Need survey: What to do when engine doesn't work?

[ryanmohr]

I'm a first-time boat buyer living on Oahu and it seems nearly every boat I'm interested in "has engine problems" -- ie. the engine doesn't work at all. Upon personal examination I've found most of these boats aren't worthy of a further professional survey.

However, after almost six months of searching I've found one I like that is in decent condition and at the right price -- but of course the engine "has problems". I'd like to have it professionally surveyed but I'm curious what the process is for hauling out a boat when the engine doesn't work? Do you just sail it straight out of the slip into the lift? Or do you have to get a tow? The boatyard is about half a mile away from the slip.

Is this a common problem surveyors are used to or do they typically write off boats with frozen engines?

 

[Tim R.]

Do just an engine survey while in the water. See what that turns up before proceeding to the full boat survey.

Most yards use a work boat to drive the sailboat to the travel lift. None of the yards around here rely on boat propulsion to get to the lift.

 

[Thread]

Boats

Most people around these parts will tend to walk away from a boat that has a dead engine. Most sellers would ensure their engine at the very least runs before they place it on the market. Often times a dead engine is symptomatic of the entire boat's condition. Perhaps it's time to consider buying a boat from the mainland. Lots available and at reasonable prices.

Haul out facilities around here rely on the boater to motor up to the facility, then a small haul out crew will hand maneuver the boat into the slings. I have never seen a work boat on hand and in use by the facility, but I suppose as with anything, the boater can hire a work boat.

What kind of problems does this engine have? How many hours and what brand?

Thread

 

[petersea]

"Is this a common problem surveyors are used to or do they typically write off boats with frozen engines? "

If in fact the engine is "FROZEN" plan on a new one or a rebuilt one but without knowing what kind of engine no way to give a guess on cost,is it an inboard (gas or diesel) or outboard etc etc...I would do everything you can think of (as far as checking the boats systems) before getting a surveyor to inspect the boat. Since the boat is 1/2 mile away most likely you will either pay for a tow (at least one way if you can sail into or out of slip but both ways scenarios are unlikely) Most yards will move in the yard with a work boat (or at least here in New England) Tell the surveyor before you hire him the boat needs an engine not after he get there and see for himself. I would make sure you and the seller are in some gentleman's agreement (price reduction) about the engine before the hull survey. BOATS US or SEATOW will tow you anywhere you want for a price and maybe you can work a deal since this is a "non emergency" tow.... Be careful that you know what you are getting yourself into only and only if everything else on boat is good would I consider this and remember engines are expensive so do your homework.......

 

[tommays]

Buy it cheep and ONLY if you can DIY the work ,i just had to move this CAL 29 12 MILES TO get it hauled and had to mount the outboard from a rowboat

 

[ryanmohr]

Thanks for all the advice guys. I wish I could find a good deal out here with everything in working order, but it's harder than you'd think. Seems like a lot of boat owners on Oahu rarely sail their boats and use them primarily as a cheap place to live in a nice location. The slip fees are nothing compared to the rent you'd have to dish out for water front property in Waikiki.

I've considered buying a boat in California, but I'm looking for something in the 25'-30' range near the $10K mark. From the estimates I've seen it would cost $3K-4K to hire a skipper to deliver it to Oahu, which just doesn't add up economically for boats in this price range. I could sail it across myself, but my sailing experience to date is limited to ideal sailing conditions in the BVIs and Tahiti. Not sure if I'm up for crossing oceans just yet...

 

[woodster]

you may want to try Natioal liquidaters .com they have a lot of inventory on the west coast and some times you can find a good one ....just keep hunting when teh time is right it will be right and you will know it

good hunting

woody

 

[Steve Dion]

Most surveyors are not qualified to do engine surveys. Your best bet is a certified mechanic for the specific engine that is in the vessel.

If you are looking at replacing an engine you should be looking at about $10-12k for a 2 cyl. and $12-15 for a 3 cyl.

 

[Barnacle Bill]

You should be able to hire a mechanic to check out the inboard for you where it sits right in the slip. Perhaps some symptoms stated by you will help us help you determine what the problem is. Does it turn over at all? Is the engine frozen up (crankshaft won't turn?)? Where is the boat? At the Keehi Small Boat Basin off of Sand Island Road?, or somewhere like Ko Olina or Ala Wai? There's not a lot of marinas that don't allow live aboards on O'ahu. I don't imagine a $10,000 boat is located in Ko Olina or Kane'ohe, for example, but perhaps near the AlaMoana YC. Is it still open after the old lady died? Go in and have a beer and ponder it some.

 

[MrBill_FLL]

its sounds like the engine replacement cost is more than the asking price of the boat.

So you'll need to guess the final value after a replacement motor is installed.

OR, like many in the FLA keys, mount a outboard motor and live with that. but its not an ideal situation...

Does Boats US have unlimited towing in HI?