Would you buy a rental boat?

[JohnL60]

We're looking at a used Regal 1900.It was a rental boat at a lodge for a season last year.The hull is clean.The interior shows some scuffs, tears and a large rip on the back seat.The 4.3L MPI mercruiser has 430hrs. on it.The skag is a little scuffed and the prop seems to be new.Apparently the motor was well maintaned and comes with a 3yr.warranty from merc.The boat comes with the full warranty from Regal.The marina promises to clean up and repair the interior issues and a full 2hr test drive come the spring.Obviously everything has a price.If you thought this was a good deal compared to a new boat,would you consider this one and what questions would you be asking? Thanks....John

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Would you buy a rental boat?

it is no different than buying used, or a turned in lease car. my problem, is the 4.3 is minimum for that boat, although the MPI may have enough additional power.

 

[JohnL60]

Re: Would you buy a rental boat?

One of the jobs for this boat will be to pull kids on wakeboards,skis and tubes.I'm hoping the right prop will solve any holeshot issues.A new 5L. Regal will be another 9K. Thanks for the reply....John

 

[fishmen111]

Re: Would you buy a rental boat?

Sounds good John, especially with the warranty. I would ask about the new prop though. What was hit? TD is right about the power to weight ratio, but if you prop down, you should be fine.

 

[JohnL60]

Re: Would you buy a rental boat?

Yeah,they don't know about the prop.I'm more concerned about those 430hrs.That's a ton in a season..

 

[fishmen111]

Re: Would you buy a rental boat?

That is a lot of hours for a year, but if the price reflects that it could still be a good deal. I would rather have a boat with 430 hours in one year than one with the same over 10 years. Just like vehicles, it is not good for boats to sit long term, especially I/Os. If they can prove proper maintenance, it still might be a deal.

 

[scoutabout]

Re: Would you buy a rental boat?

The average family boat in Ontario logs well under 50 hours a season -- probably more like 30 (I think I did about 60 last season...) Anyway, don't know where you are located but if you can boat all year round call it a 100hrs average to be generous. So you can see just how much use that thing got in one year -- and probably by people that don't necessarily know how to drive a boat properly.

Now, that's not all bad as others have suggested provided it was maintained properly. All things being equal, though, I bet the lodge owner would rather have his boats on the water making money than in the shop costing money -- especially if he keeps his boats just one season. Can he show you maintenance logs?

I like the fact he's going to fix the upholstry and the promise of a long, pressure-free sea trial is also a bonus. The motor warranty is good news too. Any chance that will cover the outdrive? Shiny new props on high time motors always set off alarm bells for me. Especially with skegs in rough shape. Put the motor in neutrual and give the prop a spin. Watch for out of true rotation. Also, grab the blades and give a good tug side to side and note any play in the shaft. Then, after your ride, haul it again and open up the gearcase drain screw to let some oil run out, and note the presence of water or milky-coloured oil.

Problems with outdrives will get expensive quickly and while not the end of the world it would give you some more leverage in bargaining price. Consider a full survey by an independent professional -- it's rarely money wasted.

Anyway, sounds like you're going in with your eyes open which is good. If you care to post the asking price versus what that boat goes for new it would also help with opinions.

 

[JohnL60]

Re: Would you buy a rental boat?

Thanks for all the replies.I eluded a bit to pricing earlier.There are no records of maintenance that came with the boat.The lodge was on Lake Geneva in Wisconsin.The boat is now near Toronto ,Ontario.It would take some footwork to track everything.This would be a deal based on trust,pre- delivery promises,warranty and test drive.Based on the hrs. on that motor,other than oil changes ,what parts,filters,belts ??? might you assume should have been looked at repaired or replaced. Thanks again.....John

 

[bomar76]

Re: Would you buy a rental boat?

I would not ever consider buying an ex rental boat.

There are so many used boats on the market now from desperate sellers that are one owner, low hour, garage that the idea of buying a used rental boat with a zillion hours is perposterous.

