What to look for in a used boat--HELP!!!

WinnChill · 05-03-2007, 01:45 PM

Beagle,

We, too, are first time boat owners (a used 94 FourWinns)--we pick it up this Saturday! Anyways, I'm sure others will head you in the right direction as far as manufacturers--I still don't know a whole lot, but enough of a crash course to go with a good quality boat. One thing though, I felt more comfortable going through a marina for our first purchase. Since it was a used boat, I had all the maint. records, but mostly because they'll go out with us the first time and show us the ropes. Sure, there are probably some great deals privately along with all the equipment, but the rookie guidance wouldn't be there. I'd rather have a connection with a marina first before we upgrade and perhaps venture out on our own purchases.

A bowrider, IMHO, is the greatest. We plan on taking many friends out with us, and using as much space as possible is key. With the budget you have in mind, you'll surely find an incredible first boat!!

I wish you luck and look foward to sharing our first boating experiences here on the forum this year!

Cheers,
Cameron

Dave R · 05-03-2007, 02:49 PM

Wanted to add, hours are going to be irrelevant in a boat of that type and price range. Look more for overall condition and obvious signs of loving care than low hours. I'd much rather have a boat that was used a lot and treated well than one that was parked a lot and ignored.

beagle · 05-03-2007, 04:21 PM

Dave, I thought that Cobalts were good, but I hadn't heard of the Bryants before so I guess I'll keep an eye out for them too. So if it is a choice of a newer model but 200hr plus time or an older model 100 hrs or less, which is better? I guess I have no feel for how many hours on an engine are good or bad! Charlie, We don't need a slip, we have a place on the water, that's why I thought a bow rider would be better than one of those cabin type boats-more above deck seating. Cameron, I also like the layout of the Four Winns, it seems like a really nice boat. Let me know how you like the ride! And, I can see that going with a dealer would be smart for us newbies.
Thanks everyone for your help! Anything else you all think of would be appreciated!
Patty

LIforrelaxin · 05-03-2007, 05:01 PM

Beagle,

My advice here is on a different angle... with what you are willing to spend 30K to 40K you could look at a smaller new boat. A 18' to 21' Four Winns as an example would fall into this catagory. Then you wouldn't have to wonder about how well a used boat was taken care off. Now there are arguments to the bigger boats such as stability handling in rough weather etc. etc. and depending on the part of the lake you will be boating in most often these things may be a concern. But I myself by choice only have an 18' and rarely have issues on the lake. I just stay away from the Wiers in July. Now other reason I recomend considering a smaller boat. If this is your first boat, then a smaller boat is going to be easier to learn to maneuver in tight quarters. Also you mention you have a place on the water (I am assuming not on an island), so your boat is not your direct access to the lake, and therefore you don't need to be as worried about being comfortable all day long on the water, you will use the boat for a few hours and then return it to the dock where it will sit. you just need to something comfortable enough for a ride a couple times durring the day. Last reason for recomending a smaller boat, bigger the boat, the bigger the wake, and if you have kids that want to ski tube etc. etc. a smaller boat that planes quicker is more advantageous. Well those are my thoughts..... You will get plenty of advice here, none of it is wrong we just all have varying opions, and objectives....

Cobalts for the high end, and Fourwinns for the mid-grade are my recomendations..... Chaparalls are also nice.......

Good luck and good boating.....

Charlie T · 05-03-2007, 05:42 PM

ON the subject of size for the lake, let me tell you my experience.

