Tips For Purchasing a Used Boat

[tyler3135]

Im looking at buying a used boat and I want to compile somewhat of a checklist/tips document that I can use to ensure that Im not getting a lemon of a boat. So if anyone has any suggestions, things I should look at when inspecting a boat, tips, links to related posts etc, It would be greatly appreciated. Once I complile a complete list, I can post it on here for all users to use.

 

[boat1010]

Re: Tips For Purchasing a Used Boat

Some of the things that I look for are soft spots in the floor. And NEVER, did I mention NEVER, buy a boat without a test spin. And while you are out turn on everything to make sure everything works. If you have doubt about noise or anything with the motor, spend a little money and have a mechanic look at it. And there are just some times no mater how careful you are you will have something go wrong after ya pay for it. Best of luck...

 

[Thad]

Re: Tips For Purchasing a Used Boat

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=341235&highlight=boat+buying+checklist

Here's a link with a few tips. There are some others also, if I or someone else finds them we will post them for you.

Welcome aboard.

 

[Cuyose]

Re: Tips For Purchasing a Used Boat

I am actually kind of surprised there isn't a sticky for this. Depending on the size/type/power package you are getting and your level of expertise, it will be a little different.

If you are dropping a substantial(to you) sum of money for a boat, a marine survey will give you a very good idea on the boats condition and an objective opinion on its seaworthiness.

However these cost money think around $10-$15 per foot, and many don't go too much into the mechanicals of the boat. There are multiple posts here covering this topic. I would suggest doing a search for "new boat" or Buying boat. Those will prolly give you all the info you need.

 

[tyler3135]

Re: Tips For Purchasing a Used Boat

Thanks Thad. I should warn you all because I plan on doing alot of research before making my purchase so I know exactly what Im getting into and Im hoping you guys will be able to answer alot of the questions that I might have.

Cuyose: I was surprised that it wasn't a sticky. I kinda expected that there would be an entire section on buying used boats. I do plan on get a Marine survey done, but im not loaded in the money so id like to be able to narrow my choice down to one or two boats at the most. Im really leaning towards a Cuddy with a stern drive.

 

[Cuyose]

Re: Tips For Purchasing a Used Boat

There really isn't anything special a marine surveyor does that you can't do on your own. What you are paying for is the thoroughness of the surveyor and his experience in seeing many different boats. Most marine surveyors will have an example survey you can look at, or if you do a google search you can find some online. These not only give you an idea on how expansive the survey is, but also give you a step by step guide in what to look for.

What looking yourself won't give you if you are new to all boating systems, is the potential impact of things that don't check out. Being there and talking with the surveyor will give you an awful lot of information on boats regardless of if you buy that boat or not. Take a camera and notebook with you.

Also the survey belongs to you, what you might be able to do is negotiate with the seller to pay half the survey and you will give him a copy or the survey. This helps defray the cost, and its well worth it for the buyer in knowledge and the seller as well.

Good luck!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Tips For Purchasing a Used Boat

Tyler, there is a fundamental problem with your question: you need to say what a "boat" is.

When you define the type of "boat" you might shop for, you have to include its intended use (place and activity), your experience for evaluating it yourself, whether you want to know how to shop for a "turn key" or for a "project", trailered or moored, new or used, size and style(s).
You do not need a title search, survey, sea trial or repair history for a 16' Aluminum with a 50 HP. You do for a 30' sport fisher. You don't need any of that for a new boat, except the sea trial if you don't know how that type of boat will work for you. A large, open-hulled OBwork/fishing boat requires less inspection, because it presents fewer hidden problems, than a small, closed-hull I/O.
It can be like buying a house: if a great deal is presented, you have to be able to grab it on the spot, with few, if any, conditions. A seller isn't going to pull his boat off the market for you to mess around with it (inspect, survey, sea trial, mechanic check-over) unless you are the only buyer he's seen in a while--and if that's the case, you better look it over.

I bought a decent sized boat used last year without a sea trial or survey, and do not think I made a mistake--I assessed the risks and the possible costs of same. The hull was standard, 6 years old, one I was familiar with; at the price, I could replace the motor if, worst and unlikely case, it had to be scrapped--so I knew that once it showed good compression and ran well on the muffs, I could afford to fix any non-apparent mechanical issues. I knew its design and power would fit my use. I was comfortable with the history and the seller.

So if you want to put together a list for future or other's use, you may need to do several.

 

[Philster]

Re: Tips For Purchasing a Used Boat

The most important thing to look at when considering a used boat is your bank account.

The next most important thing to look at are what I call "worst case scenarios".

>Can you cover the cost of an outdrive (or at least the upper) on a sterndrive boat?

>Can you cover the cost of an engine (or at least a remanufactured engine) or the power head.

>Can you cover the cost of the items that MUST BE replaced immediately upon purchase:

>>>Might include the entire exhaust system on an sterndrive boat.

>>>Definitely includes: every fluid, all tune up items and the water pump impeller/kit. I'd toss in hoses and belts, too.

