Re: Newbie looking for advice on a used ski boat
Welcome to Iboats.
In your price range, you're going to be looking at some older boats, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.
With these older boats, its all about condition. All boats, no matter their price tag when new, can deteriorate if neglected.
Ask the seller questions;
Was the boat stored inside, or at least stored with a water tight cover?
All the maintenance been done;
- Engine oil changes
- Outdrive serviced (if it's an I/O) including oil changes, removed to check the U-joints, grease the drive splines, check the gimbal bearing, and the engine alignment.
-Transmission serviced, and shaft packing checked if an inboard.
-Impeller replaced with in the last year or two? (if the seller doesn't know when it was last done, they're neglecting the maintenance since it should be done every 2-3 years).
-Fuel filter been done?
-Recent tune-up?
-How's the bilge look? Relatively clean, or a greasy mess? Any standing water in it (suggesting a leak)?
Next is looking at the boat its self. How does the hull look? Any cracking around the transom, particularly around the outdrive (if it's an I/O). Any ugly looking repairs?
The interior;
How does the upholstery look? If it's sun-baked, and cracked, you can assume the owner didn't use a cover regularly.
Recently re-upholstered? Ask why. Could have simply worn out, or could be to cover up damage from neglect.
Next is to check the deck (floor) out. Walk around all the parts of the boat making sure you try to step on all the areas. Is there any areas that feel soft under your feet? If so, chances are good there's rot and structural damage under the deck of the boat (walk away).
Has the owner recently replaced the deck? Ask him how he did it. If he tells you he ripped up the old carpet, and laid down new plywood over the old rotten deck, politely tell him to have a nice day, and walk away. He didn't fix the boat properly at all.
If he tells you he ripped up the old carpet, and deck, and just laid down the new deck with out checking the foam or stringers, again bid him good day, and walk.
If he tells you he removed the old carpet, and decking material, and checked the condition of the flotation foam and stringers (possibly replacing them), it sounds like you have a guy who knows boats.
Might want to also check out the transom, especially if it's an I/O boat. Ask the seller if the transom has been recently replaced, or checked for rot with core samples. Any signs of dark wood? Can at least tap around the transom with a rubber mallet to see if you can hear any hollow spots.
Another good thing would be having a marine surveyor involved. They are on the same idea as a home inspector, only they check over boats before people buy them.
A sea trial should be insisted upon, even if the boat's not in the water. You can offer to pay for the gas to sweeten the deal. You want to take the boat out for a good hour. See how it feels. See if any funny things happen, or funny noises. Check the oil pressure, and engine temp regularly. Check the bilge to see if water has come in. Is the bilge pump coming on more than once to clear water out (signs of a leak)?
As far as what to avoid..
Ford or Chrysler powered boats (parts are hard to find for some of these engines). A boat with an OMC outdrive (OMC went out of business 13 years ago, parts availability is spotty to non-existent). A Force L-drive (crappy odd design that lasted for a couple years, found in Bayliner brand boats, some key parts are difficult to find or unavailable new). Mercuiser 3.7L/ 470 powered boats (internal design stern drive engine by Mercury, with many bugaboo's never sorted completely out)
