When you bought your boat did you take a test drive before you finalized the deal?

[BugsBunnyBoater]

I was looking at a thread were the people were critical of a guy because he did not do a shake down ride on the boat he purchased from a dealer. I was wondering how many actually took a test ride before they signed on the line when they got their boat.

1) In my case I had the boat taken to shop and they went over it and I paid so they knew they were working for me.

 

[Augoose]

Re: When you bought your boat did you take a test drive before you finalized the deal

ALways water test- it brings out little details that may need attention which otherwise could be overlooked.
I wouldn't buy a car without driving it either....

 

[oldjeep]

Re: When you bought your boat did you take a test drive before you finalized the deal

Nope, boat dealers are not generally on or near the water around here.
Went in to the dealer found the new one we wanted, they said you can pick it up in a week - to which I said huh? Said they had to prep it, so I asked him what was wrong with the one on the showroom floor and left 30 minutes later with the boat

 

[stevenslarson]

Re: When you bought your boat did you take a test drive before you finalized the deal

I bought my used Larson 190 LXi and looked it over real well, even had friends that knew the owner I was buying from. Still though after looking checking and all that I made the request to take it out on the water which was a pain for the seller only as I had no truck or anything so he had to take the time out. That said once we were out he even said he was a bit miffed but the one friend he complained about said to him "would you buy a boat with out a ride first?" to which his answer was the same as mine, no.

I would recommend a ride as little things do come out. I noticed a seat issue as well a trim issue. They were all very easily fixed and nothing major but it did get me a better deal on teh boat as well!

Cheers,

Steven

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: When you bought your boat did you take a test drive before you finalized the deal

In my case I did several tests my self, including a compression test and dropped the LU oil and ran it on muffs.

 

[rallyart]

Re: When you bought your boat did you take a test drive before you finalized the deal

I test drove 14 boats before I bought mine. In that it is primarily going to be driven on the water, I felt that knowing how it drove on the water was important. Other peoples opinions are just an indicator and different boats are much different.
Statistics say that more than half the people who buy cars never drive them before they purchase. To me that just seems like buying a house without walking through it carefully.

 

[Another retired guy]

Re: When you bought your boat did you take a test drive before you finalized the deal

I first saw my boat on a trailer at a local ( reputable! ) marina. It looked good so I asked them to put it in the water for me. The owner of the marina then took us for a test run and gave me the wheel to try it for myself.
I made sure he knew that If I bought the boat I would become his customer for all maintenance work and winter storage. I asked him if there was anything I should be concerned about. He said no - and one year later I am still enjoying a trouble-free boat.

 

[444]

Re: When you bought your boat did you take a test drive before you finalized the deal

No, considering the transmission on the outboard was shot. And I drove 1500 miles each way to get it after seeing pics and talking to the guy on the phone. It was a little bit of a fixer upper, although 75% of the hard work was done. I finished the resto work, put a new lower unit on, did some other minor engine work and a lot of tweaking and it was good to go. Was everthing the seller claimed it to be. Nothing more, nothing less. Of course I only paid 2k for the boat.

 

[theBrownskull]

Re: When you bought your boat did you take a test drive before you finalized the deal

No test drive. Went to a good dealership. Looked over the boat for 7 hours. Talked to everyone at the dealership to make sure they knew their stuff, which they did. Put down a deposit to hold the boat until I made a decision. Did more research on the dealership and the boat. The dealership does allow test drives as well but the lakes were frozen. A week later I bought the boat. I picked up the boat and spoke to the lead mechanic and discussed everything from gear ratios, fuel injection, catalytic converters and winter storage involving them, electrical system, etc., etc. The dealership checked the boat and made sure it was ready to go. Come spring I started it and drove it.

The bottom line is if you have a good dealer and you know what you want you are fine, if you do not feel comfortable then test drive it and take it to a trusted mechanic before you buy it.

