Im going to test drive a boat tonight: What questions do I ask the current owner?

Question

I've been on boats my whole life, but this is my first buy.
Here's what I've come up with so far:
..How many hours are on it?
..What is gas milage like?
..Have you had any problems with it?
..Has there been any repairs?


Any other questions, suggestions, etc are greatly appreciated.

Oh yeah, its a 1986 Sea Ray Seville inboard/outboard w/ a trailer.

Answer 1

milage does not pertain to a boat.

you should find out what motor it has and search it for typical problems. also find out what make of leg it has omc or whatever and google it for problems.

Answer 2

For mileage you may want to ask instead; How may gallons it burn per hour at full throttle or cruising speed?
You can ask about problems, if the person is honest they will tell you.
This boat may have a Hour Meter. If, so, just look before you drive and see if it working and that help you know the hours. Though someone could disconnect this. But, I doubt it.
If, it on a trailer check the bottom for damage. Also, look at the fiberglass/paint and see if there any bubbles in the paint. This is called "Blistering" and not a wanted thing, though it not necessarily hurt either.
Open the engine compartment and look around. Check the oil to see if it oil or milky. Milky oil the block is cracked from poor winterizing.
Look under the seats at the wood. Stomp around on the floor, more toward the back. Make sure the power trim work and if out of the water look at the hoses when it working for leaks and check how bad the hoses look.
Look at the fuel tank, and hope it Aluminum.
This boat is 20 years old. But, not even looking, I say it probably a good boat. The Engine is a car engine, I not sure which, but, gets better fuel economy than an Outboard this age. Many boats not get much use if they on a trailer, compared to at a boat slip. So, looking at the bottom, you can see it clean, trailer boat or had algae growing on it, boat slip.
I am familiar with these baots and they are nice. But, do not over pay. I do a quick look around for a good price for you and the seller.

Is this the one for $4,200? Ha!
OK, they asking $3,599 ($3,600) to up toward $6,500.
Some are open bow and some with a cuddy cabin. I not know what this one asking, but, probably not get it for less than $3,500. If, you can or it already is and looks good, it a good deal. I not sure I would pay over $4,500. But, I not see just from a guess.

Answer 3

Well I don't think you should count on any honest answers. If there is a "Hobbs" meter on the engine, it will tell you how many running hours, but these can be tampered with. Your best bet is to inspect the clearcoat, and look for any significant damage. Inspect the prop carefully for major damage. Make sure you check that reverse works properly. Check that the safety cuttout on the engine works. Check that all the gauges and running lights are working. Check that the anchor light works. Check that the trim works. Take a look at the wheel bearings on the trailer and see if there is any bearing grease showing. I would be more wary if NONE is present. Check that the blower motor works. Inspect the ski well. If it comes with a top, ask to have it put up and inspect.

Not that any of those should prevent a sale, just know what you are getting into. Used boats are the only way to go!

Answer 4

first off, ask if the horse is still available for purchase. and if the horse is still available, just re-run all the things that were listed in the ad to make sure that what is posted is true (though just the owner verifying things through a phone call or email doesn't guarantee it will be true, but it verifies that the two of you are talking about the same horse), ask anything about the horse that you feel is important that might not be listed in the ad. such as how high the horse jumps, how often it has been shown, the level of rider that should ride the horse, how it behaves with other horses, last date of the vet check, things like that. then ask about possibly coming out and trying out the horse and try to set a date and time that would be convenient for the both of you. though when contacting the owner that is pretty much all you are doing, contacting the owner. most of the stuff you need to know/ask will come when you actually see the horse. so try to limit what it is that you are asking.

Answer 5

It's an "I/O", and you will "OWE" if you buy it, I don't like "I/O's" because, the "Out drive" changes the direction of power too many times, from an engineering stand point, it's NOT a good design, too much "WEAR" ( you get the best of both nightmares, the automotive world "Engine", and the marine world, "Out drive") you should be asking about the rear boot around the out drive, they have to be replaced every two years, if it leaks, you'll swamp. Get either an "Inboard" or an "Outboard" but, NOT an "Inboard/Outboard" !

Answer 6

I absolutely agree with the suggestion of bringing your own mechanic. He was the reason we actually ended up buying a boat that was advertised as having rebuilt motors. The poor thing was on the market so long b/c it scared potential buyers. He took the motors apart and gave us the thumbs up....been a great boat and we got a great deal on it.
Ask for a copy of the survey they had done on it.

Answer 7

Even if you think you know about boats, bring a good boat mechanic with you.
Spend another $100 to pay the mechanic and have a professional to check it out.
If you've been around boats, you probably know a mechanic or have friends, who know one.
And if the boat owner doesn't want you bring YOUR mechanic, it's a red flag right away.

Answer 8

Has it ever sank? Ever had any fiberglass repairs?
When was the last time the trailer wheel bearings were packed? Has it ever had the prop repaired/replaced?

Answer 9

Why are you selling it?
Who did most of the maintenance and repairs ?
Does it float?
How much did you spend last year on repairs & preventative maintenance?

Answer 10

Has it ever been surveyed?
Is all the coast gaurd required safety gear inculded?
Was it used in salt or fresh water?