Boat newbie. 2004 rinker? Corrosion question.

[buddyb]

Hello. I'm learning as much as I can before purchasing my first boat.

Looking for a cabin cruiser to keep in a wet slip in southern California. Chula Vista Marina until I get a spot in Dana Point.

Can someone give there opinion on this boat overall?

Specifically, I have some concerns on the corrosion on the out drive, and what looks like white sealant applied. Is that normal and acceptable?

$25k is my price range and I don't see anything better on boat trader or Craigslist now.

https://www.boattrader.com/boat/2004-rinker-250-fiesta-vee-8129238/

[LittleWing77]

Never spend at the top of your budget.

LW77

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, buddyb.

I/Os are notorious for corrosion problems.
Caulking, around the outdrive perimeter is normal.

[buddyb]

It's not the top of my total budget. That's the price I want to pay for just the boat.

Tracking additional costs separately.

[buddyb]

Originally Posted by GordMay

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, buddyb.

I/Os are notorious for corrosion problems.
Caulking, around the outdrive perimeter is normal.

I've read on the love/hate with I/Os but they are on every boat I come across in my price range that's a cabin cruiser around 25-28'.

Is that corrosion a sign to stay away, or par for the course?

Thank you

[fstbttms]

Originally Posted by buddyb

Is that corrosion a sign to stay away, or par for the course?

It is a sign of deferred maintenance. Caveat emptor.

[Pete7]

I would worry more about the exhaust riser manifolds if that is a V8 or V6 engine.

That would be worth a Google is you are not aware.

Pete

[buddyb]

Originally Posted by Pete7

I would worry more about the exhaust riser manifolds if that is a V8 or V6 engine.

That would be worth a Google is you are not aware.

Pete

Can you give me a head start or link to get started? I am not familiar.

[Pete7]

The risers are made of cast iron as standard, though expensive other metals are available. They corrode with a mixture of exhaust gas and hot saltwater over time. If they fail then saltwater pours into the cylinders.

It was the one concern I had with our Volvo small block V8 based on the same automotive engine.

They need checking regularly and since the boat shows a lack of regular maintenance warrant checking or seeing receipts for a recent replacement.

Pete

[buddyb]

Thank you. If I really like the boat, is it worth the risk of getting a survey done, or can you tell for sure it's a "don't buy"?

[ranger58sb]

Don't know much about I/Os so can't speak to your question about that... but those pics might get you some decent help at thehulltruth.com. Lots of folks there with I/O units, I think.

Common issues with I/O boats are:
- is it the preferred freshwater cooled or raw water cooled (salt water within the engine block) system?
- wet slips aren't great because the outdrive usually can't be lifted far enough out of the water. (Compare to outboards.)
- risers and sometimes manifolds (engine dependent) should be replaced periodically (some say every 5 years max) and you can't inspect that from the outside because any corrosion will start from the inside out. (IOW, depends on seller's service records)

-Chris