Questions on submerged RZX

[GrafSkater]

Long story short I am looking at a RZX that was submerged for a few hours (fresh water). I was removed and pickled right away and there are no issues with it other than the touch screen and throttle (that I know of). Insurance did not total it and it still has a clean title. I am new to the boat game and was looking for some advice on what to look for when I go out to look at it and what questions to ask the seller when I talk to them.

The boat has been ran after he pickling process and runs. Some yellowing on the cushions, but other than the above listed items there is no other issues. Of Course the boat isn't in the city I live in so I can't see it in person until I go out there verify this.

Thank you in advance for any advice or suggestions. I would normally just keep clicking, but the deal is too good to not take a look into it.

[chpthril]

Most states dont do salvaged titles for boats like cars. Did the insurance settle with owner on the damages or are you buying from the owner? I would give the boat the time of day if it was not priced 50% back of rough book + the estimated cost of the know current issues. And thats even with me having the skills and tools to address issues that pop up down the road.

[boatwakes]

Don’t bother unless you’re picking it up for $10k or less, the list of gremlins will be long but I can write it for you if you really want it. I’m an adjuster, an investigator and I’ve turned a wrench in the marine industry for the last 23 years working primarily in saltwater. However, even though it went down in fresh, It’s not worth it for what you’ll be up against and I’ve done it 3 times. You will need to replace everything electrical including wire harness, throttle body, alternator, nav lights, speakers, wires and terminals. Don’t forget what it will take to get the fuel tank and fuel system clean…catalysts, oxygen sensors, engine sensors etc… we usually total any boat that goes down, fresh or salt so I’m very interested in why this one was not and which insurance company bound it.

[GrafSkater]

Most states dont do salvaged titles for boats like cars. Did the insurance settle with owner on the damages or are you buying from the owner? I would give the boat the time of day if it was not priced 50% back of rough book + the estimated cost of the know current issues. And thats even with me having the skills and tools to address issues that pop up down the road.

It is half of the price of what it books for so that is the only reason I am interested in it. I have ran into issues in the past with titles being salvaged but then being transferred to another state and the title being “cleaned” once it gets to that state.

It is the owner that is selling it and the cause of the submersion was from a factory defect so not sure if Tige settled with him or if insurance did.

[GrafSkater]

Don’t bother unless you’re picking it up for $10k or less, the list of gremlins will be long but I can write it for you if you really want it. I’m an adjuster, an investigator and I’ve turned a wrench in the marine industry for the last 23 years working primarily in saltwater. However, even though it went down in fresh, It’s not worth it for what you’ll be up against and I’ve done it 3 times. You will need to replace everything electrical including wire harness, throttle body, alternator, nav lights, speakers, wires and terminals. Don’t forget what it will take to get the fuel tank and fuel system clean…catalysts, oxygen sensors, engine sensors etc… we usually total any boat that goes down, fresh or salt so I’m very interested in why this one was not and which insurance company bound it.

Haha I appreciate the offer on the list but I trust you on it. You answered the main questions I had. I felt like more than just the touch screen and throttle box would have to be replaced with something like this (basically anything electrical).

Again I’m not that knowledgeable with this issue, but does the pickling process include clearing out all of the engine issues you mentioned? The boat has been ran and works since it went under. Not sure if that matters or not.

[boatwakes]

Pickeling is just for the mechanical portions of the engine and for all intents and purposes, if done correctly and immediately upon raising the vessel, will prevent mechanical issues. However, the ECM, all engine sensors, fuel injection system and O2 sensors will ALL FAIL PREMATURELY, as in unknown but can say without doubt premature. It bears mentioning we had a tow boat (commercial assistance tow company vessel) with mechanical Diesel engines that was lent to a friend for the day to go fishing. The exhaust hose somehow came free from the overboard connection and sunk the boat within a few minutes in 70' of water. It was salvaged same day, pickled and running same day and until the engines were replaced with newer computer controlled models a few years later, ran fine. However, every piece of wire and electrical was replaced within a few weeks of the incident to avoid gremlins while towing in 30 knot winds and crap conditions.

My point being, if the boat is used 5 of 7 days a week, the engine will be fine but I cannot consider any engine that's been underwater, even if pickled by me or my team, to be considered trustworthy long term. I'm sure the forum appreciates the inquiry and realistically I hope everyone asks themselves in the same situation:
- what's unbridled time with my family worth? and
- how much time do I have to devote to the project? (The correct amount of time devoted to a boat project is your estimate multiplied by a factor of 6.3)

I'm not against it but would highly discourage anyone without in depth knowledge, resources or adequate time from undertaking the task.

[GrafSkater]

Pickeling is just for the mechanical portions of the engine and for all intents and purposes, if done correctly and immediately upon raising the vessel, will prevent mechanical issues. However, the ECM, all engine sensors, fuel injection system and O2 sensors will ALL FAIL PREMATURELY, as in unknown but can say without doubt premature. It bears mentioning we had a tow boat (commercial assistance tow company vessel) with mechanical Diesel engines that was lent to a friend for the day to go fishing. The exhaust hose somehow came free from the overboard connection and sunk the boat within a few minutes in 70' of water. It was salvaged same day, pickled and running same day and until the engines were replaced with newer computer controlled models a few years later, ran fine. However, every piece of wire and electrical was replaced within a few weeks of the incident to avoid gremlins while towing in 30 knot winds and crap conditions.

My point being, if the boat is used 5 of 7 days a week, the engine will be fine but I cannot consider any engine that's been underwater, even if pickled by me or my team, to be considered trustworthy long term. I'm sure the forum appreciates the inquiry and realistically I hope everyone asks themselves in the same situation:
- what's unbridled time with my family worth? and
- how much time do I have to devote to the project? (The correct amount of time devoted to a boat project is your estimate multiplied by a factor of 6.3)

I'm not against it but would highly discourage anyone without in depth knowledge, resources or adequate time from undertaking the task.

That all makes sense and I really appreciate your input and walking through some of the issues. This is exactly why I came here. Thank you very much.

[cramer]

This the boat you're looking at? https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/b...455350627.html If so, it's been for sale for a while.

[bsreid]

That price would need to come down a lot for it to be worth while. 16 rzx’s before COVID in perfect condition were 80k