Thanks for that wealth of information. Armed with that knowledge, I went back today and did all that was suggested. The lower unit oil looked great for having sat in there for two years. Not a hint of water. Engine was run off a portable tank.
But we were unsuccessful in starting the engine. I broke the top off of one of the new spark plugs, so we went with 5 brand new ones and picked the best-looking one of the old plugs. The engine turned over fine. The starboard side fuel rail had pressure, but the port side fuel rail did not. This particular engine has pressure-relief valves on the rail (they look almost exactly like the ones on your tires. They are called Shrader valves if I remember correctly ). The starboard side squirted fuel when we vented it, but there was nothing at all on the port side. Not even a hiss. That's how I know one side has pressure, the other doesn't :)
Where we left it was that the seller said he was going to try to tinker with it. He also said he was open to offers if I wanted to mess with it myself. I got the impression he really does not want to mess with it. He was riding with his significant other (as in motorcycles) before I got there tonight, so I got the impression his priorities may be different than when he was actively boating. Also, he has three boats sitting in his yard right now, and a fourth in the water. This particular boat is probably not on his short list.
So once again, I ask for your collective wisdom. Is this worth pursuing, or is it better to wait for something else? If its worth pursuing, how much would be a fair ballpark figure? I realize no one can give an exact answer without inspecting the boat, but i'm really just looking for a general estimate based on your personal experience. FWIW, the hull is an 87 cuddy, no weakspots that I found, solid transom (i put my full weight on the motor and made the boat bounce on the trailer). The back-to-back chairs on port side are shot and need replacing. Woodwork (I guess I have to get in the habit of calling it brightwork?) can be mostly reconditioned, but some of it will have to be rebuilt (I already have a table saw and a router and know how to use them). There are some minor dings and scratches in the gelcoat as one would expect, but it still looks pretty good. Oh, and recall that the seller has a the same engine, just counter-rotating, with a cracked block that could be used for spare parts if it were made part of any deal.
I have been looking for a used boat on and off for maybe 1.5 years, and I really like the V20s in general. More so than 90% of the other boats for sale out there. I do not have to own a boat right now (I can wait), but I surely miss being out on the water (used to sail my parents 30' Hunter before I moved too far away). Plus I have spare cash in my bank account right now (may not be true next year if my wife decides we need to redo the kitchen or replace the carpeting with wood floors). I consider myself pretty good mechanically, and can afford spending time tinkering with the engine. I'd actually consider that time well spent.
So your thoughts and opinion is appreciated. At what price does this boat become a deal, and at what price can I find a better value for my hard-earned cash?
Thank you!
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