"Kickin' the tires". What am I looking for on a used purchase?

[danrs]

Pretty much a noob here, at least as far as decent sized boats are concerned.

I'm looking to buy a used boat. I'm wanting to get into a 18' to 20' sport/fish type of thing. Would really prefer something along the lines of the Crestliner sportfish, but they are few and far between out here in SoCal it seems. On the plusher side of the sport spectrum of the sport/fish types, I'm looking at a couple Four Winns boats that have my eye.

At any rate, I've got about $13k cash in my hot little hands, and all the time in the world to look around. I'm in no real hurry, but will jump on a deal like a monkey on a peanut if I find one.

With that in mind, what do I need to look for in a used boat purchase? I'm not talking about debating the benefits of aluminum hull vs. fiberglass, or I/O versus outboard, but rather when I see a boat I'm interested in, and it's time to "lift the hood and kick the tires" for lack of better terminology, what should be on my checklist?

Go strictly private party sale, or would a noob like me be better off taking a hit at "retail price" and going with a reputable dealer?

Thanks for any advice.

 

[Mscanon99]

Re: "Kickin' the tires". What am I looking for on a used purchase?

Hi There....

I am on my second boat in a year...so I will offer what I learned.

First boat I purchased from a dealer...it was a Sea Ray Fish/Ski with a 115 Merc outboard. This boat was a trade it with 170 hrs...loaded up, I paid 8500.00 for it at the end of the season. The dealer said he checked it out, I belived them as they were a small family operation. There was no written warranty, however I just had a gut feeling. I checked NADA, Boat Trader, Ebay and so forth and felt the price was very, very good for a dealer sale.

I used the boat 3-4 times and realized I did not want to trailer it down the beach (80-90 miles each way) for fishing and since the boat was built for it with live wells, trolling motor and so forth, I sold the boat in the spring on Craigslist for 9000.00. It was a wash after some general maintenance and taxes.

My current boat I purchased about a month ago, I was looking for something to use on the lakes around where I live for pleasure, light fishing if I choose to. Its a 1993 Sunbird with a 115 Evinrude. The seller listed it for 5000.00, I looked it up and found NADA listed it for 3000.00, so that is what I offered on condition of an inspection by a marine service center. The inspection revealed the need for a full carb rebuild and possible steering rebuild + some other minor issues. I scanned the inspection report and offered the seller 2200.00. We settled for 2350.00 and the boat is currently in for service.

The lesson is:
1. Do your homework - this is a great site to ask questions, but also look at other sites/talk with owners, etc.
2. Get an inspection from a service center if its a private deal - A MUST.
3. If its a dealer boat, make sure your comfortable with them, some are great, some are crooks.
4. Try to figure out what your going to use it for most of the time and what your willing to do by means of towing it...gas is expensive and a day on the water beats you up, so long distance is not recommended for day trips by myself.
5. Make sure what your using to tow the boat is up to it. Don't tow up to capacity of the car/truck. Boats tend to be allot heavier than you think. I ended up selling my S10 pickup with a 5 speed for a Ford Exp. Sport with an auto. I had to understand all the issues, gear ratio, HP, tow capacity and so forth and you need to make sure the vehical is up to it.

6. Have fun....thats what its all about.

Best,

Mike

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: "Kickin' the tires". What am I looking for on a used purchase?

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. (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.

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

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: "Kickin' the tires". What am I looking for on a used purchase?

i would add to that the best way to school yourself is to read all the posts you can here, in the prop,trailer,and restore topics on this forum
any of the problems and answers can apply to most any boat you look at.
this will give you a lot more insight when it comes time to kick the tires and allso will help you pick up the lingo.
good luck.........when your ready check back with what you find..........you have found a source for good honest oppions here