Help me build a check list for purchasing a used boat.....

[NMShooter]

There has to be threads on here on what to look for when buying used. I did a search and came up empty. I'm trying to put together a list that would be used to narrow the field. Prior to taking it on a test run or taking it to a shop for a pro survey.

Target boat in this instance would be I/O runabout, mid 90's and newer. Phone questions to ask :

1) Any known mechanical issues, recent mechanical repairs?
2) Condition of hull. Cracks, deep scratches, wear on bow or keel, leaks?
3) How was boat stored?
4) Drive unit stored in up or down position?
5) Winterized every year?
6) Soft spots in floor?
7) Condition of carpet / vinyl?
8) Electrics all work?
9) Age of batteries?
10) When were bellows and cables last replaced?
11) Ease of cold start?
12) Idle to full throttle response, any hesitation?
13) Condition of trailer / tires / brakes / wiring?
14) Titles for boat and trailer clear?
15) Condition of outdrive / prop. Dings, dents, corrosion, leaks?
16) Does trim hold position or does it drift?
17) Last impellor change?
18) Ever have freeze damage / engine swap / rebuild?


What else? If you get a chance, please comment on my "negotiating" thread too. Thank you for the input.

-f-

 

[dvtran]

Re: Help me build a check list for purchasing a used boat.....

how many owners?
Do they have service records?
Salt or freshwater boat?
Does it have a wakeboard tower?
If so, has the fibreglass been reinforced where the mounts are?
Is there an hour meter on the motor? if yes, how many hours?

 

[Another retired guy]

Re: Help me build a check list for purchasing a used boat.....

All your questions are good (+dvtran's) if you're actually looking at a boat, but it's too many for the initial phone survey- you probably won't get complete or honest answers anyway! If I was the seller I'd tell you to come and have a look
Key ones may be. 1 2 3 5 6 7 8 13 14

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Help me build a check list for purchasing a used boat.....

Asking the seller these questions is of little use since the answer will be exactly what you want to hear. ON WATER TEST is the single most important aspect of buying a boat. Refusal = problem. While on the water you can verify nearly everything on your list. Hull condition and floor/stringer rot can be verified to some degree by visual inspection and just stepping around feeling for soft spots. Water leaks on the engine is a sign of cracked block, head, riser(s) blown head gasket or all of the above. Checking for water in the oil is sign to walk away or lower the price to cover repair costs.

 

[ricohman]

Re: Help me build a check list for purchasing a used boat.....

I also agree the on water test is very important and I would never again buy a used boat without one.
On some boats it can be very hard to determine if the stringers or flotation foam is soggy.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Help me build a check list for purchasing a used boat.....

Yea, I bought a boat in August - September . . .

I had narrowed my search to two models of boats within my preferred manufacturer's line and year range, based on my budget. I looked for specific boats in the 'best condition' that were also at the 'lowest price' (or as near to that I could get)

Then I:

checked everything to see what is working and what is not.

made sure it had engines and outdrives that I liked, enough power, etc.

made sure that the "Admiral & crew" (i.e. family) would be OK with the boat.

tried to figure out why the boat was being sold (other than the answer I got from the seller)

figured out if I had to sell the boat, how hard would it be and what price would it likely fetch.

Then it was a matter of the inspections & sea trial covering the details.

The boat had a few unexpected issues . . . the seller & I worked out a deal.

 

[colbyt]

Re: Help me build a check list for purchasing a used boat.....

I think your list is pretty good. I have also discovered that if you ask most Craigslist sellers more than 3 questions they call you lowballer scumbag and move on to the next mark.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Help me build a check list for purchasing a used boat.....

I/O's generally have a full complement of gauges. Oil pressure, water temp, and voltmeter (ammeter on some older boats) tell a story. If you don't know what those gauges mean -- "learn". They tell a story about the health of the engine and charging system. Don't get so wrapped up in how the boat runs and overlook what the gauges are telling you.

 

[Begester]

Re: Help me build a check list for purchasing a used boat.....

One of the most important things to me...Interview the SELLER! Pay attention to how he takes care of his other toys and thats often a great indicator of the way he takes care of his boat. I've walked away from more than one boat because the owner threw up a bunch of red flags as to how he approached maintenance of his boat.

I definitely agree on keeping it short and sweet with the Craigslist calls. When I sell boats/cars/etc. on Craigslist, too many questions usually means lowball or not serious.

 

[25thmustang]

Re: Help me build a check list for purchasing a used boat.....

