1st time boat purchaser/owner

[NicsChick]

Hello all!! I hope my question(s) won't be to broad.

As you can probably see from my title is that we are looking at purchasing a USED boat. We have both been around boats most of our life, but it's completely different than owning. The closest thing to owning a boat for us has been owning a personal watercraft, which we sold a few years ago.

We are looking at year models anywhere from the late 1980s to 2007. Most of the boats I have been looking at are I/O's, but there have been some outboards.


We want to be able to use the boat for skiing and wakeboarding.


Is there a particular boat maker or motor that we should avoid?

What is the minimum horsepower recommended?

What sort of things should I look for when looking at used boats?

What type of things should concern us?

At what range of hours on the boat/motor should I be concerned?

Is it appropriate to ask to test drive the boat from a private seller? (The closest lake to us is about a 30 minute drive.)

Thanks to all for you help and advice!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1st time boat purchaser/owner

always required a test drive, individual or dealer. i recommend an outboard for your first boat. you know how tight that PWC was to work on, you get the same problem with an inboard/outboard, that eats labor cost on repairs. i recommend an bowrider, 18 foot range, 150hp outboard.

Buying a boat

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.

The motor should be clean, no spots where the paint is discolored, or pealing from heat, having run hot. 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.

A 30 year old boat motor combo, may be in better condition, than a 3 year old.

 

[NicsChick]

Re: 1st time boat purchaser/owner

Thank you for your detailed response and advice. It is very much appreciated.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: 1st time boat purchaser/owner

Avoid anything that says OMC on it. I know guys have them and love them, but the company doesn't exist anymore.

Avoid the 3.7 (aka the 470 or 480 or 485) liter 4 cylinder Mercuiser. It's not in production any longer, but there sure seems to be a lot of them out there that people are stumbling across.
Tashasdaddy gives very good advice.
Also, it's is appropriate to ask for a Sea Trial (test drive) of ANY boat you are considering seriously. Please don't drive boats as a way to get a free day of boating, though!

 

[kyle f]

Re: 1st time boat purchaser/owner

Is there a particular boat maker or motor that we should avoid? Bayliner. They are inexpensive intorductory boats. You will be wanting to upgrade quickly.

What is the minimum horsepower recommended? Depends on Adults in the boat and loads you will carry. If you want to do watersports and Skiing. Minimum would be a 190hp 4.3.

What sort of things should I look for when looking at used boats? Maintenance....Maintenance...Maintenance. If anythign you can find hasn't been kept up, that probably means other things have not as well. Be very Picky, the owner should be knowledgabel of how to change all fluids, lubricate cables, change plugs, and service the outdrive. Or be able to tell oyu the shop that does it and how often he has such items done. If not... runaway.

What type of things should concern us? Poorly Maintained boats, folks willing to start the boat with out a water source, and someone who will not let you test drive before purchase

At what range of hours on the boat/motor should I be concerned? Avg per season around here is about 50 or so for runabout. Or, well that what I have been told an in my search what I found. I think some major things start to need to be addresses around the 500 hour mark. Then again, like a car it depends on how they drove it and how they maintained it.

Is it appropriate to ask to test drive the boat from a private seller?(The closest lake to us is about a 30 minute drive.) Absolutely, DO NOT buy without a test drive. You won't know if you like how the boat rides, if the perfromace is good enough for you, and most importantly if everythign is in working order.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 1st time boat purchaser/owner

Is there a particular boat maker or motor that we should avoid?
As for Bayliners, they were a disappointment to many because most of their entry level boats were underpowered and that's also true for other manufacturers (Tracker is one). As for power, check the max horsepower rating on the ID plate. You do not want the boat if the engine is rated less than 75% of maximum. It will not work for you if you are towing water toys and skiers.

What sort of things should I look for when looking at used boats?
Hull damage such as dents or hull repairs such as welding on an aluminum boat (other than at a seam of course). Fiberglass repairs on a glass boat. Faded, stained, torn upholstery and other wear and tear issues that would indicate the boat was not cared for. Dirty engine compartment with obvious leaks, frayed or dangling wires.

What type of things should concern us?
Dirt! A boat that is not clean was very likely not well maintained. Unwillingness to sea trial, start the engine followed by the statement "It ran fine until ---------". Or "It runs fine -- just needs a tune-up." In those cases "tune-up" generally means the engine needs a rebuild.