If you buy a boat that probably doesn't need this, and it might not need that, and you're pretty sure it doesn't need these replaced, I can guarantee you it needs all of them.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Tips For Purchasing a Used Boat

Amen, Phil!

 

[Steve Mahler]

Re: Tips For Purchasing a Used Boat

I didnt see mention of salt or freshwater; but I think you need to take someone experienced with you looking, whether paid or a friend, and you need to test in the water. If a boat has been well cared for, is currenlty usable in water, and someone with experience looks it over, your odds are good for having a good experience.

Both my current IO boats were more than 10yrs old, not super expensive, and needed no big repairs. But I buy carefully, and survey.

 

[BigBadJohn86]

Re: Tips For Purchasing a Used Boat

I too would be interested. Ive never owned one, just went with my grandparents on theirs and thinking of getting my first one

 

[jonesg]

Re: Tips For Purchasing a Used Boat

Very little of what you can see matters, its the substructure that holds the key.
Wet foam, stringers and wet transoms are the bane of used boats.
I'd rather deal with a cracked block than a rotted transom.

A surveyor will find that hiden damage and NO they don't bang on the transom to listen, they crawl inside beneath deck and probe it or remove hardware screws on the transom exterior and probe that way.

Its a buyers mkt, if someone doesn't want their boat surveyed, at no cost to them, you can laugh at them and walk with your money safe for another day.

The alternative is to grab a project boat and fix it yourself, many of us take that path, its not necessarily cheaper but the bills come in slowly and when its done you know exactly what you have.

 

[riptide09]

Re: Tips For Purchasing a Used Boat

Never buy a boat from family or relatives.

Bought my boat from my Uncle and had all kinds of problems he never mentioned. Took a few thousand $ and a lot of work to fix them. (I was stupid for trusting him and not taking the boat out for a test ride.) Everyone in his family still thinks the boat is theirs and available to use and now they don't like me cause I told them to stick it, they don't own the boat anymore.

 

[BigBadJohn86]

Re: Tips For Purchasing a Used Boat

Never buy a boat from family or relatives.

Bought my boat from my Uncle and had all kinds of problems he never mentioned. Took a few thousand $ and a lot of work to fix them. (I was stupid for trusting him and not taking the boat out for a test ride.) Everyone in his family still thinks the boat is theirs and available to use and now they don't like me cause I told them to stick it, they don't own the boat anymore.

That does seem a little rude of them. First they kinda screw you on the sale of it and then after you spend a boatload of cash to fix it, they want to borrow it for free.
Heck, Ill sell someone my truck if it means I get to use it whenever I want!

 

[riptide09]

Re: Tips For Purchasing a Used Boat

That does seem a little rude of them. First they kinda screw you on the sale of it and then after you spend a boatload of cash to fix it, they want to borrow it for free.
Heck, Ill sell someone my truck if it means I get to use it whenever I want!

My parents own a place on the lake. It was my mother's uncles before them. It is kind of like the family compound and my wife and I have typically avoided it over the years. To much family drama. My uncle always kept the boat at the lake and it was like the family boat. I am the bad guy because I refuse to keep the boat at the lake for everyone to use.

I got pissed and told my Aunt Carol that Uncle Freddy screwed me on the boat and showed her the slips from the marina for work and parts but she won't stand up to him. If they had made it right I would have been more inclined to use the boat at the lake but now it will never happen.

After it was to late my Uncle Bobby told me he wished he had known I was going to buy the boat because he would have told me about the problems before hand.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Tips For Purchasing a Used Boat

when buying a used boat, never believe what the seller tells you. they want to sell a boat.

i did my own survey when i bought a boat. i used knowledge i've gained here on iboats + i googled buying a used boat and came up with a check list of items to check. the check list ended up being 4 pages and i went through them one by one prior to buying. the seller can tell you anything but until you check it yourself it's just hearsay.

my boat was a consignment boat at a dealer. it took me all day to go through my list. granted 2 hrs were a sea trial. while making the purchase the dealer commented that in his years of selling boats, he'd never seen any buyer go over a boat as thoroughly as i did. that made me feel good.

i think i'm on my forth year of owning this boat and so far so good. in 4 years i have had to do some major repairs. non that i couldn't do myself though. with the help of my iboats friends of course.... no repairs that you wouldn't expect on a 35 year old boat either..

i remember one item on the check list that my dealer thought was odd. one of the first things i'd do when i started inspecting a boat was to crawl underneath it from stem to stern, inspecting for any damage. low and behold, on one boat i looked at, a nice cobalt. this check revealed a 3 foot long crack in the bottom of the hull. that crazy dealer wanted to know if i wanted to go for a test drive... it's like, no, i don't feel like sinking a boat today thank you...
good luck, and remember, don't believe the seller. check items for your self.

 

[BigBadJohn86]

Re: Tips For Purchasing a Used Boat

Are there any things in particular to check on a boat thats been stored for years without use?