Purchase of 1996 STV

[STVice]

Hello all, I thought I would consult the experts on a boat I am looking to buy. It is a1996 STV Euro Ski with a Merc 2.5EFI SS (I actually have the option to buy the same boat with a 225 Evinrude as well but I thought I may as well get the motor I really want). They both seem in really good shape, the one with the Merc has had some fiberglass work on the deck but it appears they did a really good job. The other with the Evinrude has a small amount of cracking near the motor mount section (located in the areas where it would appear would have the most stress).

My question to the experienced is your recommendations on the boat as well as what I should be watching out for if anything on the boat or on the motors (any thoughts on an appropriate price and likely annual maintenance required would also be helpful.) I'm trying not to make this a totally emotional buy as I fell in love with this boat the minute I saw it last year.

Maybe I should also note that my experience with boats going over 80mph is non existent, I grew up in boats but I know approaching 100mph is a whole new animal. Thanks very much in advance everyone.

Sincerely,
STVice

PS One of the boats is in Calgary Alberta and the other is in Kenora Ontario (Canada)

[Scream And Fly]

Welcome to the forums!

You'll find a lot of STV owners here, and the Euroski is a personal favorite of ours. We use a Euro for our tests and evaluations and could not be more pleased with the boat. We have many hours of testing and high speed runs in ours and it handles like a dream. You might want to talk to Helmut (stvhelm) on the forums, as well as others here. I think you'll find that it's a very well mannered boat. You can find some videos with this boat in our Multimedia (http://www.screamandfly.com/home/multimedia.htm) section.

http://img2.echo.cx/img2/4426/stv_euro_image.jpg

http://img5.echo.cx/img5/2931/euro_image.jpg

[halveb]

The Merc 2.5 is a high performance motor and you will likely replace the rings every two to three seasons. This of course varies due to differences in use and abuse. One of the keys to the Merc 2.5 living a healthy life is proper pinning of the rings.

If you can find out if the motor is stock that will tell you that the rings are not top pinned. This may not be a problem is you plan on keeping your revs low and not really hanging the motor out. Do a search on top pinning to get an idea of some of the issues involved. If you get the one with the Merc when you rebuild you will probably want to send your pistons to someone reputable who will top pin rings for you (John Marles is one such person).

Don't know much on the Evinrude side other than you should evaluate the cracks at the transom carefully. STV's are well built boats but no manufacturer can build for all contingencies and those cracks would concern me more than which motor to buy.

Good luck and enjoy. My next boat may very well be an STV Euro.

[JLR]

Where are you located, I'm in Winnipeg and I've seen the stv with the evinrude for sale before in kenora, but i didn't know it was for sale again. I may have a euro for sale in the near future with some different options.


Jeff

[racerx]

Look under the boats,on the center pod on the sides of the pod look for cracks that run from the front of the boat to the rear,i have owned two of them that had very bad cracks where thay were leaking,and the boats were only used one season on each of them,if i remember they were 1996 and 97.

[GPI Racing]

To add to halveb's comments, rather than replace the rings, throw the pistons away. After a few seasons they are shot. Pistons, bearing, rings etc.do the complete job and the life is quite good with a 2.5. Trying to extend the life of parts that are already tired is asking for disaster. We do not reuse pistons in 2.5s. We warranty our 2.5 rebuilds..find me someone else who does this.(hence why new parts are used rather than taking a risk on used parts) If you go the 2.5 and it's a '96, factor in a rebuild cost to your budget. You'll be much happier in the long run.

Randy

[merc326]

that is so correct Randy,

[STVice]

Hi Jeff, thanks for the reply on the STV. I'm in Winnipeg as well and new to the STV market. The boat in Kenora remains for sale but I felt a little too expesive from what I have seen. The Calgary one I am seeing in a week or so. I'd be interested in learning more about your boat if you are going to be selling it (soon). I'm not sure where you ride your boat but I spend most of my summer on Clear Water Bay at Lake of the Woods. Maybe we can touch base one day?

Thanks again for any feedback
John



Where are you located, I'm in Winnipeg and I've seen the stv with the evinrude for sale before in kenora, but i didn't know it was for sale again. I may have a euro for sale in the near future with some different options.


Jeff

[Riverman]

John, welcome. There are several Winnipeggers on here and we are all willing to help. Colin Bodley (Boz on here) also has a place on Clearwater.



Jeff Couch

[JLR]

Small world, i have a cabin at falcon lake and actually know someone that has a cabin at clearwater bay as well. A few of us were out there boating about a year ago and hope to get back out that way this year again. How much is the Euro in kenora.


Jeff

[STVice]

He's asking around $25K Jeff but he'd likely sell it for 20. The Alberta one sounds like it would be less. I believe Colin is the individual you probably went boating with last year in Clear Water, he's not too far away.

[STVice]

Hey Jeff Couch, thanks for the support I may need it.

John

[ProComp]

Give us a shout John :)

[STVice]

Thanks for the support Jeff, I'll need it.


John, welcome. There are several Winnipeggers on here and we are all willing to help. Colin Bodley (Boz on here) also has a place on Clearwater.



Jeff Couch

[us1]

Assuming a piston is warn out and should be replaced without measuring it and inspecting it is more than wasteful. But that’s what the piston salesmen will tell you. Most of the pistons I get in with loose pins still have the coating in tact. For the coating to be in tack the piston was no ware at all. Replacing such a piston is a total waist of money when all it need is a locator pin.;)

[slowtoplane]

I may have a euro for sale in the near future with some different options.



When the time comes to sell, I would appreciate a "heads-up" ;)

Winnipeg as well, Nutimik Lake in the summer.