Hate to buy a used boat

Is there anything such as a good used boat? I hate to buy a used boat and get junk. But I can’t afford a new one. Can’t see paying to much for a used one either. Where would you look for a good used boat?

ME TOO………..
I am afraid of buying someone else’s troubles. Just wondering out loud of any tips in this processs.
I am most concerned about motor problems.
Kind of like buying a used car.
Thanks for any input here……

Iowa Roger

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Is there anything such as a good used boat? I hate to buy a used boat and get junk. But I can’t afford a new one. Can’t see paying to much for a used one either. Where would you look for a good used boat?

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Hard to say. Every item I have sold I sold with complete honesty. I think unfortunately there are those that don’t sell this way.

Do your research, be patient, and be a good judge of character. You shouldn’t have any problems if you take your time and wait for the right one.. I’m in the process of selling my used boat right now. I figure as long as I am brutally honest about everything regarding the sale the buyer is going to walk away happy with their purchase. I am also in the same boat (no pun intended) of having to find a new to me “used” boat soon, once mine is gone. I can’t justify purchasing a new boat either as one would be beyond my means without taking out a substantial loan. Every boat I have owned has been used and I’ve been more than happy with each and every one.

It’s like a used car

Always trust your gut, and take it to someone you trust to have it checked out for any problems

I also suggest you ask if you can take it for a test drive, they should be more than happy to let you, if not, WALK AWAY

Look at used boats at dealerships, that way you’ll at least have someone to go back to in the event its a total lemon. Not sure what most dealerships offer for warranty on used boats though?

I have been lucky with the 3 used boats I bought but I did get royally screwed on a used outboard I bought. All I can say is ask a lot of questions and look over at everything you can as closely as you can. If you can’t take a test drive arrange for a dealer of your choice to go through the motor for you. The last boat I bought I arranged for a dealer to do a compression and leak down test as well as tank test and check the fluids and warranty service history of the motor. This was something I paid for and would have paid for even if I turned down the boat. Because this was a deal a few hundred miles away I also tossed the dealer a bone and paid for them to fully service the motor for me and hold the boat until I could fete there to pay the owner.

There are good used boats and honest people but you need to do your homework and be through.

Good luck

Take a look at how organized there garage is and how clean there vehicles are. That will tell you a lot on how they take care of there things. Also ask if you can take it to a dealer to have it looked over and if they get offended or weired about it then somethings up. Most dealers will do a quick run through for a small fee.

I have had great luck with used boats. In fact the only problem boat that i had was the only new one I bought.!

You can hire a marine surveyer. Not only does he do a visual, but also a sea trail. They are independent and very good. We did last year at a cost of $300. for a boat located in another state being sold by a broker.

I’ve been looking for a good used boat for the last few months to fish Pool 4 in the winter and what I’ve seen so far is most guys that are selling used, that are in good condition, have done their homework and are asking top dollar. IDO classifieds, Walleye Central classifieds and Craig’s List would be a good place to start, lots of fishing boats for sale right now.

I am totally different I have never bought any thing new either truck car or boat in my 60 years. As mentioned above do diligence it took 3 years before I finally found my Crestliner 182TS and before that my Lund spent a year and half finding that one. Never get in a hurry to buy that is when most people get into trouble. By that time you will have a good idea of prices and condition so when the right deal comes around, pull the trigger quick, most good deals are not around long.

When it comes to new I will let someone else take the hit.

Edited to add…. Now is the time to do research on outboards read outboard forums find out what models, years or manufacturer had problems in certain years or models. So when the time comes you will be confident.

Find the boat you like and look to repower with newer outboard. Then you get peace of mind in your powerplant. Check hull and transome over yourself. If you have motor checked out by a dealer ask about trade in value. Hard to hide a boat hull that hasn’t been taken care of. Easy to hide a bad motor. As others stated take your time and pick exactly what you want. Only get to do this a couple times in you life so best to do it right. Good luck

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Take a look at how organized there garage is and how clean there vehicles are. That will tell you a lot on how they take care of there things. Also ask if you can take it to a dealer to have it looked over and if they get offended or weired about it then somethings up. Most dealers will do a quick run through for a small fee

I have had great luck with used boats. In fact the only problem boat that i had was the only new one I bought.!

