Noobie about to buy first ski boat, check it out?

Hello, I am new to this forum, I love wakeboarding, skiing, tubing and all watersports. I have been looking for a used mastercraft for a while and came across this one. I am told that it has a cracked exhaust manifold from improper winterization. It could use a good cleaning, but for under 4,000.00, it seams like a pretty good project. I would be doing the work myself to save $$$. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
http://s203.photobucket.com/albums/aa53/bagmanindy/tristar/?start=all

Make sure the block isn't cracked. And I don't know about you but I wouldn't buy anything without test driving it, which means fixing the manifold. It has been neglected, but it isn't in that bad of shape, cosmetically. And the oil hasn't been changed since '03.

(Message edited by pri3st on October 21, 2007)

you could test drive it with the manifolds cracked. (just make sure your bilge pump works!) Look at the bottom of the manifolds to see how cracked they are.

you can replace those for a couple hundred bucks, so if everything else checks out, it may be a good starter boat. nothing else inboard in that price range, for sure.

Thanks for the reply's, The owner said someone else was set to buy it, took it to a dealer to have it checked out, that is when they discovered the manifold problem, not even sure if it is one side only or both. I think I am going to call the dealer and see if they will give me any info on it.

This guy wouldn't be honest about the condition of the boat and tried telling me that he did regular oil changes after buying the boat in 03. (Good call pri3st on the date on the oil filter), I called him on it and he didn't have a good answer, and just said that if he couldn't get what he wanted, he would just keep it and enjoy it next summer. So I said enjoy your 5 year year old oil!!
So the hunt continues...

im my expierence fixing up a boat is much more costly than buying one that in in good shape
happy hunting!

Good choice to move on.