From the old salts I need your help. Starting to look at boats again. 30-34 range. Found a few I would like to contact the owner about. A lot of these are in states still locked down. What are some of the (General) questions I should be asking? My intention is to go look at several of them as soon as that is possible. I am looking for initial questions to ask. Thanks everyone. JC
Old Boat Questions?
- Thread starter JC3
- Start date
Leardriver
Active Member
- May 24, 2016
- 308
- Boat Info
- 2004 270 Sundeck 8.1 Bravo III
- Engines
- 5.0, 5.7, 6.2 8.1 Bravo III over the years
Condition is everything. The older the vessel, the more that you can't hide poor upkeep.
I am never impressed by copout phrases like " dealer maintained" or "full service records". That means to me that the owner was helpless, couldn't do anything by himself, and took it in when stuff completely failed. I could never pay someone to do the fussing over my boat that I do, and there are no records of that.
I am never impressed by copout phrases like " dealer maintained" or "full service records". That means to me that the owner was helpless, couldn't do anything by himself, and took it in when stuff completely failed. I could never pay someone to do the fussing over my boat that I do, and there are no records of that.
El Capitan
Well-Known Member
- Jul 9, 2014
- 3,829
- Boat Info
- 1970 SRV 180 w 2.5L Mercruiser.
2000 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer
- Engines
- 120HP Mercruiser
I prefer professionally maintained vs DIYers. I find they tend to keep records and you can see the parts used on repairs.
On an old boat, documented service, maintenance and repairs would be important.
Deferred maintenance is a red flag.
On an old boat, documented service, maintenance and repairs would be important.
Deferred maintenance is a red flag.
Joint Custody
Well-Known Member
What range of years are you looking at? Drives or shafts? Fuel injected or carbureted?
Ask for pictures even more than the listing has. If they willing send them to you then most likely they have nothing to hide. If they send you ones of just the cockpit , cabin and one shot of the engine room then it probably isn’t that well-maintained.
Ask when all the canvas has been updated ask the service intervals of the engines drives or shafts and generator. If on the trailer ask the condition of the tires the bearings and when last replaced.
If your looking at Searays go into the form on those models and read every post! That will tell you the good and bad DNA of the model you’re looking at.
Engines - compression test.
Drives - pressure test.
As you look at boats you want you will start to see common things about makes and models that wear!
The boats that have had those issue corrected or replace are going to tell you if it has been well maintained or not.
Upholstery is a sign how she was kept and the condition of the bilge too.
Also If it is on a trailer if the trailer is very well-maintained that means the boat has been if the trailer is a POS that will tell you how the owner cared for her.
Once you narrow it down to the one or two you want to get surveys done on all running equipment and non running.
A good survey is worth every penny and will save you thousands down the road.
Any boat you look at plan on spending an hour during daylight hours and good weather.If the owner rushes you then they are hiding something.Flip every switch, open every cabinet and locker, turn on all Equipment that you can out of the water. Take someone other than family to look at it. Someone who isn’t there to buy will have a different perspective than you.
Also if someone isnt willing to water test it with you then walk away.
last bit of advice.
Whatever length you looking at buy 2 feet more!
My last three boats sold in one or two days and the ones that bought them are the ones I let crawl all over the boat for a couple hours and left alone.
Ask for pictures even more than the listing has. If they willing send them to you then most likely they have nothing to hide. If they send you ones of just the cockpit , cabin and one shot of the engine room then it probably isn’t that well-maintained.
Ask when all the canvas has been updated ask the service intervals of the engines drives or shafts and generator. If on the trailer ask the condition of the tires the bearings and when last replaced.
If your looking at Searays go into the form on those models and read every post! That will tell you the good and bad DNA of the model you’re looking at.
Engines - compression test.
Drives - pressure test.
As you look at boats you want you will start to see common things about makes and models that wear!
The boats that have had those issue corrected or replace are going to tell you if it has been well maintained or not.
Upholstery is a sign how she was kept and the condition of the bilge too.
Also If it is on a trailer if the trailer is very well-maintained that means the boat has been if the trailer is a POS that will tell you how the owner cared for her.
Once you narrow it down to the one or two you want to get surveys done on all running equipment and non running.
A good survey is worth every penny and will save you thousands down the road.
Any boat you look at plan on spending an hour during daylight hours and good weather.If the owner rushes you then they are hiding something.Flip every switch, open every cabinet and locker, turn on all Equipment that you can out of the water. Take someone other than family to look at it. Someone who isn’t there to buy will have a different perspective than you.
Also if someone isnt willing to water test it with you then walk away.
last bit of advice.
Whatever length you looking at buy 2 feet more!
My last three boats sold in one or two days and the ones that bought them are the ones I let crawl all over the boat for a couple hours and left alone.
Last edited:
Espos4
Well-Known Member
Ask the seller “ Is there anything that doesn’t work?”
You won’t get the whole truth but still may be told something that you might have missed in your inspection.
You won’t get the whole truth but still may be told something that you might have missed in your inspection.
Leardriver
Active Member
- May 24, 2016
- 308
- Boat Info
- 2004 270 Sundeck 8.1 Bravo III
- Engines
- 5.0, 5.7, 6.2 8.1 Bravo III over the years
This would be an interesting philosophy session.
I have seen the 19 year old at the dealership, hurrying to finish jobs in what I would consider a haphazard rushed way. I take rusty parts, sand blast them, paint them, clean other parts until you could eat off of them, and do preventative maintenance to keep parts from failing. But, I have a lift, a brake lathe, a tire machine, a sandblaster, a parts washer, hydraulic press, an alignment bar, an outdrive stand on wheels, and a quest for perfection, not a hurry to finish so that I can make money. I have had 16 boats, and my first was at age 21.
37 years of boat maintenance. I don't consider myself less of a professional because I don't have 6 months at a dealership in the last 30 years. I guess the qualifier is, what is your level of experience and professionalism.
