Viewing a C248: Suggs on things to check, please

[jack_patricia]

We'll be seriously examining a 2022 Cutwater 248 a week from now, at a berth in Florida. It has the AC + Inverter + 6-pack Lithium upgrade. Good video and pics of the boat, a good first step. But are there specific things you recommend we examine, operate or otherwise give a close eye to? Any niggly problem areas that we should look for? 80 hours on the Yamaha 250 and just had its 100 hr service performed. Assuming the receipt is available, I'm not inclined to do an engine survey. Yes/No? The "As the Prop Turns" power management seminar was excellent and gave me enough confidence to exercise all the systems, assuming the broker permits it. That, turning on the engine and a thorough hands-on inspection of the boat aside, anything else you would have us check, prior to an offer, survey and sea trial? Pretty exciting times for the two of us, even if we won't be crossing another ocean with it. Thanks for your continued coaching, everyone.

 

[KKRCRACE]

Jack,
We have a C24 in Punta Gorda near Fisherman’s Village and will be there this Friday. If you would like to come by this weekend maybe we could help with questions.
kenkeir@gmail.com
KKRCRACE

 

[Katmat]

Jack,
just curious, if you live in Babcock Ranch, where will you keep the Cutwater?

 

[jack_patricia]

Ken, that's a great offer of hospitality - thank you! Would a Saturday visit at a time of your choosing work? Let's PM or work thru email (jack_patricia@yahoo.com). With your email address I'd be glad to pass along a cell # as well.

Katmat, boy is your question THE question for people considering the purchase of a boat in the greater SW Florida area! It's been a fruitless search to find an acceptable slip or rack storage space, and that's before one considers cost. I was offered rack storage at a canal-based "marina" last week for a bit shy of $900/month....but one had to then get under a 8' 2" bridge when departing/returning (For those wondering why Katmat is asking, many of the marinas and some rack storage businesses here in the Fort Myers area remain destroyed or with only uncertain, long-term repair plans due to Hurricane Ian Meanwhile, there are +/- 55,000 boat owners in this area who need a place to park). Meanwhile and with fingers crossed, we are on a waiting list at Burnt Store for a possible spring/summer rack space. Meanwhile, we'll do what many others apparently have: Try to find a home owner on a canal to berth a boat on a lift or at a dock.

 

[jack_patricia]

First, some public praise for Ken & Debbie's hospitality so we could explore a C24. Nice boat! Nice people! So we drove to Jax and inspected the 2022 C248 for sale there. Nice boat but already orphaned by a disinterested owner. Some TLC and elbow grease aside, the only gripe our initial, thorough inspection surfaced were rust stains on the fabric hull sides suggesting leaks. One was from the aft end of the bow rail where it penetrated the deck. Pulling the bow rail isn't appealing; anyone else deal with this more easily than that? Couldn't determine the other source (yet).

The 250 has ~75 hrs on it, and I suspect the owner has never flushed it with fresh water after a run. It already has had its 100 hr service recently. How much of a concern should we have about this, if our suspicion proves true?

My thanks again for the coaching I've benefitted from here.