Question on a 2004 226 with heavy salt use

[MuertoMike]

[Bought the Boat, see page 2 for further details]

Hi Everyone,

I've been lurking around the site for the past week gathering information and answering my own questions, but I wanted to get more opinions before I purchase this boat.

The boat in question is a 2004 Air Nautique 226 Limited. I've been looking for an 04-06 sv211 (my cousin has one that we really like) but then I discovered the 226. I enjoy wakeboarding & wake surfing recreationally, so I figured this is a better fit. Basically the big brother of the 211, but more geared towards wakeboarding/surfing. We have a 2 year old and 2 dogs, so I'm thinking this would be a great family boat too! I really wanted a team edition, but this particular limited has all of the options that the team does, minus the kicker audio, no big deal!

The boat has lived in Southern California (specifically San Diego) for the majority of it's life, the only water it's been in has been the ocean. I verified that it does not have fresh water cooling, so I'm pretty concerned about the mechanical part of the boat. To the best of my knowledge, it wasn't stored in the ocean, it was taken out after each use and stored on the trailer. BTW, it has a brand new trailer (2013) due to the original one being rusted out. One other kicker to add to the mix, kind of a good & bad thing, but it has NOT been in the water for the past 4 years, and even before that it was hardly ever used. the boat has around 150 total hours. Nice w/ the low hours, but I'm worried about it sitting so much.

so here's my dilemma. I've spoke w/ the mechanic in depth about the history. he's been pretty honest (as far as I know!) regarding the history of the boat. he's telling me that it will need a major service; exhaust system, fuel system, engine overhaul including spark plug replacement, and general assessment of the mechanical condition. The aftermarket amps are rusted out due to life jackets & other water toys being shoved in there over the years. But again, the stereo at this point is the least of my worries. I also just verified that it does not have a Bimini top (either rotted out or never had one) so there's another $800-$1000....

They originally listed the boat @ $37k, but then recently dropped it down to $31k in "as is" condition.

What are your thoughts? should I be as concerned w/ the salt water usage as I am? my thinking is that with a complete overhaul on the engine/mechanical systems (about $2k) this thing will be basically a rebuilt, fully serviced boat? Do you think it's even worth the $31k or what would you offer?

if I get it, it'll never see the salt again, I've got more than enough fresh water in my area to play in!

Thanks in advance, I'm checking it out in person Wednesday afternoon. I'll put an update on here...

[MuertoMike]

here's a few pictures of it. The great thing is from the pics, the gel coat looks amazing still! the seats don't have any tears or rips, so that's a nice plus

[MaineDR]

In my opinion, if I heard all that from a mechanic I would pass...little things like that add up and wear you down financially and mentally. They seem like easy fixes from the get go, but rarely are. $31-37k will put in you in a very decent shaped boat of similar or even newer condition that hasn't been used in salt water. I was spying a very decent 09' 210 at a local dealer earlier this year listed at $39k (priced to move though). Salt water is never a good idea without closed cooling. That being said...with a little bit of maintenance I have talked to a few guys that run schools in primarily salt water who claim to have 5000+ hours on their boat with a closed cooling system.

[migs]

Run, run, run, run, run away. Far, far away.

[BoardSkier]

I agree with the rest ... Run from this boat. Salt water use requires lots of maintenance and care. Ive owned a salt water Sea Ray that lasted for years, but washed down with fresh after each use, washed down interior after each use, never stored wet gear on it etc. My brother used it in fresh water for another 10 years. This one sounds like you will be facing many corrosion issues. Remember there are many computers on the 226.

There are plenty of fresh water 226s out there. The 226 is a great boat. We surf and wake board off ours. It carries a ton and draws many complemts on the water.


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[theskunk]

Running sounds appropriate for this boat. The main problem you're looking at is the unknown - the list from the mechanic is what it needs now - you already probably have some corrosion spots forming that you can't yet see, and those are what will eventually bite you when you least expect it.

Also, for an 04, that seems a little high given the level of maintenance that's necessary, and the uncertainty around it, i would not even consider it unless it was in the low 20's... at least then, at worst, you can afford a new engine, and electronics.

[Paxdad]

Going off of the photos only the boat appears to be in very good condition as it appears to lack the usual rust stains etc. associated with salt use and abuse. However, the photos dont show the bilge etc and further close up of key areas. I would definitely not run away from it as others suggest but certainly approach with caution knowing that it was in salt use. It would not take much to take off only one exhaust riser for inspection. The one photo of the engine suggest that this may have been done as the bolts are missing the OEM paint. Looks like it has the optional snap in carpet to cover the OEM carpet which is a nice addition. If it has been sitting inside that is good thing however, would hope that the motor was fogged etc. Worst case I would low ball it at <$25K given the unknown factors.

[nautiques4life]

Having owned both salt and freshwater nautiques, I wouldn't necessarily run. I have never been in the market for a 211 or 226, so I can't give you any information regarding the price, but growing up in san diego, salt is something we all deal with, and I have a lot of experience with. For the right price it might be a great boat.

