Is a pre-purchase inspection necessary/worth it?

[teacher_dan]

My wife and I just bought a 2014 Mastercraft X-10 from a nearby dealer. The boat was lightly used as a demo boat and has about 30 hours on the engine. How does everyone feel about hiring a marine surveyor to conduct a pre-purchase inspection? For a used boat it wouldn't even be a question, but I'm unsure with respect to the new 2014 boat.

Thoughts? Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[roffey]

Hmmm, if it were me I would not go with the inspection. You bought it from a dealer and there is a warranty. I know there is a lot some one can do in 30 hours that is not covered under the warranty but the dealers reputation is on the line here and possible future business, just my 2 cents worth.

 

[JoLin]

Ditto that. It's essentially a new boat. I'd eyeball it thoroughly and trial it well, and let it go at that.

 

[GA_Boater]

I don't consider a demo boat as used. It should come with a new boat warranty because it has never been registered. My question to the dealer would be when does or did the warranty begin since it does have some hours and time on it. From the Mastercraft website, this is the warranty:

Gelcoat defects are covered for one year. Trailer paint and corrosion is covered for one year. Every other part of every MasterCraft is covered for five years. That's it.

 

[WrenchHead]

Just get the warranty in writing. A reputable dealer should be happy to oblige. He will make you sign, you make him sign.

 

[oldjeep]

My wife and I just bought a 2014 Mastercraft X-10 from a nearby dealer. The boat was lightly used as a demo boat and has about 30 hours on the engine. How does everyone feel about hiring a marine surveyor to conduct a pre-purchase inspection? For a used boat it wouldn't even be a question, but I'm unsure with respect to the new 2014 boat.

Thoughts? Thanks in advance for the help.

You're already covered. All the warranty stuff should be in the documentation that you got with it. The only place qualified to inspect a boat like that is the dealer you bought it at

 

[aspeck]

I would not think it necessary for that boat ... Essentially still a new boat. Just make sure warranty is intact.

 

[airdvr1227]

I'll add make sure you take a good look at it top to bottom. Demo 'anything' has a tendency to be abused.

 

[oldjeep]

I'll add make sure you take a good look at it top to bottom. Demo 'anything' has a tendency to be abused.

I don't know about that. Demo ski/wake boats are the most likely to be in perfect condition, wiped with a diaper, waxed within an inch of their lives and sung gently to sleep each night in the garage

 

[Brian 26]

I would not pay for an inspection. In my experience it's not much more than a guy doing a visual inspection. I did a write up on it, on here about 6 months ago if you want to search for it.

A test drive will tell you a lot and what others have said on the warranty would be all I need.