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I figure if he’s got a garage you’d want to have, as clean as you want, as organized as you want, and the boat has a designated spot for storage and upkeep in that garage, the seller is probably gonna take care of his stuff.
If the boat is worth more than his house, or if anything looks out of place, keep fishing.
There are great deals to be gotten from decent people. They just come and go so quickly. Be prepared and know what you want. Make a list of need to haves and nice to haves. That always helped me.

1. Check with Skeeter Boat Center. Good folks who know what they are doing.

2. Or, find a reputable guide or tournament angler who turns over his boat every 1-3 years and get in line. Great way to get a boat that is already rigged and often will have warranty.

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Take a look at how organized there garage is and how clean there vehicles are. That will tell you a lot on how they take care of there things. Also ask if you can take it to a dealer to have it looked over and if they get offended or weired about it then somethings up. Most dealers will do a quick run through for a small fee

I have had great luck with used boats. In fact the only problem boat that i had was the only new one I bought.!

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I figure if he’s got a garage you’d want to have, as clean as you want, as organized as you want, and the boat has a designated spot for storage and upkeep in that garage, the seller is probably gonna take care of his stuff.
If the boat is worth more than his house, or if anything looks out of place, keep fishing.
There are great deals to be gotten from decent people. They just come and go so quickly. Be prepared and know what you want. Make a list of need to haves and nice to haves. That always helped me.

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My garage is a mess because I spend most of my free time cleaning my boat.

All the previous post are great info, as for a place to find a used boat, I have had good luck with LakeLink.com Their classified ads had boats in my price range not just the $35,000 rigs we all love to drool over. Good Luck

There are good used boats and some very bad ones. When I bought a used boat I looked for dock rash, the keel, prop/skeg and overall how clean the boat was. Then I asked for service records.

You are looking to buy a new boat. If your not in a hurry, take your time and enjoy the process. Easy to check out tons of them online that meet your requirements without driving anywhere. If you don’t know how to tell if something looks solid, get a friend or pay someone to check before buying.

Make sure to buy it from a guy who never fishes….

Just kidding.

I’d have a hard time buying another new boat. There are plenty of good used boats out there. The comment about getting one from a pro who is getting a new one each season is a great tip. Done it in the past and have been great deals. Most of these boats come with new factory warranty and no sales tax.

-J.

I also feel comfortable buying a used boat. Buying a used boat from a pro is a good route to go if you are looking to buy a newer boat. As others stated, do your research online for awhile and check out some of the boats before you buy. If there is something that bothers you when you first look at a boat, it will probably bother you everytime you are fishing in it.

In my opinion, a boat that is taken care of well should have very little or no dock rash, clean carpet, and clean under the motor cover. If the owner couldn’t handle those 3 things, they probably neglected it in other areas. Open all of the hatches and stick your head in there and look around.

Try to find a guy with a son who takes him fishing all of the time. My Dad has a 97′ Crestliner that is in showroom condition.

It all about people. Find a good person selling a used boat and you will be better off.

My thoughts on buying a used boat.
..have a dealership or mechanic look over the rig for you
..buy from a dealership they have a better chance of knowing what they are selling and would stand behind the sale better than a private person
..take it for a test run

However I you tell a lot about a person on how they act and talk. If it feels right your probably ok. Good luck. Remember the good boats don’t sit around long so you often have to act fast (but do your homework first). Don’t get too upset if you miss out on one because there will always be a better one down the road.

wow.. some good points , some poor ones.. my boat is 25 years old.. and you wouldn’t know it.. and it has the original paint on the lower unit.. I hardly run my boat at full trottle.. because half trottle gets me any where I want, saftley.. I have hit one rock pile once.. on the river in 25 years.. but .. I don’t run like a fool, in areas that I don’t know.. I would check the transom on a boat.. the lower unit paint.. if it doesn’t match, look out..
buying a “pro’s boat”? hmm… boy that’s a tough one because most pros can beat a boat far more in one year then I can do in 10.. I would really think about that.. a boat to buy is one that a guy wins at a tourny.. there is your deal of the day.. IF YOU KNOW PRICES.. and have done your homework..

oh and my garge is messy.. but I only have so much money so I make my things last..

As other have said, trust your gut and get as much info from the person as possible. Take it out for a test run and or take it to a dealer to have it checked. I drove all the way to Iowa to buy a used boat. It was a good price and exactly what I was looking for. We took the boat out on a local lake and did some fishing for the day. Great guy and I have been very happy with the boat.