Buying 2018 Yamaha SX190, need advice ( Now looking for AR/SX230)

[Ando]

Seller is tripping out saying this can't be. I serviced it few months ago and had it on the water 2 months ago.

He is going to do his own compression test.

 

[Dwrat]

Run Forest, run.
One low cylinder is a deal killer big time....

 

[Ando]

Run Forest, run.
One low cylinder is a deal killer big time....

LOL

 

[djetok]

No deal without test drive on the water!

Mechanic went to the sellers house to check the boat. Couldn't take out the stock plug as he didn't have his tool.

stock plug? spark plug, cleanout plugs?

 

[Ando]

spark plug

 

[PJ73]

Personally, a dropped cylinder is a deal breaker for me. You're looking at half the compression of the other cylinders, that's a problem. To rebuild that can be expensive. The other stuff can be fixed somewhat easily and cheaply compared to a partial engine rebuild (but if thats the case, you might as well replace all pistons, rings, hone the cylinder walls and and do the works on that engine while its out). The "rattle" is intriguing.... and scary as well. But this is all my most humble opinion. May the force be with you.

 

[Ando]

Personally, a dropped cylinder is a deal breaker for me. You're looking at half the compression of the other cylinders, that's a problem. To rebuild that can be expensive. The other stuff can be fixed somewhat easily and cheaply compared to a partial engine rebuild (but if thats the case, you might as well replace all pistons, rings, hone the cylinder walls and and do the works on that engine while its out). The "rattle" is intriguing.... and scary as well. But this is all my most humble opinion. May the force be with you.

I agree.

 

[Ando]

The owner called all pissed saying he just did a compression test himself and it was 110 all across. That still sounds low. He is like I even used a $40 cheap tester.

 

[Dwrat]

The owner called all pissed saying he just did a compression test himself and it was 110 all across. That still sounds low. He is like I even used a $40 cheap tester.

The #110 itself doesn't matter as much as you want all cylinders to read within 5% of each other.

 

[swatski]

The owner called all pissed saying he just did a compression test himself and it was 110 all across. That still sounds low. He is like I even used a $40 cheap tester.

If it’s the same on all cylinders - all that matters.
That’s why I hate compression testing. There is a lot of variability the way it can be done.
Can you water trial? That’s the question.

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[Ando]

Seller is stubborn and really well of financialy. He keeps saying this is BS and he knows his both. He had it out on the water on July without issues and did compression test this year as well. At the time of ispenction his worker was there.
I don't kno what he does but he is always busy. He is like i don't have time for water test. I want people to come pay cash and take it without asking qu2stion
He said he was able to take out the spark plug that my mechanic said was stuck.
Even the mechanic said if you lowball him he won't sell.

Now im trying to get another mechanic go out and redo the compression.

 

[Dwrat]

Find a different boat,
IMO you're overpaying for that year anyway.

 

[djetok]

Seller is stubborn and really well of financialy. He keeps saying this is BS and he knows his both. He had it out on the water on July without issues and did compression test this year as well. At the time of ispenction his worker was there.
I don't kno what he does but he is always busy. He is like i don't have time for water test. I want people to come pay cash and take it without asking qu2stion
He said he was able to take out the spark plug that my mechanic said was stuck.
Even the mechanic said if you lowball him he won't sell.

Now im trying to get another mechanic go out and redo the compression.

I would pass. Also if he is really well off he wouldn't be worried about you. If he was confident in his boat he would have not issue with someone doing their due diligence. I would slow down if I were you, boat season is months away and just look for the right deal for you.

 

[swatski]

I would pass. Also if he is really well off he wouldn't be worried about you. If he was confident in his boat he would have not issue with someone doing their due diligence. I would slow down if I were you, boat season is months away and just look for the right deal for you.

Well said!

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[djetok]

https://www.boattrader.com/browse/make/yamaha/ar230-high-output/

https://www.boattrader.com/listing/2006-yamaha-ar230-high-output-103453134/?refSource=standard listing california

https://www.boattrader.com/listing/2009-yamaha-ar-230-103398841/?refSource=standard listing Oklahoma

https://www.boattrader.com/listing/2007-yamaha-ar230-ho-103461094/?refSource=standard listing California

https://www.boattrader.com/listing/2007-yamaha-ar230-high-output-103417368/?refSource=standard listing oklahoma

 

[Crlos16]

I would pass on this one, if the guy does not have time to do a water test, I would be concerned.

 

[zipper]

older sister?... I am cranky because I look like I am 8 month pregnant, but if you take 20 or 30 minutes to read all the posts ( especially Ando's) you will see that this is not a systematic year long disciplined approach of finding a sailboat. This is a itch for a one season stand

Sounds vaguely familiar. The process was a big learning experience that took us all over the North East. It was a "labor of love. Here it is for anyone interested and it's ongoing. Could be some good information contained within for some. Not stealing the thread, just providing info. https://jetboaters.net/threads/we-have-been-looking-to-add-to-our-boating-options.15561/
We love our 07 AR230 HO BTW.

 

[Ando]

https://www.boattrader.com/listing/2006-yamaha-ar230-high-output-103453134/?refSource=standard listing

This one was sold few days ago. Contacted the guy and he already had a buyer.
The other Cali boat is a dealer and he won't go down on the price and doesn't look good at all.

Buyer thinks the guy I send out didn't do it properly and was also trying to sell him boat parts while there.
The guy did try to sell me his rebuilt ar230 for 15k. Tried to sell me brand new cushions for $1500
He also sent me a quote on potential repair on this boat if I ended up buying it.
I don't know if he just screwed me over or what.

Seller was pretty pissed all day yesterday. He called me like 5 times. He went out and bought the tool and did a compression test himself and sent the video.
He gave me his mechanics number in Lake Havasu who always did the service.
I talked to the mechanic and he said the boat was out on the water in July with him in there it run perfect without issues and compression was okay.
He was surprised to find out the compression is bad now.

Talked to another person who has like 40 years experience with jet boats and he seemed very knowledgeable about the Yamaha boats and also on proper way of doing the compression test.
Something about connecting another device.
We are going to go out and do 3rd compression test. If this test fails seller pays him not me and I move on peacefully.

 

[swatski]

Buyer thinks the guy I send out didn't do it properly and was also trying to sell him boat parts while there.
The guy did try to sell me his rebuilt ar230 for 15k. Tried to sell me brand new cushions for $1500
He also sent me a quote on potential repair on this boat if I ended up buying it.
I don't know if he just screwed me over or what.

Seller was pretty pissed all day yesterday. He called me like 5 times. He went out and bought the tool and did a compression test himself and sent the video.
He gave me his mechanics number in Lake Havasu who always did the service.
I talked to the mechanic and he said the boat was out on the water in July with him in there it run perfect without issues and compression was okay.

I would have to say that first mechanic you used sounds a little sketchy...

I would think when you get a chance to meet the owner in person, may get a better feel for where this transaction is going (or not).
After hearing from the owners mechanic, seeing new compression tests, I would feel somewhat more reassured... I think...

That said, there are members' boats here, vouched for 100%.

For example, there is @chess's boat here that I would not hesitate to buy sight unseen:
https://jetboaters.net/threads/fs-2005-yamaha-sx230-ho.19525/page-2#post-342790

Same with this one, @jawsf16, albeit a different price bracket:
https://jetboaters.net/threads/2010-yamaha-ar240-dallas-tx-31-000.19349/#post-343205

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[swatski]

We are going to go out and do 3rd compression test. If this test fails seller pays him not me and I move on peacefully.

@Ando we need an update!


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