1997 2000sc or?

[Heywood]

I'm looking at a 1997 2000sc? to buy used.. But this is a 5.7 with wake tower as well as cuddie.

Firstly is this a 2000sc? The owner not knowing is the first red flag.

And to properly inspect, how do I check for rot? I saw somewhere that stringers were all-glass and not an issue, but I want to know from you guys for sure, what needs to be looked at and how do you gain access to the areas to search for rot if necessary?
Just inspect for hull de-lam and soft spots on the floor, or are there access points I can use my trusty Maglite and mirror?

Thanks!

[mmwjr]

Welcome aboard

IMO a 5.7 in a 20 foot boat will have plenty of power.

Nearly all production boats have wood cord in the transom and stringers, use a dead blow hammer to test. Hit with a firm but not like driving a nail swing and listen for any hollow thuds. Good wood will have a solid thump.

Regarding the deck check for soft spots by bouncing up and down a few inches.

Not sure about the model but you can try searching for 1997 2000 on a boat search engine such as yacht world and see if you can find it. Also look at the last 2 digits of the HIN to verify the year.

[shrew]

The Hull Identification Number (HIN) will give you this information.

USCG HIN References:
Hull ID Numbers - BoatSafe.com

USCG MIC Reference:
Manufacturers Identification

HIN Format:
<MIC><Serial Number><Date of Certification><Model Year>

======================================
MIC = Manufacturers ID Code

Maxum MIC's;

MIC.Company.........Address...........................City............State
BVK MAXUM MARINE 17825 59TH AVE NE...........ARLINGTON WA
MXK MAXUM MARINE 17825 59TH AVENUE NE ARLINGTON WA
MXP MAXUM MARINE 17825 59TH AVENUE NE ARLINGTON WA
MXR MAXUM MARINE PO BOX 9029 EVERETT WA
MXY MAXUM MARINE 1 NORTH FIELD CT LAKE FOREST IL
XNC MAXUM MARINE 17825 59TH AVE NE ARLINGTON WA

======================================
The Maxum Serial Numbers in 1997 for a 2000 model would be as follows:

Model Serial Number ID
-------------------------------------
2000 SRL = NL
2000 SCL = NM
2000 SF = NK

======================================
Date Of Certification:

Format: <Month><Day>
example: Jan 3 = A3

Jan = A
Feb = B
Mar = C
April = D
May = E
June = F
July = G
Aug = H
Sept = I
Oct = J
Nov = K
Dec = L
======================================

Model Year format: <YY>
example: 97

======================================

You should be able to use this information to figure out exactly what you're looking at.

[Heywood]

Ends up its a 2000 SCL with 5.7 thunderbolt carbed.

Bit of a scow right now. Whanged the hull with my fist but felt too solid to tell if anything was wrong. Not a mushy thud, just too solid to sound it. Time for the mallet.

Bilge wasn wet, looked fairly clean and no signs of water hanging out down there.
No soft spots in the floor.

Seats are weathered to hell, needs a upholstery and carpet job. Cuddie interior is fair to ok for being an 18 year old ski boat.
Engine looks serviceable, no milkshake oil, minimal areas of rust, out drive appears in order.

Going back for electrical and start test and to check what I didn't on the first pass.

Paint is oxidized but will polish out just fine.

Looks like a bit of a project but hope to buy it cheeeep and find a reasonable upholstery shop.

[mmwjr]

Test the transom for soft spots from the inside, glass mat is thinner. Check around the I/O assembly.

The hull is not painted but colored Gelcoat, yes polish.