I started out with a Chaparral 198 (19ft) in 2000, I got beat up on the lake and could not wait to get rid of it. I traded up to a Chap 235 (23ft) and it was like a night and day difference. I could go pretty much anywhere on the lake and not feel like I'd been in the ring with a prize fighter at the end of the day. Shortly after buying the 235, I came upon a Chap 2550 that was 5 yrs old with only 100 hrs (documented) on it. This 5 yrs old boat was in great condition and needed very little in the way of work. I paid short money (a lot less than you are talking about) for it and couldn't be more pleased. The ride isn't much different from the 23.5ft but it is newer and better looking.
My advise is to look for a good deal, they are out there but don't go too small. BTW my 2550 is a Volvo Duo Prop, I would never go back to a single prop outdrive again. Much easier to get around at low speeds. Responsive to steering input.
YMMV

ThePlut · 05-03-2007, 06:01 PM

I doubt you'll ever find two boat that all other things are equal except one is older/fewer hours vs. newer/more hours. The advantage of newer is that you might get some warranty left on the boat (Cobalts are 5 years from in service date).

I agree with Dave R, condition is everything.

And personally, I think a used 22-24ft boat would be better on Winni than a new 19-22' boat. My first was a 20', and that lasted a year. I'm in a 24' and it was a great decision.

Good luck!

Mee-n-Mac · 05-03-2007, 07:17 PM

Good advice so far so let me add in a few disjointed thoughts perhaps not yet mentioned.

1) Re: size - Make sure the boat will hold the # of people you expect to be on it. 2 + 2 kids is easy but if you're bringing along friends and their kids ... Think more about weight capacity than # of seats. You may also want to think about how much time out and about on the water you'll typically be spending. Long times might indicate a need for a head (even just a porta-potty) and these are better on the larger bowriders.

2) Re : engine - Stay with a V8, 5.7L min. I'd prefer fuel injection for guaranteed, easy starts but others will tell you the a properly maintained carb setup works just fine. As far as Merc vs VolvoPenta .... I'd recommend the VP DuoProp over the B3 simply because Merc had problems with corrosion on the B3s "back when". While I think they mitigated it, they never solved it and frankly they denied anything was ever wrong with the B3 design. In your price range go for the 2 props over any single prop drive.

3) Bowrider is a good choice, indeed the most popular choice for all the reasons mentioned. Again if you think you'll require a head onboard, actually try out the compartment for size. Some are OK, others way to small except for kids. Also with BR's I'd like a door or windblocker to be available to seal off the bow from the main cockpit. This is pretty rare and while not a must have, it's nice on those colder days.

4) Will you be getting a trailer ? What do you have for a tow vehicle ? How big is your slip ? What draft will it support ? Again this goes back to the size question.

5) I'd recommend you get some form of bimini top, either when you buy the boat or budget it to add it later. You'll want protection from the sun. Make sure you also get some covers for the cockpit and bow. All preferably from Sunbrella (or like) fabric.

6) Condition over hours but within reason. I think the average hrs/season is about 40. Frankly given your budget, there are all sorts of very nice boats to be had.

7) Re: make - Certainly Cobalts and Formulas (Formulae

) are nice, I know a lot of people who've been very happy with their FourWinns and Rinkers. Find what you like vs what someone regards as best. This is Winnipesaukee, not the ocean. You can visit all the marina's in a days drive so ... visit them all. Most also have online listings. If you're looking off the lake then I'd be sure it was a fresh water boat. I'd avoid anything left in the ocean. For your 1'st used boat I'd go through a marina rather than a private sale.

8) If possible test drive with all or most of your family onboard. Then you'll see if the time-to-plane and ride are acceptable to all. Also be sure the gears (Fwd-N-Rvs) shift smoothly and predictably.

9) If you're going to spend time hanging out, anchored at the sandbar, it's best to have someplace dedicated (at the bow) to store the anchor and rode. Also you can't have to many cleats. Look for them amidships as well as fore and aft.

10) Check out the (re-)boarding ladder. If you're going to have people in the water then they'll want to come out and back onboard at some point.

11) Don't get a boat w/o snap-in carpeting. Glued down is bad. No carpet is hot (but can be fixed ... with snap-in carpeting).

