Buying a Used Fishing Boat: Five Critical Tips

WITH THE PRICES of boats going through the roof thanks to increased demand, supply chain issues, and raw material cost increases, the idea of buying a used boat is sounding better and better.

On top of that a flood of new boaters has entered the market, so it’s easy to predict there will probably be a lot of previously owned boats for sale. That means the prices of used boats are likely to take a dip at some point in the relatively near future and upgrading could be a good move. “Could be” is the key phrase here. Buying a boat is always a big investment, and buying one used always involves some level of risk. The best way to mitigate that risk is to simply scrub the whole idea and buy a new boat in the first place.

However, if you can’t resist the temptation of getting more boat for less buck, you at least want to make sure you minimize that risk, these five used boat buying tips will help:

• Do a compression check on the engine, or if you’re not mechanically handy, take it to a professional and have them perform one. A compression check is sort of like running an EKG on a person’s heart in that it’ll give you an indication of basic health levels. It won’t give you a complete report on all aspects of the engine’s health by a longshot, but it will expose major basic issues with the pistons, rings, and cylinders.

If a compression check goes well, you at least know the fundamentals are likely to be solid.

Performing a compression check is fairly simple, but note that different makes and models can be more or less complex to address depending on whether they have EFI or not, are computer-controlled, and the type of ignition system.

That said, the basic principle remains the same: After warming up the engine then shutting it down, pull the kill switch and the spark plugs so the engine can’t inadvertently start. Screw a compression gauge into the first cylinder and crank the engine until the gauge’s needle stops advancing. Note the results and repeat the process with the other cylinders. If the results from all the cylinders aren’t within about 10 psi of each other or if they’re outside the manufacturer’s specs, beware.

• Be sure to account for the cost of new vinyl and canvas. The soft goods on a boat commonly deteriorate quickly and are something many used boat buyers replace. However, the price to have this done has, like so many other things, gone through the roof in recent times. If you’ll be replacing seat cushions, Bimini top canvas, and similar items, have the job priced ahead of time and figure the cost into your calculations. Otherwise, you could end up getting a nasty surprise.

• If the boat was built with any plywood materials (especially in the deck, stringers, or transom) check for soundness and check them with a moisture meter. Most builders have moved away from using wood, but a surprising number still do.

Although many use marine treated plywood (which may even come with a lifetime guarantee), anomalies still arise in the rot department. On top of that, if you’re looking at a boat with a decade or more of age on it you don’t know what sort of repairs have already been made, which may or may not have included the use of plywood.

• If a trailer is included in the package, get it inspected by a pro prior to purchase. Boat trailers are notoriously unreliable and subject to failure. We do, after all, regularly dunk them into the water. Used trailers with failing lights are about as common as, well, used trailers.

Although fixing the light system on a trailer isn’t a big deal, bearing issues, corrosion issues, dry-rotted tires, bent axles, and other major (read: costly to fix) issues are. Unless you’re very familiar with boat trailers or are a mechanic yourself, it’s always a good idea to get the rig inspected by a pro before writing out a check.

• Flip every switch, activate every system, and turn on every light. Don’t assume anything on a used boat actually works until you’ve tested it for yourself. This includes automatic switches on things like bilge pumps. Reach into the bilge, pull up the float switch manually, and listen for the hum. More often than you’d think, as you poke through a used boat and start flipping switches, you’ll discover a dead washdown pump, light, or electronic accessory.

This isn’t necessarily a deal-killer since all this stuff can be fixed, but you need to know just how much money you’ll have to sink into the boat to get it back into tip-top shape. Plus, if you discover a number of items that are failing it gives you some valuable insight into just how well the boat has been maintained through the years.

BONUS TIP: Never, ever, ever buy a boat without first going on a sea trial. Out on the water you’ll learn far more about the boat than you ever will on land. The longer the sea trial, the better. Make sure you try running the boat into, with, and beam-to the seas to get a feel for how it will handle in different conditions.

Finally, remember there’s only one sure-fire way to avoid the pitfalls of buying a used boat: buy a new one, instead.

 

Email Lenny Rudow at ContactUs@fishgame.com

 

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