8 Most-Common Problems With Ilver Boats (Explained)

Ilver Boats have been producing well-equipped and high-performing boats for more than 35 years.

They produce a range of boats, including motorboats, yachts, and high-speed open boats. These boats are made for those that love the water, no matter if it is cruising, diving, fishing, or waterskiing.

These boats are sleek and sporty with well-appointed cabins.

If you are shopping for an Ilver Boat, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will share the most common concerns faced by boat owners.

We have searched through all the Ilver information to find the issues you might face with an Ilver Boat.

1) Engine Problems

Ilver boats have been in production for a long time. Therefore, it is reasonable to expect that older boats may have some problems due to their age. In addition, ilver Boats could also have problems because they are not well maintained.

A suggestion from owners is to check the engine of a boat in which you are interested. You will find many older Ilver Boats have been rebuilt. You want to pull out the dipstick and check the oil to ensure it is in good shape.

If it appears milky, there could be water in the oil.

This is not a terrible thing, but not the greatest, either. You want to check all of the plugs to verify there are not surrounded by carbon.

You want to make sure you run the engine and listen to it. You want it to be smooth. You should show up at least 15 minutes early to ensure the owner does not warm up the engine before your appointment.

If you want to feel extra confident, bring your mechanic with you.

2) Bilge Pump Concerns

The bilge pump is one of the prevalent concerns that Ilver boat owners have.

First, it is essential that your bilge functions properly. Then, of course, you want to flip the switch to ensure the pump works.

That is not all. You also want to access the bilge and force it to trigger manually. Finally, you want to ensure that anything else that a pump powers from heads to wash downs also functions properly.

3) Wood Rot

In most modern boats, wood rot is not that common. However, if you are looking at an older Ilver Boat, you want to ensure there is no rot in the boat.

This is because there was a time when builders where using wood that was not treated.

The process for wood has changed considerably over the years. However, there are some signs to which you should pay attention. They include cracks along the edges of the transom.

If there are just a few, that may not indicate a problem. However, when you start to see numerous large cracks, you should take notice.

This is most likely an indication of structural failure.

When you are standing on the deck, if you notice it feels springy or spongy, that is another sign that rot has begun to occur.

4) Lower Units Leaking

If you are considering an older Ilver Boat and you notice that there are issues with the lower unit, you may want to consider a different boat.

No matter if it is an outboard or a stern drive, leaking in lower units is problematic.

In most cases, this happens when there is a hairline crack in the casing or there is a bad seal. When either of these occur, it allows water to get in. The best way to determine that the lower unit has a complete seal is to run the boat.

After its been run, you want to check the oil for the lower unit. F

irst, you should determine if there is a milky appearance. The next best step is to ask the owner if you can open the drain screw just a bit to allow oil to flow onto your fingers. This allows you to get a better look at it.

This does not have to be a deal-breaker.

You can drain and replace the lower unit oil. In many cases, the owner will allow you to drain it yourself at no cost to the owner before you sign the papers for the boat.

5) Leaking in the Cabin

Another problem many owners face are leaking within the cabin. A large indicator of leaking is visible watermarks. That is not the only indication, though. If the seller has done a great job cleaning the boat, you may not see any watermarks.

You want to look for leaking around the seams, hatches, or ports.

The best way to check for these issues is to spray a hose full blast at all these areas. Afterwards, you want to go below and look for any moisture.

6) Joint Separation

An important part of the boat is the joint between the hull to deck. You want to make sure there are not any problems with the rubrail. If you have a rubrail that is twisted or bent, it can indicate that the boat contacted an item that was hard.

This could put stress on the joint. Instead, you should completely soak the area with a hose. Then you can see the areas where water comes through. You can also check to see if you have water in the bilge.

This will let you know that the joint is missing its seal.

7) Problems with Stringers

The stringers are an integral part of any boat.

Therefore, it is critical that you verify that the stringers are intact for any used boat in which you are interested.

If the stringer is broken or separated from the hull, there is going to be trouble to come your way. The best way to check this is to get yourself into a small space or put your head in the bilge.

You want to get a good look using a flashlight on the stringers.

If you see any visible signs of separation or damage, you want to address them. You cannot leave it alone and still purchase the boat. This will cause you major problems later.

8) Foam Becomes Saturated

When the foam on a boat becomes saturated, it is often difficult to detect.

One way to make this determination is to look at how the boat is floating. When you see how the boat is sitting in the water, it can give you insight into the saturation level of the foam on the boat.

When you look at the boat, you want to notice if the scupper is above the waterline, or it sits level, or if the bow is slightly raised. If you do not notice any of these, there is most likely a reason. You may want to use a moisture meter to check all the cored areas of the boat.

You can also tap any areas that you believe are soaked with water. When they have water in them, they make a different sound.

General Pros and Cons for the Ilver Boats

Pros:

Ilver Boats are beloved by their owners. Unfortunately, it is difficult to find old models for sale.

They offer safety, speed, and beautiful finishings.

They have a team of artisans to create handmade works of art.

Cons:

• Problems with the engine not running properly in older models.
• You may find leaks in the cabin.

What Do the Reviews Say?

Ilver Boats are loved for their dedication to quality and the finest details.

“The Ilver Duke 31 is a sleek and sporty runabout. It is also a comfortable day cruiser thanks to the meticulously-appointed cabin below-deck. Tapered lines lead to a very wide, broad-beamed deck.”

[Source: bandofboats.com]

What is the Resale Value on the Ilver Boats?

It is reasonable to believe that Ilver Boats hold their resale value.

Owners of Ilver rarely sell their boats. NADA is the authority on the resale value of boats, and they do not have information on these boats.

Typically, dealers pass along information to NADA when they sell a boat.

Private sellers typically do not. Anecdotally, you can find a 1997 Ilver Matisse 37 on sale for a little more than $80,000.

Sources:

www.bandofboats.com