Boat buying question...Please help

ethanpruett

Cadet
Joined
Mar 25, 2009
Messages
8
I am planning on purchasing a 1993 glastron 17 ft. with a suzuki 115hp outboard that is on consignment at a local marine store (serviced at this marine store last several years). The marine store says they will not put in the water for a test drive because its a consignment but they will hook it up to a hose to show it runs. My question is, is this a valid method for testing the boat? What should I ask or look for? Anything I miss out on by not testing in the lake?

Thanks for the help
 

boat1010

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 10, 2009
Messages
781
Re: Boat buying question...Please help

Smiling... I have bought a boat with just a hose check.. Not a very good outcome. I would be very Leary if they won't put it in the water. If it is on consignment I would think the consignor would want to do what it takes to sell it. But I would really check out the boat if you decide to take it without testing it. Would you buy a car without a test drive? Is there a lake close by?
Just running thoughts through my mind why they wouldn't want you to test drive the boat. If it were in good working order a test drive would cement the sale..... Be careful!!!!!!! :confused:
 

Tuna Van

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Feb 7, 2009
Messages
36
Re: Boat buying question...Please help

You miss out on seeing whether it sinks or not.
 

sportsmanphil

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Mar 8, 2009
Messages
257
Re: Boat buying question...Please help

I agree. A motor can idle with no load but miss and crap out with a load on it.

Id contact the owner and ask for a few hours on the water.
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: Boat buying question...Please help

without a water test, you are on your own, buyer beware, all sales final.
 

scoutabout

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Oct 14, 2006
Messages
1,568
Re: Boat buying question...Please help

Run, don't walk from this twit. If he can't handle the logistics of arranging a sea trial, you don't open your wallet.

Running a motor on muffs confirms maybe 5 of the 137 items you want to experience with your own eyes, ears, nose, hands, and yes, butt.

Also, is the guy who won't put it in the water for you by any chance the same guy who assured you it was serviced regularly at their facility? :rolleyes:
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: Boat buying question...Please help

let me add this.

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. 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.
 

Nandy

Commander
Joined
Apr 10, 2004
Messages
2,145
Re: Boat buying question...Please help

I would only buy a boat without the seatrial if it is so cheap that I would still save money big time after putting a new power plant... that is what you are risking... No sea trial, no boat...
 

rrhodes

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 24, 2008
Messages
636
Re: Boat buying question...Please help

I made that mistake once many years ago. Boat looked good, engine sounded great. After bringing her home and taking her out the bilge filled up with water . At least the pump worked. RUN AWAY!
 

BWR1953

Admiral
Joined
Jan 23, 2009
Messages
6,562
Re: Boat buying question...Please help

Like everyone else says... you need that sea trial.
 

ezmobee

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 26, 2007
Messages
23,767
Re: Boat buying question...Please help

What you can do is have them run it for you, check the boat out carefully and then if all is satisfactory make an agreement to buy it after a successful sea trial. I'm sure the boat's owner would agree to that.
 

RotaryRacer

Lieutenant
Joined
Jul 18, 2004
Messages
1,361
Re: Boat buying question...Please help

I sold a boat February 2008. As all the water was still frozen I agreed to the seller taking the boat to a service shop to check it out. Also, I agreed that if on the first outing he had it in water if there were any leaks I would be on the hook for fixing them. The shop gave the motor a clean bill of health and I havn't heard from the guy since. I assume that he has enjoyed the boat.
 

Cassidy'sDad

Recruit
Joined
Mar 26, 2009
Messages
1
Re: Boat buying question...Please help

let me add this.

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. 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.

Excellent ideas. I just joined the board, and am looking around for a boat myself. Tashasdaddy, I live in your neck of the woods, can you PM me with any recommendations of a marine surveyor?

Thank you,
 
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