Going on a test ride... need tips.

[eeboater]

Alrighty guys, I've been reading a bunch of threads about guys buying new (to them) boats that ended up needing a LOT more work than they anticipated. Just got through the thread where "canadian guy" had to take his boat to the shop shortly after purchasing it because there was scouring on one of the cylinders. <br /><br />I get that it's pretty much mandatory to get the boat on the water to do a test drive. But the thing is, I have heard of people spending upwards to two hours on a test drive with the boat. what in the world am I looking, listening, feeling, smelling, etc for when I'm out on the water. Keep in mind, I am a computer geek, not a mechanic, so 9 times out of 10 if there is a mechanical problem with it, it's going to the shop to get fixed. <br /><br />This will be my first boat and I want the least amount of trouble as possible. I know that I cannot guarantee that when buying used, but I'd rather be prepared for the purchase and purchase smart when I do buy it. Which is the main reason why I'm going to put off the purchase til this spring.<br /><br />Thanks for your input everyone.<br /><br />Sean

 

[gewf631]

Re: Going on a test ride... need tips.

Start looking, NOW. Even if you don't intend to purchase until the spring, get to know the types and sizes of boats. What do you want to use the boat for? How big? Will you be towing, and if so, what can you handle? Where will you be boating? <br /><br />It's an investment (among other things)!<br />You wouldn't just run-out and buy a car without doing some research. <br /><br />Ask around... friends, co-workers, family, etc. <br /><br />Once you've got that stuff all figured-out, maybe you've found someone who is more familiar with boats - you're in Milwaukee after all! That person might be able to help you with your decision.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Going on a test ride... need tips.

You want to make sure the boat performs up to your expectations and will meet your needs. How it handles waves, stability, layout, accessability.<br />If you plan on putting 3 friends and gear in the boat with you, then the test drive should be with the same approx weight in the boat.<br /><br />Obviously, there will be quite a difference in what you are looking at on a 14' aluminum boat with a 25hp motor, compared to a 21' sprot boat or cuddy cabin with a big power plant.<br /><br />So what are you looking for? a Lake Michigan cruiser, fishing rig, and inland water utility boat, or a family boat for sport and ski??<br /><br />Pay attention to the controls, gages, bilge pumps, livewells, tilt and trim, lights, accessories, etc, to make sure they all work. Something wrong here could be an indication of deeper problems.<br />Examine the steering cable for wear or cracked casing.<br />Check the transom to see if it is sound, not waterlogged.<br />Examine hull for cracks, leaks, missing rivets.<br /><br />Check out the swim/access ladder and the moounting bolts, any sign of leaks or damage.<br />Check the trailer for road worthyness.<br />Any small items that need repair, and were neglected, are a pretty good indicator that the bigger hidden repairs may have been neglected, also.<br />Listen to the motor for any unusual sounds, pops, rattles, clunks.<br />Does it accellerate well?<br />Examine the prop for damage.<br />Check the propshaft for "play" or sloppyness.<br />Spin the prop and check for obvious wobble (bent propshaft).<br />If the motor is oil injected, mark and monitor the oil tank level to make sure it is going down with use.<br />Check the gas. If they have premixed oil into the gas on an oil injected motor, then the oil injector is not working. <br />Check the lower unit oil for water intrusion or metal flakes.<br />After you are done, if you think you might buy it, pay a mechanic to check out the motor, compression, charging system, etc.<br /><br />If it has an inboard engine, have someone check it out thoroughly.<br /><br />Post back here with specific question about the size and type you are looking for.

 

[eeboater]

Re: Going on a test ride... need tips.

Thanks for the info roscoe. I am seeking out a 16-21' O/B runabout. I definetly want an I/O instead of an outboard. I plan on taking it on smaller inland lakes and rivers. <br /><br />Sean

 

[roscoe]

Re: Going on a test ride... need tips.

I personally would steer clear of any 3 liter engines.<br />I like the 4.3l in that sized boat.

 

[bounder4465]

Re: Going on a test ride... need tips.

Good advice so far from the replies. I always like to raise the engine cover and listen for "funny" noises. The sound deadening can hide a world of problems. If the boat has sat out (even covered with a custom cover) make sure the floor does not move when crossing a wake indicating a broken stringer. A little water trapped inside the floor during the off season can do a lot of damage to the wood. On I/o's Mercruiser has made two blunders if you look back a few years for a boat. One is the "470", and the other is the "L" drive. Some may have luck with those, but most dont. OMC/Cobra i/o...they are out of business now, so why take a chance. Last note I want to add: beware of the waxed up and armorall'ed up wonders. When the wax fades, and the silicone dries up it may look a lot different!!!!!!!!!<br />My $0.02

 

[cuzner]

Re: Going on a test ride... need tips.

Make sure you check the boots running to the sterndrive.there made of black rubber and are ribbed to be flexible. They usualy last about 10 years. If they leak they can cause all kinds of havoc, water in leg, leaks into boat etc. They are expensive to replace, I should have known better and still got burned 2 boats ago, new boots, u-joints and bearings big $. Check fluids after test drive for signs of water.<br /><br /><br /> Jim

 

[eeboater]

Re: Going on a test ride... need tips.

Curious, what is the "L" drive? Can someone provide me with a link to what one looks like so that I can steer clear?<br /><br />Sean

 

[mkuehnl]

Re: Going on a test ride... need tips.

Sean:<br /><br />What happened to the Four winns(?) from Competition Sports?

 

[eeboater]

Re: Going on a test ride... need tips.

