There is a boat near my house that the owner told me hasn't been in the water in two years. What should I look for to know that I am buying a decent boat. It has an inboard motor so I want to make sure it runs before I even think about working on this boat, How would I do that. And lastly I want to make sure the trailer is drivable and safe, What should I do and look for to check?How do I check to see if a used boat is worth buying?
Compression test the motor (the motor has to be started and warmed up to operating temp to perform this test). If PSI isn't about the same on all cylinders (within 5% or so), walk away.
If it has an outdrive, and the owner starts the engine without supplying water to the lower unit, walk away (it only takes a few seconds dry running to ruin a water pump).
If you live in a jurisdiction that issues titles for boats, and there's not a lienholder, and the owner doesn't have the title in hand, walk away.
If all those work out, make the owner take you to the lake for a test drive. When you get there, feel the trailer hubs -- they shouldn't even be warm.
The motor should start quickly (cold and warm), idle smoothly, accelerate without stalling and cruise at full throttle without problems.
It won't of course, because evaporating gasoline leaves behind a varnish in the carburetors. It should still start quickly, anyway.
But you need the lake test to see how badly it leaks around the outdrive.
go out there tonight and run a water hoe to it fill it half way . come back in 2 days and see if it held the water .How do I check to see if a used boat is worth buying?
well ask the manager how much it is and when he states then price shoot him in the leg and the say "now how much is"...."its free!!"...lol
All kinds of things to look at.
It's best if you take someone who is knowledgable about boats with you to check it out.How do I check to see if a used boat is worth buying?
jtexas gave you a great answer so heed it please.
You also have the right to have the vessel gone over by a marine surveyor. This would cost you a couple of hundred but it's definitely well worth the investment. They check structural integrity of the boat (bottom, sides, transom, etc) and a list of things much too long to list here. You can find them in the yellow pages or on the intranet.
But...even with the marine survey you still want to take the boat for a test drive. Do not settle for a start up in the driveway for that won't show that she can accelerate and get up and go.
Go luck!
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Are Pontoon boats used for water skiing?
Yes they can be, I can get up behind my pontoon it's a 24ft with a 90hp on it and it pulls me just fine either on two skis or slalom and I not a little guy either (6' 3'' 185lbs). But that being said I wouldn't say it's the ideal boat for water skiing.Are Pontoon boats used for water skiing?
You can use them although the wake is lame, and they don't go very fast. It can take a while to get up on the skies considering a pontoon's acceleration is poor. I have seen it been done. You would need a 100 hp engine or greater on it though.
not tipicaly but you could.
you can have a 75 hp motor pull you for sure
its all about your prop and the way you enegin is tunned.
itll work
taker easy bro.Are Pontoon boats used for water skiing?
Nope. Too slow and then when you have to go get the person after they fall or are done it takes a while...
bad choice. o.k. for tubing.Are Pontoon boats used for water skiing?
no man they are too slow most of the time
You can use them although the wake is lame, and they don't go very fast. It can take a while to get up on the skies considering a pontoon's acceleration is poor. I have seen it been done. You would need a 100 hp engine or greater on it though.
not tipicaly but you could.
you can have a 75 hp motor pull you for sure
its all about your prop and the way you enegin is tunned.
itll work
taker easy bro.Are Pontoon boats used for water skiing?
Nope. Too slow and then when you have to go get the person after they fall or are done it takes a while...
bad choice. o.k. for tubing.Are Pontoon boats used for water skiing?
no man they are too slow most of the time
I bought a used boat. It has a torn boot around the lower unit. How do I know which boot kit to buy?
The inboard is a 4 cylinder chevy engine that has been rebuilt and runs great. I don't know what type of lower end is on the boat so I don't know which boot kit to buy. Is there someplace on the lowere unit that will tell me, or do I just measure the hole?I bought a used boat. It has a torn boot around the lower unit. How do I know which boot kit to buy?
the "boot" is outdrive specific. you need to find out which one you have. mercruiser, volvo, yamaha, or omc. if you could post a pic someone would know. we also need more info on boat.I bought a used boat. It has a torn boot around the lower unit. How do I know which boot kit to buy?
