Used boats - new to boats, don't know what brands to look to

[RobfromME]

Good evening,

Based on the information below, can you folks suggest a few brands and years of boats that would be applicable?

I have never owned a boat...only used them a number of years ago. I would like a boat that my family can use for water skiing, tubing, and fishing. We prefer the looks and layout of a bow rider. I'd like to spend no more than $4000. I like outboards due to simplicity.

Aluminum seems pretty good due to lower weight, but is it a good choice? What are the disadvantages?

I have no idea who makes good or bad boats....I'm a real novice here. Light aircraft and Corvettes are my comfort zone, but I'm pretty ignorant with boats...I don't know a battleship from a Bayliner.

Thank you in advance for your time and interest.

Regards,
Rob

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Used boats - new to boats, don't know what brands to look to

well aluminum will give you more in a used boat. which is your market. size and ages of your family will help with more suggestions.
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.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Used boats - new to boats, don't know what brands to look to

BUYING A USED MOTOR

overall condition, condition of the place you are buying it from, usually tells you how they care for things. compression 100 + psi, and within 10% of each other, good strong blue spark, no water in the lower unit oil. look for discolored paint, (sign of over heat at
one time, also scarred up bolts, as why. have them start it. if they fail to put it in a barrell or tank, or on muffs, or in the water, to start it they don't know what they are doing. best yet is to take it for a 30 min to 1 hour test run. also if remote controlled motor, the controls should come with it.

 

[tmh]

Re: Used boats - new to boats, don't know what brands to look to

Rob, you really should do a search here or just scroll thru this forum for the exact same topic, time after time. I'm NOT ripping on you, just letting you knoe there is a TON of replies in the various other threads asking the exact same question.

With a $4k budget, don't worry too much about brand name as you are looking at older boats. You want one in amazingly good condition for it's age then pay the $4k or a bit more. Don't go cheaper unless you also want a boat repair hobby - which ome folks actually do want and enjoy. The good news is right now $4k buys more boat than a year ago due to the price of gas and the overall economy.

The general condition of the boat says a lot about how it was cared for. Soft spots in the floor or transom mean a BIG job for you. Obviously how the engine performs is a big deal. So....get a boat with the layout and size you want, very good condition for it's age and an engine that runs strong. Those things are worth a $1500-$2k more than compromising on any one of them so be willing to pay a bit more for the owner who kept his boat in great shape FOR YOU!