Re: Want to be a boating newbie
As previously mentioned, older = maintenance & some possible demo that then would require various amounts of put back.
Even a relatively newer $5K boat can have plenty of unforeseen problems. After totally redoing his 1st boat, Friscoboater thought he'd bought a great water ready boat, and drug it 1700 miles home to find it needed pretty much a complete gut.
Depending on what boat you find that you'd like, its cost & it's condition, you may need to be prepared for some particularly hard, dirty work, if you're up for a rewarding challenge, boats needing work could be an option. But getting your money back is fairly unlikely when you sell it. Making much profit is less likely...
Check
Don's How to's thread's links. Frisco's thread is in there. Which every boat it is, his signature has the other linked.. Both very good, as are all the links in Don's list.
Depending on where you are, you might find a boat surveyor to give the boat a through once over. But they are fallible, just like home inspectors are. But a couple hundred (or even $500) spent on an inspection vs a $5k boat isn't significant. Mechanics at the boat dock or marina will be better then no qualified inspection, but they have an incentative to let you buy a boat that needs work, hoping you will bring it to them. Not all, but some. Same about buying a used boat from your local marina or dock.
You might ought to look at $4-5K boats, but only plan to spend $3.5-4K. Leaves room to get the trailer in top notch working order, fix a few small items you'll find once you own it & crawl all over it in & out, plus some boat gear you'll need. Guys fishing will use pretty much any thing that floats as a PFD, kids & wives (Admiral is how most of us refer to her) are not so keen on using someone else's used PFD.
Kids under a certain age in most states (maybe all, in WV it's 15, I think, but I don't have kids) are required to be wearing a PFD, check your state's regs. Adults can have easy access to a throwable PFD cushion, but it has to be 1 approved by the USCG. As is other safety equipment based on boat size & engine type. fire extinguisher, air/blast horn/whistle, etc.
Also research what your state requires to legally transfer title & get registration for a boat, motor & trailer. In WV depending on what you do & don't have in terms of documentation, boats aren't particularly difficult, trailers are somewhat more difficult. If you want to title a motor, the paperwork had better be 100% trackable. But if you don't want it titled, it isn't required. And if you'll never separate the boat & motor, the motor can be a line item on the boat title too.