NHskier · 05-03-2007, 10:10 PM

Beagle,

My wife and I went through this process last fall for our first boat. In our case we were looking for "one-stop shopping" - with access to service, winter storage, and either rack storage or a slip. And while this limited us to buying from a marina we would have gone that route regardless for added peace of mind.

We purchased a 1998 Cobalt 232 (7.4L V8, fuel-injected, Volvo DuoProp) from Thurston's and have been very pleased with the performance and handling. We first looked at smaller boats in the 20 foot range, but after a test ride or two found there was absolutely no comparison to the ride of a larger & heavier boat.

This particular boat had originally been sold, stored, and maintained by Thurston's. They had all the service records and were able to show us exactly what work had been done over the years. As mentioned in an earlier post that's a real advantage.

We were extremely pleased with the attention we received from Jeff Thurston when first looking at the boat (on land), during the test ride, and after the sale with on-water instructions. And we've also been happy so far with winter storage and their service department.

There's some great advice in the earlier posts that very much reflect our experience, too.

NHskier

Woodsy · 05-04-2007, 07:28 AM

For added piece of mind when considering a used boat.....

GET A SURVEY!!

Have a proffessional marine surveyor go thru the boat. its cheap insurance, I think its about $25 per foot. A proffessional surveyor will go thru the whole boat stem to stern! He will send the engine oil out to analyzed, check the stringers and transom, inspect the gas tank, plug his comp into the motor to verify the hours and possibly other info such as max RPM etc. In short, a proffessional surveyor will be able to insure you are getting what you paid for. It will also put your insurance company at ease...

Woodsy

codeman671 · 05-04-2007, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woodsy

For added piece of mind when considering a used boat.....

GET A SURVEY!!

Have a proffessional marine surveyor go thru the boat. its cheap insurance, I think its about $25 per foot. A proffessional surveyor will go thru the whole boat stem to stern! He will send the engine oil out to analyzed, check the stringers and transom, inspect the gas tank, plug his comp into the motor to verify the hours and possibly other info such as max RPM etc. In short, a proffessional surveyor will be able to insure you are getting what you paid for. It will also put your insurance company at ease...

Woodsy

More like around $17-20 per foot in this area. Most surveyors do not carry a computer to verify hours, this is a specific tool used by dealers. I do not know any in this area that do. An oil analysis is not standard either by any means. The main points inspected are hull integrity/moisture check in the transom, electronics, steering, electrical, cosmetics, drive functionality, fluid leaks, obvious mechanical issues, etc. as well as inspecting for previous gelcoat repairs hiding previous damage. They also can give expert opinions on the brand and type of boat, typical history of issues with the brand/reliability, etc.. Usually they do not like to get into compression testing but will do so for additional fees. Surveyors are not mechanics and like to leave this type of stuff to someone who specializes in it. I can refer you to one if you are interested.

LIforrelaxin · 05-04-2007, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woodsy

GET A SURVEY!!

Have a proffessional marine surveyor go thru the boat. its cheap insurance, I think its about $25 per foot. A proffessional surveyor will go thru the whole boat stem to stern! He will send the engine oil out to analyzed, check the stringers and transom, inspect the gas tank, plug his comp into the motor to verify the hours and possibly other info such as max RPM etc. In short, a proffessional surveyor will be able to insure you are getting what you paid for. It will also put your insurance company at ease...

Woodsy

Woodsy, ecellent advice.... I have been around boating my whole life, and look at boats all the time. So when I go to buy, I know what things to look at and never think about a survey.... But for that first time buyer even if a back or insurance doesn't require it, it is the safe way to go.....

