New boat buyer seeking advice!

[corissamarie]

Hey ya'll-

I am wondering if I could get some advice on buyer/seller protocol? I've never owned a boat before, but I am really ready to have one of my own. I don't require anything fancy, just something that runs well. I have no problem with a small project, and I take instruction well, but am not well versed in boat engines or structure.

What are the main things I should look for when buying a boat? Structurally? Mechanically?

Should the seller be willing to show me that it runs if it's posted that way? Again, I'm talking about a small cruiser, fish and ski, or whatever, just something to get me on the water and keep me there for at least the rest of the summer.

Any tips or suggestions would be really appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Lyle29464]

Re: New boat buyer seeking advice!

Best thing to do is have a knowledgeable person check it out for you. Can be a friend that really knows boats or a paid adviser. A trial run will be needed. Then the hull checked for problems. The paper work must be in order.

 

[CaptNCamille]

Re: New boat buyer seeking advice!

You dont mention your budget . However, if you are going to spend more than a few bucks, you will want to get a survey by a qualified marine surveyor, have the engine looked at by the surveyor if he includes that or by a good marine mechanic. Then a sea trial. Definitely take it for a spin since there are problems you won't see on land. Your contract should be subject to an acceptable survey and sea trial.

Also, since you mentioned that you are new to boating, I would highly recommend that you take a boating safety course. Go to http://www.usps.org/e_stuff/public_ed.htm for a course near you.

 

[corissamarie]

Re: New boat buyer seeking advice!

Hey ya'll-

Thanks for your advice.

I'm actually not new to boating, I've just never owned my own boat. I posted earlier about a little texas maid boat that I might want to look at-owner wants 900. It seems like for that price unless it's rotting it might be worth the purchase. He says it runs but they haven't run it in over a year, so I'd need to test it on water. Once around the lake?

I don't know how costly a paid advisor is, but for the price range I'm in (around 1500) is that worth it to me?

Any other suggestions?

You can talk to me in somewhat technical terms-I've worked on cars with my dad a little so I have a basic understanding of mechanics.

How do I spot rot? Where are common spots for leaks?

Thanks.

 

[5150abf]

Re: New boat buyer seeking advice!

The safest thing to do is not believe anything the seller tells you, watch for key phrases like "It ran great last time I had it out", a boat can look great on the outside and be a total peice of crap under the shiney outside so as Lyle said it is best to have aknowledgable person help you out and the less thw boat costs the more you need to watch, things can get expensive real fast with a boat.

Also you need to narrow down what you want, there are a ton of different boats so think of what you want to do most on it, if it is skiing that is a particular kind of boat, if it is just puttering around that is a kind of boat.

I would spend some time at the largest marina in your area just looking at boats and narrow down what you want.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: New boat buyer seeking advice!

Hi corissamarie. It all depends on what you want to use your boat for. A fishing boat and a ski boat are very different animals. The good news is that you should be able to get a pretty decent running boat for your budget. In either case, I would highly recommend an aluminum hulled vessel. While they may not always be the best looking boats on the water (although, they certainly can be), they are generally much more rugged and easier to work on than many fiberglass boats. You can fix, build, modify virtually anything on an aluminum boat with few if any special tools and much fewer noxious chemicals than a fiberglass boat. There are many different brands out there, but there are a few things you want to look for in all boats. If at all possible ask to see it on the water and floating to check for leaks. It's not always feasible, but is sure helps. Also, take a screwdriver with you to firmly poke around areas you suspect of rot. Don't damage the boat while probing, but do poke around the transom, floor and seams to see if you can find any soft spots. If you should find some, don't worry they can be fixed relatively easily on an aluminum boat, whereas a fiberglass boat can be a bit more labor intensive. Bear in mind, that replacing the transom is often very normal old boats and should not necessarily deter you from buying the boat. If there is more extensive rot than just the transom, you may want to hold out. Be sure that the boat is titled too!!! Depending on where you, live, you can spend more getting it titled than you paid for the boat. Also, be patient! Don't just buy the first one you see. It's tempting, but patience is rewarded. C-list is your friend. Lots of boats coming and going there. Avoid buying from a "friend". Nothing can ruin a friendship faster than a lemon of a boat. Realize you'll never get the money out you put in to her. Read lots of resto threads here. They can walk you through virtually any problem you may run into, and important most of all....Have Fun!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: New boat buyer seeking advice!

We can't give you much, if any advice (at least worthwhile advice) since "boat" has almost as many meanings as "thing." You don't get a marine survey on a $1500 boat and you might not even get a sea trial--the seller won't bother and will sell it to someone else. But a knowledgable boater (real life, not like the virtual ones here) is invaluable, as is a marine mechanic.

