looking at boats
- Thread starter fluke
- Start date
Help Support Chattanooga Fishing Forum:
First trip I would look at the boat I have for sale!emoBigsmile , if not here is some pointers.
#1- the finsh of the boat= has it been left outside or undercover, scratches, gel coat cracks,peeling, you want to look around the transom for cracks.
#2= you need too check the conditions of all electricial hardware, switches, lights,pumps listen to hear if they run,livewell and bilge, fishfinders.
#3-conditon of carpet in the boat, also for soft spots in the floor of the boat.
#4-the motor, you want a compression check on all cylinders, you want all the cylinders to be within 10% of each other, also check foot for water or if possible have them do a pressure check, if oil is leaking around the prop shaft it needs seals, maybe have gear damage.
#5=check condition of trailer, rust, tires, bearings.
#6 almost forgot check steering wheel to motor for loose motion
these are just a few things to look for when buying a used boat.
#1- the finsh of the boat= has it been left outside or undercover, scratches, gel coat cracks,peeling, you want to look around the transom for cracks.
#2= you need too check the conditions of all electricial hardware, switches, lights,pumps listen to hear if they run,livewell and bilge, fishfinders.
#3-conditon of carpet in the boat, also for soft spots in the floor of the boat.
#4-the motor, you want a compression check on all cylinders, you want all the cylinders to be within 10% of each other, also check foot for water or if possible have them do a pressure check, if oil is leaking around the prop shaft it needs seals, maybe have gear damage.
#5=check condition of trailer, rust, tires, bearings.
#6 almost forgot check steering wheel to motor for loose motion
these are just a few things to look for when buying a used boat.
Buoy-Master
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 30, 2006
- Messages
- 10,855
I'll do the trailer inspection for ya Teddy. Gonna cost you a ride though.
Bubbakat
Well-known member
Ask for a water trial
a compression check
a spark test.
The most infamous words we hear in the boating world is:
It ran good last time out. They fail to mention that the last time it was out was christmas of 72emoLaugh
The other post had some real good points in it.
When the last time the water pump was changed and lower unit oil was changed.
a compression check
a spark test.
The most infamous words we hear in the boating world is:
It ran good last time out. They fail to mention that the last time it was out was christmas of 72emoLaugh
The other post had some real good points in it.
When the last time the water pump was changed and lower unit oil was changed.
Liveliner
Well-known member
The most important things to check are the conditions that the boat will revel to you if you know how to look. If you are looking at a boat more than Ten years old you should check the following;</p>
1.- Check for stress cracks around the transome and in corners where two larger areas meet. Watch for repaired areas. you should be able to detect them by a slight change in the finish or by looking for uneven areas across the surface. Look for patched areas on the bottom of the hull.</p>
2.- Look at any area that you can gain access to see if the wood base that supports the fiberglass deck has began to rot and delaminate. Upon just viewing a boat you can not disassemble anything. However if you do get serious about the deal, I would recommend that you remove any vent covers and/or metal hoods that cover wiring entry holes. Check the wood layers closely where the cut hole through the deck exposes the raw wood to the eliments.</p>
3.- Wiring - look for bad splicing and abandoned dead ended wires. Added wiring is not a bad thing. In fact most all boats require additional wiring for the many accesories folks add these days. Bad wiring and abandoned wires show that the electrical work was most likely done by a Non-professional. That will also give you a hint as to how the engine was maintained.</p>
1.- Check for stress cracks around the transome and in corners where two larger areas meet. Watch for repaired areas. you should be able to detect them by a slight change in the finish or by looking for uneven areas across the surface. Look for patched areas on the bottom of the hull.</p>
2.- Look at any area that you can gain access to see if the wood base that supports the fiberglass deck has began to rot and delaminate. Upon just viewing a boat you can not disassemble anything. However if you do get serious about the deal, I would recommend that you remove any vent covers and/or metal hoods that cover wiring entry holes. Check the wood layers closely where the cut hole through the deck exposes the raw wood to the eliments.</p>
3.- Wiring - look for bad splicing and abandoned dead ended wires. Added wiring is not a bad thing. In fact most all boats require additional wiring for the many accesories folks add these days. Bad wiring and abandoned wires show that the electrical work was most likely done by a Non-professional. That will also give you a hint as to how the engine was maintained.</p>