This summer's pull (hopefully)......

meekers · Posted: Apr 09, 2014 8:24 am Post subject: This summer's pull (hopefully)......

Taking a bit of a gamble on this one, but it'll do the job. Nice and ugly and old.

I have never bought a used boat before, so does anyone have any advice on what I should look for? Unable to drop it in the water and take if for a loop-dee-loop. I read that you can put the lower part of the motor in a large pail to at least make sure it starts and runs. Anything other advice?

wakethecape · Ollie Joined: 10 Nov 2010 Posts: 61 City: Philadelphia

You can get rabbit ears that hook up to a hose to run the engine out of water too, if you don't have a big bucket.

jxpxsx · Pop Shuvit Joined: 17 Aug 2010 Posts: 149 City: Fort Worth

Is this a boat that you have already bought? Just curious. You should always fire one up before purchasing if someone has told you that it runs.

As mentioned by wakethecap, you should get some outboard motors earmuffs (rabbit ears??) to test the engine out of the water. Here is a link to some on Amazon: Ear muffs. A 50 gallon drum will also work. A bucket will pale in comparison.

Other things to check for:

1. Transom rot. Knock around the engine mounts and the entire transom to make sure it is solid. If it sounds hollow, the wood has rotted, and it is just a matter of time before the fiberglass cracks and the boat takes on water and/or the engine snaps off the back. While your at it, check the entire hull for cracks/holes.

2. Steering Cable. Make sure you can turn the steering wheel freely in both directions when the engine is lowered.

3. Check the basic electrical. Starter is a must. Speedometer and Tachometer are nice when pulling someone. Speedo will be hard to test if you can't get it on the water, but you should be able to test the tachometer. Also, if you plan on being on the water when the sun starts going down, make sure that the navigation lights work.

4. Trailer condition/lights. You need to be able to get it to the water.

There are a lot of things that can be replaced or put up with to get a pull, but some things are too costly to justify.

No doubt, that thing will be a wakeskate machine if it is in good working condition.

meekers · Posted: Apr 09, 2014 2:57 pm Post subject:

Thanks for all the feedback.

No I haven't purchased it yet, but if everything turns out okay it'll be in my yard by this weekend.

Raven · Posted: Apr 16, 2014 12:39 pm Post subject:

did u get it....looks like a standout prospect.

meekers · Posted: Apr 17, 2014 6:55 am Post subject:

Unfortunately, just too many unknowns. My gut was telling me to stay....

miller · Backside 180 Joined: 08 Aug 2004 Posts: 2394 City: Regina

meekers, keep looking. Something will pop up.

SCBrips · Posted: Apr 17, 2014 11:37 am Post subject: