buying a used boat - what to look for?

[4winnsskipper]

I currently own a 18 sylvan with 150 outboard, i've become solely interested in boating on lake michigan, and have been for years now so in spring im looking to take the plunge and go 21-28' boat, fiberglass. i've grown tired of bouncing around in even mild chop in my aluminum boat so heres the two models that seem to interest me most with a budgget of 15k-20k...

1) early 90's wellcraft coastal (28')
2) 2001 + trophy walk arounds, preferably I/O


I like the walk around style, prefer I/O since a) its four stroke, b) quieter operation generally and most important - transom freeboard, no low cut transom for waves to come over....also i like the idea of a hard top with curtain encloser so i can mount running lights, cockpit flood lights, radar, rocket launcher rod holders etc....

so knowing that the most important thing about buying a used boat is how well its taken care of, im wondering what to really look for? Rotted floors are easy to see, along with cracks in the hull, but how do i know what shape the transom is in? the stringers? im mechanically and electrically inclined so minor issues like that don't bother me since i can fix them.., im looking for reliability, safety for me and my crew.... looking for any advice here....

Thanks in advance...

 

[oops!]

Re: buying a used boat - what to look for?

start reading in the restoration section......take 2 days and just read....more info there than anywhere.

 

[4winnsskipper]

Re: buying a used boat - what to look for?

appreciate the advice but the first 10 pages has nothing pertinent to me....

anyone that's willing i'd appreciate any advice and thanks in advance!

 

[oops!]

Re: buying a used boat - what to look for?

its all about stingers transom and deck / foam....(the hull any way )

you have to make sure the boat isnt rotting out....or does not have water in it that will start to rot the wood out.
as far as motor...that depends on the size of the boat......and the bigger the boat...the more you need....like windlass ect.

btw....where are you....i have some great deals on what sounds like exactaly what you want....im in western canada.

 

[likalar]

Re: buying a used boat - what to look for?

That's a big question, but worth asking for sure...

Here's a couple items to consider (I've bought a few used boats over the years, got screwed on a couple, did well on the others):

Was the used boat stored on a trailer or in the water? Did it ever live in salt water? There's so much to know about the care and feeding of I/O drives and engines and how they are stored, maintained, etc....

Survey: Worth careful consideration, especially for boats the size and age you mentioned. A surveyor's job is to find the problem areas (soft wood, previous repairs, hardware integrity, proper fasteners, engine and drive test, electronics, trim tabs, etc....in-water testing should be performed with a surveyor knowledgable about performance expectations. What looks great standing still could be a dog underway, due to any number of reasons....A surveyor will tell you the facts. A seller (not all, of course) will tell what you want to hear.

Engine hours, maintainance history, electronics updates, cosmetics, etc, all play an important roll.

While the weather is decent, and boats are still in the water, consider hanging around the marinas, ramps, boatyards, and asking questions of boat owners you meet. You mention not wanting an outboard...A newly repowered 4 stroke outboard boat may offer advantages over an I/O worth a hard look. I recently walked the docks at a fancy marina on Cape Cod. Almost every boat (mostly sleek Regulators and Tiaras, etc..set up for fishing) had a big outboard. Is it fuel considerations, ease of access, draft, dependability??? I don't know, but it got me to thinking .... Good luck with the search. You are starting off the right way, and luckily aren't pressured to act quickly. Nice situation to be in....

Larry

 

[4winnsskipper]

Re: buying a used boat - what to look for?

good advice - i guess all things equal whats a better buy? a '01 - '06 trophy or '88-'94 wellcraft coastal? (23'-28' range) again i know maintenance is most important but im talking quality of build, which boat would hold up better, better construction, etc? I like the idea of inboards so that only a propshaft hole is in the hull which to me would have the least amount of chance of rotted wood in a boat as opposed to a giant hole in the back of the transom for a sterndrive to mount on or an outboard that has bolt holes drilled through and sealed that'll eventually leak water in ....

i keep thinkin too it'd be awfully nice to buy a new alumacraft trophy 185 or 195 with a brand spanking new merc optimax (and have warranties on hull/motors) on it only downside is the price, i'd drop ~30k into this boat when i can pick up a used trophy walkaround or wellcraft coastal with more amenities/size for ~10-15k but always have that used boat risk. the new boat would be cheaper to run since i could t roll with a 4 stroke 9.9 kicker as opposed to twin v8 inboards (well probably troll with just one on but still)....

i dont know im just fishin for any advice to help make up my mind....

thanks for listening to me babble and your advice, any others are appreciated.

Thanks

Oh and PS i say no outboard because i like the idea of a full transom, my current boat has almost no freeboard on the transom where the motor mounts (20" transom, 150hp motor = not good for rough water!)

 

[25thmustang]

Re: buying a used boat - what to look for?

I own a twin inboard boat and prefer this style, but you may be different. There are pros and cons to both. Although both are fishing boats, they are different in many ways. The Trophy is a newer, lighter boat. The Wellcraft is an older, heavier boat. The wellcraft will use more fuel, but you don't have outdrives to worry about.

Also, don't expect to tow a 28 Wellcraft Coastal much more than short distances. Its beam would require permits, and it would be a big heavy boat on a trailer.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: buying a used boat - what to look for?

I've been on Michigan charter fishing a couple times when the wheather turned and I was sure happy we were on a larger vessal. So I truely understand not wanting an outboard.

Watch Milwaukee, Green Bay and Chicago graislist if you're on this side of the lake. I've seen a number of what you''re describing list there is season.

 

[4winnsskipper]

Re: buying a used boat - what to look for?

not lookin to tow really and definately not with a 28' wellcraft, one thing a trophy has over the wellcraft is that ability for me to pull it out of the water and park in my driveway for winter but the weight/length of the coastal is tempting...

thanks for input guys...

more is always welcomed