I see rental boats go out all the time with absolute clueless first time boaters grinding their way through Alpha drives, ramming docks, trailer up trimmed beaching, etc.....I don't care what kinda warranty a seller would offer.

And the reason they don't have maintenece records....there aren't any. Rental boats normally recieve whatever repairs it takes to keep them rentable and that's it.

 

[scoutabout]

Re: Would you buy a rental boat?

Thanks for all the replies.I eluded a bit to pricing earlier.There are no records of maintenance that came with the boat.The lodge was on Lake Geneva in Wisconsin.The boat is now near Toronto ,Ontario.It would take some footwork to track everything.This would be a deal based on trust,pre- delivery promises,warranty and test drive.Based on the hrs. on that motor,other than oil changes ,what parts,filters,belts ??? might you assume should have been looked at repaired or replaced. Thanks again.....John

I'm not sure I follow. Are you saying the seller has agreed to ship it to you once the deal is done or that the seller isn't the lodge owner but a third party representing the lodge? Don't tell me the test drive is supposed to take place AFTER you do up the sales agreement or pay a deposit.

As for the maintenance, you can't play catch up now if he never did any of the stuff along the way. For instance, a boat with that many hours on it would normally have had the outdrive removed more than a couple of times between new and now to check the state of the inner seals and driveshaft alignment. The gimbal ring and bearing should be retorqued regularly and possibly the bellows replaced (although that's almost as much of an exposure to the elements kind of thing in conjunction with straight hours). If the boat was allowed to operate with some of these things out of whack the drive could have been eating itself from the inside out and be well past responding to minor adjustment or repair. I'm certainly not an expert -- you could look up the maintenance required for Alpha drives and see what the hourly thresholds are for stuff.

At this point I'd really stress you should be getting a professional marine survey. The shoals of regret are littered with vessels bought on "trust and pre-delivery promises." The couple of hundred bucks could save you a lot of grief.

 

[gstanton]

Re: Would you buy a rental boat?

I'm with Bomar. I've watched too many - and helped tie up "busted" rental boats - to even consider that nightmare. The statement is true that the only service they get is when they quit running.

No way.

 

[JohnL60]

Re: Would you buy a rental boat?

I live about an hour from this marina where the boat is here in southern Ontario.The wife and I sat in it and went over things about 2 wks. ago .They (management) were at a conference down in Wis. this winter and brought back 4 of these similar Regal 1900's. 3 have been sold.The salesguy said they have gone over the motor and drive,had it running in the shop and serviced anything it needed.They brought it in and took the shrinkwrap off for us. This dealership is longstandng and reputable,however not a Regal dealer.
This would be our fifth boat, but first I/O .We have looked at new Regals.
This thread has been interesting.Keep your opinions coming. Thanks....John

 

[scoutabout]

Re: Would you buy a rental boat?

OK -- so it sounds like you certainly are not new to boating and are confident of the marina -- that helps. Ask if they've pulled the outdrive during these checks. Also, try asking if you could send over an independent marine surveyor and watch for their reaction. I could give you the name of a guy in the Lake Simcoe / Barrie area if you want. I was going to use him to check out a boat at one of those mega-dealers along Hwy 400 but found way too many problems that even I could spot. He seemed sensible to me on the phone, though. Let me know.

 

[JohnL60]

Re: Would you buy a rental boat?

Thanks Scout Pm sent...

 

[TriadSteeler]

Re: Would you buy a rental boat?

The one thing that I would be leery about is the fact that it is a rental boat that they are getting rid of. If they are getting out of the rental business that is one thing. If not, I would wonder what about this boat makes it non-profitable for renting. What springs into my mind is that it spent an inordinate amount of down-time instead of being on the water. (red flag) Due to the fact that this is a rental boat makes it less marketable for resell and they are more likely looking to unload rather than profit from selling it.

I have also seen what morons who have just spent 30-40K on a boat attempt. I couldn't imagine what happens to a boat that they have invested a couple hundred for a few hours.

