Need opinions! - Deposit down on Starliner/225EFI

[Needafunboat]

Thanks for the feedback

Hey guys - thanks for all the positive feedback and advice. Yeah - hadn't thought about getting him to check the compression. I think I read somewhere on here that those 3.0 EFI's run a bit lower compression (like 90 to 100 was the spec?).

I did ask him about doing the bearings (it has b.buddies on it), but not about the tires. So I'll grab the spare off of my boat, hope it's the same size lug pattern. The spare on it looks pretty ratty.

You're right - I'm being pretty picky, once I get it I know those little things won't matter. Boats that get heavy family use will pick up a scratch here or there. I was just thinking the price was a bit high and it was described as "perfect" on the phone. It's very nice, but not what I'd call perfect. But if Hobie paid $7800 for his sweet boat, then I'm OK with this package! I really like the red on hobie's boat - this one is a bit darker, but same look and a little unusual.

'hmmm I'm a little nervous about a mid section that got hot enough to cook the paint! That whole area is bleached/dirty - hoses, trim cylinders, all the way up to the transom and I coudn't figure that out either. Do you think all of those things could have gotten hot enough to bleach them out? I was thinking the guy never wiped down the motor or something - the rest of the boat looks very clean. Something seems to not add up. He claims the motor was bought new in '97... maybe not by him?! If the compression checks out - the cooked paint isn't enough to break the deal.

Thanks rowdy1 - that boat of yours is just amazing... Pretty sure I don't have the time OR cash to make a V8 4 layer-transom starliner beast! What will that thing do?

Thanks All,
Anthony

 

[hotbeek]

What I've run into with the mids is basically hard water deposits. Water basically cooks and leaves the deposits. "The Works" tub and tile cleaner cleans it well.

Good Luck !

 

[Needafunboat]

'aahhh OK, that makes sense. I was thinking that to actually discolor the paint, you'd have to get pretty darn hot. But the hard water leaving the minerals behind explanation makes me understand it better.

Only problem now is the waiting and lining up a driving buddy! I have a friend of a friend who may go take a look at the boat and snap some better pics.

Thanks guys.

 

[Big Red]

Just to be on the safe side. I would ask if the hull has the orginal gel on it. Just make sure it has not been repainted or a coat of clear coat sprayed on it. The pictures look good their is no reason for any boat to look bad other than owner niglect reguardless of the color. You are not being picky you know what you wan't and do not settle for anyless unless the price drops. I drove 10 hours to buy my last boat. I was their 10 minutes and almost left because the guy lied about the tires on the trailer 1 rip on the engine hatch and the total hours on the boat. Instead I beat him down another 5 grand. You have the upper hand boats are in low demand right now.

 

[hotdaddy27]

Just to be on the safe side. I would ask if the hull has the orginal gel on it. Just make sure it has not been repainted or a coat of clear coat sprayed on it...

Great point, I agree.

 

[smallblockford]

What I've run into with the mids is basically hard water deposits. Water basically cooks and leaves the deposits. "The Works" tub and tile cleaner cleans it well.

Good Luck !

its common on boats when they are planned off there is no water around the out side of the mid and it cooks minerals.

know if there is dis colered paint at the powerhead like the heads or around cyl.s then i would worry but not white around the mid section

 

[Needafunboat]

Thanks again - Yeah - great idea, I'll check out the visual condition of the powerhead paint too. I'll comp. check it and run it on muffs as well.

I will ask/check if it's been painted, but I get the feeling it's orig. Seller is an older guy, talked about fishing and his wife on the boat alot. Stored inside...etc. Either the guy knows exactly what to day (he may) or it explains why I see it as worth the $ and drive.

Keep the advice coming. Boat is out of storage, in his garage and ready for pickup. In a few weeks, I'll probably grab a truck from work and go put 1200 miles on it about 2 days! Have a few willing buddies to co-drive.

 

[winter]

Thanks again - Yeah - great idea, I'll check out the visual condition of the powerhead paint too. I'll comp. check it and run it on muffs as well.

I will ask/check if it's been painted, but I get the feeling it's orig. Seller is an older guy, talked about fishing and his wife on the boat alot. Stored inside...etc. Either the guy knows exactly what to day (he may) or it explains why I see it as worth the $ and drive.

Keep the advice coming. Boat is out of storage, in his garage and ready for pickup. In a few weeks, I'll probably grab a truck from work and go put 1200 miles on it about 2 days! Have a few willing buddies to co-drive.

If you need a 'buddy' for the drive, i'll let you borrow my truck! The only catch is once the Liner is hooked up to the hitch, it aint coming off t

 

[Big Red]

Sounds good older keeping the boat inside. Hope it works out Now we just have to sit and wait

 

[Mark]

You can tell it has been stored inside. I think it is a great price for a boat that is that nice with a motor that current.
It's the one in Minnesota isn't it? The white on the leg is likely mineral deposits from sitting in the water with the motor down. All the boats in that neck of the woods get that. Look where they are, right at the water line. It's on the pivot bracket as well. A tub and shower cleaner should take it off.
The swim platforms all oxidize. They sit right at the water level...sun, water, sun, water...
All in all, looks like a cherry to me.

