1996 225 Osprey w/ 1997 250 yamaha

[illusion]

I am new to site and the Aquasport product. Found a 225 CC at a local Grady dealer for 13k. The hull is in great shape but there are gel coat cracking at most bow rail stantions, at many corners and a soft spot in starboard aft deck.  Is this normal for this vintage and the brand?  No hr meter on boat and laptop hook up will only tell compression on this vintage OX66. What else can I do to check this motor?

[slvrlng]

Welcome aboard illusion! If part of the sole is soft be very careful. There is probably more. I think your deck is balsa cored, I'm sure seabob will chime in and I think he probably built your hull! To replace the floor is a big project especially on the newer hulls because of the liner configuration. In other words IMHO 13k is too much. Pics would help, start a photobucket account and follow rickks directions to post. Where are you located? If you have any doubts hire a surveyor to find out a real price and condition.

[illusion]

Welcome aboard illusion! If part of the sole is soft be very careful. There is probably more. I think your deck is balsa cored, I'm sure seabob will chime in and I think he probably built your hull! To replace the floor is a big project especially on the newer hulls because of the liner configuration. In other words IMHO 13k is too much. Pics would help, start a photobucket account and follow rickks directions to post. Where are you located? If you have any doubts hire a surveyor to find out a real price and condition.

[illusion]

I am located on the Chesapeake Bay. The "soft spot" I mentioned in that 1 sq ft area does not fell like a "spongy spot" as much as it fells like a flexing in that area.  Sounding out the area with a plastic hammer results in more of a "thud" sound than a solid tap.   On the other side there is no "give" and is solid.  The hull is solid with no voids. But I was wondering if so many gel cracks on the topsides of the boat is normal for this model.  They appear at most of the bow rail connections, at the corners on the aft gunnels, on the deck and there also a 10" crack forward where the fish boxes meet the deck.  Has anyone else experienced these gel cracks or is this a boat that has been beat?

[seabob4]

Well, I guess I got "called out"!  Thanks, slvrlng!  Anyway, on an Osprey 13 years old, stress cracks in the gel can be expected, especially around bow rail stanchions.  But where exactly is the soft spot that you talk about?  I maybe able to shed some insight as to the severity of the issue.  Old OX66 Yammi?  Have a mechanic check her out, that's all I, or anyone else, could recommend.  

Yes, once that boat was decked, I built the rest of her.  Hung and rigged the Yammi too.  If you are seriously thinking of buying her, I'll help you out as to what to look for.  First things first, check the splashwell for stress cracks in the radius' as it turns forward.  Gel cracks, yes.  Glass cracks, no.

[illusion]

Hi SeaBob.  Thanx for you input.  The splashwell area- are you refering to the forward corners at the transom in the well where the engine is mounted?  
-Not sure how deep the 10" crack is where the bow fish boxes meet the deck.  The rest are just gel cracks.  
-The flexing spot area is between the port aft corner at the transom and the port mounting bracket of the leaning post but not around the leaning post bracket.  If memory serves me correctly, I think there are a few gel cracks on the deck in that area also.  When I get past the condition of the boat,  I'll get a local Yammi mechanic to do a condition and compression check.  Then I have to figure out an offer but this guy seemed firm at 13K :  Any suggestions on value?
-Do you think this boat should cruise at 35 mph and top out at 45 with the 250?  
-I'm going to take a another look at the boat with my boss lady today and I will take some pic's.  Then my feebal brain will have to figure out how to get them on this forum!

[seabob4]

Illusion,
It would appear to me that some bonding putty was not placed in the bonding areas that it should have been.  The "soft" spot tells me that either there was no putty in that location, therefore the cockpit sole has no support.  The large crack at the base of the foredeck  tells me the same thing.  There is a bulkhead directly under the foredeck where it turns upward that should have bonded this area.  That may have been the case also,  where putty may have not been applied.

As in the case of the old Chevy Vegas, don't buy one made on Monday or Friday...JMHO!

BTW, the 250 should get you close to 52 WOT.  Twin 150s she would see 55 MPH.

[illusion]

SeaBob,
Your anaysis sounds logical as on my 3rd inspection of the boat I found that these gel stress cracks appear all over the deck.  Lack of bonding putty would cause the deck to flex just enough to cause the cracks.  I think I'm going to walk away from this one... It's a shame since it has the right power... Most 225 Ospreys I see have the 225hp.  Thanx again for you insite and I'm standing next in line for your "Someday Girl"!
Illusion

[seabob4]

If, or should I say, when, I get the money, the 250 Osprey with twin 200 Zukes will be on the water and in my driveway.  Her name?  "Bobber".