I can honestly say when I sold my first nautique (a 1997- bought in 1998, sold in about 2002), short of the galvanized trailer there were zero signs of salt water use. Admittedly I spent more time cleaning it than I did riding it, but it showed. Flushing only takes a little while, and salt away works great. I think saltwater in the bilge and off wetsuits, life jackets, etc will cause more of problems (esp esthetically) than a properly maintained, well functioning nautique running in saltwater so long as its flushed. Salt water there will cause the surface rust you see easily in poorly maintained salt water boats. (And even then, while not esthetic- and it certainly would drive some owners crazy, but that surface rust isn't a big deal). I'd get some more photos, especially of closer details, and you'll get a pretty good idea of what kind of boat this is, and how it was maintained- hiding a history of abuse and poor maintenance a lot harder to do in a salt water boat. There is a big difference between any well maintained boat and an abused one- salt or not. I've seen salt water boats I'd buy over fresh water boats. Just my 2 cents.

Who is the mechanic?

[a0128]

Looking at the pictures, it would appear that the boat is in generally very good condition. If he is in San Diego he's probably used it in Mission Bay. If he's a conscientious owner chances are he flushed and cleaned it after each use and I would certainly ask. According to the CL ad (http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/boa/5147389771.html) it hasn't been on the water for the last 2 years (which is good and bad). Looks like it is stored inside which is also a bonus.

A new trailer is what $3,000 - $4,000 so that is an additional plus assuming the rest of the boat checks out. Given the boat only has 150 +/- hours on it I am surprised that mechanic seems to think it needs "a major service; exhaust system, fuel system, engine overhaul including spark plug replacement". Any boat you buy I would probably change the spark plugs, impeller, engine oil and filter and transmission oil anyway. Not sure what he means by engine overhaul. The fuel system - unless the owner got salt water or some contaminants in it shouldn't need much servicing, maybe change out the fuel filter. You may want to get a second opinion regarding the overall condition.

Please report back once you've seen it.

As long as you are going to be in the San Diego area you may want to look at a couple of 2013 210 SANs that are for sale at Mission Bay Aquatic Center. It is a ski school run by San Diego State Univ. The boats are a bit odd in that they don't have LINK and some of the other features - and yes - they are run in salt water. But at $46,000 for a 2013 SAN 210 might be worth checking out. Bring a trailer as I don't believe these boats come with one.

http://www.mbaquaticcenter.com/nautique-sale/

[MuertoMike]

i just wanted to thank you guys very much for all of the reviews, both good & bad. it's everything i need to hear!

a0128, you found the craigslist ad. i was trying to keep it somewhat low key in the hopes that someone wouldn't jump all over it and snag it from under me, but that's no big deal.

i had the same thoughts the last 3 of you guys had, judging from the supplied pictures, you can't see any visible rust marks or salt marks around the water line of the hull. i think really the biggest problem is that it has been sitting for around 4 years.

the mechanic is a guy by the name of joey at pacific coast marine. he said he's been maintaining it since it was a few years old. i'm hoping he's being honest in the repair list and not just trying to make another buck off of me.

i'm on my way down to sd today, so i'll report back to you guys tomorrow. i want to really look in the bilge, under the engine, in the intakes... i want to see if there are rust spots or buildup there. the big issue is that they can't put it in the water as the fuel is 4 years old. they really don't want to do any work to it from my understanding, it's more in as in condition.

and yeah, i might be able to fix all the little things now, i'm just worried about what might come up later on down the road...

and thanks for the heads up on the 210's from the aquatic center. joey actually told me about those too. i really want the 226 as it's bigger and more geared towards wake boarding & surfing. plus it's bigger

Low $25k sounds good. i was thinking about offering him around $27k, so that makes me feel better that i'm on the right track

[nautiques4life]

I thought it might be Joey, he's got a really good rep down here for whatever that's worth.

[MuertoMike]

that actually means a lot, thank you for vouching for him. theres a lot of shady mechanics out there, i've been hoping hes a good guy! i spent an hour on the phone with him sunday afternoon asking him everything about the boat.

i'll get a rundown on the whole worklist and let you guys check it out.

thank you again!

[a0128]

. . . the big issue is that they can't put it in the water as the fuel is 4 years old. they really don't want to do any work to it from my understanding, it's more in as in condition.

If you can't take it for a water test I would not even consider buying the boat. I mean would you buy a car without a test drive? They are using the old fuel as an excuse not to get it on the water as there is likely something seriously wrong with it. Hopefully you didn't make the trip for nothing.

[8urchvy]

A water test is critical...I wish I would have done one for my boat.

I just completed my restore job on a 2007 220 I bought last fall and let me tell you...it costs a lot and takes a lot of work to fix up. For perspective, my 2007 220 with 90 hours on it cost $30K, and I put 15 into it (before the stereo). to get it back to like new. I still have a few gremlins too. Knock sensor is going off due to a faulty wire etc. and I just noticed a few drops of oil in the bilge area (assuming it's a pan gasket gone bad from sitting).

It would be worth it to find a boat for a little more money that is not in salt water and that the previous owner babied. They are out there and more will be showing up now that the season is coming to an end.

Good luck!

[flounder]

Can't help much with info but you better not get a good deal you better get an incredible deal. You need to measure risk vs. reward. Not many people are going to buy this boat without a test drive.