New to salt water boating. Looking at a 2002 310 fiesta vee Any thoughts?

newbie

Looking at a 310 fiesta vee. Being new to big boats (owned a cobalt 250) wondering what I can look at before calling a surveyor. A/C systems. Engines compartment ball valves etc. Thoughts. Thanks

Pat310

Welcome @newbie I have the same model and I am very happy with it. Not sure what to check before survey. Engine bay cleanliness is usually a good indicator of an owner who cares. Any questions after you look let us know

YYZRC

Check the transom for rot - Rinkers are bad for that. 

LaRea

What year?  Was the boat stored in the water 12 months a year?  Ask the date of the most recent haulout and what service was done.  Outdrives in salt water need to be hauled and serviced/painted annually.  

At the back of the engine near the top of the transom assembly, look for rust and water leaks.  A leaking transom assembly is expensive to fix.  Also check the interior walls and carpets for water stains -- usually caused by leaking screws in the rub rails, or leaking window seals.  (All of this stuff is common to any express cruiser, not just Rinkers.) 

Send pix and we can help you assess the boat.  Good luck!

LaRea

Pix ... especially of the engine room.  

Ian

I have the same boat also, happy to help

raybo3

Welcome to the RBOC

rasbury

Wow, no one painted a very good picture of taking on his new adventure!
I would ask if this vessel is listed on a site, Add the link. Or provide what the seller is offering for service history, pictures, hours and these guys will nail it. But, with all big boat purchases have it surveyed for hull condition- good luck!

PickleRick

The survey should include things like testing core for water penetration, AC, checking all seacock and other creature comforts.  The next survey would be the guy checking out the engines and generator.  You can check the ac yourself with a meat thermometer.  I'd also want to test it on shore power and on the Genny if equipped.

Id personally want to pull the boat onto a lift to check the bottom unless a reputable place had done a bottom job recently.  Blisters are rare on a rinker but can be a real expensive pain. 

Sending oil samples off for analysis is also a pretty decent idea but not sure what kind of time line you're looking for.  

Nearly all wood core I/O boats kept in the set slip will have a wet or damp core.  It's rot you want to avoid.  

There are situations where the price is too good to pass up and who cares what a survey says, but these purchases are usually best for diy guys/gals. 

I should also add find a friend who's experienced to help you in and out of the marina a few times.   If she has a bow/stern thrusters it's almost like a cheat code. 

My boat is about 30-31 ft loa and I've had days so windy on an inland lake the wind would over power the bow thruster and my 150 lbs kid wasn't strong enough to hold the dock line or knowledge to loop it around a pylon before attempting to hold against the wind. 

I have no experience with twin motors or the b3 but if the wind/current isn't too bad those can make docking boats that big a breeze.  

With the bow thruster and better set up trailer I can trailer launch/retrieve solo quicker than most with a helper on a 17 ft bass boat.

rasbury

LaRea said:

Pix ... especially of the engine room.  

LaRea...somehow you made that sound dirty...looks like we got ghosted.  Perhaps we were a little overwhelming!