Boat buying tips and tricks (help)

[mvanstr]

Just starting to look into getting a boat and am obviously overwhelmed. I am thinking about a 17-20 ft alum would be ideal. I will use only for bass fishing, but would also like to be able to go striper fishing as well. Would likely only use on larger reservoirs in my area like Lake Hartwell, Keowee, ect. looking to spend less than 17,000 to 15,000. I would like to go the craigslist route but not knowing what to look for i'm afraid I would get a POS. Any and all advise would help for this process. 

 

I'm sure there are more threads on this topic but after scrolling a couple pages in I couldn't find one, so I am sorry if this is repetitive info. Thanks!  

[J Francho]

Find a good outboard mechanic, and always demand a compression test on the cylinders, and a test drive on the water.  The compressions should be within 10% of each other.  When on the water, make sure EVERYTHING works.

[A-Jay]

 

Here's some recent threads to get you started.  

If I could offer you one bit of advice - I'd say knowledge provides ability & confidence.

Learn as much as you can regarding what you're looking for & doing, well in advance of actually looking & certainly before any purchase. 

"Learning on the fly' has cost many a good man a ton of $$ & heartache. 

Good Luck

A-Jay

 

[DINK WHISPERER]

I would say patience is key here. As stated above, narrow down what you want first. Then do tons of research on known issues, features etc. Check what others are paying for the same or comparable boat. Be sure to schedule the meeting to see the boat early so you have plenty of daylight to check everything. Always find your own mechanic in the area and don't tell the seller which one it is (don't ask). Take a long test drive and make sure you see it running at wide open for a while as well as just idling too. And don't forget to make sure all paperwork like vin numbers on title, trailer and outboard match up. Craigslist is definitely a great way to get more boat for your money as long as you're careful. Every one of my 7 bass boats have come from CL and i haven't been burnt yet. I do have OCD though and don't overlook anything! Best of luck to you....

[Skeeter Dan]

As dink whisperer stated. Also check to see that all the gauges , live wells bilge pump works. Look to see if boat takes on water. If you can crawl underneath it check for crakes and holes.

[MittenMouth]

Do your homework on the model and see what breaks typically. Like someone said, test everything on the water too. 

[TOXIC]

Easiest way.....Take a friend who knows boats!!  Because all the studying in the world won't help if you are not experienced in looking at boats.  There are so many things that would slip past the uneducated eye.  That being said there are some things you can do like get the leakdown/compression test, on the water test to check livewells/gauges/graphs, etc., and don't forget the trailer because you won't make it to the lake without it!!  Tires/bunks/hubs/wiring/lights, etc.  

[NHBull]

I just went through the process again and it really helped to narrow the search to 2 or 3 boats and decide what is a want and what is a need.  This time I got lucky when I stumbled onto a great dealer saving me 10k in the transaction when compared to other dealers.  When dealing on CB, expand your search to several stated, and don't be afraid to drive.  I have also found that boats presented in prestine conditioned usually check out.  Good luck and be patient!