Dave R · 05-04-2007, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beagle

Dave, I thought that Cobalts were good, but I hadn't heard of the Bryants before so I guess I'll keep an eye out for them too. So if it is a choice of a newer model but 200hr plus time or an older model 100 hrs or less, which is better? I guess I have no feel for how many hours on an engine are good or bad! Charlie, We don't need a slip, we have a place on the water, that's why I thought a bow rider would be better than one of those cabin type boats-more above deck seating. Cameron, I also like the layout of the Four Winns, it seems like a really nice boat. Let me know how you like the ride! And, I can see that going with a dealer would be smart for us newbies.
Thanks everyone for your help! Anything else you all think of would be appreciated!
Patty

There's really no difference between 100 and 200 hours on a bow rider engine, so ignore the hobbs meter and look solely at the condition of the boat.

If I had a place on the lake, I'd have a 24+ foot bowrider too. The difference between my last boat, a 21 footer and my current boat, a 25 footer, is night and day. The bigger boat is vastly more pleasurable when the water gets rough. That said, the 21 footer was more fun to drive since it was far more spirited and edgy in feel.

Arrange for some test rides in a few brands.

Some other models (in addtion to what's been recommended) to look at:

Monterrey 248 LS
Regal 2200 (an utterly gorgeous boat, the designer hit a home run on this particualr model, but you may prefer more room...)
Regal 2400
Sea Ray (they've made a lot of boats in your size/price range)
Baja Islander 242
Grady White Tournament series would be worth a look if you can keep an open mind. These are superbly built, heirloom quality, boats with a decidedly salty flair and traditional styling.

There's a lot of great advice here.

05-03-2007, 04:21 PM	#3
beagle Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Wolfeboro Posts: 176 Thanks: 187 Thanked 25 Times in 21 Posts	Always good advice! Dave, I thought that Cobalts were good, but I hadn't heard of the Bryants before so I guess I'll keep an eye out for them too. So if it is a choice of a newer model but 200hr plus time or an older model 100 hrs or less, which is better? I guess I have no feel for how many hours on an engine are good or bad! Charlie, We don't need a slip, we have a place on the water, that's why I thought a bow rider would be better than one of those cabin type boats-more above deck seating. Cameron, I also like the layout of the Four Winns, it seems like a really nice boat. Let me know how you like the ride! And, I can see that going with a dealer would be smart for us newbies. Thanks everyone for your help! Anything else you all think of would be appreciated! Patty

05-03-2007, 05:01 PM	#4
LIforrelaxin Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Texas, Lake Ray Hubbard and NH, Long Island Winnipesaukee Posts: 2,918 Thanks: 1,050 Thanked 900 Times in 530 Posts	a few more cents here Beagle, My advice here is on a different angle... with what you are willing to spend 30K to 40K you could look at a smaller new boat. A 18' to 21' Four Winns as an example would fall into this catagory. Then you wouldn't have to wonder about how well a used boat was taken care off. Now there are arguments to the bigger boats such as stability handling in rough weather etc. etc. and depending on the part of the lake you will be boating in most often these things may be a concern. But I myself by choice only have an 18' and rarely have issues on the lake. I just stay away from the Wiers in July. Now other reason I recomend considering a smaller boat. If this is your first boat, then a smaller boat is going to be easier to learn to maneuver in tight quarters. Also you mention you have a place on the water (I am assuming not on an island), so your boat is not your direct access to the lake, and therefore you don't need to be as worried about being comfortable all day long on the water, you will use the boat for a few hours and then return it to the dock where it will sit. you just need to something comfortable enough for a ride a couple times durring the day. Last reason for recomending a smaller boat, bigger the boat, the bigger the wake, and if you have kids that want to ski tube etc. etc. a smaller boat that planes quicker is more advantageous. Well those are my thoughts..... You will get plenty of advice here, none of it is wrong we just all have varying opions, and objectives.... Cobalts for the high end, and Fourwinns for the mid-grade are my recomendations..... Chaparalls are also nice....... Good luck and good boating..... __________________ Life is about how much time you can spend relaxing... I do it on an island that isn't really an island.....

