Aventura Fl - Help Inspect 16' Nautica Diesel Rib...

[steve940]

Hi Folks,

I am located in the Northeast and have a deposit down on a 2003 16' Nautica (Mercury) diesel RIB w/ (Mercury) I/O with less than 300 hours on a trailer in Aventura, FL. I have to make a decision by Tuesday and need someone knowledgeable to look at engine and tubes...

The boat is being sold by Mickey Kerbel of Tender International who seems quite honest, a pleasure to deal with and who will facilitate inspection. I am merely following the principle of "trust but verify"...

I would appreciate the assistance of someone knowledgeable in assessing this RIB. I would prefer telephone to email and am reachable anytime at 570-656-6656.

Thanks in advance.

Steve

P.S. If anyone is driving north and can tow this to the Northeast, please let me know...

 

[krush]

Unsolicited advice: do yourself a favor and stay away from anything inboard outboard. Get an outboard (preferably 4stroke). This is truly a requirment in salt water. I/O's just corrode away and you will most likely have tons of problems.

I work on mercruisers for many years and own a few and will never buy another one.

The Navy base rents out boats here. They have two 23 foot runabouts that are 2008 models with mercruiser I/O. They are so rusted inside and out and are having tons of problems....in a boat that is 1 year old. They hose it off everyday and spray WD-40 ect to no avail.

Modern 4stroke outboards run forever and are much cheaper to fix when they break.

 

[Pascal]

stay away from ANY Merc. product in general, not just Stern drives.

volvo stern drives on the other hand are pretty reliable and most dont' suffer from corrosion. I kept one in salt water for 14 years without any issue.

cant' compare Volvo sterndrive an mercs.