Buying 1st Boat

[MAXXIE]

New to the boat thing, know nothing about boats what-so-ever. I do know my way around an engine. Example of what I'm looking for: '88 Bayliner bowrider, 130HP I/O, canvas roof, incl. trailer, 9 life preservers, water skis, dock bumpers, & 2 anchors. $3995.00. This is a local ad in the paper, does this sound right? What do I need to look out for when I go to look at something like this? Is there any "tell-tale" signs I should look for? Just looking for a boat like this to fish, tube, & just zip around the lake on. Comments &/or advice? Thanks, MAXX

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Buying 1st Boat

Bayliners are entry level boats that were often (unknowingly) mistreated by their owners. They tend to have a low resale value. For that price that boat would have to be absolutely immaculate. Your main concern when looking at a used boat is rot. You want a solid deck, stringers, and transom. Rot in any of these areas is a MAJOR project to repair. Also you may want to avoid Force outboards and OMC I/O's due to limited parts availability. On the positive side....a 17-18' bowrider is a perfect starter boat. Should be able to do everything you want to out of one. If you're on a very tight budget....consider looking at aluminum boats. No rotted stringers to worry about and a rotted deck or transom isn't as big a job to replace as it is on a fiberglass hull.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Buying 1st Boat

Do you have any freinds with boats that would know what to look at?

don't look at all the stuff that comes with the boat because if the boat is junk you won't be able to use any of that anyway.

As stated, the problem with fiberglass boats is rotten wood which gives the boat its strength and when the wood rots you have to essentially rebuild the entire boat.

Walk around everywhere on the deck and feel for any soft spots, there are no minor or small spots, any at all is bad, walk away.

With the transom(the back wall of the boat) grab the outdrive(thing with the propeller on it) and put some weight on it while watching the back of the boat, if it doesn't move put a foot on it and eventually your body weight.

A good transom should hold your entire weight without flexxing, if it moves at all again walk away, at full throttle the force on the transom is hundreds of pounds so unless you weight 600-700 pounds it should not move.

I would really suggest you get the boat to someone that knows what to look for, it may cost $100 but it may save you $4000, money well spent.

 

[capt sam]

Re: Buying 1st Boat

tashadaddy will be along with his list of things to look at, it's a good list. But just a heads up, that is way too much for that boat, do your homework and ask alot of questions otherwise you'll be throwing money out the window.

 

[MAXXIE]

Re: Buying 1st Boat

Thanks for the information, very helpful. I do not know anyone that is a boat owner, but I'll consider paying someone to check it out. As stated,"money well spent". I'll be doing as much homework as I can, joining this website is part of that, just hope I don't bug "boating vet.'s" with newbi questions. I only want a decent boat to enjoy with the family. Thanks for starter info. I'll check around to see if there is anyone around here who can do an inspection before I buy. I guess I'm the perfect target for the "snake oil" salesman. Now, if we were looking at '66 GTO's or E body 'CUDA's, I'm in the know, as I own both. But now it's boat time. Thanks again, can't wait to get on the water. I found myself driving past a lake daydreaming today even with the hardwater still on the lake.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Buying 1st Boat

If you do hire someone to survey the boat, try very hard to be there when it's done. Follow the guy around, quietly, and observe what he does to check the boat out. If you do this, you'll learn a lot and may be able to dispense with those services the next time you look at a boat.