NEED ADVICE ON BOAT PURCHASE

[dtuck]

I am taking a look at a 1999 200 Osprey on Saturday. After looking at a number of boats and after reading all of the great threads on this website(thanks!!), I have a pretty good idea of what to look for when inspecting the hull-soft spots/transom test, etc..  My questions come down to the outboard.  The boat is equipped with a 1999 Johnson V-6 150hp Ocean Pro.  I wont be able to do a sea trial or compression check, only will have the ability to run motor with muffs.  The boat is equipped with all gauges.  Any known issues with a '99 Ocean Pro? How long should I run the outboard to get solid indication from temp gauge, etc.?  Should I run engine up to a certain RPM? Should I be listening for any kind of abnormal sounds? The seller has paperwork from a reputable outboard mechanic that she is willing to share with me, what should I look for-compression, etc. What should I look for under the cowling? The asking price for boat/motor/trailer is $8,000-is this a good price? Thank you for any advice you can give!!! Don

[jdupree]

The fact that you can't sea trial or pull compression would make that a suspect situation to start with.  A motor can run great on muffs, but when it is in the water it has back pressure against the exaust thus having more of a load on it.  A problem might not show up with muffs but could very well in the water.

I got burned one time before by not going on a sea trial.  If it were me, I would pass without a sea trial.

[flounderpounder225]

Pretty much agree with JD, and especially at 8K, for a 12 Yr old boat and motor.  Unless it is pristine that is too high, probably by a grand or so.  The Ocean Pro's were good strong motors, but why can't you do a comp test, it takes 15 minutes with a gauge from Autozone for around $30, and 99 is right when OMC was really having some quality issues, so even though the Looper was and is a proven workhorse, I'd like to hear it run on the water.  Also before you start the motor or do anything to it, bring a BIG flat blade screwdriver, and slowly remove the bottom plug in the foot, nothing but clean (or dirty) oil should run out, if it's creamy colored, it's leaking water in.  You can scour the boat over, but as JD stated, there is nothing like running her on the pins for a few minutes to see what gremlins may come out.   My .02
Marc

[seabob4]

Pretty much agree with JD, and especially at 8K, for a 12 Yr old boat and motor.  Unless it is pristine that is too high, probably by a grand or so.  The Ocean Pro's were good strong motors, but why can't you do a comp test, it takes 15 minutes with a gauge from Autozone for around $30, and 99 is right when OMC was really having some quality issues, so even though the Looper was and is a proven workhorse, I'd like to hear it run on the water.  Also before you start the motor or do anything to it, bring a BIG flat blade screwdriver, and slowly remove the bottom plug in the foot, nothing but clean (or dirty) oil should run out, if it's creamy colored, it's leaking water in.  You can scour the boat over, but as JD stated, there is nothing like running her on the pins for a few minutes to see what gremlins may come out.   My .02
Marc

^^^^^^^

[dtuck]

Thanks guys for the advice.  You all are an invaluable resource.  How do I check compression. Do I take out spark plug, attach tester and crank over motor?  Do I need to do this with each cylinder or is there a tester with multiple leads?  I will do my best to get boat in the water for sea trial.  Any additional input would be great. Thanks again. Don

[GoneFission]

How to check compression:

http://www.myoutboardengine.com/CompressionCheck.html  

Good luck!

[dtuck]

Thanks Cap'n John for compression article. Very much appreciated. Don

[seagate]

I have a 85 looper and wouldn't have bought it without running it in the water. I wouldn't have found out it had some problems that were not disclosed when I looked at the boat.(buyer be ware)wasn't a deal bracker but I was sure was glad I knew before I got her home.Good luck

[RickK]

Before my 230 purchase JJ and I took it out with a couple mechanics onboard and ran it for 10 or so minutes and it was then that it showed that there was a brain box problem - the oil reservoir was not being replenished in the engine.  Brainbox was bad and it took running the boat that long until the reservoir was low.
Always worth a wet test or at least a clause in the agreement.

[dennis13]

I have a 98 225 ocean pro . Its a great motor , cheap to fix , but very thirsty if not fuel injected.