Demo test on april 21st.....

[bracso]

I would like to thank everyone for their feedback on my wife and i on the verge of purchasing a new boat and our 1st boat ever.On april 21st we will be going out on lake norman for a demo test on a searay 185 sport.If anyone does have any more or any other kind of information we will take heed to it as we have with everyone elses info on here.Thanks Again and wish us luck.....

 

[shrew]

Re: Demo test on april 21st.....

Is this a sea trail for a new boat, or used boat? New boat, just make sure everything works. For a used boat, consider a surveyor. Unless of course we're talking about short money. If I were taking spending 20K, I'd be hiring a surveyor.

 

[bracso]

Re: Demo test on april 21st.....

This will be for a new boat 2012

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Demo test on april 21st.....

Although you won't need it with a brand new boat, good luck anyway. Only thing I would mention is the boat big enough for you to grow? The 185 is a good entry level boat, but because of the large sun pad, offers very little room in the cockpit, and the bow seating is not good for long legged persons. As long as it has the 4.3L TKS engine, it will be fine on power, anything less it will just be tolerable.

I thought you wanted a ski/fish boat? The 185 is not really a good fishing boat compared to a true fish/ski that is set up for both tasks.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Demo test on april 21st.....

The hard thing about learning boating, and a new boat, is processing all the information and then discerning which is crucial, which is important, and which is optional. On boats, sometimes the biggest things don't matter and the smaller ones have grave consequences. Then the nerve-racking decision whether to by-pass some advice or scrub the trip. it's like if you never drove or owned a car, you might not know the relative importance between checking the oil and checking the tire pressure.

You'll get a lot of information and the sales guy will leave something important out. Once you go solo, you will bang the pier, drop something overboard (keys go on floats), jam up the ramp, leave something in the car, and make your wife mad. Everyone has. You may even call Seatow when the boat won't start b/c it's in gear. Take it slow, don't rush, don't multitask, think linearly. When you get in a hurry you make mistakes or get hurt. don't be afraid to ask others nearby for help or advice.

Relax, don't take it too seriously; that's why you have a boat.

Just don't forget the plug.

 

[oops!]

Re: Demo test on april 21st.....

a demo test is like an inspection.

you are not looking to see if the boat floats and drives.....(it had better do that)

you are looking for flaws that must be fixed before delevery.
go over every switch, latch, snap, canvas and rub rail screw.

everything must work right before delevery.

most sales people see the sea tryals as the last step before delevery. they wait for the people to get excited about the boat and the close of the sale is guaranteed.

but in fact, it is a product deficiency inspection

 

[bracso]

Re: Demo test on april 21st.....

yes i did want a ski/fishing boat but narrowed it down to just this ski boat,figured that if i really did want to go fishing that i would go with my buddy that goes on tournaments on his gambler.

 

[Philster]

Re: Demo test on april 21st.....

New boats are delivered with problems that will leave you shaking your head. You'd be surprised at the number of things engine builders and hull builders will forget -- either forget completely or forget to torque down.

Check the engine oil and lower-unit/drive oil after a good run. Looks for milkiness. Even on a new boat. I've seen bolts that hold the outdrive on not torqued down or missing completely -- Fun stuff.

Check all the gel work. Air pockets or uneven gel layering can show up fast as imperfections. Catch 'em now and it's an easy fix; catch them later and it could be a disaster.

Look down the hull at a sharp angle. Do the same to the deck and bottom. You'll see stuff.

Have a pad and pen and title it "punch list". Hand it in when done and get a copy for your records.

 

[sschefer]

Re: Demo test on april 21st.....

Your plan for a test ride is a good one and if there's things you don't like keep looking. Don't just sit there and watch the dealer rep drive, get behind the wheel and ask questions. If it's overly complicated walk away. As your firts boat you want something turn-key that's easy to operate and fun. I think your choice of a 185 non-fish/ski is a smart one. It will allow the whole family to enjoy it to it's fullest. You can fish off it if you want, it's just not going to have all the fishing bells and whistles but then neither does a compromised fish/ski. Yes, a f/s does each job but neither one great. Good luck and most of all have fun!

 

[hog88]

Re: Demo test on april 21st.....

Check all of the electronics, radio, lights, depth finder ext. As someone said above builders sometimes miss things, last year when I sea trialed my new boat the depth finder didn't work and the sirrius radio didn't work. Simple fixes, lose wire and one someone forgot to plug in the antenna.

It never fails, if you find it before you write the check the dealer will get it fixed asap, find it a week or so down the road your just in the service line.