Another issue would be the warranty. I would read that warranty very carefully and see if the boats usage as a rental boat invalidates the warranty in any way. If a manufacturer can find a loophole in the warranty you can bet they will slither right through it.

 

[arboldt]

Re: Would you buy a rental boat?

My concerns have little to do with it having been a rental boat.

If it was originally used in southern Wisconsin, *why* are they trying to sell it in Ontario? (Search this forum for all the hoops people go though to import a boat from the US to Canada -- has the dealer taken care of all that for you?)

I realize some dealers, like used-car dealers -- buy boats at auction from all over and resell them. Is this the case? Something here just makes me uneasy...

The best advice you've gotten is for an impartial marine survey.

 

[fishmen111]

Re: Would you buy a rental boat?

In my first reply, I was not aware these boats were being bought in bulk from another area. RED FLAG! Boat might be fine, but I think you can find something with a better history (or a history period) in your area.

 

[tmh]

Re: Would you buy a rental boat?

I see no mention of asking price? Somewhere john said something like "9k less than new 5.0L Regal". So maybe that gives some idea of price, but depends on if that's TRUE price for new or list? Anyways, you can't compare the boat with a 5.0L to a 4.3l unless one is mPI and the other carbed, i guess.

Anyways, IF that was the only used boat on earth, I can see obsessing over whether to buy it or not.....but c'mon....how many red flags does it take for someone to move on to the 1000's of other used boats out there? It's 1 year old with 10 years of HARD use, ripped interior, skeg beat up, new prop likely due to old one hitting something hard (outdrive damage???), etc.

We tend to find something we want then make excuses for shortcomings. To a point I "get it" as I'm sure I've done the same. But this seems like an easy one to walk away from to me. A brisk, hasty walk at that.

 

[slia67]

Re: Would you buy a rental boat?

The one thing that I would be leery about is the fact that it is a rental boat that they are getting rid of. If they are getting out of the rental business that is one thing. If not, I would wonder what about this boat makes it non-profitable for renting. What springs into my mind is that it spent an inordinate amount of down-time instead of being on the water. (red flag) Due to the fact that this is a rental boat makes it less marketable for resell and they are more likely looking to unload rather than profit from selling it.

We go to a resort periodically that rents boats. Every year they sell them all and replace them with new. The prices they charge compared to what they buy them for, they are making money hand over fist.

Now the real issue for me would be,... I've seen the people that rent these boats.

Trying to dock the boat, bouncing off the docks...

Trying to dock the boat, with lines out. Engine died for some strange reason. Ooops!, the rope's wrapped around the prop....

Renter jumps in the boat after the safety briefing. Not having any experience with a boat, doesn't realize that it doesn't require 1/2 throttle to get the boat moving...

Basically, people renting boats that really shouldn't be operating them. If I were considering it, it would have to be such a good deal that if I have a major malfunction with the outdrive or engine and either needed to be replaced, the price would allow for replacement and still be at or below fair market value.


Doug

 

[BF]

Re: Would you buy a rental boat?

Hi John,

As has been said... it seems that the reason that the price is good is that there is the equivalent of several seasons worth of use (or abuse?) on the rig already. Personally I think dock scuffs and ripped upholstery etc are more an indication of how the thing was used than a major problem in themselves. This unit has indications of being used without much consideration/respect/pride. The skeg and prop show you the drive train hasn't been treated any better.

I'm not sure of the steps for whole rigs, but I just bought an outboard in the states and picked it up last week. I spent less than 3 minutes in the customs depot at the border... They made a bill for PST and GST, which I paid, and then I was on my way. If you're OK with a used rig (which you seem to be)... I agree with the idea that was already posted... maybe look at bringing a rig up yourself. With the US economy the way it is, and the strength of our dollar, I think there are bargains to be had. Especially when you compare to the prices of Cdn dealers. Ditto that somewhere, sitting in a nice garage, there is a cherry, barely broken in 1 or 2 year old boat that the owner has decided they'd rather not be making payments on.

that's my $.02