Mkuenl:<br /><br />I was going to go with the Four Winns, in fact I was about 1 day away from biting... But decided I was rushing it too much. That was the first boat I found and they were selling it for 5500. After giving it some serious consideration, I figured that I could get a lot better boat for that amount of money. <br /><br />Also, that was the second week of searching and i figured I was jumping the gun a bit... and as Ed said earlier...<br /><br />

You wouldn't just run-out and buy a car without doing some research.

<br /><br />Out of curiosity, where do you boat in Milwaukee? Do you trailer your boat or do you have it in a slip somewhere?<br /><br />Sean

 

[mkuehnl]

Re: Going on a test ride... need tips.

I keep my boat on Kusel Lake near Wild Rose, WI. Also, I stopped at Comp Sports and looked at some of their skis and asked about the Four Winns, I guess they sold it. I thought it was you who bought it.

 

[cuzner]

Re: Going on a test ride... need tips.

There not hard to spot (L- Drive).Basicly a 2 stroke engine hooked up to a regular sterndrive. I think they used force engines.They where not out for too long I don't think you have much chance of running into one. I,ve only seen one years ago on a 1989 bayliner.<br /><br /><br /> Jim

 

[Solittle]

Re: Going on a test ride... need tips.

Great advice so far. Mine would be to spend a few bucks when you take it for a test ride and have a marine mechanic (preferrably one who is certified) go with you. As you have been reading all to many guys who post here start out by saying "Well the seller told me that all it needed was a tune-up and then - - - - - ."

 

[bounder4465]

Re: Going on a test ride... need tips.

The "L" drive is just as the other poster listed. A 2 cycle with a strange looking outdrive under the boat. The last one I saw was on a 90 Bayliner. The 470 blunder was used on a lot of different boats from mid 80's thru early 90's, and they use a closed cooling system...easy to spot. Share a quick story: My 25yo nephew wanted a boat this summer. I told him I would go along, but he went "not wanting to bother ole-unc". The 96 Montery w/ 4.3 Mercruiser had a funning little noise in the engine. The seller said he had it checked, and it was nothing to worry about. No water test, start on a hose only. He stood on his retail price, and nephew bought it. First time out it blew oil everywhere. He called me I told him to do a compression check. He called me back and ask if water should be coming out the spark plug hole? The skinny: bad impeller, blown head gasket (last year from the rust in cylinders), now junk engine from sitting with water in bore.

 

[Link]

Re: Going on a test ride... need tips.

All good advice and worth printing out to review when looking at boats.<br />Please don't blame Merc for Forces L-drive <br />They came out in 89 I remember all of the older mechs, older sales guys just shaking thier heads before the first one hit the show room floor. Seems someone had tried that before and it was a total disaster. Was again too.

 

[Lou C]

Re: Going on a test ride... need tips.

Dont' forget most older boats have a lot of wood in them, so get someone who knows boats to check the floors, transom and stringers (you may only be able to check the ones in the engine compartment). If the boat has been sitting out in the elements and has carpet covered plywood floors, forget it, because there will be wood rot under the carpet. Very time consuming to repair. One exception is the fishing style boats with all fiberglass cockpits that are designed to be left open. Still trapped moisture does a lot of damage.<br />Then check all the mechanial stuff. It is worth it to hire a marine mechanic, it will save you $$ in the long run!

 

[Maximerc]

Re: Going on a test ride... need tips.

ok .02 here. I would not discount a outboard if you are going to do a lot of messing around in small lakes and rivers. I don't know about the latest outdrives but I know some of the older ones did not want you to tilt up the drive too far and engage the engine because of the U joints. a outboard does not have this problem .. just make sure that it can get coolant. I know you said that some one else will be working on the engine ,,if needed but myself I like working on outboards .. I dont have to stand on my head in a puddle of bilge water to do it. Just my preferance Be sure to check the smoothness of the steering system , look UNDER the hull ! where the trailer sets those bunks can hide some nasty stuff.

 

[bekosh]

Re: Going on a test ride... need tips.

Listen to what is being said here. I didn’t do any of this ( )and am now looking at more work than I had planned on.<br />Another thing to look at is the trailer. After buying my boat I found out that the trailer had 1 bad tire, 3 bad rollers, torn carpet on one bunk, bad wiring for the lights and a bent tongue. Very annoying.

 

[mattttt25]

Re: Going on a test ride... need tips.

pick up this month's boating magazine. they have a good article entitled "test drive like a pro". easy reference guide to take with you.

 

[BF]

Re: Going on a test ride... need tips.

maybe it also depends on local culture and how much $$$ you're spending. If I was selling a used boat & motor for a few thousand, I'd be game do arrange a test drive etc to show that it works good etc if a serious sounding buyer requested it.., but I wouldn't be interested in going out for 2 hours (I'm not a charter boat! ) And, there's NO way I'd let them take it out alone. It's much more common for people to buy without a test drive here (probably >95% never test drive their boat). I've bought a boat without a test drive before too. Not saying that's smart, but trailering to a launch etc is more hassle than a lot of people are willing to do. A lot of newbie buyers don't ask either.<br /><br />Now if I was selling a $25K cruiser or something, I'd think a long test cruise would be expected.<br /><br />Yes a test drive is a good idea, and you should have a plan for doing one, but I'm just saying that your local boating culture might be different from things you read in mag's or what other posters here find usual. <br /><br />One extremely useful thing is to take an experienced boater along to look it over. More sets of eyes are a good thing.<br /><br />Last thing, I'll echo what Maxi said above. I'm not terribly fond of I/O's. As he said, having the engine running on an I/O with the outdrived tilted up, even in neutral, causes very early death to U-joints. If you're gonna trailer and/or be beaching the boat to shore it's difficult/impossible not to do this. No problem for OB's, big problem for I/O's ($$$ over the long term). So, depending on the size of boat, you might wanna re-consider an OB.<br /><br />good luck.<br /><br />Brent