Advice wanted

[Stu1989]

Ive been in the market for a second hand boat for around 6 months now and it will be my first so im just looking for some advice. Ive found a boat that im interested in and have just checked out today. its a 2007 4.65 TABS SPORTSFISHER side console. Ill attach the link https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/millmerran/motorboats-powerboats/tabs-sports-fisher-pro-4-65m/1160848746

As ive said itll be my first boat and im not too confident in what to look for. Also i dont know much about tab boats. The boat did look good to me just cosmetic scratches and chips which can be expected. The motor has 300 on the clock and was told its been many trolling hours in fresh water. One thing that did concern me a little was he said that he was told the motor only needed to be serviced at 500hrs. Im not an expert but i thought it would be every 100hrs or yearly. Hes a mechanic and he said all he has done was change the oils and filter once.

I would have liked to have an inspection done on the boat but because of the location thats not really an option but i can wet test it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Stuart.

[Crunchy]

500 hr between services is horseshit
Also factor in new electronics as those navmans are also horseshit IMO

keep looking, be patient

[scottar]

If that engine is ten years old and has never had anodes changed there is only one piece of advice anyone could give you - run and don't look back IMO. Suzuki does have a yearly or 100 hour service schedule as far as I know.

[Sheik]

I agree with the above but these things could be used as bargaining for a price drop. Overall TABS are a good boat. You would need to ask whether the floor is soft, as this can happen in any boat. If you can check the motor I would def consider this boat as it is a good motor, right horsepower in a tough hull. Also check trailer to make sure it's not rubbish as that can be a trap too.

[Chimo]

Also might as well ask before you buy it or a similar side console how to get a side console to float and run level in water too.

Or just buy a centre console / more better balanced boat in the first place..

[Berger4]

Yeah suzuki have 20hrs and then 100hrs service intervals. One oil change and filter, hmmm could be OK if as he said it has mostly been used in fresh. I would ask if a mechanic can have a look at it and get is pressure tested and ask if one of the internal anodes can be pulled to check the state they are in. Also as Sheik said a great bargaining tool. Overall a good boat, motor and trailer package.

Apart from the fact it is a side console. That is if you don't like that, me I love it for fishing and don't have a problem with it leaning only when going slow.

[Stu1989]

Thanks everyone for your input. I'm going to wet test it Monday hopefully then for peace of mind If I'm happy after that try and find a way for a mechanic to check out the motor. Price wise, does it seem like a fair deal if all checks out?

[Andy56]

Boat looks alright but what he said about servicing every 500hrs, man I would be out of there. Thats out right lying or willful ignorance. I would factor in a major motor failure in the price you are prepared to pay. In which case it would be worth only about $12thou. Would you buy an eight year old merc thats never been serviced? Common sense tells me if its too good to be true, it is.