Depending how old the outdrive is but I assume you have an older boat
If the engine is a chevy then in most cases it is mercruiser or omc
Mercruisers have mostly been black, if the anti-vent plate above the prop is round curved it it a MR. if edged alfa1 .
(older) Volvo pentas are white and have no through prop exhaust. eighter has omc but has a typical round outdrive shape and uses a transome boot in round or square type.
according to your "measure the hole" i think you have an omc
I have heard that the round type transome boot is difficult to get your hands on.I bought a used boat. It has a torn boot around the lower unit. How do I know which boot kit to buy?
Look at the registration of this boat. Hopefully it will give you some information on the manufacture of the boat. It's critical to have the correct boot installed or it will leak badly. Ask the previous owner or take it to a marina and ask them. Also, find the serial number on the out drive and use this number when ordering parts. Different years have different boots. The serial number will also tell you what year it was built. Go to "iboats.com" and search their forum under out drive parts and info. Very helpful info and they also sell part reasonably
Good luck.
the "boot" is outdrive specific. you need to find out which one you have. mercruiser, volvo, yamaha, or omc. if you could post a pic someone would know. we also need more info on boat.I bought a used boat. It has a torn boot around the lower unit. How do I know which boot kit to buy?
Depending how old the outdrive is but I assume you have an older boat
If the engine is a chevy then in most cases it is mercruiser or omc
Mercruisers have mostly been black, if the anti-vent plate above the prop is round curved it it a MR. if edged alfa1 .
(older) Volvo pentas are white and have no through prop exhaust. eighter has omc but has a typical round outdrive shape and uses a transome boot in round or square type.
according to your "measure the hole" i think you have an omc
I have heard that the round type transome boot is difficult to get your hands on.I bought a used boat. It has a torn boot around the lower unit. How do I know which boot kit to buy?
Look at the registration of this boat. Hopefully it will give you some information on the manufacture of the boat. It's critical to have the correct boot installed or it will leak badly. Ask the previous owner or take it to a marina and ask them. Also, find the serial number on the out drive and use this number when ordering parts. Different years have different boots. The serial number will also tell you what year it was built. Go to "iboats.com" and search their forum under out drive parts and info. Very helpful info and they also sell part reasonably
Good luck.
How to determine the condition of a used fiberglass hull?
I've been looking for a used boat for a while. I've recently come across one that seems like a good deal. The one issue with it is that it is old (1977)
With regard to the hull condition, what should I look for that would be a deal-breaker?How to determine the condition of a used fiberglass hull?
If this is big money you want a professional survey. Before you spend that money do a couple of things. Looking at the hull from angle to create a "horizon." Walk along each side watching for abrupt changes in the line that will indicate dents, repairs, or other "stresses." Do an exam for blisters. If they are present break a few and see if things are ugly underneath. Finally, using a plastic headed hammer or the handle of a screwdriver, tap the hull, especially around any fittings. If the hull is sound you will get a "sharp" return sound. If moisture is present the return will be "dull." The general opinion is walk away from a hull problem.
You might also do a web search for info concerning the boat. Often there are owner's groups with forums and in a short time you can pick up a pattern on particular problems or join and ask. There are books, of course. Hulls are often not a problem with older boats as they were heavily glassed although blisters are not uncommon and can be treated. Later hulls were cored with a lightweight material sandwiched between layers of glass. If this is wet it is a large problem.How to determine the condition of a used fiberglass hull?
Don't write it off because it's old- sometimes, like with a fiberglass boat, that can be a good thing. I'm not sure if blisters were a problem back then, but check for them. There weren't too many cored hulls- avoid them like the plague unless you KNOW they're good. A solid glass hull can be professionally repaired as good and strong as new. Check for separated bulkheads, separated keel joint (keel bolts if you have them), hull to deck joint (don't want THAT leaking) deck condition (cored decks- jump around and see if they squish), and mast step area (compressed to the point of damage?). To be sure, you can have a survey performed (Your own surveyor- don't use theirs).How to determine the condition of a used fiberglass hull?
hull can be repaired..make sure there aren't any soft spots in the floor, and that old repairs aren't hiding any hole throughs....take your oldest clothes and climb under it and look on the trailer...never buy a boat you can't see in dry dock.....mopar
With regard to the hull condition, what should I look for that would be a deal-breaker?How to determine the condition of a used fiberglass hull?
