I found the boat on Facebook and it was listed last year for $15,000.
I'm pretty new to boating what are some things I should look for when going to look at it? What should the RPM's be at full? He says everything works like bilge pump and all accessories also has two Lawrence fish finders.
So last year he wanted $15,000 and now he wants $9500. That in itself could be a huge red flag. It's spring so a boat should sell pretty quick if it's nice looking and runs halfway decent. A $5500 dollar drop from last year to the begining of this seasons could translate to bad motor, rotten stringers and or transom, soft deck ( which means it's rotten along with evrything under it most likely ).
Or it could also translate to " I have a huge new boat payment and the wife wants this one gone quick so I'm letting it go cheap!"
Either way condition condition condition. It's all about checking every nook and cranny on her. Look for obvious signs of standing water in the bilge and ski locker, as well as all storage compartments. As has been mentioned before the captains chairs vynl is pretty weathered which indicates time spent out doors uncovered. That could mean water below deck which can saturate flotation foam and rot out the stringers and transom.
Take a good flashlight with you as well as an inspection mirror to look in all the dark places, also take a screw driver with you. If the owner doesn't object I would poke around on the stringers below deck where I could reach them to check for soft spots as well as the inside area of the transom. Again if the owner will let you.
My opinoin is that if someone doesn't invest the time to keep their boat covered and clean they probably skipped on more important maintenance items as well.
Ask about the motor. When was the impeller last changed. When was the outdrive oil changed last. When was the last time the outdrive was pressure tested. Those three things should be done every couple of years I believe. When was the motor last tuned up? Do all the alarms work especially the overheat! Is anything disconnected and if so why? Do they have receipts for any work? Is the prop bent or scared up?
Ask about the trailer. Do all the lights work? Are the bearings new or have they been serviced this season? Receipts for work? Are the tires new? If the trailer has brakes do they work properly? Does the trailer tongue look bent?
I don't know what rpm the motor should be. You may have to get the motor and prop info, like prop pitch and size to determine the correct rpm. Post that question in ghe prop forum for help there.
Most importantly be ready to walk away if anything seems to good to be true or if the seller is real hesitant or doesn't know the answers to these questions.
My advice is when you go look at it don't drive a tow vehicle that way you have the drive home to think about it. That is unless you are travelling more than an hour to look at it. In that case I would be 100% sure before buying it and dragging it home.
I give this advice as someone who bought a rotten boat that is still sitting in my garage awaiting restoration. Got my tin one in the water in the meantime though!
Good luck and keep us posted.
