USED BOAT BUYING TIPS FROM THE PROS

Asking the right questions and conducting a thorough inspection and lake demo can help you find the right used boat.

As the market for new boats booms and bargains are really no longer a thing, buying a used boat represents an alternate approach to ownership. The booming market has increased demand for new and used boats but, used boats already exist, so you don’t have to wait for them to be built and delivered.

The key is finding the right used boat. You have got to do your due diligence when shopping on the used-boat market, especially with private party boats. 

Your first step is to call the seller and ask the questions below. If you’re still interested then personally inspect the boat because your idea of “gently used and well maintained” may not be the same as the seller’s. 

PRO TIP
If you’re not familiar with the boat brand or boats in general, take along a friend or mechanic who is.

Here is a list of key questions and an inspection routine that will help you choose the best used boats. Carefully inspect the used trailer, as well. Inspect the lights, the tires and look for the amount of tread and cracking, ask about service records for brakes and wheel bearing packing, and look for weak spots at the tongue and any of the other welds. 

BEST questions to ask used boat sellers

1. What year is the boat?

The more recently built, the better. Avoid boats more than 20 years old and if you want to finance a boat don’t look any older than 10yrs.

2. Where was the boat used?

Exclusive use in fresh water enhances the value of a used boat because this helps minimize any corrosion issues versus use in salt water. 

3. What are the engine hours?

This tells you how tired the engine and drivetrain might be. This can also tell you a lot about the use of the boat. If you’re looking at a watersports tow boat many of those hours can be stop and go which are “harder” hours vs a runabout boat that will be doing more cruising on the lake and not as much towing.

4. Is the seller the original owner?

An original owner tends to take better care of a boat, so this is a definite plus when looking at used boats. Also, if you go to their house and look at the boat you can see how they take care of their other stuff which will give you an indication of how they treated the boat.

5. What does not work?

Asking the seller to reveal issues can save you time, and it might give you something to bargain with if you choose to buy the boat. Let them know you’ll be testing all the gauges and electrical to make sure everything works so it’s better to tell you now.

6. Does the seller have the title in hand?

This allows you to take delivery immediately. It is a big bonus. Otherwise, prepare to spend time meeting with the lien holder and seller to clear the title.

7. Are the boat and motor still under warranty?

If so, find out if these warranties are transferable and how you can arrange to move them into your name.

PRO TIP
Make sure you have a vehicle powerful enough to tow the boat. Find out the weight of the boat and trailer and then look at your vehicle’s towing capacity. It's a good rule of thumb to be at or under 80% of your vehicle's towing capacity.

What to look for during your used boat inspection

1. Inspect the engine bay.

If the boat is a sterndrive or inboard, the condition of the engine bay will tell you a lot about how well the boat is maintained. Is it clean and dry? Is rigging neat and well-supported? Is it free of rust and corrosion?

2. Look for rips in the upholstery or deck carpet.

Reupholstery and carpet work are expensive, so keep that in mind as you inspect the interior.

3. Start up everything.

Fire up the electronics, all pumps, lights, stereo, trim tabs, etc., as well as the engine(s). Make sure everything is in good working order, and make note of any issues.

4. Double-check the engine hours.

Don’t trust engine-hour meters. Consider paying a boat mechanic to hook the engine up to a scanning tool to confirm the hours and look for possible issues, he advises.

5. Go on a lake demo.

By any and all means, don’t buy until you conduct a lake demo to determine how the boat performs in real-world conditions, and determine any issues. While on the water, look in the bilge for leaks. 

6. Have the boat hauled.

If the boat is not on a trailer, arrange to have it hauled to inspect the bottom for obvious defects such as hull blisters, damaged running gear, excessive beaching, broken trim tabs, etc.

7. Look for decay or rot.

This is a tough one because transom or stringer rot might not be obvious. One trick is to push up and down on the drive or outboards. If the transom deflects or feels mushy during this process, it is an indication of rot. If in doubt, spend the money for a survey. The larger the boat, the more important a survey becomes.

8. Inspect the trailer, tires and bearings.

If the boat is on a trailer, you need to know if it is road-worthy. Make sure the frame, axle and springs are free of excessive rust and cracks, and the bunks and rollers are in good condition. Check the tires for proper air pressure, and look for obvious signs of age such as cracked sidewalls. Ask the seller when the last time the wheel bearings were serviced. 

In conclusion, Be Prepared to Walk Away. This is an important mindset to have when shopping for used boats. Don’t get too excited or fall in love with a boat you’re inspecting. You need to be able to walk away if something’s not right or the price is well outside the number you had budgeted. 

If you’re looking for a new or used boat please Click Here to check out our website and go to our inventory. All our boats go through an inspection process that will bring you peace of mind and keep your boat on the lake and not in the shop. Lastly, if your current boat needs service or if you need advice from our marine master techs, please call us at 602.867.3570

Happy Boating!