Don't Get Screwed- What to look for when buying a "new" used boat.

[northern_outdoorsman]

I hope this helps other people: Pay For a Marine Inspection By a Marine Surveyor! Anyone else?

[ifish4eyes]

I'd agree for a larger boat purchase. I used one when I was looking a thrity footer. Found out the boat had been wrecked and freshly repaired, with the owner denying in knowledged. Also he used a dectector that alerted us to water in the hull (fiberglass). His cost was ten bucks a foot. Cheap, considering I did not make a 30k mistake in buying this boat.

[Steve]

Some good advice Northern!

[northern_outdoorsman]

NOT JUST LARGER BOATS! I bought a 19 ft fiberglass bass boat that I wish I had gotten a survey. Cracked strakes and hull and extensive water damage. $8000 down the drain! BEWARE!

[Dumroese]

I had bought a Bayliner fish and ski boat for an unbelievable deal.

I should have had someone look at it befor I bought it however I did get very lucky. As I bought it from a person and not a dealership I drew up a contract to the extent of if something went wrong it may fall back on him depending of the problem. I recommend doing this regardless of having someone lok at it or not.

Before I put it on the water I then got all the information on the boat, the shop manual all the information on pumps that was missing anything I could get my hands on.

I wanted to make sure I covered all my bases before anything could go wrong.

Luck for me the gentleman went to great lenghts to maintain the boat and it runs like it is brand new

The best part about this is that I now now everything about everything on or in the boat