Is 11 Years in Storage A Concern?

[Gradygirl]

We're looking at buying a 1988 19' Grady White Tournament. It's at a marina; It was taken in to sell after 11 years of inside storage (a widow had it). It has a Johnson 200hp VRO. Not sure of the year. It was in the water last fall when they got it, and I've seen a video of it. We're thinking of going to look at it.

What questions should I pose?
Should I have other concerns?

 

[Parthery]

Welcome to the forum...

Assuming it was stored inside, the hull is probably OK. I would have the fuel tank drained....replace the lines...and refill with fresh fuel before I did anything.

For the motor, I would do the following...

Remove spark plugs...rotate flywheel to make sure nothing is bound up...pour some penetrating oil in each cylinder...rotate the flywheel some more...get everything a good coating of oil. Replace with fresh plugs.

Pull carbs...clean and rebuild them.

I'd put a new water pump on as well.

Run it on a portable 6 gallon tank with oil in the tank for first startup and breakin. You need to make sure the VRO is working. I'd replace the VRO pump with the new style if it was me.

With fresh gas, oil, plugs and new batteries it may fire right up.....

 

[Gradygirl]

Thank you so much for the welcome and the post. I've printed out your advice and we will take a look! I'll let you know if we get it.
GG

 

[mboyatt]

I agree with Parthery except for rebuilding the carbs and water pump. I purchased my 1994 192 Tournament in 2012. It sat in storage outside since 1997. 15 years! Has a 1994 evinrude Ocean Pro. Threw new plugs in there, lubed the cylinders as described by Parthery, new fuel in the tank, and she fired right up. Took her for a test on the lake and she ran too good to mess with. Been using her for 3 seasons and the water pump is working great and the Ocean Pro runs like a top. I have had no need to rebuild the carbs or water pump. If it ain't broke, don't mess with it. I guess my bottom line with this is, do the lube, plugs and gas, then see how she runs. Also, as Parthery indicated, make sure the vro is working by running mix at first. You can do this by mixing the oil with fuel in your main tank. It will smoke a lot, but you will be able to verify that the oil level is dropping in the vro tank. If it is, then on your next fueling, do not add oil to your tank. By the way, my vro was fine and is still going strong. That old Johnson carbed motor should be bullet proof. I guess if you are looking to purchase the boat, I would see if the Johnson fires up and also do a compression test. If she fires and has good compression, you should be good to go. With a boat of that vintage, you should be looking to pay 6,000 with a trailer included. I would not go above 7 k. Good luck!

 

[seasick]

We're looking at buying a 1988 19' Grady White Tournament. It's at a marina; It was taken in to sell after 11 years of inside storage (a widow had it). It has a Johnson 200hp VRO. Not sure of the year. It was in the water last fall when they got it, and I've seen a video of it. We're thinking of going to look at it.

What questions should I pose?
Should I have other concerns?

How is it that it was in the water last year when the marina got it but supposedly it was in dry storage for 11 years?
Sounds odd to me. Was it started?
The VRO motor had issues.
If the boat was not in the water for 11 years, it could be difficult to tell if there are water issues with wet components such as the transom since any wet spots may have air dried.
If you are interested and it can't be run, no compression test, lower unit inspection, general assessment of motor mechanical condition, assume that a new motor is needed and price out a value accordingly. Unless it is cheap enough that you won't take a bath if it turns out to be a nightmare, have it surveyed.
Pat special attention to the bilge, fuel tank connections, hoses, and electrical gear ( panels, blocks etc) . If there is no power, you will not be able to test any of the electrics. You have to assume that some things will be bad and need replacing. Check for soft spots. Look for rot under the deck if you can see there. The fuel tank is probably aluminum and after 26 years may need replacement. That is hard to tell.
Just looking at how the boat was cared for is usually a good indicator of how responsible the owner was.

If this is the first boat you will be considering, I suggest you try to look at a few more just so that you can form a basis for evaluation. Your excitement at getting a boat can cloud your reasoning
Bring along a friend who has boating experience. Two sets of eyes are better than one