Winnipesaukee Forum - View Single Post - Bellows Batteries and other things that age

rider · 03-06-2010, 02:38 PM

I would recommend doing bellows every 5 years as part of the service. Its worth it, but while your there, might as well do new shift cable, u-joints and gimbal bearing. Keep the drive stored down when not in use, make sure to pump the zerk fitting on the starboard side of transom adapter with grease after use. Be grateful that its a fresh water boat. I live in RI and work on all salt water boats. It takes about 2 hours longer total time because of corrosion. While the repair kits are cheap about $100, 90% of total cost is labor pulling everything apart. I usually charge about $1000-1200 for doing salt water boats (I'M NOT ADVERTISING) just giving you a ball park figure of what to expect to pay. Look for a boat that has Bravo units on them, stay away from Alphas if you can.
You got your moneys worth out of the batteries if they lasted you 5 years. Make sure you specify that you want AGM batteries, trust me, they are the bee's knees.
Find out if the fuel tanks are fiberglass, if they are, pass on the boat. This new gas messes everything up. Inquire if they are the original carbs (if its not fuel injected) or replacements. Find out last time tune-up was done, (cap, rotor, spark plugs and wires). Look for general things, fresh water pump condition, holding tank, and hoses. Check out the toilets, plumbing and holding tank. find out if bleach was ever used in it, if it has, the system is going to need to be replaced (the waste hoses explicitly state not to use bleach). Electronics are another thing, especially corrosion, make sure everything works.
Hire a marine surveyor to check everything out, then hire a qualified marine mechanic to check everything else out. I can not say it enough, hire someone to look at the boat thoroughly. The insight they provide will help you in purchasing power to negotiate with the seller. I see this all the time, people pay way to much for a boat and expect to resell it for all the money in the world. don't get stuck in the trap. Any other questions, feel free to ask or PM me.

03-06-2010, 02:38 PM	#9
rider Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 51 Thanks: 2 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	what to expect I would recommend doing bellows every 5 years as part of the service. Its worth it, but while your there, might as well do new shift cable, u-joints and gimbal bearing. Keep the drive stored down when not in use, make sure to pump the zerk fitting on the starboard side of transom adapter with grease after use. Be grateful that its a fresh water boat. I live in RI and work on all salt water boats. It takes about 2 hours longer total time because of corrosion. While the repair kits are cheap about $100, 90% of total cost is labor pulling everything apart. I usually charge about $1000-1200 for doing salt water boats (I'M NOT ADVERTISING) just giving you a ball park figure of what to expect to pay. Look for a boat that has Bravo units on them, stay away from Alphas if you can. You got your moneys worth out of the batteries if they lasted you 5 years. Make sure you specify that you want AGM batteries, trust me, they are the bee's knees. Find out if the fuel tanks are fiberglass, if they are, pass on the boat. This new gas messes everything up. Inquire if they are the original carbs (if its not fuel injected) or replacements. Find out last time tune-up was done, (cap, rotor, spark plugs and wires). Look for general things, fresh water pump condition, holding tank, and hoses. Check out the toilets, plumbing and holding tank. find out if bleach was ever used in it, if it has, the system is going to need to be replaced (the waste hoses explicitly state not to use bleach). Electronics are another thing, especially corrosion, make sure everything works. Hire a marine surveyor to check everything out, then hire a qualified marine mechanic to check everything else out. I can not say it enough, hire someone to look at the boat thoroughly. The insight they provide will help you in purchasing power to negotiate with the seller. I see this all the time, people pay way to much for a boat and expect to resell it for all the money in the world. don't get stuck in the trap. Any other questions, feel free to ask or PM me.