[dwhite1031]

I had listed these things based on my experience in another thread when someone asked about buying a first time boat. Maybe those of us that have crossed over into the dark side and purchased an older used boat at one time, whether it was a good experience/purchase or a bad one, can create a sort of "checklist" for those looking to buy an older used boat.

1. Fiberglass boat? Check out the floor. Walk on it. ALL of it.
Soft or spongy spots usually aren't a good thing
2. Ask to see the service records on the motor.
3. Pull the dip stick, look at the oil
4. Look at the wiring
5. Check the transom, pull and push on it, look for any signs of rotted wood
6. If the boat is trailered, crawl underneath and look at the hull
(Hard lesson I learned when my purchase had a crack 6 feet long)
7. If possible, take a test ride
8. If boat costs $X, am I willing to spend $X more to fix what I KNOW it needs and any additional $ for what I don't know it needs.

Probably lots I'm forgetting but it's a start

[lprizman]

9. compression test
10. check lower unit / outdrive oil for water
11. survey
12. check steering for full rotation
13. verify all paper work and titles in hand and up to date for new owner
14. no sea trial no deal, minimum 30 minutes
15. check all electronics for operating order

[werthert]

Originally Posted by lprizman

9. compression test
10. check lower unit / outdrive oil for water
11. survey
12. check steering for full rotation
13. verify all paper work and titles in hand and up to date for new owner
14. no sea trial no deal, minimum 30 minutes
15. check all electronics for operating order

noob here... but what I am reading is to take it into the marine shop for a few days worth of inspection? Surely compression can't be done dockside?

[wyocobra]

Originally Posted by werthert

...Surely compression can't be done dockside?

I'm pretty new to boating myself, but with an I/O, why couldn't the compression be checked?

[truckermatt]

engine compression can be ckaed dockside... with a tool like this:

[tashasdaddy]

1st you need to decide what you want to use it for, fishing, cruising, or water sports.

2nd how many people adults, children you want on board of the average outing.

3rd outboard, inboard-outboard, or inboard power plant.

4th Budget, what you want to pay, and what you are willing to pay, when you find
Exactly what you want.

You can hire a marine surveyor, to inspect the boat, or you can do it yourself.

You are mainly looking for soft spots in the deck, transom, cracks, all signs of a rotten, under frame. You walk all over the deck, that a mallot, or hammer with wooden handle, using handle, tap all over the transom, a shape rap is good solid base, a thud, is questionable base.

The motor should be clean, no spots where the paint is discolored, or pealing from heat, having run hot. (This part for outboard motors Compression should be atleast 100psi, and within 10% of each other,)
Spark on all cylinders, good pee stream, check lower unit for water in oil.

The overall condition of the boat will tell you a lot, as to how it has been maintained.
boat motor combo, A 30 year old may be in better condition, than a 3 year old.