What things do you check for when buying a used boat?

want to buy a boat but i've never owned one before and don't know what to check for when buying a used boat.What things do you check for when buying a used boat?
Take the boat for a 1/2 HR boat ride, with at least 10 min at speed. Then look at everything closely. But, remember you are buying used. If you were selling something you have like a car, is it perfect? In used boats the value is in the money. Good Luck!
you have some good answers here. 1, have them take you for a test drive and show you how it works. 2, after 15 minutes of driving the boat, have them start it, and turn it off a few times...this way you wont get stranded on a lake. 3,check the floor, and see if you can find any soft spots. 4,check the seatsand carpet, if the boat was takin care of properly, it will look new, if the seats and carpet looks bad...more then likely the whole boat was takin care the same way. now what kind of boat do you want to buy!? you dont need one with a cubby cabin, big boats cost to much to maintain. get something about 16 foot to start with, something you can park in your driveway, and you can put in and take out of the water...bigger boats you have to store for the winter, and pay for marina docking...thats about $2000 for the summer, and $1500 for the winter. you want to go with an outboard motor "easier to work on. most important " dont rush to buy any boat, shop around...now is the best time to get good deals on boats, winter is coming, and if someone is asking $5000 for a boat...offer them $3500. but ask them to take you for a test drive before low balling them. and if they say the boat needs a part that only cost $100 and it will run fine...RUN! its a red flag if they say anything about needing a part thats cheap, if it was they would have put it on!What things do you check for when buying a used boat?
its like buying a car. you dont want one with too many miles. but with a boat its hours.
have a mechanic check the boat out well worth the moneyWhat things do you check for when buying a used boat?
check if it floats
three deal-breakers:

1. motor with bad compression

2. soft transom

3. no title
get it surveyed by a professional in the marine industry first is my suggestion
TAKE IT FOR A TEST DRIVE! Run a compression test. make shure boat is Solid.