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Posts: 300
| Hey all.
Just purchased a new to me boat pending a test drive/walk-through. What are some items I need to look for when I do this? This is my first boat purchase. Just looking for things to check and look out for.
It’s a ‘96 Ranger 690. Looks to be in excellent condition. |
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Posts: 300
| I’ll post an image or two.
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Posts: 426
| You need at least a compression check on each engine. Also you may be able to have a dealer down load the actual engine hours if they are newer. Also check out the trailer for bearing or seal problems. Seals are easy to check just look on the inside of the rim for grease on them when you do your test run. I'd also run the electric and check the battery ages too. You can look at the hull strakes for chips or cracks if the gel coat is chipped or shows evidence of ware from beaching water can get into the material. Good Luck
Edited by 7ovr50 7/24/2021 2:06 PM
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Posts: 102
| Here is an excellent and comprehensive list of things to check for when purchasing a used boat. This was put together by the folks at Bass Cat/Yar-Craft boats.
http://www.bbcboards.net/showthread.php?t=590067 |
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Posts: 591
Location: Duluth | Everything mention above is good but when buying a used glass boat you need to be extra carful. Check for cracking around any of the cleats or snaps for cover, these will eventually lead to rot. Check for any soft spots on the deck, or signs of wet core. LOOK AT THE TRANSOM! |
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Posts: 1023
| From the pics, the one thing that would concern me is the engine. For sure have a mechanic check that thing out, big time. That's the biggest thing. If the hull is good, that is a great boat that will last a really, really long time. But you need to know if the engine will keep up with the hull. And? Repowering a good old boat should be an option.
Thing looks very clean, but it is your investment, so look it over really good. But a mechanic should look at that engine.
And if it were me, and I bought it, I'd be having a mechanic give it a tune up right away. New plugs, new impeller (water pump), clean the fuel system and check replace every part of that motor. Get it tip top when you start, then do the right maintenance and have some fun. |
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Location: Athens, Ohio | A Mercury dealer can use the serial number to pull up any work that was done by a Merc dealer. Non-dealer work likely own't show up. See if the owner has a maintenance record. good luck, looks like a sweet ride. m |
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Posts: 300
| Thank you all for the responses! Definitely have a lot to look over. |
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Posts: 267
| A friend of mine bought a beautiful 1998 690 tiller boat with a 90 Mariner. I mean it looked almost new. He ended up getting a new 90 Yamaha for it and selling the 2 stroke Mariner. But the other thing was, that the floor had some rot way back near the transom. Didn't see it when he bought it, but noticed it after the fact. Ended up having that repaired. Someone mentioned to look for that and that is a good idea. |
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Posts: 357
| Make sure to check the transom on that era. Easy to do, if you stand on the engine cavitation plate and bounce up and down a little. make for absolutely certain there is no movement in the transom. |
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Posts: 1134
Location: NorthCentral WI | All Ranger models 1988 and newer have composite transoms. There is still wood in the decks and console though. |
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Posts: 357
| MartinTD - 7/29/2021 10:09 AM
All Ranger models 1988 and newer have composite transoms. There is still wood in the decks and console though.
That's not the issue. There is a seal in between the hull and deck under the motor that can leak and get water in and freeze and crack the glass layers
I know because i had that happen to my 692, and when i talked to Ranger they were quite aware of the issue. |
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Posts: 591
Location: Duluth | Yep, the hull to deck joint can be suspect. All the fiberglass tabbing that holds the composite transom to the hull can also delam and result in catostrophic failure. Unfortunately more common than one would think because cleats, rod holders etc. aren't properly bedded and let in moisture. Truth is 80% of fiberglass boat owners with core issues never realize it. |
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Posts: 300
| Thanks for all the advice guys. I ended up making the purchase. I did my best to be as thorough as possible. I had compression checked and had the engine gone through. It checked out fine. Checked for any hull issues and transom issues. Everything appeared to be in great shape. So I pulled the trigger!
Now I just gotta catch some SD muskies in it! |
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Posts: 591
Location: Duluth | Congrats, looks like a solid rig. |
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Posts: 186
| Congratulations!!! I hope to be there some day soon myself. Now take your most confident bait out and let er rip!  show us a pic when you welcome her aboard. |
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