Lower Florida Keys guy researching a potential 235cc purchase

[Fl-Keys-Guy]

I have a line on a friend of a friend with a freshly reupholstered, New custom cover, and new trolling motor, 2008 235cc with 250 Yamaha & I want to be sure to do my diligent research.

My usual boat tech I go to for local advice is screaming "run away" but I really like this boat from first impressions & price.

What do I need to look out for, what should I know when looking it over?
My guy said his previous encounter had to do with the smaller 21, there were some kind of structural transom issues and I guess it kept getting waterlogged somehow? I don't understand how that's possible on the construction that I've seen.

Also previous owner has had it on a boat lift but in my canal I don't have the room for a lift. I actually just sold a floating dock because I couldn't go big enough for this boat and needed the space. This boat is going to live in the water and I need to figure out a bottom coat or...?

I come to the group, hat in hand... Help me get some answers. I'm thankful for any advice you all can provide.

 

[Offshoreman]

Look over the boat like you would with any boat.

No, cracking issues with the 235.

I will say, however, take her for a ride or two and see how she planes. My experience is the very sharp hull, bow to stern, especially the aft third of the boat, causes the boat to want to list to one side or the other seeking a planable surface. You will work the trim tabs all day long to keep it flat.

I had one for several years and absolutely loved it.

 

[dboyd351]

I don't know about the 235, but I think what your "boat tech" guy is talking about on the 21 is water intrusion into the foam in the area called the inner hull. While water in the foam is not desirable, it does not endanger the structural integrity or weaken the transom - it simply makes the boat heavier. There is also a "solution" for water in the foam that involves drilling a hole in the transom on either side of the centerline and installing brass garboard drain plugs to drain out any accumulated water. This has been done to my 21 and I rarely accumulate much water at all - but my boat lives on a trailer or lift, not in the water.
Carl at Merritt Marine can advise you how to install the garboard drain plugs.

 

[dboyd351]

Also be advised that it can be tricky to get paint to stick to the hull. You have to treat the hull (I believe they advise flame treating) to get paint to stick. Otherwise, it is going to flake off.

That floating dock would likely have been the best method of in water storage since you can't install a big enough lift.

 

[Offshoreman]

Here are some photos of my 235 transom drains. I rarely, if ever, had more than a very small amount of water come out. The cross section photo came from Triumph Boats back in 2008. The center drain is directly into the bilge.

 

[Rocfish91]

I don't know about the 235, but I think what your "boat tech" guy is talking about on the 21 is water intrusion into the foam in the area called the inner hull. While water in the foam is not desirable, it does not endanger the structural integrity or weaken the transom - it simply makes the boat heavier. There is also a "solution" for water in the foam that involves drilling a hole in the transom on either side of the centerline and installing brass garboard drain plugs to drain out any accumulated water. This has been done to my 21 and I rarely accumulate much water at all - but my boat lives on a trailer or lift, not in the water.
Carl at Merritt Marine can advise you how to install the garboard drain plugs.