by a tech that didn't recognize the missing pieces were important or if it was in there from previously.

We were out for about 10-15 minutes. No idea how long the water flow was blocked or to what extent. Wasn't peeing when we got back with the engine running rough.

Its' a honda 50 4 stroke carb. Not sure of the particular model, but it looks like the 97-2002 model, which would fit the boat's vintage.
No alarm sounded, but it might not have one, or it might be broken. Engine was hot (to the touch) when we pulled in, but not smoking/steaming or anything.
It did start fine after a short break to change the fuel filter (that's when we noticed the tell-tale not spitting)

I suppose the "fuel problem" we were having could have been the engine trying to seize, or would the engine shut down or "limp home" if it was overheating.

Is that engine toast? Should I walk and hope another comes up for sale? (i'm not buying a boat that I haven't seen. So would have to be local, and might not happen) the boat is in otherwise acceptable condition with a little oxidation. Its a "well loved" 2002. It was used.

Of course all this supposes that the engine does get running. I may offer to buy the boat sans motor if this drags on. Buy a used rebuilt or something if they were ok with that.

Advise for the novice please. The offer is 12k without trailer, with the engine in "ready to go" condition.

[island808]

FYI a Mac 26X with trailer is on ebay for between $10 and $13k

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/96-MacGr ... a0&vxp=mtr

Yea, it's 2600 miles from here. ive seen every one on the Internet. They all come to about the same price per condition. A few outliers not withstanding. I can understand just wanting to get rid of a boat quick. Youre moving, sick, sick of cleaning, secretly broken in a bad bad way etc. so you offer it low, but who are the people selling :macx:s for 24000 etc? Better come with a treasure map. Seems land locked and west market is a bit lower too. No place to go that's just easy.

Trailer rant...
My car won't likely pull that POS trailer well. Anti sway controls would suck up prescious ground clearance and time. Tandem aluminum only. I've seen too many really crappy rusted out Mac trailers and has never heard a good thing about them. Seen 2 crumbled to the ground at the marina, and that's what supposedly happened to "mine". Painted steel that goes in the salt water.... I always though all boat trailers were galvanized or aluminum. They were where I used to work.

Just like cars, you can mind the exterior but good luck on interior condition till it splits open.

[dlandersson]

FYI, when I purchased my 26X, I had some very nice quotes from Uship from Colorado to the Chicago area.

I agree about Mac 26X's for $20,000 - I don't get it.

There have been several threads on the "tow beast" topic - including just renting one when you need it.

Yea, it's 2600 miles from here. ive seen every one on the Internet. They all come to about the same price per condition. A few outliers not withstanding. I can understand just wanting to get rid of a boat quick. Youre moving, sick, sick of cleaning, secretly broken in a bad bad way etc. so you offer it low, but who are the people selling :macx:s for 24000 etc? Better come with a treasure map. Seems land locked and west market is a bit lower too. No place to go that's just easy.

Trailer rant...
My car won't likely pull that POS trailer well. Anti sway controls would suck up prescious ground clearance and time. Tandem aluminum only. I've seen too many really crappy rusted out Mac trailers and has never heard a good thing about them. Seen 2 crumbled to the ground at the marina, and that's what supposedly happened to "mine". Painted steel that goes in the salt water.... I always though all boat trailers were galvanized or aluminum. They were where I used to work.

Just like cars, you can mind the exterior but good luck on interior condition till it splits open.

[island808]

I plan on trailering most of the time while renting a slip by weekend or season. Keep maintenance down while not having to pull the boat out and deal with it after a day on the bay. Seems like the way to go given my proximimity to the bay, and financial situation. I'm looking to mitigate hassle. Which should mean a lot of towing back and forth. My van should do it well between here and the bay. Only a few miles and it's flat as Nebraska. once I get the boat hooked up, I may decide otherwise and either store it at the marina or buy a new vehicle. Maybe even move to a house on the bay with a dock.

That trailer that Mac sells is cheap. Minimal, and does not survive costal living here by the looks. Every one I've seen is ugly, if not actually junk or unsafe. I've towed for a dealership back when I was younger. Picking up someone's used boat or camper and driving back to the dealership. Many close calls and breakdowns. Seems easier to tow a broken boat than a broken trailer is what I'm getting at. I'm really hooked on the idea of a new, aluminum, premium trailer.

[WASP18]

There are many eXes today that are well maintained. When you consider their age, they are outlasting their motors and especially trailers. When factoring in a new 50HP motor (approx 7 - 8K) and trailer (3.8K) in the life cycle of an X, 20K seems pretty normal.

[island808]

Turns out, they cleaned out the cooling system and it runs the same. Stutters,and whatnot. Could need a carb rebuild, could be dead.

Going to drop my offer a few grand and mayberepower the boat. Peace of mind and maybe better mpg.

We'll see.

[island808]

Sounds like broker is sick of trying to fix the engine for as little as possible and pushing the owner to take my 8k for the boat with bad engine ( bet ya a bagel It needs the carbs cleaned).

Off accepted I think i'll buy a brand new engine and rebuild this one for a project over winter and sell. Like the idea of having a new engine in the boat when I got the kids 100 nm from home.

We'll see

[island808]

bought the boat. get to keep the busted engine. Probably just needs plugs and a carb cleaning. probably repower to something new and sell it though. Now to find the "right engine"



Thanks for all the help and advice.

[Baerkanu]

Congratulations!!

I love our Suzuki D70A - smooth, quiet and runs like a top. Except for the the going around in circles part.

- Clay

[island808]

I am trying to find a df50 Suzuki. I wish I could find out how much they list for. Stupid boat sales and their secret prices and banker hours.
New, torquey, efficient engine, peace of mind.

There are 3 dealers in the Area.

I plan on fixing the Honda and selling it. It's running gangbusters in a barrel, but fails under load. I figure it's either still overheating or thinks it is, or it has fouled carbs. Either way, it basically is a free engine.