We need to know more about what type of boat you're looking at. A test drive is a great idea. Definitely possible for there to be a lien. Some generic adivce below:
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Buying a boat
1st you need to decide what you want to use it for, fishing, cruising, or water sports.
2nd how many people adults, children you want on board of the average outing.
3rd outboard, inboard-outboard, or inboard power plant.
4th Budget, what you want to pay, and what you are willing to pay, when you find
Exactly what you want.
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You can hire a marine surveyor, to inspect the boat
, or you can do it yourself.
You are mainly looking for soft spots in the deck, transom, cracks, all signs of a rotten, under frame. You walk all over the deck, that a mallot, or hammer with wooden handle, using handle, tap all over the transom, a shape rap is good solid base, a thud, is questionable base.
The motor should be clean, no spots where the paint is discolored, or pealing from heat, having run hot. (This part for outboard motors Compression should be atleast 100psi, and within 10% of each other,)
Spark on all cylinders, good pee stream, check lower unit for water in oil.
The overall condition of the boat will tell you a lot, as to how it has been maintained.
boat motor combo, A 30 year old may be in better condition, than a 3 year old.
