Looking at a Tournament 225 - Advise? - Update, Pics added

[CobraO]

This weekend, I am traveling about 4 hours to inspect a 2005 Tournament 225. Has the Yamaha 4 Stroke 225 and has about 200 hours on it. I am having a professional survey done while we are there.

What things should I look out for, other than what the surveyor is going to check out. The survey does not include him on the boat with us during the sea trial, nor does he look at anything besides the exterior of the motor and whatever is visible with the cowl off.

Thank you.

 

[Parthery]

If I was paying for a survey, I would expect, at the very least, to have a compression test done on the engine.

Is the surveyor associated, affiliated or accredited by SAMS?

 

[CobraO]

Actually, I talked to more than one surveyor and no one would look at the engine. They want me to call the local Yamaha shop and have a technician take a look at it.

 

[striped bass]

Cobra:
A certified Yamaha mechanic is the only way to go for an engine survey. There are many, many items to check out on the engine and a Yamaha mechanic is best qualified to do the job.
A sea trial with the surveyor aboard is very important. The surveyor should have a moisture meter to check the entire hull (out of the water) and decking for moisture build up (indicates possible rot). The deck panels are infamous for collecting moisture and going soft due to the underlying wood panels rotting. Same goes for the transom which is cored in wood. Other typical problem spots to watch out for are:

Push rod seals on the hydraulic cylinders that lift the motor
The trim indicator under neath the motor mount (frequently sticks)
Drop the lower unit and inspect drive rod and impeller
Make sure all thru haul fittings in the transom are above the water line (e.g. GPS cable)
Wiring and fuse panel
Horn (does it work?)
All electronics (GPS, VHF. and VHF aerial)
Do all the console gages work properly?
Pop out the circular inspection pie plates and look for mildew and moister build up
Navigation lights (do they come on?)
Gas tank sensors (do they work?)
Check the powder coat paint for cracking on the bracket especially where the engine mount attaches

The 225 is a great boat and if all checks out okay you will not be disappointed. Post some pics.

 

[DB]

Stripped Bass - to perform all the checks you suggested would take a day and probably cost a ton...drop the lower unit...who's going to do THAT for this guy...is the motor still under warranty? six year?...if so don't sweat it...if no warranty then get Yamaha tech.

 

[striped bass]

DB:
I respectfully disagree. All that is needed is for one big item to go south on Cobra and he will spend many times over the cost of a proper survey. For example, a lower unit can run into many $$$. Read the recent post on GG (Engine Failure - 2005 Yamaha F250) which turned out to be a lower unit failure - $4,000. Even a faulty GPS in not cheap to replace.
I bought my GW out of state (actually from another region of the country) and had all these items surveyed in one day. A little coordination is all that was required. A boat is a big investment and a careful survey is well worth the cost and effort IMHO. Thanks for your perspective - that is what makes this forum so worth while.

 

[Bob's Cay]

Cobra - Do yourself a favor and go to THT or similar forum and do a search for Yamaha F225 corrosin issues. At least you need to be aware of what is being said about these engines.

Maybe all hype, but if I were in the market for one I would want to know.

And please don't shoot the messanger...

 

[DB]

Yes...I see your point Stripped Bass.

 

[uncljohn]

First off, if you're going to look at a Tournament, don't go buy it and then complain that its not a walkaround! (See "Tournament 275 design flaws" thread)

A marine surveyor is not a mechanic. At best you can expect him to do compression test on your cylinders, but he is not a mechanic and not trained to do an engine survey. Still, a comp check is better than nothing.

The problems that are being discussed about Yam 4-S corrosion are things you CAN't see unless you take the engine apart. I think someone was able to put a scope in and see issues, but in general they are invisible until the engine dies. Many 4-S owners are claiming this is not true and only hype, but someone posted a "Fact Check" thread on THT and over a dozen people cimed in immediately about having problems first hand or 2nd hand w/ a friend, so its not just hype. And Yamaha is NOW coating their exhaust parts with some product specifically designed to prevent corrosion, so its obvious something is wrong.

I'm sure those are fine engines, can get lots of hours. But just know there have been issues.

 

[CobraO]

Thank you for letting me know about the corrosion issue. I've got some reading to do.

 

[Bama96]

Overblown issue. That F225 is an 05' bet its fine.

 

[CobraO]

Well, looks like I'll be around for a while. We came to a deal, just have to figure out the logistics of getting the boat to me and the money to him. Spent about 5 hours with the boat and it was in perfect shape.

 

[gwwannabe]

Congratulations! Nice looking boat.

Gary 93 Gulfstream

 

[striped bass]

Very nice looking 225. Glad to read that all checked out well.

 

[no problem]

congratulations! nice looking rig.

 

[Petefish]

I purchased the same boat and motor as you but 2003. I did have a corrosion problem with my yamaha. Seal under the powerhead corroded and oil was dripping down the crank shaft. All summer during the first season i saw a little oil in the water whenever I lowered the motor but the oil level never dropped. I couldn't figure out where it was coming from until the boat was out of the water. What to look for is oil dripping out of the small hole on the right side of the lower unit just above the water intake. This would happen after you raised and lowered the motor. You can find pictures of this on the hull truth. The powerhead needs to be removed to repair this. Very expensive. The yamaha dealer who repaired mine seemed like he has seen this problem more than a few times. Even tried to get yamaha to give me a little coverage for this since it can be almost considered a manufacturing defect. No luck on that because of the age of it. He did say yamaha corrected the problem since but I'm not sure what year.
That being said I used my boat all last summer and had a blast. Noticed the leak this spring while prepping the boat. Had it fixed by the end of May. Got about 15 trips on her this summer so far and haven't missed a beat. This boat is awesome. Get up at 5 AM, fish till around 10 then head back and pick up the wife and kids. This boat definitely can do it all. Would by it again in a second. Good luck and enjoy.

 

[Bama96]

NICE!!!!!!!!Man I love my 225 you will too! 8)

 

[Bob's Cay]

Nice looking boat. Enjoy!

 

[CobraO]

Thank you guys for the info and the compliments. Everything is lined up to get this done on Friday. Just have to find some time to get back down there and pick it up.

thanks again. I'll be around for a while now.