But for buying any boat, in your circumstances as you have explained them:

First determine what you want, based on size and style for the boating you will do. Do this by "window shopping" new boats on line, at dealers/shows, and walking around marina's. Then investigate costs v. your budget, including used ones. IOW pick your boat then go find it.

Figure out and add in the other costs: registration of boat and trailer, insurance, storage costs and restrictions (like are you allowed to keep it at your house?) and any off-season issues. Determine whether your existing vehicle will tow it if it is a trailer boat. Price out the required equipment (anchor, lines, PFD's, etc.) Make this list before you buy.

Hold back 20% of your budget for the repairs/tune-up you will make before you splash it. Almost any old used boat needs a water pump before you run it, and a tune-up. That's where your mechanic comes in.

We hear over and over than buynig a boat without a good title is a disaster, so don't assume you can get around that problem. It's major.

As a new boat owner, you want reliability, and you want to be able to use it this summer. Avoid the low end of the market and project boats, and anything that the seller says, "all it needs is x to run."

And for boats in your price range, if I may violate my first statement on virtual advice: get an outboard.

 

[KermieB]

Re: New boat buyer seeking advice!

If your budget is only $1,500, you had better:

1: Learn how to work on engines.
2: Learn how to repair fiberglass.
3: Buy a package from TowUSA.
4: Prep your Wife/kids/friends for disappointment.

Not trying to be a smart a, but this ain't exactly the cheapest hobby you can get into.

BUT... WHEN ALL GOES WELL, THERE IS NO HOBBY THAT IS MORE FUN...!!!!!

Good luck

 

[corissamarie]

Re: New boat buyer seeking advice!

Thanks to all for the input.

Yeah, I see lots of ads on craigslist that don't have title but claim "easy to get one" so thanks for that advice.

Kfa and home cookin' thanks for the tips on cost, aluminum hull, and outboard motor, and waiting for the right boat. I'm gonna really look around and make a list of what I want the most.

I mainly want something I can cruise around the lake on that will also be big enough to take my dog in comfortably and maybe tow a tuber from time to time.

Kermie- I have no doubt that I could work on an engine with some instruction, and actually I like to get my hands dirty, but I am not looking for a huge project initially-I just wanna get on the water, and thanks for the heads up.

I do really appreciate all of your thoughts and I'm gonna continue to ask questions as I see boats I like.

 

[corissamarie]

Re: New boat buyer seeking advice!

Also, the owner of the little texas maid (aluminum hulled) 1959 that I'm interested in has told me there are some leaks.

I asked him if he could or had pinpointed where they were coming from and he said no, but that he was gonna "tar" the bottom of the boat because replacing the rivets were a "pain". The deck is rotted and needs to be replaced. Would him "tarring" it be more work for me later- a temporary fix? Is that method effective or just a shortcut?

He's selling it for 900 (too cheap to be true?) but will go down a little in price and says that ran it last year but he hasn't run it since.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: New boat buyer seeking advice!

Try reading these links while you're hunting. You'll learn tons and be ready to tinker when/if the time comes. Based on your description, a 12'-14' aluminum, v-hull fishing/jon boat with a 9.5-20hp motor would be perfect. You should be bale to purchase and get her running within your budget. I would also highly recommend a late 1950's - mid 1970's OMC (Johnson/Evinrude/Gale) motors. Lot of folks love motors of this type for there dependability, ease of maintenance, style and relative availability of parts. There are many other brands, but OMC may be best for a first timer. You should find lots of set ups described above on c-list and other sites. If there is any rot it will be obvious and relatively easy to test, fix, replace when compared to some fiberglass boats. It's not at all uncommon to find a decent aluminum boat and trailer for $500 or less and you can also find a decent/repairable engine for about the same, which should leave you another $500 for repairs and paper work. It'll be tight, but you can do it. Be wise, take your time, learn some of the basics and you can do it. Check out these links, get familiar with some of the lingo and take a look at some of the restoration threads and you'll see what you can expect (more or less). Keep us posted.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=158086
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=167352
http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/07/columns/max/index1.htm
http://www.old-omc.de/
http://www.tinboats.net/forum/index.php?sid=2fab57d550edfac97e3138ba524fbe05

 

[corissamarie]

Re: New boat buyer seeking advice!

Thanks kfa- That's actually really helpful to me. I looked at some jon boats and they just aren't quite what I have in mind. I do understand what you're saying though, for the amount of cash I have in mind they might be a good pick. Thanks for the links. Gonna start a new thread and post another boat I found on C-list that I like. I appreciate any of your feedback.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: New boat buyer seeking advice!

Find an aluminum hull with an outboard motor you can still get parts for and that has good even compression. Tough to go wrong with that.