Buying Boat + 90HP Mercury + Trailer [Photos inside]

swat_75 · 12 December 2019, 21:55

Hi!

I'm interested in buying a rib boat with motor and trailer and I`ve been seeing some over the last months.
I have seen one and I'm highly interested in buying it.
However, I don`t have any experience with boats. I`ve read some articles about buying used boats but still, I would like to make sure that I will do a good deal.
Do you see anything that I should worry about?

mikehhogg · 13 December 2019, 20:57

Try and hear the engine running with a water supply, engine should start easily, no strange noises or vibrations, best to bring an outboard mechanic as this is an expensive piece of kit, secondly Tubes or sponsons.I don't like the closeup pic but replacement tubes average 1k per metre. are they holding air,is the seller honest, thirdly gel coat and general hull condition .In short it will pay dividends to bring a marine surveyor to view . there could be a multitude of hidden problems. From experience I have missed some costly repair items in my haste to purchase .

ShinyShoe · 13 December 2019, 21:21

How much are you paying is probably the question!

Surveys etc are pricey if you are only paying £2.5k for. RIB. Possibly worth it if you are paying £25k...

I very much doubt worth it here.

Yes you want the engine running..

That manky tube needs a good looking at. Is it holding air.

Guessing a value somewhere been £2-4k and probably in the middle of engine ok and tune holding air. If want more than that... Want to know why!

Poly · 14 December 2019, 09:50

I doubt it left the factory with that dodgy glue work on the cone - so someone has been repairing something?

Scruffy antifouling, and underside (?) of the tubes, and transom suggest - on the plus side the owner is not trying to hide anything - or on the other hand is not a big TLC guy and hasn’t even bothered to put it on the trailer straight when selling it.

If it was me, and it felt like it could be a good deal I’d offer to get the engine serviced, ask him to take the boat to a local dealer, where I would pay the bill. You’d hope any major engine issues would show up in a service and if it tows to the dealer and it would give you some feel for the trailer (unless it’s only 100m away!). And if he has to leave it there all day/night you’d get some hint of any major tube issues. You’d probably want to get it serviced anyway if you buy it.

beamishken · 14 December 2019, 13:20

Personally I wouldn't commit to parting with any money untill id tried the boat on the water got it hot & opened it up to check its not overheating or not making full rpm. A service may reveal an issue but not always & if the sale falls through your paying for a service.
Imho a sea trial is essential & if the vendor refuses then I'd walk away

swat_75 · 14 December 2019, 23:34

Hi!
Thank you for your replies.
The seller is asking 5000 USD.
I will do a test drive to see how the engine runs.

ShinyShoe · 15 December 2019, 08:59

Don't know the US market.

He wouldn't sell it for that in the UK

spartacus · 15 December 2019, 09:28

This boat, looks an early Valiant V520. Its either PVC or PU material. Spain is known for its extremes of temperature, so its probably had a hard life.

I'd be very careful with those end cones. That's quite a specialised repair, and whatever has been done there looks like a bodge. Here's what you get for £12k GBP (albeit a newer model) https://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/...-offer-/285396