Buying a boat questions!!

[Kasim Baluch]

Hey everyone!

I am going to see a boat this weekend to POSSIBLY purchase my first boat. I am actually quite nervous as I haven't purchased a boat before, nor car by myself. This is a '93 bow rider, short 18 footer, outboard. The engine has been rebuilt and it hasn't really phased me a bit as I have rebuilt one of my dads trucks engines before and it worked like brand new. BUT I'm not sure if this goes the same for boats!

I would love to post the boat on here but I do want the first look at it and hopefully you all understand

So question is,
what questions do I ask!

I understand the basics like hours, why you selling, last time the motor was serviced but what else does anyone think I should ask!

Thanks guys Lots of "thank" tabs are going to be clicked on in this thread LOL

 

[grubman]

OH man where ot start.
I'm guessing it's a 20 year old fiberglass boat. Have you checked the floorboards, transom, hull, keel, all water entry points......etc. What make is it? If this was an aluminum hull I'd say go for it. Glass has good and bad, most bad, when it comes to age........lol.

Do you know someone who know's boats? Take them along to inspect the gel coat and all the other items I mentioned. What engine, Hp, brand. How's the prop, you see nicks on it? How much they asking?

 

[schnip]

recently bought a boat--at BP--ended up me and someone went in on a new boat because of the following reasons

E L E C T R I C A L

its one of those things you cant really tell
how worn it is
if it doesnt work where the problem is
if it works how long it will last before replacement
if there are shorts
what wires go where(if they are not connected)
voltage correct?
maybe its the battery--you will end up stripping the boat clean of every wire...


you can test it and an hour after you leave nothing will work---

moral of the story--as long as the motor has been winterized your ok--with a bit of TLC
the hull is the hull--if it floats and doesnt have obvious damage or pressure cracks your good
transom -no crack--motor isnt way over the rating for the tructure?--all good

electrical is key its a fortune to have a marina to rewire your boat--speaking from experience --first hand--you will lose you marbles

 

[Kasim Baluch]

OH man where ot start.
I'm guessing it's a 20 year old fiberglass boat. Have you checked the floorboards, transom, hull, keel, all water entry points......etc. What make is it? If this was an aluminum hull I'd say go for it. Glass has good and bad, most bad, when it comes to age........lol.

Do you know someone who know's boats? Take them along to inspect the gel coat and all the other items I mentioned. What engine, Hp, brand. How's the prop, you see nicks on it? How much they asking?

Thanks grubman!!

Yah its a fiberglasse one lol. I haven't seen it just yet but it looks like I'm going up to see it on sunday so I'm not too sure of a lot of those things but I will inspect it for sure. Its a Johnson motor 90HP. The floorboards look clean but its an older boat so there are some dirt stains but I dont see anything as of yet that would make me assume that water gets in. I can PM you some pictures if you don't mind! lemme know! :-D

most of the picture I got sent has the boat docked so I can't see too much of the body work. We've had an '87 bayliner in our family for a while but this is just something I want to surprise my dad with. He loves fishing just as much as I do but hasn't done a lot over the years because we haven't had the right boat so I would love to bring him along but as he gets older I really want to do something for him! so hopefully I him something affordable in regards to my budget.

 

[iamnickevans]

Buying an older boat can be a difficult task, a rebuilt engine usually means that the engine has high hours, not always true but in most cases it would be. As for the boat, time is your enemy. The most common problems in older boats tends to be rotted floor boards and well used interiors. They may seem solid to the touch but with close inspection they could be damaged and need repair even though the carpeting or flooring can seem okay at first look. When purchasing a used boat I would not jump on the first deal you see. You are better off to spend the time to buy a boat with a known history from someone you trust or a trusted marina. Do a little research on the internet to find common problems/issues with the motor and boat you are planning to purchase. You can find valuable information from various websites as well as going to your local marine mechanic or marina to ask there opinions on the boat your looking to purchase. Most marinas have years of experience in dealing with commonly used boats and can give you some great insight.

oh yeah...and make sure it floats

Good luck!

 

[grubman]

I don't mind looking at the pics, but it's like Nick says, it's what you can't see that's the problem. The seller is not going to send you pics of rotting floor or transom, or close ups of hull repairs. Since about the early 80's boat makers discovered a method to use less resin to fibreglass boats and that is to make foam core glass hulls. You or me won't be able to tell from a pic if the foam is rotting and de-laminating. That's one of the biggest probs with new and old glass boats.

What year is the boat and who makes it? Is it on a trailer now or at a marina? Sure send me the pics, I probably won't be able to tell you much from the pics tho. I'll do what I can.