Buying boat - Necessary to water test?

[jeepin]

I am looking to buy a boat 16-19' for skiing and fishing. Is it neseccary to drive the boat in the water, or can you just take a look at the motor oil, outdrive lube, steering, and engine block? Water is getting hard to come by in Colorado to test drive. <br /><br />Thanks

 

[Trent]

Re: Buying boat - Necessary to water test?

Unless its REAL CHEAP...Do the seatrial. If you find somthing wrong you can haggle on the price it would take to get it fixed.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Buying boat - Necessary to water test?

Post on this site what type of outdrive it has and do a search for problems. Some are more problem prone than others (Trent stated once he would not take a Mercruiser 470/170 even if it was given to him ) <br /><br />Same applies with outboards use this site. Don't believe propaganda given to you. I once read an advertisement on e-bay for a certain boat (often bashed here) equipped with a Force 50 and the ad stated the boat would pull 3 (yes three!) skiers and do 50 mph with 4 people. <br /><br />Ask here.<br /><br />Bob

 

[cclemon]

Re: Buying boat - Necessary to water test?

Jeepin,<br /><br />Test drive it!!! Learn from my mistakes. Save yourself a lot of heartache, not to mention money and lost time. The only way I will ever consider buying another boat without a test drive is if the owner would give me a signed, written gaurntee that they will refund the full purchase price of the boat if it is not right. Even at that I don't think I would take the chance of having to take them to court to get my money back. There are too many things about about you just can't test unless you drive it. 1)The boat may not run well under a load. It may pull to one side or the other. It may start just fine on the muffs, but not in the lake. The list goes on and on. I know I have been a little outspoken here, but I hate to see anyone suffer the loss and heartache. If they are willing to tell you the boat is good, they should be willing to take you for a test drive. Make them buy a new battery. If they are not willing, I would walk away.

 

[dave buckner]

Re: Buying boat - Necessary to water test?

i recently bought 18' i/o without sea trial. fortunatly only problems ive had were caused by me, but it is "rolling the dice". think of it this way, when you put the boat in the water the first time it could sink(along with any number of other problems). wouldnt it be nice to walk away with your cash in pocket if anything happens? a couple of sellers wanted an extra $100 if i wanted a sea trial. pretty cheap insurance if your serious about the boat. just free advice from a new boater. Good luck!!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Buying boat - Necessary to water test?

Would you buy a New Car without a drive around the block ????<br /><br />Would you buy a Trick Jeep, without a half hour out in the back 40 ????<br /><br />the only boats i've ever bought without a seatrial were about to become Parts for another project......

 

[flashback]

Re: Buying boat - Necessary to water test?

I did't test mind when I bought it, but I knew up front the engine was trashed, guess I took a gamble on the outdrive but for 750 bucks I figured I could spend a few grand and still come out ok......

 

[jeepin]

Re: Buying boat - Necessary to water test?

Wow, I thought this message was dead! I did fond a boat and tested it out for about 30-45 minutes on the lake. Nothing wrong or suspicious so I bought it! 1990 Glastron 17' 4.3L Mercruiser. Looks like a gem so far.<br /><br />Thanks again<br /><br />Jeepin