Inspecting Aluminum Boat What To Look For???

[MassDave]

Going to look at a couple of 16ft Aluminum boats this week. All boats are early 90's with 40 to 60 horse motors. I am basically worried about getting a boat with a rotten transom or stringers. What are some signs that these areas are bad. All boats have decks for fishing on them and I am not sure how I could check the floor below. Also is the transom on these boats wood core? Any info is helpful..

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: Inspecting Aluminum Boat What To Look For???

the only wood to rot lines the interior side of the tansom. They do rot and are basicly a sheet of marine plywood. maybe the seats might have a rotten board-but easy to fix. Aluminum Jon boats are very basic & simple. Look for dents & patches-loose rivets. tears in aluminum.
they can be a pain to repaint. Check the compression on the cylinders and look the trailer over well.

 

[MassDave]

Re: Inspecting Aluminum Boat What To Look For???

What would be the best way to check the transom if it is not visible from the inside of the boat. One of the boats I am looking at is a Tracker and the other is an Alumacraft both bass boats..

 

[5150abf]

Re: Inspecting Aluminum Boat What To Look For???

I have a 31 year old aluminum boat with the original stringers, the hull will never ever rot, for the transom stand on the engine as in slowly load it up with your body weight and watch how much the transom moves back,an 1/8'' is okay the more it moves beyond that the worse it is.

The engine puts many times that weight on transom under throttle so you aren't going to hurt it, I am 180ish and I can stand my full weight on mine and it barely moves at all.

If it is bad that doesn't kill the boat, they are really easy to change out and not expensive but it would make a nice bargaining tool.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Inspecting Aluminum Boat What To Look For???

There are no stringers to rot in an aluminum boat, so that isn't a worry.

In addition to what the others have said.

Look for large dents in the hull.

Look for silicone goo smeared on the rivets, keel, and anywhere else on the exterior of the hull... this means the boat leaks.

Look for a homemade crappy paint job on the hull, the paint is usually thick and this means the boat leaks and they've tried to stop the leaks with paint which never works.

Look for prop and skeg damage on the motor.

Ask to hear the motor run with muffs on.

If the owner says the engine just needs a tune-up, it could mean it needs a lot more than just a tune-up.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Inspecting Aluminum Boat What To Look For???

The best check of boat condition is to do an on-water test. If the owner refuses, then you have two choices: 1) walk away, or 2) lower the price to "junk" category. Anyone serious about selling a boat is hiding something if they refuse an on-water test. You also don't need to stand or put full body weight on an engine to test transom condition. Tilt the engine up, and then simple put downward pressure in the prop area of the engine while watching the transom. If there is any movment, there is damage. Make sure all electrical items function normally and as others have pointed out, look for signs of leakage. Floors can be checked for rot by opening a hatch, reaching in and feeling bottom of the floor. A sharp awl can also be used as a probe and it won't harm carpet.

 

[cyclops2]

Re: Inspecting Aluminum Boat What To Look For???

1 first impression...........you should love the way it looks............same as buying a new boat. otherwise walk away.
2 check how easy YOU can start the engine with the hose connected.......
No hose with rubber clamps on the lower unit........................WALK AWAY FAST & do not say anything !......He has cooked the motor & water pump is shot............wiring & all the electronics are heat damaged.
3...........1 & 2 go very well start climbing around with the icepick to check any carpet covered areas.
4 Check the main fuse / circuit breaker area . Wires have been cut, spliced, stretched apart, as if looking for a problem ??? walk away. You do not know if the problem is a ***** & has NOT been found yet.

Still a must have like new boat ??

Go for a at least 10 minute ride on the water. There should be no problems that he says. " oh that is a minor problem ".

If it was minor. It would not be there during a sale !!!............Walk away.


You are looking for the the boat that is as perfect as a new one.........It is just several years older............Just like buying a used car.........DO NOT BELIEVE a HOURMETER. It is the easiest part to change. & fools the most people. Same for THIS PRESENT OWNERS records. Who knows how bad the PREVIOUS OWNERS treated the boat ?

Each boat is evaluated AS IT APPEARS NOW.... Be VERY CRITICAL & SUSPICIOUS........The Persoon selling the boat may know NOTHING about it or boating............

Bring someone with you who knows boats. Pay a good Marina mechanic to go with you. They feel good boats from their car seats at 100 feet away.
That is of course not true. But you get the idea. He will be adding up ALL THE REPAIR COSTS as he checks it out.
Take the mechanic after work hours.
Obviously you only need the mechanic for a boat you can not live without.

Good skillfull hunting........DO NOT PANIC..... I HAVE TO HAVE A BOAT by such a date.......Real life has no such deadlines.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Inspecting Aluminum Boat What To Look For???

If you do get to put it on the water before buying it, pull the plug while the boat is on the ramp after you're done and see if any water leaks out.