Boat History Report?

K

krs616

Member
Jan 9, 2011
69
Michigan
Boat Info
2006 270 Amberjack - Sold
Engines
Merc 496 Mag 375 hp
Bravo III
Hey All,

Does anyone use the Boat History Report when considering a new used boat? Seems similar to a Car Fax, other than the fact that most dealerships provide the CF for free, whereas the BHR is a pay as you go deal.

I realize a survey is a must, just wondering if the BHR is useful or useless?

KRS
 
I did it for a couple of boats when I was searching. Mainly to see if anything obvious popped up before wasting my time on a long road trip to see them.
That was about the only value I saw in doing it.
I’m confident enough in my ability to spot a boat with enough problems that I wouldn’t waste time and money on a survey once I was on it, but after spending hours driving to see boats that we’re described as “the cleanest ————— on the market” I became skeptical and learned to do as much research as possible before making a long trip.
 
JVM225 said:
I did it for a couple of boats when I was searching. Mainly to see if anything obvious popped up before wasting my time on a long road trip to see them.
That was about the only value I saw in doing it.
I’m confident enough in my ability to spot a boat with enough problems that I wouldn’t waste time and money on a survey once I was on it, but after spending hours driving to see boats that we’re described as “the cleanest ————— on the market” I became skeptical and learned to do as much research as possible before making a long trip.
Click to expand...

That makes sense. Kind of where I'm at..don't want to spend an airline ticket to NJ from MI if it was a hurricane recovery or some other MAJOR work done. Where does the information BHR gets come from? Marina's who do repairs, Lein company etc..?
Thanks for the reply!!
 
I'm sure it no surprise to most but there is a ton of research that can be done on some of these boats using google particularly if they are documented. I recently surveyed a boat that had a few red flags. It was a 3 owner boat and i was able to track down the two previous owners who were able to clear up some of the questions in regards to the boats history.
 
krs616 said:
That makes sense. Kind of where I'm at..don't want to spend an airline ticket to NJ from MI if it was a hurricane recovery or some other MAJOR work done. Where does the information BHR gets come from? Marina's who do repairs, Lein company etc..?
Thanks for the reply!!
Click to expand...

More than likely the only things that will show up are from whatever insurance claims a previous owner put in for on a boat.
Not a failsafe method by any means, but at least it’s a start.
As Irie said, you can track down previous owners of a particular boat if you want. If they’re documented, you can start by looking at the USCG documentation website for info on previous owners.
My advice, based on my experience, is to get as much info and as many pictures as you can before going on a road trip to see a boat.
It certainly helps to know exactly the make, model, generation, etc. of the particular boat that you’re interested in so you can learn as much about it as possible and know the questions to ask, and the pictures to ask for.
 
If a boat is for sale through a broker, contact him and see if he'll share the engine serial numbers. Then call the mfg of the engines and see if any warranty work was done.

Also, get the HIN from the broker and call the boat mfg to see if any warranty work was done.
 
Hummmm. Didn't even know something like this existed.

Before I bought my current barge I received 7 years of maintenance records from the marina who serviced the boat.

I thought that was very helpful seeing that systems were taken care of when required.
 
tiara in the snow 01.JPG
Might be a business opportunity for a person in a state with lots of boats to do honest third party pix for prospective buyers who are considering a trip from either coast to say Illinois, Indiana, Michigan or Ohio. Some close up shots emailed to interested parties and priced around $50 might give someone what they need before buying an airline ticket or two tanks of gasoline in order to get a closer look at a boat that is for sale.
 
I used these reports during my boat purchase last year. The report had some interesting information, but not nearly as usable as a carfax report. It was interesting to see the ownership history, and I guess it might have shown major insurance claims but I don't know.

At the end of the day if you are buying a $100k boat, maybe spending $50 to have a bit more data is useful, but these reports didn't end up changing my mind one way or the other about the boats I was considering.
 
KRS616--- where is the boat located in NJ. I manage properties all over the state and travel all the time, maybe if its close by I can stop and take a peek for ya, in fact I am heading to the shore in an hour from now. What town? Marina or private?
 
Thank you for the offer! It's listed on BW through a broker..I haven't heard from him since yesterday...says the boat is here:
2008 Sea Ray 290 Amberjack
Lanoka Harbor, NJ 08734
By the pic I assume it's at a marina, not sure which one though.
 
Your not going to believe this but that is my marina. Boat is probably sitting right there. which broker Integrity? or east coast? Ocean Beach?
 
Sublimetime said:
Your not going to belie this but that is my marina. Boat is probably sitting right there. which broker Integrity? or east coast? Ocean Beach?
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Knot 10 Yacht Sales....I assume it's shrink wrapped...the pic's on BW were from a much warmer time :) I think it's been for sale since last summer
From the pic's the outdrives were repainted, the props look sketchy.
 
Isn't Knot 10 in Md. ??

Looked at pictures----Might not be my marina, they don't pack them that tight in ours. Boat looks pretty clean. Kept behind a residence, probably just laid up for winter there. Curious about the no paint bottom???? or is it painted with white bottom paint? Props around here turn that color because we are actually on a fresh water /brackish tributary that is lined with cedar trees, and it stains everything with tannin.
 
Sublimetime said:
Isn't Knot 10 in Md. ??

Looked at pictures----Might not be my marina, they don't pack them that tight in ours. Boat looks pretty clean. Kept behind a residence, probably just laid up for winter there. Curious about the no paint bottom???? or is it painted with white bottom paint? Props around here turn that color because we are actually on a fresh water /brackish tributary that is lined with cedar trees, and it stains everything with tannin.
Click to expand...
Ahhh that makes sense (props)..I was curious too about the lack of bottom paint. I will reach out to the broker again and see what add'l info I can find out~
THANK YOU!!
 
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