1983 246 Express Fisherman

[fabuck71]

Hello all,

I am looking to upgrade to a larger boat for the family and seem to have found a pretty good deal.  Is this boat a good boat?  Also is a 2006 225 yammy 4-stroke a good motor?  It has around 500 Hrs.  Thats not too much is it?  Any advise would be great.

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/1983- ... s-96946348

[pete]

nice boat,not a bad price considering the newer power,get it checked out,good luck!

[fitz73222]

It would be very rare for this boat to be free of floor and transom issues @28 years old and been kept in the water. For $10,900 I would go over it with a fine tooth comb. Don't get mesmerized by the newer power especially with 500 hours on it. What kind of maintenance has this engine had via documentation. I would definately low ball and work up.

[fabuck71]

Thanks you all.  Lewis also said there where some corrosion issues so I googled and seems to be 2002-2004.  I know all motors have some issues.

[MarshMarlowe196]

Where does it say it's been kept in the water?  Is that being assumed because of the bottom paint?

Motor being a 2006, the hours are right @ 100 hours a year being average recreational use.  If he bought the motor in early 2006, that would actually put the hours on the low side.

Nothing beats looking at the boat up close, but the price doesn't seem to be too high if the boats in good shape.  As Fitz said, check maintenance records on the outboard, and it wouldn't hurt to bring an inspector with you if you're really interested.

[gran398]

Whether its been kept in the water or not....at that age, it needs/will need a floor and transom.

The tests have been discussed here. On the floor, take a close look at the stern area around the drains.

[fabuck71]

Yeah I don't think it was kept on the water.  I'm going to check it out early tomorrow.  I know how to check floor, tank and transom.  Only thing that worries me now is the corrosion issues on thew motor I read about.  Oh well, he said they would put it on the computer for me to see hours and such.

[flounderpounder225]

I suppose the best way to check the exhaust area for corrosion (which has been the issue) is to drop the foot and slip a boroscope up the mid section ( ) if you knew someone with one, it would be pretty easy?  Long threads on THT about this issue, guess you already knew that though?  Good luck
Marc

[fitz73222]

Not to be a wisenheimer as my grandmother used to say but have you ever seen anyone bottom paint a boat for looks? Anyone who plays in the CA sandbox long enough learns quickly that our prized beauty's all suffered from the same recessive gene-wood core.

[jdupree]

As far as the transom goes, I think the test is already mounted on the transom being a 225 4-stroke.  Heavy motor I would assume.  Look down the transom in a straight line.  If you see any kind of "bow" (like I saw on mine) then you have some issues.  If you do not see a "bow" or any stress cracks near the transom you most likely are good for now.

[fitz73222]

Well I dont have any stress cracks in mine but with 700# of 115 mercs and no bow the transom breathes about 3/8-1/2" with them tucked in; in a 2 foot chop. I've got 3/8 thick 6061 aluminum plates to keep it tamed. I don't shower down on them coming up on plane. I may be a little better off because they are basically mounted right on where the stringers attach to the transom; of course that assumes the stringers are still attached to the transom! I get alot of creaking where the transom tucks under the cap. The point of all this is if your going to pay top dollar for a 28 year old AS make sure you get 4 or 5 years of normal use before she goes under the sawzall.

[MarshMarlowe196]

Not to be a wisenheimer as my grandmother used to say but have you ever seen anyone bottom paint a boat for looks? Anyone who plays in the CA sandbox long enough learns quickly that our prized beauty's all suffered from the same recessive gene-wood core.

I did      .  When I bought my boat, it had splotchy green bottom paint (even though it was kept in dry storage 364 days a year).  I opted to paint over the green with black instead of a labor intensive gloss paint.  I had full intentions of running this boat aground accidentally, so I figured I'd be less nauseous when that happened if I just painted the bottom with bottom paint.  Once you go with bottom paint, you can just roll back over it every few years.  That was just my thinking.

I'm not saying that bottom paint isn't a good indicator that the boat was kept moored, It  generally means it was, I just didn't see anywhere in the ad that said it was moored- just saw it high and dry on a trailer.

My 19-6 is actually completely original, structurally speaking.  I merely beefed up and raised the existing transom to accommodate the new tall heavy Suzuki.  So, there's a slim chance this boat is solid too- you just have to see for yourself.  

Nada Low Retail of the Yamaha on this boat = $9500.

[gran398]

Guys, referring to the hull only...Fitz had the benefit of seeing the same year, same month boat as his cut open and exposed. The boat to begin with for her age was what most folks would say was  in "good shape."

The transom/stringer/cockpit sole deterioration had nothing to do with "Aquasport." Could just as well have been Grady-White, Mako, Hydraports, Seacraft, etc. Fact is, any production boat back then was built in similar fashion, for production ease/volume off the line. They were all cored with plywood. Not to say they were "cheap"....they were the best America could offer for the hungry boating masses during times of plenty.

The transom drain fitting eventually broke its seal. Not the screw in plug....the drain tube (thru-hull fitting) broke loose from its bedding compound at the transom base. They didn't have 5200 back then. Not that it would matter over the course of thirty years.

Put her in the water....the water imbedded at the base of the leaking transom sought its own level, rose UP through the transom to equate to the waterline level, or higher, through osmotic pressure. Thence to the stringer bond, etc.

This is what the rebuilder speculates, and after physical observation, must agree.

Bottom line...budget for this rebuild work. They all will require it. And certainly not Aquasport specific.