looking at 1998 Saltare ....please help

[vvfdfirefighter]

Owner stated, they rarely used the boat but maybe 5 times in the past few years. The interior is wrecked because the boat has had NO cover on it, besides a blue tarp they said. We all know how those tarps are.

For the running gear, the story was; They noticed the transmission slipping. Replaced the clutches in it and it didn't help. When they went to supra the OEM tranny was NLA and they had to upgrade to a newer style. Which, from what I understood meant the shaft had to be replaced as well. The rudder seems to be in good shape, I did jerk on it a few times and didn't feel any slack in it. I should have climed all the way under the boat and inspected the attachment of the tracking fin. Guess that would of told a lot but it was hot and it slipped my mind. I did lake test this boat. Had it out for about an hour. Didn't seem to be taking on any water. However the bilge was not empty prior to launching the boat. We previously ran the boat in his driveway and water from the hose was in the bilge. Due to inserting the hose into the trans cooler and letting the boat idle. I didn't notice hardly any scratches on the hull. Course if she hit something hard that might be because she was redone, too.

On the lake she tracks nice. A lot better than my maurader, which likes to torque steer with the throttle. This one didn't seem to do so. She did pop right out of the holeshot quite quick and planed out at around 45MPH. I did notice while driving straight, the steering wheel was upside down (supra logo) This engine has 330 HP which is the same HP for my 1987 454. So to me, i'm not losing HP from my boat to this one...although 395 would be nice, but my boat drinks fuel like its going out of style. I'm hoping the fuel injection helps that out.

When I went for a test ride, Owner suggested that I launch, drive and unlaunch the boat. Said he didn't have experience with inboards. Considering he backed the trailer down the ramp with a dock on its right side I agreed. We all know inboards torque steer in reverse. Had him reposition the trailer to the other side of the ramp, Side with the dock on the left and away we went. she idled smooth, but i did notice a diference in the shifter from mine. It doesn't click once when going into forward like mine when the transmission engages. so initially i pushed the shifter forward to feel the click but ended up giving it a little more than i expected and gave it a little too much. Sure different shifter i'm sure.

But I thank you all for the comments. Looks like I'll have to make another trip up there and look at her. I'll try to post all the pictures I have of it tomorrow or even tonight if i can get around to it. I'm not sold on the boat, i've still got my eyes open for others but I do like the Fuel injection, 23' open bow.