Looking to buy a used boat (our first boat)

[Ocorgi]

I found a 2000 Sportster LE that is in really nice cosmetic condition, but the owner, who has a car dealership, had one of his guys replace the engine last year, but it's not running yet. He said all it needs is to have a seadoo service center synch the new motor with the boat (some sort of seadoo specific computer task), and that it would just be a couple hundred bucks if that. Sounds like a red flag to me (if it's that easy, he would just do it and sell a running boat, right?). I just wondered if anyone thinks this sounds plausible, because it is a REALLY nice looking boat.
Thanks!!!
Jessica

 

[FL_Boater]

Please learn from my mistakes... twice I have made this mistake. Do not ever ever ever buy a boat you can not water test. even if it starts because there are so many other things that could be wrong with it. People are thieves by nature... they will lie to your face with a smile to get your money. DO NOT BUY THAT BOAT. Don't buy any boat that you have not actually taken to the water and completely happy with.

 

[brock1]

PLEASE DONT BUY IT. The red flag came up and waved itself out there as soon a s he said he was a CAR DEALER. they are the biggest liars in the world theyll tell you anything to get your money. I have never heard of syncing a motor though there is something wiered there and its gonna hurt you in the long run.

 

[bigJake]

I found a 2000 Sportster LE that is in really nice cosmetic condition, but the owner, who has a car dealership, had one of his guys replace the engine last year, but it's not running yet. He said all it needs is to have a seadoo service center synch the new motor with the boat (some sort of seadoo specific computer task), and that it would just be a couple hundred bucks if that. Sounds like a red flag to me (if it's that easy, he would just do it and sell a running boat, right?). I just wondered if anyone thinks this sounds plausible, because it is a REALLY nice looking boat.
Thanks!!!
Jessica

curious how much they were asking, because I just came in from the lake and I had stopped to check out a boat on the water, exact same thing 2000 sportster LE, the woman said it was for sale and they were asking $5000 but she didn't really know anything else about the boat.

 

[Ocorgi]

Thanks everyone. I agree and I won't buy it. I just wanted to know if this sync thing is even real.
The guy is asking $5500. It's in CT, not in the water anywhere.

 

[BMANN06]

Good call taking all posters advice :thumbsup:. Someone correct me if I'm wrong ... but the only synching I've heard of in Seadoo boats is the synching of the motors (when you have twin engines). Which is done at the carbs and shift lever. Could be something in the 4tecs with ECU?? But I'm pretty sure a 2000 model is a two stroke.

 

[RFoster130]

$5500 and it doesnt run. YEAH RIGHT. I'd offer $1500 if you really want it. In GOOD condition that boat is worth 5000.

 

[Ocorgi]

Ok, so now I have a new question. Maybe I should start a new thread, but my subject still fits this.
How do you logistically work out buying a boat from a private seller and getting it checked out? Do I offer to pay for part of it and take the boat, but not the title? Or do I ask the owner to hold a check? The local seadoo dealers all say that an inspection can take up to a week. How do I ask a seller to potentially lose a whole week in selling it if I don't want it? Is this standard or would it be a lot to ask? Is testing it in water and looking at the boat out of the water (with a check list like one I found on this site) good enough? (I'm looking at 1996-2002 boats). We have a friend who knows a lot about boats and has a seadoo pwc, who might be able to come with us, but I'd still like an inspection, right?
Thanks!
I really appreciate all of your advice and feel better about taking this plunge with all of you here!!

 

[RFoster130]

I wouldnt waste the time and money taking it to a dealer. Too many stories of them telling people everything is ok then there are problems. Probably a waste of money. Read up here. Water test any boat you are looking at. Let it get up to full temperature. Run it for a while. Do some WOT runs. Test all features of the boat. Then just look it over good. Ask about what maintenance was done. Do a compression test. Then come here with any questions before you make the final decision to buy it.

 

[ronaldsmith850]

I bought my 1800 this way actually. I bought it without water testing it.... bumping me out now! I was told it had been sitting since 2005 and that one of our proud service members was the only owner previous to me. The seller told me all it needed was new fuel, build the carbs, and change out all filters through-out, that was of course after I took it to Seadoo to get the new computer and DESS key programed. I ended up buying this boat @ $3200 + $1000 for a new computer module right out the gate. But after reading much more details on this 99 Challenger I believe I will end up walking away, in the long run, with a smile.

 

[Ocorgi]

Sounds like you took a risk, but got a great deal. I'm about to go look at a 1997 challenger 1800. Seems to be in great shape with one new motor and one recently rebuilt motor. They're asking $6500 for it. I was thinking of starting my offer around $5500. Maybe I should try less?