05-03-2007, 06:01 PM	#6
ThePlut Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 150 Thanks: 1 Thanked 13 Times in 11 Posts	Hours I doubt you'll ever find two boat that all other things are equal except one is older/fewer hours vs. newer/more hours. The advantage of newer is that you might get some warranty left on the boat (Cobalts are 5 years from in service date). I agree with Dave R, condition is everything. And personally, I think a used 22-24ft boat would be better on Winni than a new 19-22' boat. My first was a 20', and that lasted a year. I'm in a 24' and it was a great decision. Good luck!

05-03-2007, 07:17 PM	#7
Mee-n-Mac Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,943 Thanks: 23 Thanked 111 Times in 51 Posts	Some more things to think about Good advice so far so let me add in a few disjointed thoughts perhaps not yet mentioned. 1) Re: size - Make sure the boat will hold the # of people you expect to be on it. 2 + 2 kids is easy but if you're bringing along friends and their kids ... Think more about weight capacity than # of seats. You may also want to think about how much time out and about on the water you'll typically be spending. Long times might indicate a need for a head (even just a porta-potty) and these are better on the larger bowriders. 2) Re : engine - Stay with a V8, 5.7L min. I'd prefer fuel injection for guaranteed, easy starts but others will tell you the a properly maintained carb setup works just fine. As far as Merc vs VolvoPenta .... I'd recommend the VP DuoProp over the B3 simply because Merc had problems with corrosion on the B3s "back when". While I think they mitigated it, they never solved it and frankly they denied anything was ever wrong with the B3 design. In your price range go for the 2 props over any single prop drive. 3) Bowrider is a good choice, indeed the most popular choice for all the reasons mentioned. Again if you think you'll require a head onboard, actually try out the compartment for size. Some are OK, others way to small except for kids. Also with BR's I'd like a door or windblocker to be available to seal off the bow from the main cockpit. This is pretty rare and while not a must have, it's nice on those colder days. 4) Will you be getting a trailer ? What do you have for a tow vehicle ? How big is your slip ? What draft will it support ? Again this goes back to the size question. 5) I'd recommend you get some form of bimini top, either when you buy the boat or budget it to add it later. You'll want protection from the sun. Make sure you also get some covers for the cockpit and bow. All preferably from Sunbrella (or like) fabric. 6) Condition over hours but within reason. I think the average hrs/season is about 40. Frankly given your budget, there are all sorts of very nice boats to be had. 7) Re: make - Certainly Cobalts and Formulas (Formulae ) are nice, I know a lot of people who've been very happy with their FourWinns and Rinkers. Find what you like vs what someone regards as best. This is Winnipesaukee, not the ocean. You can visit all the marina's in a days drive so ... visit them all. Most also have online listings. If you're looking off the lake then I'd be sure it was a fresh water boat. I'd avoid anything left in the ocean. For your 1'st used boat I'd go through a marina rather than a private sale. 8) If possible test drive with all or most of your family onboard. Then you'll see if the time-to-plane and ride are acceptable to all. Also be sure the gears (Fwd-N-Rvs) shift smoothly and predictably. 9) If you're going to spend time hanging out, anchored at the sandbar, it's best to have someplace dedicated (at the bow) to store the anchor and rode. Also you can't have to many cleats. Look for them amidships as well as fore and aft. 10) Check out the (re-)boarding ladder. If you're going to have people in the water then they'll want to come out and back onboard at some point. 11) Don't get a boat w/o snap-in carpeting. Glued down is bad. No carpet is hot (but can be fixed ... with snap-in carpeting). __________________ Mee'n'Mac "Never attribute to malice that which can be explained by simple stupidity or ignorance. The latter are a lot more common than the former." - RAH Last edited by Mee-n-Mac; 05-03-2007 at 11:36 PM.

