What To Look For In Used Boat Performance

[jboatrider]

Hello everyone,

Long time viewer, first time poster. I have had an old duck boat that's quite old. Now that winter is around the corner (Wisconsin) there are quite a few boats for sale for a good price. Although it is cold I refuse to buy a boat without a test drive so I've arranged to test drive a few boats in my area.

Since these are used boats I'm just wondering what I should be looking for performance wise? I'm not a professional, but I dabble quite a bit in the mechanical field so I'll be able to inspect that part of it. But since I will be a first time "real" boat owner I am wondering what sort of performance aspects to look for?

I will be looking at boats with over 50HP engines.

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

I'd first make sure there are no soft spots in the deck, I'd walk away with even the smallest soft spot - it's a sure sign of bigger problems.

Push up and down HARD on the outboard lower unit and make sure that there's absolutely zero movement of the engine in relation to the transom, even the slightest movement is a sure indication that the transom needs work.

Drain a small amount of oil from the gearcase and make sure there's no water in it and that it's not milky looking. That's not necessarily a deal killer but it certainly means that the gearcase needs to have at least one seal replaced and if it's been like that for a long time it's possible that there's internal damage from rust.

Do a compression test on the engine.

Once on the test drive make sure that the engine idles smoothly, accelerates smoothly, and has a top speed in line with similar boat/engine combos. Check to make sure that there's no water in the bilge when the test drive is done (unless there's some reason for it like waves coming over the side etc.). And make sure everything works.

 

[jbcurt00]

Performance?

Do you mean speed, handling, holeshot, planing speed?

None of the terms I can think of related to Performance can be discussed w out knowing what boat, motor and the condition of same.

That said, IMO, more then any other aspect of a used boat, its all about condition condition condition

 

[bonz_d]

Welcome aboard jboatrider!

Where about are you located here in Wisconsin? I'm down near Lake Geneva.
What size and type of boats are you looking at?

 

[jboatrider]

Tonight I am looking at a 2004 Lund Pro-V IFS with a Mercury Fourstroke 225HP outboard. I like it because it has quite a bit of HP for a 4 seater fishing boat so I could have it for a handful of years and possibly pull the kids on a little tube with it if I wanted. I guess as far as performance I am wondering what to look for that would be different from an automotive performance. I am a bit of a novice when it comes to marine stuff.

Up in Northern Wisconsin near Lake Nebagamon/Lake Superior Bonz_D!

 

[bonz_d]

That's a nice boat! Hope it works out for you and you get a good deal.

Haven't been up that way in forever but we may have to chat about fishing resorts up that area!

 

[Silvertip]

Boats don't have multi-gear transmissions so you cannot compare auto and boat performance OR fuel economy. Why not go to the Mercury web site and look for Performance Tests or Boat Tests. If you can't find a Merc test on that exact boat, try the Yamaha web site. The same boat with a similar size Yammy should perform similarly. If you know what a car engine feels and sounds like with an engine missfire, you should be able to detect a similar condition on a four stroke outboard.

 

[H20Rat]

Don't get hung up on performance, it really doesn't mean much. Re-read every word of the second post here! Also, ask the person if they have already winterized it. Winterized boats are often a bear to start and will smoke and run rough until the fogging oil is burnt out. (and even then, you sometimes have to change plugs after fogging.)