Good Afternoon Great-Grady!
After what has been a long and exhausting search (reference note - don't bring your wife and daughter to look at boats... just go yourself) I have narrowed myself down to what I hope is the boat for me.
Coming from a 23" Wellcraft Cabin I/O I am looking forward to getting behind the helm of something that may actually help me catch some fish in the near future. But this is where I need your help!
I'm looking at a 92 204 Overnighter with a 92 Yamaha 200 (2-stroke) using the oil injection, not pre-mix (I hate pre-mixing).
Engine Wise: The Engine had a new powerhead installed last year, and a new lower unit installed last year at the same time. There is a book of receipts for me to look through. But, from what my research tells me I should check the shift rod (or shift shaft depending on who's typing) The steering (or tiller) arm for excessive rust. Some is to be expected. Too much is dangerous. My hope is that considering a powerhead replacement and a lower unit replacement they didn't cheap out and leave the old shift shaft in there. Fingers crossed. While I was there this weekend she fired right up. Has digital gauges as well.
Hull: Gave it a good knocking around the whole hull to check for any separation or delamination. checked it over for spidering or any issues around the caprail. Everything sounded uniform for the most part across the transom. A couple of jumps and pushes on the engine while it was lifted gave no real flex. And it did not have any stress cracks inside the splash well. My research shows me these are the big issues with the older Grady's. The thru-hulls are still plastic, but did not seem to have any cracking issues.
What I do like: (quick note, the boat was not "clean" it had footprints all over it etc etc.... so saying that) The bilge area was spotless. No cover-up job where someone "reinforced" the transom and it's covered in god knows what. Fish boxes and bait-wells were in good condition and clean, dedicated anchor locker is great. The price - i'm going to be walking away ~$7000 for it.
What I don't like: There is no hard-top. There are no seat cushions. Helm seats, jump seats, or otherwise. (The cabin cushions are all there and are in damn near new condition.) and roller galvanized trailer... bleh.
Here's where the help request comes in. What am I missing? What am I forgetting? I've sea-trialed and driven many other boats in my life. But, during the sea-trial of this particular model tomorrow what should I make sure I do to the boat? Does the price sound about right for this boat? I can figure if it were a different brand the give or take - but Grady's carry a different price tag for a reason.
Thank you all for your help in advance. And if it's right, i'll have some pictures up for you after I pick her up.
After what has been a long and exhausting search (reference note - don't bring your wife and daughter to look at boats... just go yourself) I have narrowed myself down to what I hope is the boat for me.
Coming from a 23" Wellcraft Cabin I/O I am looking forward to getting behind the helm of something that may actually help me catch some fish in the near future. But this is where I need your help!
I'm looking at a 92 204 Overnighter with a 92 Yamaha 200 (2-stroke) using the oil injection, not pre-mix (I hate pre-mixing).
Engine Wise: The Engine had a new powerhead installed last year, and a new lower unit installed last year at the same time. There is a book of receipts for me to look through. But, from what my research tells me I should check the shift rod (or shift shaft depending on who's typing) The steering (or tiller) arm for excessive rust. Some is to be expected. Too much is dangerous. My hope is that considering a powerhead replacement and a lower unit replacement they didn't cheap out and leave the old shift shaft in there. Fingers crossed. While I was there this weekend she fired right up. Has digital gauges as well.
Hull: Gave it a good knocking around the whole hull to check for any separation or delamination. checked it over for spidering or any issues around the caprail. Everything sounded uniform for the most part across the transom. A couple of jumps and pushes on the engine while it was lifted gave no real flex. And it did not have any stress cracks inside the splash well. My research shows me these are the big issues with the older Grady's. The thru-hulls are still plastic, but did not seem to have any cracking issues.
What I do like: (quick note, the boat was not "clean" it had footprints all over it etc etc.... so saying that) The bilge area was spotless. No cover-up job where someone "reinforced" the transom and it's covered in god knows what. Fish boxes and bait-wells were in good condition and clean, dedicated anchor locker is great. The price - i'm going to be walking away ~$7000 for it.
What I don't like: There is no hard-top. There are no seat cushions. Helm seats, jump seats, or otherwise. (The cabin cushions are all there and are in damn near new condition.) and roller galvanized trailer... bleh.
Here's where the help request comes in. What am I missing? What am I forgetting? I've sea-trialed and driven many other boats in my life. But, during the sea-trial of this particular model tomorrow what should I make sure I do to the boat? Does the price sound about right for this boat? I can figure if it were a different brand the give or take - but Grady's carry a different price tag for a reason.
Thank you all for your help in advance. And if it's right, i'll have some pictures up for you after I pick her up.
