Used Boat-What to look for?

[parts]

Getting the urge to buy a used boat. Pontoon style for mostly riding, some fishing, river water. I know nothing about used boats. Any ideas as to motor, lenght, etc. What should I look for, and stay away from? Want to hear the good and bad.
Thanks
David

 

[m1gunner]

The two happiest days of your life will be the day you buy it......
...
And the day you sell it.

 

[Goldstar225]

Know that boat is not a word, it's an acronym meaning "Break Out Another Thousand". In boats, like motorcycles, nothing is cheap.

On a more serious note, once you select your best candidate have a reputable marine repair shop inspect it for you, especially the motor, before the purchase.

 

[jlrhiner]

Websters defines a boat as a hole in the water to throw money in.

 

[Marshwheeling]

They say the two happiest days in a man's life are the day he buys a boat and the day he sells it.

p.s. No boats for me. A good day for boating is a good day for motorcycling. Ditto golf.

p.p.s. The best boat of all is your buddy's.

 

[Evil Dog]

What to look for? Uh.... leaks? Have a friend who bought a used boat about 4 years ago, has been throwing money at it ever since. Book passage on a cruise ship instead, cheaper in the long run.

 

[dma1]

Since you are buying used, I would try to stay away from anything used in salt water, due to the fact you will not know with certainty that proper maintenance has been done on the engine. We have an older 24 ft. Tracker Party Barge. We can get about 9 people on it comfortably. It has a bimini top which is nice on hot days. If you want to fish with it, look for one that has fishing chairs on all 4 corners. Length is up to you. A trolling motor would be nice for fishing unless you anchor.

We had to replace the deck on ours several years ago, not cheap or fun, so you should really look closely for soft spots in the deck. Check under the driver's console for them too. A composite deck would be better than plywood. The furniture on some models has wood frames as well, some have plastic frames, which is better. No wood construction at all is best. Newer pontoon boats have larger diameter pontoons or "logs" and have a drier ride in rough conditions.

I like Yamaha engines best, followed by Evinrude/Johnson and Mercury. Honda engines are excellent but we don't have a dealer around here. You can find pontoon boats with anything from a 25 hp 2 stroke to a 150 hp (or higher) 4 stroke. A 60hp "Bigfoot" was made for pontoon boats. 4 Stroke engines are quieter and get better fuel mileage than 2 strokes but are higher in initial cost and maybe maintenance. I've never had a 4 stroke, but know people who do. A galvanized trailer is better than a painted one. Just some of my opinions.

 

[gjamison]

my family has been in the boat business for 30 years and have sold hundreds of boats. don't buy a used boat over 10 years old, when you
look at it think condition condition condition. if it looks like hell don't buy!

to all you boat haters out there. if you take care of your toys they will run forever. when you leave it seating in the back yard or the driveway for a couple of years and don't use it BIG SURPRISE IT WONT RUN!!

i have had the same boat for 8 years runs great, yes you have to put money into it but you do the same thing to your house,car,lawn mower. god forbid you may have to spend some money!

IF YOU DON'T SPEND YOUR MONEY, TRUST ME YOUR KIDS WILL!!!!

 

[Stevens]

I have owned 12 boats (row, outboard, inboards, and sail) since I was 16, in my 60s now, I bought some new, most used, and all but one worked out fine, they all were used in saltwater and in good shape when I sold them. They gave my family, friends, and I countless hours of enjoyment fishing, sailing, and cruising the waterways.
My 1981 Boston Whaler has lived all it's life on saltwater, the original engine was replaced about 3 years ago. So I think boats are great.
Get an experienced boating friend to help by looking at some boats with you, keep a cool head while looking,
Don't get romanced by the first one you see!
Good luck!
Steve W

 

[Double-O-Dave]

Hi Dave:

I've only owned one boat in my life - a used fiberglass Skeeter Bass Boat that I got a "friend deal" on. The boat was fine, but I soon noticed I was working double shifts to make the payments, and I was actually able to fish more by going with friends using their boat, rather than going by myself. I was able to sell the boat without any problems, and I was able to recover my initial investment as well. I was just getting ready to buy a pontoon boat to take my family on the lake with when the dot com bust hit (I was working in the tech field at the time). I think my boat owning days are done with. If you can afford it, go for it. You've been given some sound advice, and you can have a lot of fun on the water.

Best of luck,

Dave

 

[Rule3]

Take it from someone who has been there many, many times.

