1999 Maxim 2300sc advice

[Killer454]

Hello everybody going to look at this boat today price is 4600.00.owner says it needs a head gasket fixed according to the dealership..engine runs fine on trailer,leaking water in oil pan.
Boat needs cleaned up from pictures,but seems like a nice boat to start with at the lake.
Questions
Should I start the boat up and check the out drive to make sure it functions right in gears?
Can you guys give me any advice on what to check on this boat?
Owner just put 4new 10 ply tires on trailer
I can pull and rebuild engine myself and will.
Hoping for an intake problem but also could be cracked block.
Just don't know the boat brand but like it's layout and quality of build process

Need a lot of advice

[mmwjr]

Welcome aboard

I would go into this assuming the engine needs replacement or total rebuild. Was it used in salt or fresh water? If salt I don’t recommend rebuilding as the coolant passages get eaten away over time thinning the walls.

Probably ok to start it to verify she goes into both forward and reverse but I would also drain a little gear lube to look for signs of water in the lube which is a sign of bad seals.

The boat itself is no different than any other. Use a dead blow hammer to look for soft spots in the transom and stringers.

Let us know if you buy her and post some pictures.

Good luck

[Killer454]

Boat is in mid Missouri so fresh water boat
I was under the impression this boat has a fiberglass floor with stringers made of wood but sealed in fiberglass how can it right out?
The transom around the out drive can get week from Rory to?

Please explain in more detail

[mmwjr]

From flexing micro crack can form allowing water to penetrate into the wood core and rot will result. I have not heard of this on many Maxums and more on Bayliners. But this can happen to any boat.

[Phillbo]

I had a '97 2300SC and loved it. You don't mention what engine it has but mine had the 7.4L and it ran out great. Only got rid of it due to two footitis....

[shrew]

If all it needed was a head gasket, then why isn't the dealer handling that? Verifying that the engine and outdrive work is part of a sea-trial, which you can't do with a blown headgasket and water in the block.

[kurek9]

go into buying that boat planning on replacing the entire engine.

[donald]

Originally Posted by kurek9

go into buying that boat planning on replacing the entire engine.

1 1/2 year old post