 

[Beeched]

Re: When you bought your boat did you take a test drive before you finalized the deal

I bought mine off of Ebay. It was setting out in the middle of a farmers field filled with water from the snow and rain. That in itself showed it didn't leak. No trailer or motor. Now all restored with "81" Merc 90 hp, I have a great 1976 Charger Deck boat with center console. Doesn't get much better than this.

 

[SilverSS07]

Re: When you bought your boat did you take a test drive before you finalized the deal

I would always recommend a water test if possible. That being said I couldn't water test mine because the steering cable was broken. I paid $600 for it though so i still think it was a good price for the boat motor and trailer. Paid $600 for my last car too lol.

 

[the vision]

Re: When you bought your boat did you take a test drive before you finalized the deal

My first boat was used through a broker, so Yes I water tested. My current boat was brand new from a dealer and they claim their insurance didn't allow test runs. But I fell in love and had to have it anyways.

 

[BTMCB]

Re: When you bought your boat did you take a test drive before you finalized the deal

This is my second boat bought new. Water tested each one after signing purchase agreement with dealer - which was subject to my satisfaction of the "test drive". I don't buy new cars without test driving them either.

 

[byteman]

Re: When you bought your boat did you take a test drive before you finalized the deal

No water test for me. Specifically looking for a certain boat for a project. Once I found it I knew it was coming home with me, just needed to settle on the price. Was told that the motor needed a carb job, but would crank. After emptying the fuel tank, was really glad I didn't run that gunk through the motor. No telling what additional damage it might have done.

 

[rparde]

Re: When you bought your boat did you take a test drive before you finalized the deal

Bought my first boat a couple months ago and did take it for a drive. It floated and ran so i went home with it. Now I am fixing everything I wasn't smart enough to look for. I was too excited to care!

 

[90stingray]

Re: When you bought your boat did you take a test drive before you finalized the deal

First boat, no test drive. Found out it needed bellows immediately and it didnt hit wot and that was two years chasing that problem. Current boat, owner pulled it over an hour and i drove two hours to meet him for a test drive. And for me to see it for the first time. I paid cash and pulled her home. Still loving it... no issues have come up. And i have only been upgrading... adding bimini, more speakers, fish finder, etc. I will test all boats from here on out!

 

[ricohman]

Re: When you bought your boat did you take a test drive before you finalized the deal

I was looking at a thread were the people were critical of a guy because he did not do a shake down ride on the boat he purchased from a dealer. I was wondering how many actually took a test ride before they signed on the line when they got their boat.

1) In my case I had the boat taken to shop and they went over it and I paid so they knew they were working for me.

Are you suggesting to tell a dealer that you are going to take a new boat from him to another dealer to have it inspected before buying?
Thats a weird idea.
I bought my new boat when the snow was on the ground and the lakes (where I live anyway) were frozen. No water test at -15.

 

[PWH1]

Re: When you bought your boat did you take a test drive before you finalized the deal

Found my boat on Craigslist in January 2010 -Drove 4 hrs to look it over. Lake Erie isn't to hospitable at that time of the year, so a splash in the water wasn't an option. One owner boat that had been won at a Marina raffle. All maint records from the marina that the boat came from. Always stored inside and never left in the water. Put it on muffs, fired right up... The boat was always covered and obviously very well cared for. The 90 Johnson SPL has performed exceptionally well. My family and I have spent many hours of fun on the water with this boat.

Sea trial is likely wise... But in this case, you could tell the boat was well above average and I knew it would be gone in a second if I passed on it.

 

[BugsBunnyBoater]

Re: When you bought your boat did you take a test drive before you finalized the deal

LOL My boat was purchased used from an individual so we had it taken to a shop to have it checked out..

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: When you bought your boat did you take a test drive before you finalized the deal



I bought this cuddy while it was up on blocks. I therefore did not water test it nor did I have the owner start the engine. The original engine was a 125 Force and I knew I was going to replace it with my earlier Chrysler 140. So, condition was not important. The engine was later mounted on the little blue and white 14 foot go-fast and it performed admirably: 60 MPH. Even though it was a salt water engine there was minimal corrosion damage confined to the mounting clamps which I replaced.