One of the most important things to me...Interview the SELLER! Pay attention to how he takes care of his other toys and thats often a great indicator of the way he takes care of his boat. I've walked away from more than one boat because the owner threw up a bunch of red flags as to how he approached maintenance of his boat.

I definitely agree on keeping it short and sweet with the Craigslist calls. When I sell boats/cars/etc. on Craigslist, too many questions usually means lowball or not serious.

How about a boat that is shown by a broker? Can honestly say I never saw the sellers in person, or their house, or their cars, or their lawn mowers.

I like when a potential buyer asks good questions. So long as they don't expect every answer in explicit detail.

 

[colbyt]

Re: Help me build a check list for purchasing a used boat.....

I definitely agree on keeping it short and sweet with the Craigslist calls. When I sell boats/cars/etc. on Craigslist, too many questions usually means lowball or not serious.

The average CL poster does not know the difference between a jon boat and a v-hull, never includes the beam measurement and never provides enough info for an intelligent buyer to know if it is worth driving over to look. How in the world can you decide if you don't ask questions.

 

[25thmustang]

Re: Help me build a check list for purchasing a used boat.....

Colbyt, I agree.

I posted my last boat on CL. I made a large ad that included every piece of info, length (hull and LOA), beam, draft, headroom, a full description of the layout, running gear, hours, work done and even the few minor issues I personally would take care of. I had an album with 50 photos, all recent. This lead to very little action.

Maybe 6 months later I put it on CL with a three sentence ad that had no info. I got a call, a looker and he bought it. Go figure!!

 

[jumpjets]

Re: Help me build a check list for purchasing a used boat.....

I boat shopped for over a year on CL, ebay, and other sites, and did extensive research.

One day I was bored, and browsing CL with no intent to buy, and stumbled upon a boat I liked in my price range. I called the seller and said: "I'd love to come look at it. If it starts and runs on muffs with oil pressure for the whole time I'm there, and it doesn't overheat, I'll take it".

Sure enough, when I showed up, he had it running on muffs, and it was at op temp. I poked around for a while, and checked the normal stuff I thought was important. It didn't have any huge gouges in the hull; it didn't smell like cat poop inside; all the lights and gauges worked; it shifted in and out of gear; the engine/drive didn't smoke. I stopped it and started it a couple times, and checked that the drive raised and lowered OK. The belts were in decent condition.

Everything I cared about worked properly at the time I checked it, so I bought it. OBTW, it was the first boat I ever bought, and it's given me 3 years of reliable low maintenance service.

 

[ajgraz]

Re: Help me build a check list for purchasing a used boat.....

Ain't no sense asking questions over the phone that can be lied about and you wouldn't know from looking (like questions 3, 4 , etc.), or that are "subjective" (like asking for an assessment of "condition" of carpet, gelcoat, etc.).

If title's free, clear and in-hand, and the pictures look good, go see it--and ideally get an on-water run test, preferably including watching the guy tow and launch--and assess your list yourself.

After about 3 or 4 of your questions, my response would be, "look dude, come and see it for yourself."

 

[okbayliner]

Re: Help me build a check list for purchasing a used boat.....

Ain't no sense asking questions over the phone that can be lied about and you wouldn't know from looking (like questions 3, 4 , etc.), or that are "subjective" (like asking for an assessment of "condition" of carpet, gelcoat, etc.).

If title's free, clear and in-hand, and the pictures look good, go see it--and ideally get an on-water run test, preferably including watching the guy tow and launch--and assess your list yourself.

After about 3 or 4 of your questions, my response would be, "look dude, come and see it for yourself."

I agree it would be like a telemarketer

 

[colbyt]

Re: Help me build a check list for purchasing a used boat.....

I posted my last boat on CL. I made a large ad that included every piece of info, length (hull and LOA), beam, draft, headroom, a full description of the layout, running gear, hours, work done and even the few minor issues I personally would take care of. I had an album with 50 photos, all recent. This lead to very little action.

Maybe 6 months later I put it on CL with a three sentence ad that had no info. I got a call, a looker and he bought it. Go figure!!

In my experience there is a fine line you have to toe when selling there. If you make your ad to slick they think you are a pro or scammer. If you make it too sparse you waste a lot time answering questions. The ones that seem to work the best for me are providing the important information and no html other that line breaks, paragraphs and using some bold type.

It sounds like your last experience was a lot like fishing. Maybe the right buyer just wasn't biting that time.