Test Ride Questions

[brett2634]

Hey guys,

This is my first post and I'm glad to be here. I have had a good time reading through past posts. Great stuff here.

I'm here because I'm hopefully purchasing a used boat in the near future. I'm looking for a bowrider in the 15'-18' range, something for my wife and I to cruise around in (no skiing). Also, we're located in southeast Arkansas, so I don't have to worry about big waters. We just moved from Pensacola, Florida, where we had a 17' daysailer, but I'm ready to move up to something that will move when the wind isn't blowing around here.

Since this will be my first boat with something bigger than a trolling motor, and the fact that I'm pretty much clueless, I need some help knowing what to look for in a test ride I'm going on tomorrow. I'm looking at a 15' Larson with a 88 hp Evinrude. I should be able to tell you specific model and year, but to be honest, I'm not quite sure. It looks to be around mid 90's.

I'll know much more after tomorrow and hope to take pictures, but I just need some general questions to ask and know what to look for.

The guy is asking $2500.

Thanks and great to be here,
Brett

 

[QC]

Re: Test Ride Questions

This list is from ReelPoor, a member we don't see much of anymore . . . (Your Outboard won't have any fluids except the trim system)

Here is some advice I would give to anyone buying a boat.

□ What ever you do don?t buy any boat without a test drive.

□ Make sure the engine is cold and has not been previously warmed up. You will want to see how it cranks and runs after it has been sitting for an extended period.

□ Always check all fluid levels before test drive.

□ After the test drive ck all fluid levels again for color and consistency, looking for any water intrusion or fluid level changes.

□ Make sure bilge area is dry before and after test drive.

□ When test driving, don?t make a quick trip out and back, give it a real test drive. Put it thru the paces, run it hard, hit some waves, run it long enough to show up any problems.

□ Pay special attention to how solid the boat feels when you hit a wave, if it feels loose/shaky it may have structural problems.

□ Check closely for any soft flooring. Reach under the floors and try to dig your hands into any exposed wood.

□ Stop and restart the engine several times.

□ Make sure everything on the boat works, gauges, bilge pump, blowers, lights, wires are still in their looms, etc.

□ Make sure all thru hull fittings are tight, in good condition, and well sealed.

□ Make sure all deck hardware i.e. bow rails, cleats, tow eyes, windshield, seats, and etc. are solid on their mount.

Don?t just accept it. Don?t buy while you?re overly impressed. Take your time and look it over well.

 

[Lyle29464]

Re: Test Ride Questions

most of what your buying is the motor. I would get a johnson man to check the motor and look the boat over. He will run a few tests that will really help you make the decision

 

[brett2634]

Re: Test Ride Questions

Thanks for the info. I do have a guy that knows outboards pretty well and I will take him if I decide to go any further after tomorrow.

By the way, the boat is an early 90's Larson All American 150. Anyone have any experience with these?

 

[lncoop]

Re: Test Ride Questions

Hi Brett. Welcome to iboats and to Arkansas. Just curious; where down there do you plan on doing most of your boating?

 

[brett2634]

Re: Test Ride Questions

Thanks for the welcome!

Lake Chicot is where we will be most of the time if all goes as planned.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Test Ride Questions

Had a feeling you might say Chicot. My mother spent quite a bit of her childhood fishing that lake. It used to be legendary for crappie, but from what I hear the fishing's not as good as it used to be. That seems to be the case everywhere though. I asked in case you were thinking about Ouachita. Don't think you'd enjoy a fifteen footer there.