If this is big money you want a professional survey. Before you spend that money do a couple of things. Looking at the hull from angle to create a "horizon." Walk along each side watching for abrupt changes in the line that will indicate dents, repairs, or other "stresses." Do an exam for blisters. If they are present break a few and see if things are ugly underneath. Finally, using a plastic headed hammer or the handle of a screwdriver, tap the hull, especially around any fittings. If the hull is sound you will get a "sharp" return sound. If moisture is present the return will be "dull." The general opinion is walk away from a hull problem.
You might also do a web search for info concerning the boat. Often there are owner's groups with forums and in a short time you can pick up a pattern on particular problems or join and ask. There are books, of course. Hulls are often not a problem with older boats as they were heavily glassed although blisters are not uncommon and can be treated. Later hulls were cored with a lightweight material sandwiched between layers of glass. If this is wet it is a large problem.How to determine the condition of a used fiberglass hull?
Don't write it off because it's old- sometimes, like with a fiberglass boat, that can be a good thing. I'm not sure if blisters were a problem back then, but check for them. There weren't too many cored hulls- avoid them like the plague unless you KNOW they're good. A solid glass hull can be professionally repaired as good and strong as new. Check for separated bulkheads, separated keel joint (keel bolts if you have them), hull to deck joint (don't want THAT leaking) deck condition (cored decks- jump around and see if they squish), and mast step area (compressed to the point of damage?). To be sure, you can have a survey performed (Your own surveyor- don't use theirs).How to determine the condition of a used fiberglass hull?
hull can be repaired..make sure there aren't any soft spots in the floor, and that old repairs aren't hiding any hole throughs....take your oldest clothes and climb under it and look on the trailer...never buy a boat you can't see in dry dock.....
I trying to buy a used boat from a private seller.?
I trying to buy a used boat from a private seller. How would the change of ownership go about if the private seller still owes his bank $23,000 for his boat? Oh yah were buying the boat for $22,000. Where would the $1000 differ come from?I trying to buy a used boat from a private seller.?
Firebird is correct, the seller makes up the difference.
Be sure the seller actually pays off the loan and you get the title. See if you can go with him to his bank and have him sign off the the title right there.I trying to buy a used boat from a private seller.?
The seller has to pull that $1000 out of his pocket.
Firebird is correct, the seller makes up the difference.
Be sure the seller actually pays off the loan and you get the title. See if you can go with him to his bank and have him sign off the the title right there.I trying to buy a used boat from a private seller.?
The seller has to pull that $1000 out of his pocket.
Where can I find a used hydraulic boat trailer?
I'm looking for a used hydraulic boat trailer that will move a boat up to 28' and 10,000# approx. Does anyone know where I can find one, cash in hand. I found a few that are too big, looking for one that is comparable in size to a Hostar 2800 but I will buy and modify a larger unit if the price is right.Where can I find a used hydraulic boat trailer?
I"ve seen some parked in the weeds at marinas that no longer use them. The question I have is where are you. They might take a lot of work to make serviceable.
I"ve seen some parked in the weeds at marinas that no longer use them. The question I have is where are you. They might take a lot of work to make serviceable.
Where is the best place to buy used pontoon boats in waco, tx area?
See link below, was taken 30 seconds ago. Represents Craigslist items for your area.Where is the best place to buy used pontoon boats in waco, tx area?
Check out Cooper Capital .com They have a number of boats for sale and have quite a few listed in Dickinson Texas. They just might have something that appeals to you. Good luck!
Check out Cooper Capital .com They have a number of boats for sale and have quite a few listed in Dickinson Texas. They just might have something that appeals to you. Good luck!
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