 

[Needafunboat]

Mark, thanks for opinions - I guess you know a little bit about those boats.
Any other things to look for on it? I'll check the floor/transom area, but I suspect it's solid if it hasn't been outside/uncovered. Not orig. motor so I'll check to make sure bolt holes are sealed too.

Is there any foam that can be wet in that boat like the starflights that I should check out?

I was kind of thinking the same thing about he swim platforms. That was about the first thing the guy told about the boat was that they were pretty oxidized. If that's the worst thing about it, then wow - guy seems like he's very honest.

Looks like I'm going to head out there the end of this month (yes, one in MN) to get it. Then 2 long long months of "MI winter" to wait out in before she goes in the water!! UGGGHHHH!!

Anyhone want a nice sportfire w/ '87 XR2 on it?!?

 

[kct11]

cool. i hope everything works out for you..... pluse you have a month incase a different boat pops up for sale.

 

[Mark]

They have foam in front of a bulkhead in bow as well as in the floor everywhere but the ski locker. It is going to be hard to figure out if it is wet because it is inaccessible. But...the foam gets wet from rain water sitting in an uncovered boat and finding it's way through floor. If the carpet is not water damaged then you will know that was not the case.
Get into that ski locker and bang around on all sides. Is it soft anywhere? That will be the tell tale location. Check the seat pedestels. Are they loose at all? Another tell tale. Jump around on the floor looking for softs spots. Stand on the cav plate and check for movement in transom. Look along the inside of the splash well. Is it cracked? It may well have gelcoat cracking...pretty typical. As long as it has not opened up.
Honestly, if it is as nice as the pics...where are you going to find another one like it at any price? I had a guy offer me $12,000 for mine (boats are pricier in Canada). The money is not the point...the boat is a keeper..

 

[Mark]

Opps. I double posted here.

 

[Needafunboat]

Thanks again Mark,

Those are the exact type of things I was wondering about.

Totally agree about it being a keeper. If you look at what's available at this moment, it and that red 1995 pulsare BR in IL are the only two boats that really fit my idea of an IDEAL boat for my needs (large, performance BR that I can tow with a mid-sized truck). That one in IL is close to double $ this starliner.

So yeah, in my head I had $8K as the max fair price but a few more bucks doesn't matter in the long run. If it really is in the shape I'm imagining then it will be around for a long long time since it will be stored inside and trailered for weekend use.

I think the owner honestly thinks the boat is a cherry (I think/hope he's right), but it's the stuff he may not even know about that I want to be sure to check out.

Anyhow - thanks and I'll keep you all posted on the status. Looks like Feb 22 wkend is the target date as long as the weather's half descent - I mean what kind of bad weather could I possibly hit from MI to MN in February...

 

[Needafunboat]

Picking it up this weekend!!

Well, it looks like this is the weekend. Weather looks clear (heading home at least). Everything is in order. Spare battery is charged, all tools, grease gun, comp gague... in the truck, ipod loaded up. I'll stop in chicago on the way out and back to stay with some friends. Looks like a solo trip though. Anyone want an all expense paid trip to MN and back?! Woo Hoo - I'll be in the 2 checkmate club for a little while.

hmm - need that MI trailer plate from my bud's utility trailer for the trip.

Now who wants that nice silver sportfire that I've never run at WOT in the 5 times I've had it in the water?! Those kids just don't like it over 50. I'd like to toss that 26p trophy (from the 'liner) on it once before I sell to see if it will pull it. I somehow think it's got more in it than 64... but kurt would have to tell you about that.

 

[winter]

Well, it looks like this is the weekend. Weather looks clear (heading home at least). Everything is in order. Spare battery is charged, all tools, grease gun, comp gague... in the truck, ipod loaded up. I'll stop in chicago on the way out and back to stay with some friends. Looks like a solo trip though. Anyone want an all expense paid trip to MN and back?! Woo Hoo - I'll be in the 2 checkmate club for a little while.

hmm - need that MI trailer plate from my bud's utility trailer for the trip.

Now who wants that nice silver sportfire that I've never run at WOT in the 5 times I've had it in the water?! Those kids just don't like it over 50. I'd like to toss that 26p trophy (from the 'liner) on it once before I sell to see if it will pull it. I somehow think it's got more in it than 64... but kurt would have to tell you about that.

I'll be derned! I'm heading out your way to pick up my Checkamte. It's near Flint MI. I'm looking at a 11 hour drive one way But maybe I'll see you towing on the highway!

 

[zstevens]

winter what mate are you gettin ? did i miss your post ? congrats to both of ya !:cheers

 

[winter]

winter what mate are you gettin ? did i miss your post ? congrats to both of ya !:cheers

I'm stopping short of saying I have a new boat, at least until it's home sitting nicely in my driveway. I found a sweet 92 Persauder bow rider with a 350 mag w/ thru-hull exh. supposedly only 342 orig. hours and always fresh water. It will be at Blue Marsh scaring the fishies

 

[Needafunboat]

Winter's boat

Which one is it - was it a cream and brownish one? When are you passing by? I wouldn't mind checking it out. Of course I may be a little far away this wkend...