Don't walk, just run away!!

I have had them all, small, big medium all kinds of engines.

Save your money.

Of course I live on salt water which just eats everything.

You can buy a decent used BOAT it's the engines that kill you.

Yamaha and Honda or Mercury. Forget the rest.

This one is for sale, Like New in the Water. No dash, Excellent condition. Buyer to pay nominal shipping charge. First unconditional, I'll take it!

 

[handejector]

Used Boat-What to look for?

Thanks
David

Another way to spend that money!
You're welcome.

 

[doublesharp]

I bought this Lund fish/ski a few weeks ago for $7000 on Craigslist. I'm tempted to flip it but it runs and handles the Ohio River so well that I'm gonna reluctantly sell my Crestliner Fishhawk 1750 catfish boat. I've owned many boats since my first 16 ft skiff w/35 hp johnson back in the early 80s and I've never had a financial disaster with any. You just have to buy right. I've still got a 1990 21' 200hp bass boat that I bought in the blind at an auto dealer repo auction in 1995 and I could get about what I paid for it back then, today. I was lucky and car dealers don't care about buying boats. I knew enough to gamble and I won. Kinda like buying a fuzzy pictured 5 screw on Gun Broker, sometimes you get a diamond.

1996 Lund w/ 90 hp Honda 4 stroke

1750 Crestliner Fish Hawk w/ 60 hp that is now surplus

dealer auction repo bass boat that I've owned since 1995

5 screw .357 5" that I bought when most buyers passed because of crappy cell phone pictures.

 

[sipowicz]

Make friends with a boat owner. Bring the beer and fill it up for him. Even with the price of gas, you will come out way ahead in the long run.

 

[captorquewrench]

What to look for in a used boat?


Stowaways!


After you decide what type of boat will best suit your need/desire--take along a boat knowledgable friend to help you look any over. Too many variables in buying a boat, like buying a car or horn, that is best not left to the lone amateur or novice.

 

[Andy Griffith]

I'd start with a canoe and work up.

Ok, once you get said boat...what are you going to do with it?
Where and how to store it, and store it correctly so it will be able to brought to use when you want it. Bad/old gas, bad water pumps and leaking batteries are some of the worst enemies of freshwater boats.

We've kept the 1969 Faburglas 16' ski boat in the family long after it's heyday, even though I haven't had it out in 10+ years now! It's in perfect condition, but it isn't worth a plug nickel because of it's age. Needs a new set of tires on the trailer- they've dry rotted. We picked up the "new" 85hp Evinrude motor in Murphy NC at the train station in a crate- the train doesn't even come down there any more! The fellers at the marina in Clayton on Lake Burton put the package together.

 

[gregintenn]

"What to look for"

As you pull out of the seller's driveway pulling the boat, look in your rear view mirror at the look of joy and relief on the seller's face as he counts your money. You'll get that feeling one day when you get tired of dumping money into it.

 

[deadin]

Open all the windows in the bathroom. If the wind isn't blowing, place several floor fans around the shower. Turn the water on to full cold.
Stand in the shower and tear up $100 bills.
This will give you a preview to being a boat owner.......

 

[Pete99004]

Pontoon boats are relatively inexpensive to purchase and maintain - it's the motor that costs the most. Things you should consider:

• am I going to tow this thing (got something to tow it with and place to store it) or keep it at a marina
• inboard engine or outboard motor (outboard's - 2 stroke or 4 stroke)
• do I need 12', 16' or 24'
• trolling, sight seeing or pulling skiers - what do you want to do with it
• new or used
• hard top roofed, open topped or fabric sun/rain shade

Mine is a 24' with a 60hp Yamaha 4 stroke outboard and trailer because I store it here at home and trailer it when I want to use it. It's rated for up to 18 passengers - will have a top end of 18mph which is good enough for pulling a tube for the kids not great for skiing - roll up soft top canvas for shade and rain protection - has enclosed area for changing clothes and a porta potty. I decided to go 24' because fuel cost, maint. and handling are the same as a smaller model and this way I can get the kids and grandkids all on it with us at one time. Great fun and easy to launch and trailer - can be handled by yourself if need be and far less cost involved than many other types of water craft. Find one you like and have it certified by a qualified tech. you won't be sorry you bought it.



Regards,

Pete

 

[Rule3]

Mostly applies to Yachts, But it's all relative:

"If ya gotta ask, you can't afford it"