05-04-2007, 07:28 AM	#9
Woodsy Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Weirs Beach Posts: 1,968 Thanks: 80 Thanked 980 Times in 440 Posts	For added piece of mind when considering a used boat..... GET A SURVEY!! Have a proffessional marine surveyor go thru the boat. its cheap insurance, I think its about $25 per foot. A proffessional surveyor will go thru the whole boat stem to stern! He will send the engine oil out to analyzed, check the stringers and transom, inspect the gas tank, plug his comp into the motor to verify the hours and possibly other info such as max RPM etc. In short, a proffessional surveyor will be able to insure you are getting what you paid for. It will also put your insurance company at ease... Woodsy __________________ The only way to eliminate ignorant behavior is through education. You can't fix stupid.

05-03-2007, 01:45 PM	#1
WinnChill Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Beagle, We, too, are first time boat owners (a used 94 FourWinns)--we pick it up this Saturday! Anyways, I'm sure others will head you in the right direction as far as manufacturers--I still don't know a whole lot, but enough of a crash course to go with a good quality boat. One thing though, I felt more comfortable going through a marina for our first purchase. Since it was a used boat, I had all the maint. records, but mostly because they'll go out with us the first time and show us the ropes. Sure, there are probably some great deals privately along with all the equipment, but the rookie guidance wouldn't be there. I'd rather have a connection with a marina first before we upgrade and perhaps venture out on our own purchases. A bowrider, IMHO, is the greatest. We plan on taking many friends out with us, and using as much space as possible is key. With the budget you have in mind, you'll surely find an incredible first boat!! I wish you luck and look foward to sharing our first boating experiences here on the forum this year! Cheers, Cameron

05-03-2007, 02:49 PM	#2
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,985 Thanks: 246 Thanked 744 Times in 444 Posts	Wanted to add, hours are going to be irrelevant in a boat of that type and price range. Look more for overall condition and obvious signs of loving care than low hours. I'd much rather have a boat that was used a lot and treated well than one that was parked a lot and ignored.

05-03-2007, 05:42 PM	#5
Charlie T Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 326 Thanks: 271 Thanked 193 Times in 93 Posts	ON the subject of size for the lake, let me tell you my experience. I started out with a Chaparral 198 (19ft) in 2000, I got beat up on the lake and could not wait to get rid of it. I traded up to a Chap 235 (23ft) and it was like a night and day difference. I could go pretty much anywhere on the lake and not feel like I'd been in the ring with a prize fighter at the end of the day. Shortly after buying the 235, I came upon a Chap 2550 that was 5 yrs old with only 100 hrs (documented) on it. This 5 yrs old boat was in great condition and needed very little in the way of work. I paid short money (a lot less than you are talking about) for it and couldn't be more pleased. The ride isn't much different from the 23.5ft but it is newer and better looking. My advise is to look for a good deal, they are out there but don't go too small. BTW my 2550 is a Volvo Duo Prop, I would never go back to a single prop outdrive again. Much easier to get around at low speeds. Responsive to steering input. YMMV

05-03-2007, 10:10 PM	#8
NHskier Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 294 Thanks: 45 Thanked 37 Times in 34 Posts	Beagle, My wife and I went through this process last fall for our first boat. In our case we were looking for "one-stop shopping" - with access to service, winter storage, and either rack storage or a slip. And while this limited us to buying from a marina we would have gone that route regardless for added peace of mind. We purchased a 1998 Cobalt 232 (7.4L V8, fuel-injected, Volvo DuoProp) from Thurston's and have been very pleased with the performance and handling. We first looked at smaller boats in the 20 foot range, but after a test ride or two found there was absolutely no comparison to the ride of a larger & heavier boat. This particular boat had originally been sold, stored, and maintained by Thurston's. They had all the service records and were able to show us exactly what work had been done over the years. As mentioned in an earlier post that's a real advantage. We were extremely pleased with the attention we received from Jeff Thurston when first looking at the boat (on land), during the test ride, and after the sale with on-water instructions. And we've also been happy so far with winter storage and their service department. There's some great advice in the earlier posts that very much reflect our experience, too. NHskier