4 How To Buy A Used Boat (Complete With Pictures)

How To Buy A Used Boat - If you are looking to buy a boat but are on a budget or have little boating experience, a used boat is your best bet. The first step is to find out which specific type of boat best suits your needs. Then visit the boat and inspect it fully. Speak to the owner to determine quality and take the boat out on the water to make sure it's leak free and running well.

• Evaluation of different types of boats

Opt for a flat boat or a bay or bass boat if you are an angler. One of these styles will suit you best if you intend to use your boat for freshwater fishing on lakes and rivers. You can navigate the boat through narrow canals and streams, although the boat may not be suitable for more than 1 or 2 people.

Anglers also typically prefer center console or dual console boats.

Buy a pontoon for slow relaxation. If you plan to use a boat for freshwater recreation but don't intend to fish from there, opt for a reliable pontoon boat. Large pontoons can accommodate up to 10 or 12 people, so they're also a popular option for family gatherings or a day on the lake with your friends.

New pontoon boats range from $20 to $30,000, but used models cost less.

Buy a cabin cruiser, cuddy cabin or ocean cruising tender. If you are looking for a fast boat to cruise in, check out cabin cruiser, cuddy cabin, and dinghy or dory designs. These are day boats that allow you to cruise the open ocean for hours. Smaller cruisers can also be taken in rivers or large lakes.

If you are looking for a powerful boat for fast cruising on the ocean, opt for a speedboat or a sports boat.

Purchase a bowrider or tow boat for towing wakeboarders or water skiers. If you use your boat primarily for lake water sports and want the ability to tow a person behind you, a mid-sized tow boat is the best option. These boats create a significant wake behind you and have a deck large enough to accommodate several people.

Bowriders and tugboats would not be suitable for overnight stays. New models cost around $54,000, but a used model costs significantly less.

• Set budget and search for boats

Set an appropriate budget. Used boats are cheaper than new boats but can still be prohibitively expensive. Once you've found 1 or 2 boat models you're interested in, check online how much these boat types typically cost in used condition. Also look at your personal finances and see how much you can afford to spend on the boat.

This is also the time to meet with a banker if you want to finance the used boat purchase. Used boats can easily top $25,000, so you might want to take out a sizeable loan. When negotiating the loan terms, set the monthly payments to an amount you can afford.

Read reviews of different boat brands and models. Before looking at individual used boats for sale, read some online reviews. These will give you a sense of which boat brands, models and styles are popular with used boat buyers and which ones to avoid. Narrow down the type of boat you want to 1 or 2 models.

There are a variety of reputable online boating magazines that contain reviews of popular new and used boat types and brands. Check out boat reviews in publications like http://www.boattrader.com, http://www.boats.com and http://www.yachtworld.com.

Find and visit a potential used boat. The best way to find a usable used boat is through online boat sales forums and websites. Boat Trader and Boats.com allow you to enter specific criteria to narrow your used boat search results. Indicate the condition of the boat as well as the desired type, manufacturer, length and location.

Contact the boat owner and make sure the owner is with the boat when you come by to inspect the boat at the marina where it is stored. Coordinate a time and date that works for both you and the owner.

Make sure you have a boat license before buying a boat. They can be taken into custody without a fine and/or detention.

• Ask questions and inspect the boat

Ask about the age and maintenance history of the boat. As with buying a car, make sure the boat has been serviced regularly and is ready to go. Look for newer boats with fewer engine miles as these are in the best condition.

Be aware that dishonest boat owners may have bought a badly damaged boat for salvage, patched it up, and then tried to sell it for a high price.

Ask if the current owner was the original owner, if the boat was in salt water, when was it last used, how was it stored over the winter, and if any major or minor issues have been fixed (new wiring, crack in hull, replaced motor head) or still available.

Ask about the origin of the boat. The "Provenance" refers to a list of previous owners and locations of the boat. The current owner of the boat should be able to provide you with the provenance in writing or orally. A boat that has only had 1 or 2 owners and has been well maintained is a safer purchase than a multi-owner boat.

Avoid buying a boat that has had many owners in the past or has murky pedigree. Boats that have changed hands many times - without those transactions being recorded - are often in poor condition.

Finden Sie heraus, ob Sie die Garantie übertragen können. Neue Boote werden mit einer Garantie geliefert, die sie vor Beschädigung oder Diebstahl schützt. Bei den meisten gebrauchten Booten ist die Garantie abgelaufen. Es lohnt sich jedoch, den Besitzer zu fragen, ob die Garantie noch gültig ist, oder sich mit der gleichen Frage an den Hersteller zu wenden. In einigen Fällen können Sie die Garantie vom Namen des Vorbesitzers auf Ihren übertragen.

