Sales of personal watercraft increased by 10% last year. And for good reason! Nothing beats the feeling of being out on the water, with a cool sea breeze filling your lungs and running through your hair.
Are you trying to get your hands on a used boat so you can experience it for yourself? Are you unsure exactly what to look for?
Well, you’re in the right place. Keep reading for our top buying tips to help you find the best boat possible!
Check the Documentation
Imagine that you’ve seen a scarab boat for sale at the local marina.
If you decide to buy it from the marina itself, then, as a legitimate business, you can trust them to handle the official side of the transaction. However, it’s essential to check the boat’s registration card and title when you’re going through a private seller. Make sure the name and address on the documents match the person you’re buying the boat from.
On a similar note, check that the registration numbers match the hull identification number (i.e. the “HIN”), as well as the vessel’s make and model. Lastly, cover your bases by requesting (and holding onto) a signed bill of sale from the seller.
Check the Hull and Deck
Just like when you buy used cars, it’s imperative that you check new watercraft carefully for any problems or imperfections before signing any dotted lines. As the primary part of the boat, it makes sense to start with the hull.
Are there any dents, defects, or holes? How about visible repairs, or evidence of issues (be it repaired or present) below the waterline? Do a thorough inspection of the deck as well.
In an ideal world, there wouldn’t be any rot, softness, cracks, or other such problems.
Check the Engine and Battery
It goes without saying that your engine needs to a) function properly and b) be in good condition!
Super expensive, you’ll want to inspect it for signs of corrosion, deterioration on the belts and hoses, and any metal dust, grit, or moisture in the oil. It could be worth paying a boat engine mechanic to confirm whether or not the engine’s good to go.
Take a moment to inspect the boat battery too. It should be fixed to its tray, have no cracks or leaks in the case, and have corrosion-free terminals.
Check the Electronics
Old boats often come with electrical issues. Thankfully, most of them aren’t disastrous and only require a simple fix. Nevertheless, you’ll want to do a thorough inspection of the wiring and each component to ensure the problems (if there are any) don’t run too deep.
Seeing lots of splices used to repair wires, damaged insulation, and rusty connections can all indicate more significant underlying issues.
Remember These Used Boat Buying Tips
Buying a second-hand boat is always an exciting prospect. You’re one step away from getting out onto the water in your very own vessel! However, given the cost involved, it’s important to know what you’re doing first.
We hope the buying tips in this post will help in that regard. Keep them in mind and it won’t be long before you’re boating off into the sunset. Would you like to read more blog posts on this topic and others like it?
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