Purchasing a boat w/o a lake to run it on first

[444]

Re: Purchasing a boat w/o a lake to run it on first

I know how you feel silk. I'm several hours north of you and I too have the itch to hit the open water. Not quite there yet tho...

 

[Captain Caveman]

Re: Purchasing a boat w/o a lake to run it on first

What is really painful and frustrating Bliz, is the plethora of beautiful lakes around here and not being able to get on them (unless you drive your car or sled) from mid November to Mid April!

The other frustrating part is that the used boat market seems to dry up after fishing opener, so don't wait too long after ice out. I made that mistake once. Oh there are still boats available, but the great Minnesota boat swap tends to happen between mid-April and mid-May. After that most folks are fishing and set until the next year.

 

[25thmustang]

Re: Purchasing a boat w/o a lake to run it on first

I bought mine without doing a water test. I would not do that again. I lucked out and there were no real surprises but I really took a chance.

X2, I took a chance but my father knew the previous owner from years back and had a good feeling on the boat. Worked weel but in the future I will be doing sea trials.

 

[gtochris]

Re: Purchasing a boat w/o a lake to run it on first

I've bought two boats I can think of without even starting them.

My present boat was even still winterized with shrinkwrap!!! I poked a small hole, looked around inside, the outside looked great and I knew the mechanic so bought it on the spot

Wave runner, First saw it in a storage unit, it was beautiful and very well maintained and spotless, bought it and kept for 5 years.

A test drive just wasnt an option for the above two purchases.

 

[sschefer]

Re: Purchasing a boat w/o a lake to run it on first

Patience is a virtue.. If you need to wait three weeks, don't worry, there be another boat, there's certainly no shortage of them. If you're paying top dollar, an on the water test is a good pre-purchase policy along with a full hull inspection. Sellers and even dealers often don't know the true condition of the hull and unless you've torn one apart, you won't either, test ride or not.

If you're getting it cheap you can probably forego the test ride and hull inspection and just assume that it has problems you're going to have to fix.

 

[Silk]

Re: Purchasing a boat w/o a lake to run it on first

Well we are going to take it tonight for a spin, it has a roller trailer, which I have never used before, should be interesting. We will be launching and and loading it back up without the benefit of a dock(docks aren't in yet), guess my feetsies are going to get a bit cold..brrrrr

Here is the pic of the boat, we are going to test drive tonight, it is cheaper, so yes, I know we will be visiting a mechanic, our old boat is even older, lol, so we are on good terms with the marine guy, lol.

This one has has been well taken care of and it is in almost pristine condition for its age (92) price tag $3200

 

[Pacoson71]

Re: Purchasing a boat w/o a lake to run it on first

good luck! Hope all goes the way you want it to.

 

[scoutabout]

Re: Purchasing a boat w/o a lake to run it on first

Nice looking boat. We'll be waiting anxiously for the verdict. Good luck!