Re: Info on boat.
Ask:
1) The year of the engine and boat and trailer?
2) Approximate number of hours on the engine?
3) Length overall?
4) Is there a valid title (in hand) for the whole setup?
5) Any soft spots in the floor/transom?
6) Does the engine run? What was the maintenance schedule like? Is it overdue for any maintenance?
7) Why are they selling?
8) Any additional items that come with the boat (CG equipment, fishfinder, trolling motor, etc)?
Make sure you either take someone knowledgeable about boats or trust your judgment prior to buying. Don't buy anything without taking it out to see how it performs.
All good advice I wish I had taken before I bought my boat. I was attracted to a good looking boat with a strong sounding engine. We cranked it up in the yard (with water muffs) and I was hooked. Boy, I wish I'd insisted on a ride! Although he told me there were no soft spots in the deck, the subject of the transom never came up. Of course, it's rotten.
I'm getting it rebuilt which has several here questioning my sanity or at least my judgment. All of this could have been avoided if I'd just gone for a ride first.
That trailer: it definitely looks poorly matched. Mine, it turned out, had a 13" bias ply tire on a steel rim on one side and a 14" radial tire on a galvanized rim on the other side. The wiring changed colors three times between the tail light and the front plug. All minor things I corrected.
But it's hard to get around the boat wanting to sink. Take the test ride.
