Copper Cohiba
New Member
Hey,
Just got back from a road trip to pick up a 2006 Sportster 4Tec 155. Travelled 9+ hrs one way (718 kms of windy road thru southern BC) to water test the boat. Had earlier this week had a compression test done before making the drive to see the boat.
Wanted to thank the forum, contributors, and moderators, for without the advice & knowledge here, I would have bought a stinker and wondered why/how that had happened.
Your advice & contributions helped me figure out my needs, what boat was suitable for me, what to look for, and how to go about making sure I didn't get taken. I had made another shorter trip to look at a first boat a few weeks ago, and passed on it based on what I had learned here. It was the right decision.
Compression test on this, now my boat, had 160 across all three cylinders. Then, yesterday, I was out with the original/previous owner for about 45 mins or more on the water on Kootenay Lake. Proper 2 beeps when DESS clicked onto the post. Boat started up on first touch of the starter when cold. All systems checked out. Restarted easily after being out on the water for a while. Owner let me take the helm after getting us out on the water. It's been a fresh water boat all it's life. There is a nick on the front of the keel that will need to be looked after, but that was taken into account in the agreed price. Had I not got under the boat and laid on a rain covered ramp to inspect the hull and the intake, it would have gone unnoticed.
Trailer is going to need new tires before I go any distance, they could be original equipment. But they made the 9+ hr return trip, much to my surprise. I did pick up a spare from an RV centre before starting the trip back, just to be safe. I was shocked to hear from the previous, [and original] owner that the Karavan trailer never came with a spare rim and tire. :facepalm:
Anyway, can't wait to get on the water to get used to it, before taking it on a family trip to the lake in 2 weeks... I got some practise in the water test, found it really cool to turn in it's own length while at idle.
Will get some photos up soon as I find a place to put them.
All in all, a great experience so far. Can't wait to see the look on the granddaughter's face when she's sitting in her seat, and hit the throttle for the first time!
Copper
Just got back from a road trip to pick up a 2006 Sportster 4Tec 155. Travelled 9+ hrs one way (718 kms of windy road thru southern BC) to water test the boat. Had earlier this week had a compression test done before making the drive to see the boat.
Wanted to thank the forum, contributors, and moderators, for without the advice & knowledge here, I would have bought a stinker and wondered why/how that had happened.
Your advice & contributions helped me figure out my needs, what boat was suitable for me, what to look for, and how to go about making sure I didn't get taken. I had made another shorter trip to look at a first boat a few weeks ago, and passed on it based on what I had learned here. It was the right decision.
Compression test on this, now my boat, had 160 across all three cylinders. Then, yesterday, I was out with the original/previous owner for about 45 mins or more on the water on Kootenay Lake. Proper 2 beeps when DESS clicked onto the post. Boat started up on first touch of the starter when cold. All systems checked out. Restarted easily after being out on the water for a while. Owner let me take the helm after getting us out on the water. It's been a fresh water boat all it's life. There is a nick on the front of the keel that will need to be looked after, but that was taken into account in the agreed price. Had I not got under the boat and laid on a rain covered ramp to inspect the hull and the intake, it would have gone unnoticed.
Trailer is going to need new tires before I go any distance, they could be original equipment. But they made the 9+ hr return trip, much to my surprise. I did pick up a spare from an RV centre before starting the trip back, just to be safe. I was shocked to hear from the previous, [and original] owner that the Karavan trailer never came with a spare rim and tire. :facepalm:
Anyway, can't wait to get on the water to get used to it, before taking it on a family trip to the lake in 2 weeks... I got some practise in the water test, found it really cool to turn in it's own length while at idle.
Will get some photos up soon as I find a place to put them.
All in all, a great experience so far. Can't wait to see the look on the granddaughter's face when she's sitting in her seat, and hit the throttle for the first time!
Copper
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