What does one look for when buying a used boat?

Inboard or Outboard or I/O

Inboard are for skiing and very large boats. You don't need that.

Outboards on convient to work on. Usually people are turned off by the extra noise.

I/O is the most popular (I think). Engine inside the boat and stern drive outside the boat.

Stay away from Ford based engines. OMC.

Mercruiser are the most popular but Volvo Penta are good too.

In a 20ft I/O boat I would get the V8 small block if you want to ski or pull a tube. V6 is ok for just fishing.

Look at the hall. If it's been keep in the water look below the water line and bottom for bubbles. Usually at the corners. Bubles may indicate water getting in behind the gel coat an into the wood.

Look for wood rot under the seats hatch cover, in the bilage and stringers and look in the ski locker in the middle of the boat.

Take it for a ride. Does the power stearing work. Open the hatch while running slow. Are there leaks?

Look for general engine stuff. Oil, water leaks from exhaust manifolds...

Make sure the boat fits the trailer. If the bunks don't extend past the the back of the boat look at the botton edge carfully. The back of the boat can sag causing a hook on the bottom of the boat.

Look for one that was stored on a trailer if you can. Leaving then sit in the water kills the gel coat/color.

Things will rattle loose from a boat. So don't be alarmed. You will just have to learn how to fix them.

If your from NW Ohio I have a boat you might be interested in.

1996 Baja 208 Islander.

Buying A Used Boat

Wow, what a question. As a dealer, I would tell you first and foremost decide what the primary use will be. It's tough to fish on a cruiser, and uncomfortable to cruise on a fishing boat. Depending on your budget, find a few that fit your want list, and go look. You can tell a lot from the way the owner talks; if you don't feel comfortable, move on. It is a buyers market now, with sales of boats down over 11 percent nation wide, so don't be afraid to dicker. You can go on nada.com and find the true values, remember that all of the add ons and the repairs DO NOT increase the value. Also we try to take in boats at 20% below low, so we can sell right away. Most sellers are asking retail, yet when asked they won't pay retail, so do the homework and show them what the real values are... If you come up with one you are really interested, drop me an e-mail and I'll gladly give you the real pricing compared to the market.

RE:

What does one look for when buying a used boat?

I am looking to buy a used boat. I dont want much, basically, I'm just looking to get in the water to do some fishing, and maybe some skiing. I know I want around 20 foot and I want a bowrider, but what sorts of things do I look for? Engine? Outdrive? The only thing I know about boats is...

MOTOR-MOTOR-MOTOR, it's all in the motor, ask to see maint. records for the water pump, it should have been changed out every other year, check transom for cracks, don't buy a boat with an outboard older than 3 years old, avoid "Inboard/outboard" engine's, the outdrive changes the direction of the "DRIVE TRAIN" too many times, NEVER a good design, this creats "WEAR" points, where it changed direction, also the only thing between you and the water is a rubber boot around the outdrive, what if the rubber boot starts to leak, because, it's old worn and cracked, a common problem on "I/O's". I suggest you bring someone who really know's boats, I did, and they pointed out a serious problem that I did not see on the boat. The second boat we looked at was great, and I bought it, and still have it from 20 years ago !

that is waaaay too broad a question... there are so many aspects. will it be used in fresh or salt water (or both) that is a big concern b/c if you're going in the salt, you'll be exposed to more currents and chop, affecting your ride and comfort (believe me, i know ALLLL about inadiquate boats) and that will make or break your introduction into this hobby!!... the other big consideration is resale value and it's SOOO important. i promise you, once you get on the water, you'll be hooked, and you'll want a bigger boat. the best thing to do is look at what's hot where you'll be boating... too much to list so if you would like to contact me directly i can help you out PLENTY and would be glad to do so, i'd hate to see a fellow boater make the mistakes many others have made... my email is jeclutterbuck@yahoo.com hope to hear from you!

Get a marine survey done on any boat that you are looking to buy. Ask the seller to have this done and if it passes this inspection then agree to pay for the inspection, if it fails then the seller is stuck paying for it. I wouldn't buy from someone not willing to agree to this.

buying boat

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