Advice buying a used boat

[brewern]

I'm thinking about buying my first boat, a 1986 Aires Bassboat for $1600. The trailer and boat are in good shape. The engine is a 90 HP Evinrude V4. It comes with a trolling motor. The floors have been redone, new carpet, new seats and it has a live well. The only problem is the lower unit needs a new pin. I've not worked on boat motors before, but given a manual and enough research, I'm confident I can do the work. If not, I have several friends that are mechanics. If I'm getting in way over my head, let me know please.

What should I expect? Is this a good price? Thanks for any and all advice you can give me.

First post,
Neil

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Advice buying a used boat

Welcome to iBoats, Neil. You should expect that 'pin' to be like the pin to a grenade . . .

Have the seller monkey with putting a new "pin" in it while you go buy a boat that does not need such a thing.

It is a huge unknown and could cost you more than the boat, so I would not proceed towards this boat.

 

[brewern]

Re: Advice buying a used boat

Thanks for the advice. I've emailed the owner asking about the model number, and I've asked about the pin in the Evinrude motor repair area of this forum. Looks like my search may continue...

 

[brewern]

Re: Advice buying a used boat

Please share your thoughts on this one:
http://lexington.craigslist.org/boa/2968064530.html

 

[Ryanlewis2010]

Re: Advice buying a used boat

That looks good plus its a can, i here there good but idk i perfer to drink out of them then fish in them lol. The engine is a lil under powerd for that size but it would work for cruzing why dont you tell us what your looking for in a boat then start posting ideas that are in you price range and we will tell you if it suitable for you. Of course if it really is a solid boat. that 2.5 engine is a reliable engine and is VERY easy to work on i just fully rebuilt my 3.0 (same engine bigger holes lol) for 800 doing all the work myself besides machine shops and it was really strait forward.

 

[Ryanlewis2010]

Re: Advice buying a used boat

Welcom to iboats Janet, Please no hijacking of threads if you want you can start a new thread where you can post info about it and it will get more views then in some one els's post and you can get more help.

Ryan

 

[brewern]

Re: Advice buying a used boat

Thanks Ryanlewis2010. After researching, I've decided against the previous boat.

My budget is $1600. My family have always been land based campers, and as I get older, I'm interested in getting out on the lakes of Kentucky, and also camping in more remote areas. If we can pull a skier behind the boat, even better!

So, here's the latest boat I'm looking at. I just got off the phone with the owner, and he and his son have been boating all their life, and want to get into camping. What a perfect trade!

So, here's what I have so far:
http://lexington.craigslist.org/boa/2866445457.html

We'll be heading out tomorrow to look at that one, and 2 others that are local.

Let me know what you think about that one in the link.

Many many thanks!

 

[southkogs]

Re: Advice buying a used boat

Please share your thoughts on this one:
http://lexington.craigslist.org/boa/2968064530.html

Be careful on this one ... I think that's an OMC stern drive on her. Drive is not being built any more, and very few mechanics want to work on them. You need to know what you're doing if you get one of those.

 

[brewern]

Re: Advice buying a used boat

Be careful on this one ... I think that's an OMC stern drive on her. Drive is not being built any more, and very few mechanics want to work on them. You need to know what you're doing if you get one of those.

Over my head, but good to know. If this were a car forum and I was asking about a Yugo, I'd want to know the truth.
Tomorrow, after looking at the 3 boats in question, I'll post pictures for everyone here to look at. Is there anything in paticular I should take pictures of? What questions should I ask? If there were one question I should ask, what is it?

Thanks so much for the help provided by the knowledge and professionalism on this site.

 

[Mikeyboy]

Re: Advice buying a used boat

I would get good pics of the motor and out drive if it's an inboard/outboard. If its a fiberglass boat walk every inch of the floor putting decent pressure on it feeling for soft spots. Even a small soft spot is a sign of major problems. Also knock on the transom/back to see if it feels solid. Just be aware no matter what boat you buy your going to wind up spending probably at least a couple hundred to get it in the water with registration minor needs and what not so if you spend your whole budget buying it may be a while before you get it out while you save up for all the misc. lil things that pop up. Good luck on your search. Oh also get make and model numbers for motor and out drives.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Advice buying a used boat

This thread was a really good one where a fellow went through the process of buying a boat. You may want to read through before you go look - a bunch of people commented on different boats, suggested things to look at, etc., etc.

