Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

Hey everyone.... I've been lurking on the site for a few weeks and this is my first post. My wife and I are buying our first "new to us" pontoon boat. We are purchasing a 2002 24' Parti Kraft with a 90 Honda 4 stroke from my brother-in-law. It was covered the entire time it wasn't in use, so seats and carpet are like new. My question is regarding the motor. My brother-in-law serviced it regularly, but I think he did all the work himself. Should I have it inspected prior to use and if so, what do I have them check?

OK, first of all there is no such thing as a dumb question, just dumb people....errr...something like that. Have your local Honda dealer plug his diagnostic unit into the motor and get the facts of the engine. Exact engine running time and error code history. And just remember, IT'S A HONDA. That's a very good thing.

In a lot ways you're lucky it's your BIA, he should be honest with you and you ought to pump him about the history a bit. Ask if the impeller has ever been changed? It's getting old enough it should have been at least once. Ask him when the last time the lower unit oil was changed? Then get him to show you where the plugs are located for your future reference. Get him to help you change the oil if it's due for a change. In short get him to go over the motor with you and show you everything he has learned about the motor and how he's maintained it and anything he feels may need attention in the near future. He's your BIA take full advantage of him. Then go out and enjoy your new to you boat.

have a mechanic you trust do a once over.
then buy the manual for your motor and read it.
you won't regret it.

I would do like stated above. #1 is quiz the BIL. He should be honest with you, and if he's owned it long enough, should know the "tricks" to that boat/motor, and what has/hasn't been completed recently. As far as the mechanic goes, if he has changed the lower unit oil regularly, and hasn't had any problems with the motor itself, then I would find out as much as i could from him, maybe change the plugs, and the impeller if it hasn't been changed, and forgoe the mechanic. Really, if the boat's running good, and he hasn't had any problems, and kept up w/ maintenance, why pay a mechanic to tell you what you/or your BIL is 90% sure on already? This is just my personal thought on the subject. Just like you wouldn't pay for an allignment if your tires were wearing correctly, and there were no handling issues with the car.

Thanks for the advise. I know the plugs and oil were changed last spring, however I'm not sure about the impeller. There is a Honda Marine about 15 minutes from here, so I will probably run it up there for a diagnostic test to make sure it's in top shape. I know enough about motors to get myself in trouble, so I'll leave it to the professionals. One of my few skills is packing a cooler with beer and from reading the other posts, that is a necessity!

ask if they'll let you watch their inspection and allow you to ask a few questions.
someday when your motor quits and you're alone on some water at dusk, you'll
be thankful for whatever you know about your motor.