Truth to salesmans words?

[CWCW]

When looking at used boats on a boat dealership's lot what do you need to ask? I talked to a salesman at a Triton dealership about the used 16-17ft aluminum bass boats he had in stock (all with 2stroke outboards). I asked what kind of engine tested they do on the motor. He told me that they go thru the motor and check everything before accepting the used boat on the lot, this included the leak down and compression tests. He told me that they dont accept used boats (trade-ins) until the hull and motor is checked out. How serious can i take this mans speech? Do the dealers really check out the motors and hulls and working parts to insure a good quality boat that has been taken care of? Is it standard for the dealer to ask the person trading in the boat to supply maintence records? How do you know your not buying a time bomb? Is added warranty on a used boat the key to not buying a time bomb? These are boats that are less than 5 years old. I just hear a lot of threads on buying a used boat for your first boat so you dont lose money on that drop of boat value after you drive it off of the lot. New with a new warranty sounds good to me. Am i being way to cautious about used boats crapping out because of bad maintence by the former owner?

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Truth to salesmans words?

All I can say is that when I traded up to my Gambler, they let me watch as they checked out the ProMax.
It had a new power head on it.
Also, they checked the boat I was trading in.
Went from front to back checking the inside and out plus went over the Mariner good testing this and that.
That was in NC.
It also was a Triton dealer.

 

[BF]

Re: Truth to salesmans words?

After his speech, I would've asked what kind of warranty do they come with? Also, I would ask if they did the maintenance on the rig I was interested in for the previous owner, and if so, if I could see copies of their service records. Also, I would want to know that any factory updates that came out were actually done (while it was under warranty). I would ask what work/repairs had been done to the boat after being traded in. I would ask for the contact info for the previous owner so I could give them a call. If they gave it to me, I'd call and ask them if they bought it new (and from where), about who did the maintenance, what repairs had been done, if there was anything about the rig that needs attention, and why they traded it in.

Sometimes dealers will tell you the name of a previous owner (=repeat customer)... sometimes not. If they bought the boat somewhere else (off auction etc) they will tell you that they don't give out that info. But it doesn't hurt to ask. My Dad bought a 2 year old van after the dealer gave them the phone number of the previous owner... The owner was quite happy with the dealer and hadn't had any prob's with the van. It helped make the sale to know it was a local vehicle, and didn't have some lemon thing going on.

That's my $.02

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Truth to salesmans words?

you are buying used whether from a dealer or individual, what them do the test, if i'm buying from an idividual i do the test with their permission, if not i don't buy.


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. 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.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Truth to salesmans words?

CWCW, A boat dealer will usually look over a boat because he is giving a trade-in credit on the purchase of a newer boat. He may go thru the motor, or he may just give it a light glance, depending on what amount of credit he is giving. A rule of thumb for those guys it that most any boat will sell for $2500, so they do not waste time looking it over if the credit is small.

BTW - The used boat dealer I bought a boat from spends almost no time looking at anything coming in on trade. He believes he can tell by a glance what it is worth. He also makes money on some boats and looses money on others. The botom line is that some boat dealers will tell you anything, regardless of it's truthfulness. When buying used, I recommend you learn enough to ask the questions which will at least make the dealer sweat a bit, before you take your chances with the deal.

I know, this was not too much help, Cavet Empor

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Truth to salesmans words?

good grief we were all posting at the same time. all saying the same thing.

 

[kadesdad07]

Re: Truth to salesmans words?

I am an F&I Director at an auto dealer. I know this is a little different from buying a boat, but I think I have some good knowledge of a used transaction. First in a legal stand point a salesman can tell you anything he wants out on the lot, but if it isn?t in writing it is called ? fluff ? . You know the old it belonged to an old women that only drove it on Sunday thing. If they did an inspection on the boat and feel it is both structurally and mechanically sound then they should apply some kind warranty on it. If not then you have to assume that it wasn?t done. Even if they can provide you with paperwork showing an inspection was done on it, without them applying some type of warranty you will be left holding the bag. My suggestion would be if you find a boat that you are serious about laying your money down on then you should take it and have it inspected by a third party for an unbiased opinion. A little money spent may save you big time down the road. I hope your boat purchase is a good one and I hope my opinion helps you in the process.

 

[CWCW]

Re: Truth to salesmans words?

Thanks for the advice guys. I have just been in this delima on whether to go used or new boat (based on the idea of finding a used boat comparable to the new ones that i like). I definately dont want something more than 5 years old and many of the used boat prices i have seen are only going to save me around 3 to 4 thousand dollars. If i was looking at a boat 10 or more years old i could understand the cost effectivness of a used boat easily but this one is giving me questions. I had this decision made easy for myself whe buying a truck two years ago and i bought a new one. I looked a the same style of trucks as the new one i purchased and the amount of savings were not that promising. Plus, when looking at 3 or 4 year old trucks, they wanted me to finance for 3 or less years at a much higher interest rate. My new truck was financed for longer (5yrs) but my monthly payment was lower and the interest rate was MUCH lower. Maybe ill put my mind to easy and go new.