Wenn das neue Boot beispielsweise mit einer 5-Jahres-Garantie geliefert wurde und Sie es nach 4 Jahren gebraucht kaufen, sollten Sie in der Lage sein, das letzte 1-Jahr der Garantieabdeckung zu übertragen.

Check the boat hull for cracks. Begin your inspection by walking around the boat looking for any obvious signs of damage. Pay special attention to the fiberglass hull just above and below the waterline. Small cosmetic cracks are normal. However, if you see large cracks longer than 5.1 cm (2 inches), the boat may have structural problems in the hull, possibly as a result of collision or damage.

Large cracks or signs of damage anywhere on the hull are a cause for concern. However, the area of ​​the hull just above and below the waterline is where large stress cracks are most likely to show up.

It's a good idea to examine the boat on land and in the water. Look for the through holes and make sure they can either be closed when you are sailing or there is a pump that can pump out the water.

Confirm that the boat is in overall good condition. When you look at the boat, note any fixed hull cracks, see if any parts look newer than others, and look for signs of neglect. Make sure that the generator and electronics work, the seats swivel correctly, and that the hatches open properly and are not filled with water. Check that the rails and hull attachments are in place, as well.

Neglect in one area, such as the hull or upholstery, may mean neglect in other areas, such as the engine.

Make the steerage is working properly and that the rudder is attached to the wheel properly.

Also, make sure the engine is working—it's easiest to use an engine to navigate to the dock, and some marinas actually won't approach you to navigate around the docks if you're under sail.

Look for mold or rot. Get in the boat and walk around it. Sit on all seats and inspect the consoles and carpet. A well-maintained boat with a sturdy hull should be free of mold or mildew and show no signs of rot. Severe mold growth is often a sign of water damage or a defective hull.

Signs of rot include loose or squeaky floorboards, loose seats and consoles, and a squeaky or flexing hull.

Remember that damaged upholstery can easily be replaced. Look behind the seat covers and look for signs of structural damage.

Have the boat inspected by a qualified marine surveyor. If you're relatively new to the boating world and aren't sure you can judge the quality of a used boat yourself, consult a marine appraiser. The surveyor will - for a fee - carry out a detailed inspection of the used boat and tell you whether it is a smart purchase or not.

Most marinas employ a marine surveyor. Contact your local marina and ask to be put in touch with their surveyor.

Alternatively, contact the Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors. Find them online at: http://www.marinesurvey.org/.

Take the boat out for a sea trial. A "sea trial" is essentially a test drive on the water. The current owner of the boat should either volunteer or readily agree to take you on the boat. The sea trial allows you to see how the boat performs on the open water and can help you determine the boat's true condition and value.

Put the boat through its paces with this test: make sure the engine is working well and isn't overheating. Also, make sure the boat steers properly and isn't rocking or rolling too much.

Confirm that the electronics and navigational instruments are working properly and that the hull is free of leaks.

• Make the deal

Research the boat you are buying and competing models. The more you know about the specific make and model of boat you're looking to buy, the easier it will be for you to haggle over the price. In fact, you may find that the seller has overpriced the boat, in which case you can certainly reassure him.

Before meeting the seller, find out the selling price of used boats like the one you are considering buying.

You can find the value of each boat model in the NADA boat guide. Check the guide online at: http://www.nadaguides.com/Boats.

Negotiate the price with the boat owner. Since you are buying a used item, the price is somewhat flexible. Try to talk the owner down from the list price. If the seller refuses to lower their price, you can explain that you think the boat is overpriced and that you can find a better deal elsewhere. This will often prompt the seller to lower the price.

For example, if the boat is selling for $25,000, ask if the owner will take $20,000. They'll likely decline, but may revise their offer to a more reasonable $22,500.

Note that boat owners may accept your lower price for the boat itself, but then overcharge you for additional items such as radios, safety items or a motor. If you have the time and patience, negotiate every single item you buy.

Transfer the legal ownership of the boat. Once you’ve agreed on the purchase price, ask the boat’s current owner to give you the boat’s title and other legal documents. Just like when buying a car, this will conclude the purchasing process. Making sure that the current boat owner transfers all ownership papers to you will also confirm that the boat was not stolen.

Although laws vary by state, boats over 12 feet (3.7 m) typically have titles, while smaller boats do not.

If you live in the U.S., you will also need to register your boat with your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles or Department of Natural Resources. Even if the previous owner registered the boat, you will need to re-register the boat with yourself as the given owner. For your state’s guidelines, look online at: https://www.dmv.org/boat-registration.php.