HELLUVA DEAL OR WHAT???

my engineer loves my v20 so he is looking for one of his own... any thoughts on this one? one family owned. unknown hours on motor but says starts and runs fine. needs ignition switch because it wont shut down... has to choke it out. guages dont work but in overall good cond.

http://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/boa/143253895.html

[willy]

Fish all depends on what he does not tell you and you find when you go look, ask Tin :o
If all is in good shape and good compression on engine that is a good price, especially for around by me and I assume by you also

best thing about that one willy is that its right near us. dont have to trek more than a half hour or so to check it out. yes, it seems like a great deal to me.

Assuming no soft spots as well, it is a good price.
I have an almost identical '86 and it's been a great boat.

[macojoe]

Check Hull over good!!
Check Trailer good!!
If you have to have the motor then have it checked for compression and the lower unit oil before buying!

When I buy used I always assume the motor is junk or will give me a season at best, and price accordingly. You just don't know sometimes.
It really sucks buying a boat and spending your last penny to do it, only to find out your finished before you even get started!
I know I have been there!
I am not knocking the motor, just ck good first, I have a 89 yamy that is fine! So don't be scared of the age.

Good Luck!

[msbhammer]

Yo Mac:
You mentioned checking the lower unit oil. So whats the catch on that. I had mine checked and changed, BUT, what about through out the season ?? Its not like pulling out the old dip stick on our cars. So how do you know if you are low on Lower unit oil ??
Is it simply unscrewing a screw and seeing if you see oil or not ??

[Stinky_Hooker]

you wanna check for water in the lower unit oil Hammer.

I check mine throughout the season by pulling the top plug (vent) and making sure it runs out (it will if slightly over full)

[Mulv80]

Mike, When you drain the lower unit oil after a few trips it should come out looking the same as when it went in. If it comes out milky or a carmel color it means water is finding its way in there some how. If you find water in the lower unit the simplest thing to check first is that you have gaskets on the lower and upper oil screws. I usually replace these gaskets everytime I change the lower unit oil. If they are not the cause of the water intrusion the lower unit should be pressure tested for leaks and resealed.

[reelapeelin]

As long as he does what MJ said above (comp. and lower unit oil) and transom /floor are solid, that's a great deal!!...if it goes wrong, hope he doesn't blame you!!... ;)...

[phester]

it's a little hard to tell but that motor looks like an older Johnson[mid to late 80's] overall ,if the pics don't lie, it looks pretty good.....I could be wrong about the outboard.....it looks like it came off "the fastest fence in the south"