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New possible 3063 owner
Posted: December 25th, 2025, 11:12 am
by marck
(fixed type-o)
Hay all, glad to find this forum.
I'm looking at purchasing a Santiago 3063. I'll be looking it over soon but wanted to see if anyone had specific things I should look at. It is known that the starboard engine has some cut out issues. I think that's going to be the shift interrupt switch or just adjustments. There may be some issue with the exhaust manifolds also but I'm not sure what and there could be new manifolds that come with it.
The boat has not been used for a while and did sit in the water under a covered dock for a year+ and is now on the hard for the last few months. I do have some concern there could be freeze damage but I'm not exactly sure where to check on the engines or anywhere else.
Thanks for any info
Marc
Re: New possible 3063 owner
Posted: December 25th, 2025, 8:00 pm
by buster53
Don’t do anything without a full pre-purchase survey including sea trial…absolute must. The engine issue could be a simple as replacing the idle control valve
How about more details? Age of boat? Size and make of engines? Engine hours?
Re: New possible 3063 owner
Posted: December 25th, 2025, 9:02 pm
by marck
Don't know the engine hours yet. I'll be looking it over this weekend. I've got an idea of what to look for but if anyone has specifics that might help me see issues I might not know to look for that would help. Then I can figure out if I should spend money on a survey.
I believe the engines are the base 5.7 Mercruiser that seem to be the standard for the 88/89 model years. I got a report on the HIN and there are no flags from that. The current owner has just not used it for about 3 years and wants out.
A trial is likely out of the question till spring. I would also not want to crank the engines without a peek with a bore scope at a minimum. The price is good even if I had to rebuild both engines and outdrives. I've done automotive engine rebuilds so that would not be a major issue. Hull structure and boat condition would be more of a deal breaker. I'd rather rebuild the top end of an engine or a power steering pump than redo upholstery.
Re: New possible 3063 owner
Posted: December 25th, 2025, 10:08 pm
by waybomb
Welcome aboard!
Not paying for a survey could be the most expensive thing you could do.
Survey the boat and the engines.
Don't do this yourself.
Re: New possible 3063 owner
Posted: December 25th, 2025, 11:17 pm
by buster53
marck wrote:Source of the post Don't know the engine hours yet. I'll be looking it over this weekend. I've got an idea of what to look for but if anyone has specifics that might help me see issues I might not know to look for that would help. Then I can figure out if I should spend money on a survey.
I believe the engines are the base 5.7 Mercruiser that seem to be the standard for the 88/89 model years. I got a report on the HIN and there are no flags from that. The current owner has just not used it for about 3 years and wants out.
A trial is likely out of the question till spring. I would also not want to crank the engines without a peek with a bore scope at a minimum. The price is good even if I had to rebuild both engines and outdrives. I've done automotive engine rebuilds so that would not be a major issue. Hull structure and boat condition would be more of a deal breaker. I'd rather rebuild the top end of an engine or a power steering pump than redo upholstery.
Yes, look it over, but sounds like until the boat can go in the water, you can’t do much of anything. A full survey needs the boat both in the water and out. If you proceed, look for and hire a surveyor, then schedule the survey to do the out of water first and then splash for the rest of the survey and sea trial.
Re: New possible 3063 owner
Posted: December 26th, 2025, 8:51 am
by bud37
marck wrote:Source of the post Don't know the engine hours yet. I'll be looking it over this weekend. I've got an idea of what to look for but if anyone has specifics that might help me see issues I might not know to look for that would help. Then I can figure out if I should spend money on a survey.
Welcome to the forum.....just an idea for you. Get yourself a good moisture meter and learn how to use it, small plastic hammer as well for sounding. I am not suggesting this would replace having a survey ( it won't) but you can eliminate possible vessel choices this way and save the money for the survey which is what I think you are suggesting here. When you find what you think is a good one then get a pro in to complete.
Short story, I have done it that way for years, once found what I thought was a good boat and then had a pro look at it, turned out the rudder post/shaft supports and rear stringers were rotten.....didn't see it till the boat was out of the water. Now anything can be fixed, just a cost that may never be recoverable with such old boats.
Good luck with your searches.
Re: New possible 3063 owner
Posted: December 26th, 2025, 3:06 pm
by paulr
As we know the importance of survey one thing I don't see any mention of is insurance. You normaly need a survey to get insurance. If someone gets hurt or if the boat sinks and there is a release of oil or fuel it could cost tens of thousands for a law suit or clean up. I know a person in my marina that had to pay for a diesel fuel clean up after his boat sank but he had insurance. His ins. paid, If you keep your boat at marina they will require ins. as well.
Re: New possible 3063 owner
Posted: December 27th, 2025, 6:20 pm
by marck
Looked at two Carver 30's today. One was junk, the bilge had 6"-8" of standing water in it. The inside smelled like an old shoe that the mice has been storing their blue cheese in and forgot about back in the 90's. It was almost toxic. Very disappointing. The second boat was better and could be an option for someone with some energy and time, would still need significant work and cleaning. But over all it was good to see some things in real life.
Honestly I don't care if you are listing a boat for $5000 or $500,000 clean the d@m thing if you want someone to actually buy it or be upfront with the condition.
Re: New possible 3063 owner
Posted: December 29th, 2025, 12:31 pm
by paulr
I helped my brother in law buy a boat last April in NJ. His criteria was a 40 foot Carver aft cabin. After looking at 9 boats within a 90 mile radius we came across a Silverton that met his needs.
I was floored by the misrepresentations in the for sale advertising we read. But the good news is we found one at a better than averge price. The survey went pefectly and I found him a slip in my marina.
You will find what you want as there are so many used boats out there I could'nt believe it.