A Check List When You Want The Best Boat For Your Money

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When you are looking to buy a boat, there are a number of issues that should be addressed.  What follows is a relatively comprehensive list of some of the key points that you should consider if you want to get the best boat for your money.

• Consider what you want to do with the boat.  Will the boat be used for fishing, taking trips, water skiing, or for racing?  Having a handle on this will help determine the size and type of boat you will be looking at.
  
  
• Determine what kind of boat you can afford.  Ask yourself what kind of boat is best for your budget and for your lifestyle.

• Look for the “NMMA Certified Using ABYC Standards” label.  This label means that a professional third-party inspector has thoroughly and systematically checked the main safety systems of the boat.
  
  
• Are you considering a used boat or a new one?  Keep in mind that similar to new automobiles, new boats depreciate the moment they leave the showroom floor.
• What kind of climate will you be boating in?  If you will be boating in a cooler climate, you might want a boat that gives you more shelter from the elements.  Keep in mind, moreover, that the larger the body of water, the bigger the waves and the more demanding the driving conditions will be.  Usually, this indicates that a larger and more powerful boat may be needed.
  
  
• If you decide to buy a new boat, a great place to start looking is at the local boat shows.  At these shows you can get a first-hand education about the different types of boats that are available, as well as finding special deals. 
  
  
• If purchasing a new boat is your goal but money is an issue, take a look at the previous year’s boats after the new models have arrived.  Not unlike new cars, some great specials will probably be available at this time.  Another favorable time to buy a new boat is at the end of a model year when dealers are making a big effort to sell the previous year’s inventory.  You may be pleasantly surprised at what great deals may arise! 
  
  
• The type of water you will be boating on is also an important factor to consider.  For example, will you be boating in freshwater or in saltwater? 

• If buying a used boat is in your plans, a good place to start your search can be the classified ads found in the magazines, newspaper, and on boat-related websites.  You might want to take a trip to one of your local boat dealerships.  Remember, however, that due to sales commission and overhead, buying a boat from a dealer will usually be more costly than buying directly from the owner.

• When you have found a used boat that you may want to purchase, remember to call the U.S. Coast Guard (800- 368-5647) and find out if a manufacturers' recall has been targeted for the model boat in which you are interested.  If a recall has been initiated, ask the owner if the repairs have been completed.  If you are still interested in this particular boat, it would be a good idea to take the boat to an authorized dealer who can verify whether or not the repairs have been made according to the manufacturer’s recall specifications.
  
  
• If you really want to leave no stone unturned, ask the owner to show you the seller's proof of ownership.  If the price is too good to be true, this may mean that the boat is or once was stolen property.  As a result, make sure you look at the appropriate documents, and if the seller cannot produce them, it would probably be a good idea to buy your boat elsewhere.

A Key Consideration:  The Engine Check List

A major consideration regarding used boats concerns the condition of the engine.  Due to the fact that significantly more demands are placed on a boat engine as compared to a car engine, it is essential to have an authorized boat mechanic do a thorough inspection of the engine.  Some of the key areas of concern are the following: 

• Remove one or more spark plugs and observe how much the plugs are burnt and how they are gapped.  This will offer some information into how well the engine has been serviced.
  
  
• Are there indications of a lubricant leak around hoses, gaskets, or freeze plugs?
  
  
• Is there oil in the bilge?  The bilge is the rounded portion of a ship's hull that forms the transition between the bottom and the sides of the boat.  If there is oil in the bilge, this may be an indication of an oil leak.  If this is the case, closer inspection is surely warranted.
  
  
• Check for broken or loose motor mounts.
  
  
• Are the belts, fittings, or hoses cracked or brittle?  If so, replacement is probably the best solution.
  
  
• Is there a white chalky deposit on the engine or on the drive?  If so, this might be an indication that the engine has been running hot or perhaps overheating.
  
  
• Check the engine compression.  A loss of compression can adversely affect the running of the engine.
  
  
• Check the level and the condition of the motor oil.  The oil system is essentially a closed system.  This means that the engine should not be losing oil.  if the engine is short more than one quart, this might mean that there is an oil leak.  If the oil feels extra thin and looks milky or discolored, water may have seeped into the oil system.  This may be an indication of overheating, poor cooling, or some other problem that needs to be addressed.
  
  
• In addition to the engine oil, make sure to check the gear case oil.

Boat Check List

• Check the cables and controls steering and the throttle .
  
  
• Open and close all the hatches to see if they work properly.
  
  
• Look at fittings, fuel lines, and fuel tanks for leaks.
  
  
• Check the electrical system for loose connections and for rust.
  
  
• Turn on all major systems and observe how they operate: bilge pump, lights, sink, toilet, air conditioner, blower, winches, generator, heater, shower, stove, stereo, and so on.  
  
  
• Check to see if the rudder stock is straight.
  
  
• Are the batteries fastened in a secure manner and mounted in acid-proof containers?
  
  
• Is the upholstery still in good condition?  Is the stitching tight or is it unraveling?
  
  
• Look at the hull fittings and make sure that they are not leaking or loose. Make sure to inspect the condition of the propeller, rudder, and drive.

• Are there any indications that any of these have hit objects?
  
  
• Check the anodes on the drive. Are they worn and need to be replaced or are they in good condition?
  
  
• Does the cabin smell fresh or is there a mildew smell?
  
  
• When the boat is out of the water, see if there are any stress fractures, cracks, dings, or blisters in the hull or gelcoat.
  
  
• Inspect the propellers for prop erosion (known as cavitation).  If there exists erosion, this is an indication of less than optimal performance.
  
  
• Check to see if the propeller shaft is straight.

The Test Drive

Not unlike buying a used or a new car, it is always a great idea to take the boat for a test drive.   Make sure to key on the following when you test drive the boat:

• In straight runs, does the boat bounce up and down at the bow?  If so, does adjusting the trim take care of the problem?
  
  
• Was the engine already warm before you turned on the ignition?  If so, the owner may have done this before you arrived to cover up the fact that the engine has difficulties with cold starts or smokes excessively.

• Check the bilge for oil leaks both before and after the test drive.
  
  
• Run the boat long enough to see if the engine overheats.
  
  
• Make sure to check the oil pressure gauge.
  
  
• Drive the boat around the dock in forward and in reverse to see how well and how quickly it responds to input from the helm.
  
  
• Create some waves by going in circles and drive into the waves at many different angles.  Does your weight cause side-to-side rolling?
  
  
• See if the gages and the instruments work accurately and appropriately.
  
  
• See how long it takes for the boat to come on plane (five seconds is average; 10 or more seconds is too much time for most boats).
  
  
• Perform a number of tight and wide turns at various speeds.

Concluding the Sale

If the performance and the condition of the boat meet your expectations, the next and final issue is price.  By now, you should have a good idea how much you can afford and what you can spend.  To help determine if the asking price is legitimate, look at the following guides for pricing information: 

• The NADA Marine Appraisal Guide
  
• The BUC Used Boat Price Guide (800-327-6929)
  
• The ABOS Marine Blue Book (800-262-1954)

After you negotiate the price, get the sales agreement in writing--even with friends!  This written agreement should specify issues such as delivery dates, payment terms, accessories that were included (and not included) in the sale,repairs that need to be made and who is responsible for making them (including a time limit if the seller is supposed to do the repairs), and any other relevant aspects of the sales agreement.

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