Pre Sell Boat Inspection

[jjt98]

What you can you guys tell me about pre sell boat inspections? I'm looking at buying a used boat and I have decided it would be best to have it inspected. Do all marina and boat dealers do boat inspections? Does the boat need to be in the water for the inspection?

If I'm driving several hours to look at a boat should I just look up boat dealers and marinas in the area and call and see if they do inspections? Would it be bad to take the boat to the marina the current owner uses for maintenance?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Pre Sell Boat Inspection

you need an independant marine surveyor. if you are talking big boat and big money. you pay the surveyor. yes if a trailer boat, it needs to be in and out of the water.

Buying a boat

1st you need to decide what you want to use it for, fishing, cruising, or water sports.

2nd how many people adults, children you want on board of the average outing.

3rd outboard, inboard-outboard, or inboard power plant.

4th Budget, what you want to pay, and what you are willing to pay, when you find
Exactly what you want.

You can hire a marine surveyor, to inspect the boat, or you can do it yourself.

You are mainly looking for soft spots in the deck, transom, cracks, all signs of a rotten, under frame. You walk all over the deck, that a mallot, or hammer with wooden handle, using handle, tap all over the transom, a shape rap is good solid base, a thud, is questionable base.

The motor should be clean, no spots where the paint is discolored, or pealing from heat, having run hot. (This part for outboard motors Compression should be atleast 100psi, and within 10% of each other,)
Spark on all cylinders, good pee stream, check lower unit for water in oil.

The overall condition of the boat will tell you a lot, as to how it has been maintained.
boat motor combo, A 30 year old may be in better condition, than a 3 year old.

 

[arks]

Re: Pre Sell Boat Inspection

Tashasdaddy pretty much covered everything, but tell us more about the specific boat you're considering- Brand, year, length, power, drive, etc. There's a LOT of experienced people on this board who give great advice.

As TD said- a larger, more expensive boat needs a professional survey to ascertain it's true value and condition- there's way too many things that could be wrong and not apparent to a "normal" person. Even newer boats can have issues. Such a survey usually runs $16- $18 per foot and includes a wet and dry survey as well as a sea trial. And remember, most (if not all) insurance companies will require a survey before they'll cover a vessel- particularly if it's more than 10 or 15 years old.
One other thing- NEVER EVER hire a surveyor or mechanic referred by the seller/ marina. They have an interest is getting rid of the boat and may NOT be objective and honest. You should always hire an independant professional to work for YOU and act in YOUR best interest. To find an independant surveyor in your area, Google "marine survey" and look for SAMS.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Pre Sell Boat Inspection

Does the boat need to be in the water for inspection? I sure hope you insist on an on-water test. You don't buy a car without testing driving it (do you?) so there is no reason you shouldn't do the same with a boat.

 

[jjt98]

Re: Pre Sell Boat Inspection

The boat I'm looking at right now is a '95 Crownline 202 with a 5.7 Mercruiser & Apha one.

 

[jjt98]

Re: Pre Sell Boat Inspection

I just found another '95 Crownline with a Volvo Penta 5.8 motor with SX outdrive. Both of these boats are listed at around 11K is that a good price or a bit high since the boats are 13 years old.