At what range of hours on the boat/motor should I be concerned?
Unless the boat has an hour meter you and the owner have no idea how much time is on the rig. Appearance, service records, peformance can be indicators of how well the unit was cared for.

Is it appropriate to ask to test drive the boat from a private seller?(The closest lake to us is about a 30 minute drive.)
It doesn't matter if the lake is 100 miles away. A sea trial is absolutely essential. The older the boat, the more important that is. The more money involved, the more important this is. It's your money and the ball is in your court. Be the driver in this deal. If you don't control the deal you will be the "sucker" in the deal.

As a suggestion -- if you have no mechanical and/or electrical skills, I would discourage you from buying an older boat. Repairs can eat a hole in your wallet. I also suggest an outboard for first time boat owners. I/Os look sexy, but unless you have universal joints in your fingers and and wrists, they can be a nightmare to work on. If you don't work on them yourself, that's not an issue except for the extra labor costs. Lastly, with an I/O if you love the power plant but hate the boat, or hate the power plant and love the boat, your only option is to sell the entire rig. With an outboard you can sell the boat and keep the motor, or sell the motor and buy a newer/better one.

 

[dcg9381]

Re: 1st time boat purchaser/owner

Is there a particular boat maker or motor that we should avoid?

Avoid:
OMC (motors), Force (motors), Bayliner (boats), There's a 4-cylinder motor made for a while in the mid 1980s - I think it was 3.4L.

Some indications that Ford 351 EFI (351 ci, 5.8L) motors have been discontinued in terms of marine support - they're solid motors, but my understanding is that they will be hard to get parts for.


If you're buying an I/O boat, you can report back on the motor and out drive combination - this forum can be very helpful once you've narrowed the selection a bit.

What is the minimum horsepower recommended?

First, it depends on the size of the boat.
Assuming 18-21 foot:
For a boat that you're not going to use for skiing, I/O, I'd say the minimum is 130-145, which usually means a 3.0L motor.

If you're going to haul 4 people, use the boat for skiing, I'd recommend a 4.3L as a minimum. Their base power starts at 160 and runs into the low 200s for the EFI versions. Bigger motors pay a slight MPG penalty as you go up in size, but they're more flexible in terms of use.

What sort of things should I look for when looking at used boats?

Stay away from salt water boats.

Very broad question and the answer gets technical in nature and requires some disassembly of components during typical inspection. As a non-technical owner, find a boat that looks good, has been kept inside (best case) and has maintenance records. Then take it to a reputable marine dealer to have the engine and out drive checked. Having it checked is critical.

What type of things should concern us?

Don't get excited about a purchase until you've gone through the entire check out and inspection process. Be willing to walk away.
Better deals with individuals than dealers, by far... So check the paper, craigslist, the boat trader, and ebay.

At what range of hours on the boat/motor should I be concerned?

This differs between inboard motors and outboards. Inboards (or Inboard/outboards) are "car" motors and can last a really long time with good care. I start considering an inboard motor, freshwater, as "high hours" if they're going over 1000.

Outboards - at least the 2 stroke variety, don't have forced oil lubricating them so they tend to wear faster and they're under more stress. I'll let someone else answer the hours question, but like jetskis - they do wear out and then need to have a major overhaul.

Be aware also - that unless the boat is EFI and has an internal clock tracking hours, it's easy to manipulate the hour gauge.

Is it appropriate to ask to test drive the boat from a private seller? (The closest lake to us is about a 30 minute drive.)

I bought a boat once that I didn't test drive. It was a mistake and I've never made it again.

Inspect the boat, bring payment - tell the owner that you'd like the boat and will buy it pending the outcome of a test ride. No test ride, no boat purchase.. Always.

 

[oops!]

Re: 1st time boat purchaser/owner

just want to clarify about bayliners.....mid 80's to early 90's i beleive are the years to avoid.......a lot of stringer rot.

but there is no such thing as a bad boat ....just a bad owner..

and yes....if you see an omc leg....run.....its obsolite.

for boarding and ski ing...you will want a 4.3 v6. at least.

once you find a boat you want...check out the manufacturers forums..and ask again here.....

you will also want to take a safe boating course......it could save your life.

cheers
oops