Boat setting for years?

[Swinghead]

So I found a 2006 Bass Tracker 190 with a 115 Mercury. It’s been setting covered in a barn since 2008. Guy wants 5000 for it but I’m worried there may be a lot of issues with it setting that long. It was his grandpa’s and wanting it out of his barn. Would it be worth it or should I run? 

[GaryH]

If your interested in it, ask him to let you take it to a qualified mechanic and have it checked thoroughly. It will cost but save you in the long run.Also take someone who is very familiar with boats take it for a test drive unless the mechanic is willing to.

[DaubsNU1]

16 minutes ago, GaryH said:

If your interested in it, ask him to let you take it to a qualified mechanic and have it checked thoroughly. It will cost but save you in the long run. Also take someone who is very familiar with boats take it for a test drive unless the mechanic is willing to.

 

Great advice!

 

[Swinghead]

Well he now has it at a boat mechanic getting it checked out and said he will give me all the information once he picks it up.

[Crappiebasser]

12 minutes ago, Swinghead said:

Well he now has it at a boat mechanic getting it checked out and said he will give me all the information once he picks it up.

I would want to talk to the mechanic myself. Even if the seller is an honest guy he could not understand or forget to tell you something that the mechanic said.

[Way2slow]

The main question on that deal is how much you can do yourself. Most likely it will need a load of work.  Rat/mouse damage could be significant, and wiring eat up, they luv to chew wiring.  Gauges and switch problems from sitting un used cause the to want to oxidize over and gauges stick and not move.   If left with fuel in the tank, the tank will have to come out and see if it can be cleaned and may need to be replaced.  See if steering works freely, the cables with sometimes get stuck and need replaced

Engine wiring will need to be checked for drying and cracking.  Most fuel lines will probably have gotten hard a brittle, water pump will definitely need to be replaced, carbs and fuel pump will probably need to be rebuilt.  Without a doubt, it's going to need 2 (3 if 24V tm) batteries so that's a few hundred right there.

It could be you may get away with just the water pump, and fuel system, but a qualified mechanic will need to make that call.

You can easily get a mega repair bill or you might can come out with less that $1,000, if you have to pay a shop to get it back to a usable condition.

 

Now, if he's going to pay for everything it needs to get back in good condition, that might be an OK deal, but I would still want a second set of eyes to make sure nothing was (over looked).  If he just wants to negotiate it as is after he gets it back and not do everything, bad deal. 

[GaryH]

Sorry to sound like we’re pilling on stuff but the tires will need replacing and the trailer giving a good thorough inspection.

[TnRiver46]

Sitting in a barn is much better than sitting outside of the barn 

[DaubsNU1]

12 hours ago, Crappiebasser said:

I would want to talk to the mechanic myself. Even if the seller is an honest guy he could not understand or forget to tell you something that the mechanic said.

 

I would hesitate to take anyone at their word on this, unless you know them personally. Pretty easy to say, "oh yea, I had a mechanic look it over...all good..." 

 

My Dad always said, "whey you buy something used, you are always buying someone else's headache"

 

Be cautious...

 

[Bassin.Drew]

just asked my buddy, and this is what he said:

 

that could be a great deal, if you are dedicated. It has been sitting in a barn, which is way better than being outside. Like others mentioned, it will likely need some work. You can do it yourself or pay for it to be fixed up. I have a very similar boat and will be more than happy to help you. Shoot me a pm and ill give you more information.

Edited March 4, 2021 by Bassin.Drew

[Swinghead]

The motor needs a lot of work according to the mechanic. Very expensive repairs. Big pass from me. 

[Bassin.Drew]

where did you find the boat for sale?

 

[HenryPF]

I just went through the same thing - boat was brand new, never seen water and the motor needed:

 

Fuel rails cleaned out, new impeller, fuel pump cleaned out, oil change, clean out the VST tank - it was like $600 altogether - and we are talking about a brand new motor.

[gim]

You know that actually is not that bad.  With the sky high demand for boats at this current time and the outboard being "new", that is doable.

 

Of course, there may be more issues with this rig than just the outboard too.  If it has been sitting in a barn, all kinds of critters may have made it a home at some point.

[Jigfishn10]

I agree with @gimruis, that's actually not bad. At the end of the season I used to have my Yamaha winterized/fogged and tuned up ready for next season, maybe a minor repair or 2 and it was always a $400 bill.

I traded that boat in and it needs a trim/tilt motor. That was repair bill would have been north of $800.