Buying a used boat that's been sitting for 5 years.

[MuahMan]

I have the chance to get into a 2003 Triton TR19 with a Mercury 175HP Two Stroke EFI. Boat has incredibly low hours. I've know and trust the guy I will buying the boat from. I'm paying 8k for it and it has every available option you can get from the dealer. Even the trailer has brakes which is nice.

My main concern is what I might be getting myself into. I just got burned by a used boat, albeit a lot older one than this. What issues might I run into with a boat that has sat that long. I know he put Stabil in the fuel tank but I'm not sure if the tank was full or not. I'm assuming I'm going to need all new batteries at the least. With a two stroke, will it sitting like that have screwed the fuel injectors?  Should I just put some new batteries in there and fire it up?

Any other things you would check for right off the bat? I know to look for major things like soft spots in the hull, spider cracks on the transom, etc. Though I doubt this boat has major problems like that.

Thanks again!

[Jig Man]

Not only will you need new batteries but new tires are a must for something setting around that long.  You will also need to check the gas line and bulb.  As for the engine, if I were buying it, a tech would make sure it was running well before anyone got a dime from me.

[cart7t]

Batteries and tires are a given.  Obviously the fuel needs to be purged from the tank but the real question was where was the boat stored?  Inside or out?

Left behind contaminants in the fuel tank and lines would what I'd be worried about along with how the engine was put away for that long nap.

[JohnnyBigger]

I bought a 1997 Wellcraft with a 115 Johnson 2 years ago that was sitting for 6 years(the trailer rotted out from underneath and we had to cut it out) I went for 2 years to a tech school for basic marine mechanics, and i mean basics. I did the water pump new plugs wires and coils and the boat ran great until I sold it in April, I also took it to my teachers shop and he told me to do new head gaskets. Other than me spinning a prop i never had a problem with the boat. I ran it at 5500RPM every time out. I think if the proper preventative maintenance is done you will be fine, don't go strait to the lake. Check the oil injection pump,the emergency buzzer,and make sure your gaskets are not seeping. Changing the water pump and spark plugs is a must. If it is a nice boat and a good deal have the mechanic check it out first and I say go for it. Good luck  PS: for the fuel injectors drain all the gas and put new gas in it, then add SEA FOAM for the first two fill ups then once every 3rd for the first year then you should be fine. Add it AFTER you fill up because it works instantly, read the label, I work for NAPA and there is nothing better on the market for fuel

[stratos 375]

aside from all the obvious visual checks you can make, have a good tech ( in my area labor rate is 95.00 hr) go over the engine. I'd be a lot more worried about the engine than the boat. If something has crapped out on it, you could be in for a major chunk of change to get her ship shape again. maybe not. Pull the plugs & get the cyl. walls lubed. I'm no mechanic, but I think the fuel delivery system would be OK, I'd be worried about a stuck ring, especially if you are in a climate that has a lot of temp. swings. Check all your livewell hoses for dry rot.  Gauges seem to have a way of petering out if the're not used on a regular basis also. Used boats are always a crap shoot, good luck with it.