Along with Mikeyboy's suggestions I'll also add that you really want to try the boat out on the water before you buy it. If you can take it over to a marine mechanic and have them look it over for you (even for a fee), it may be well worth it.

 

[Mikeyboy]

Re: Advice buying a used boat

You are right southkogs. I got the impression the op wasn't planning on buying tomorrow just looking that's why I didn't suggest the water test yet but vary good advice. I would most likely not have bought the boat I have now if I had done a water test. We live we learn right.

 

[rivermouse]

Re: Advice buying a used boat

My only question is. Can you take the boat out RIGHT NOW for a good test? If not dont buy it. All this needing a "pin" sounds like a very convient way NOT to be able to let you test it.

 

[brewern]

Re: Advice buying a used boat

My only question is. Can you take the boat out RIGHT NOW for a good test? If not dont buy it. All this needing a "pin" sounds like a very convient way NOT to be able to let you test it.

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I've definitely slowed down on my search, and will be doing my research before buyong a boat.
Ok, so this morning we went out to look at two boats. The first one is a smaller fiberglass boat (the one southkogs commented on a few posts back), which has an obvious repair to the hull. See the pictures below.

I couldn't find a model number, but that serial # is "A131135"


I'm not too excited about that one. The boat is small, the engine is small, and the fiberglass repair scares me a bit. I did get in it and walk around. I didn't feel any soft spots.

The next boat, I'm a little happier about. I'm limited to 5 images per post, so...

 

[brewern]

Re: Advice buying a used boat

Here's the next boat for consideration:

It's a 1984, with a 75HP Evinrude. The owner says the engine runs good, and he'll take me out on a local lake. He also said he'd clean it up. Obviously, I'd do some more clean up on it. Let's call it a winter project.




And finally, I've seen this boat posted a couple times now. I certainly think it's worth considering. It's about an hour away:
http://lexington.craigslist.org/boa/2951130799.html

That looks pretty promising actually....

Your thoughts?

 

[Mikeyboy]

Re: Advice buying a used boat

if it were me I would stay away from the first one. The second one looks rough but if you are looking for a project it might be ok, and it's good that he is willing to take you out in it I would not buy any boat without doing that. On looks alone the third one from cl looks good but I saw many boats on cl that looked great in the ad and were garbage when I got there so be prepared and don't rush into it because it's far away and you don't want to make a second trip. I would certainly call on the third on get all the info you can and if it seems good go take a look and a ride.

 

[brewern]

Re: Advice buying a used boat

This thread was a really good one where a fellow went through the process of buying a boat. You may want to read through before you go look - a bunch of people commented on different boats, suggested things to look at, etc., etc.

Along with Mikeyboy's suggestions I'll also add that you really want to try the boat out on the water before you buy it. If you can take it over to a marine mechanic and have them look it over for you (even for a fee), it may be well worth it.

Wow, thanks, that was a fun read. And salty needs to give an update, and some pictures of her maiden voyage.

 

[brewern]

Re: Advice buying a used boat

if it were me I would stay away from the first one. The second one looks rough but if you are looking for a project it might be ok, and it's good that he is willing to take you out in it I would not buy any boat without doing that. On looks alone the third one from cl looks good but I saw many boats on cl that looked great in the ad and were garbage when I got there so be prepared and don't rush into it because it's far away and you don't want to make a second trip. I would certainly call on the third on get all the info you can and if it seems good go take a look and a ride.

Thanks, I've emailed #3 and await a response. I've also asked for more pictures. I'll post them here when I get them.

 

[Mikeyboy]

Re: Advice buying a used boat

Good luck I hope you hear back soon.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Advice buying a used boat

Skip the pro craft (#1 boat) entirely. Looks like you'd be buying a bunch of problems.

#2 boat - is rough looking, but aluminum. Those hulls are tough to kill (but it can be done). I'd want to run it on the water and see it cleaned up, but it might be worth a look.

#3 is nice looking, and clean. If it's solid, it might be worth it. That outboard, if running right, is a nice one.