Buying second hand boat

[Sheehan]

I need some info on buying a second hand boat. I am after a aluminium 4-4.5 metre runabout. Thinking of going second hand as I only have a budget of $10,000. Is it best to buy privately or from a dealer. What do you look for? Is age important? Which are the brands with the best reputations? I dont know anything about boats and should I pay a marine surveyor to go over it?

[snapattack]

Heres one that looks a good buy

http://www.ausfish.com.au/forum/YaBB.cgi?num=1157967131/0#0

[griz066]

Check out ebay some great bargains to be had 8-) some crap on there also, but you might get a fixer and do it up yo your own specs ;)
The boat pictured in my avitar to the left came from ebay can't fault it 8-)

[BilgeBoy]

Hi Sheehan

I know what you are going through...I spent months. Polly, Tin Glass, Rear steer, Front steer, Centre and on an on. For what it's worth here is my advice!!

1. Try and establish the hull style. You know open, Centre front steer etc. I went front steer with a top because I have kids and need somewhere they can get out of it when it blows up. But all have advantages and disadvantages.
2. Try and get as much for your buck as you can...Boat stands for BRING OUT ANOTHER THOUSAND. And aint that the truth.
3. Length can be an issue....depending on where you fish and how well you know the area. I wanted under 4.5 because anything bigger is hard to handle at a ramp or pull off a bank. (Keep in mind I am new to boating too)
4. I did the boat show and there were a few good buys there....4.2 with a 40Hp Electric Start and trim registered ready to go for $10,999. In the end I kept an eye on the Trading post Web Site...and bugger me found a good by. I juts paid $9000 for a 4.35 Alley Craft with an Oil injected 50Hp...all ready to go with Rego just paid. ( I will post a pic for ya).
5. Private or Yard...Well its one of those things really! I walked around a lot of yards and the guys are always keen to get a deal happening!! But then I found a good buy private. One thing I did notice was that in this range the second hand boats are not that far from the new price. Just keep hunting and you will find a bargain. Good thing about boats is that everyone wants a bigger one and new blood comes on the market all the time.

As for the Marine engineer....It never hurts to get someone who knows what they are doing to cast an eye over it. Not to scare you....but better to be on the safe side.

Happy hunting. :) :) :) :) :) :)

[Jeremy]

definitely get someone who knows their stuff to go over the boat, trailer and motor for you before you buy.

Have a good look around at new prices so you can recognise value when you see it.

There is alot of value in the accessories on a boat. Sounder, GPS, compass, rod holders, bimini, safety gear etc etc. Take this into account when you are trying to establish the value of a rig.

Have a look around the second hand yards. JCM is the biggest I know of in Brisbane. But also look at private sales. Shouldn't be too hard to find what you are looking for under $10G.

Alot to learn once you have bought your first boat also. Have fun!

Jeremy

[seatime]

Hi Sheehan

I agree with Jeremy, if you don't know a lot about boats have a pre-purchase inspection done by a marine surveyor. It's insurance.

There's good deals to be had, and $10 000 should get you into a good used boat.
There is a lot to look at when buying 2nd hand, trailer, hull, electronics and boats in that price range may not have engine hours.

Keep asking questions, you can never know too much!

regards
Steve.

[Sheehan]

Thanks for all that info. It has all been helpful and I will keep looking. I would appreciate anyone's views about buying an old aluminium boat. I had a look at a 1993 Quintrex Reefmaster that was parked on the side of the road. The fellow had $8900 on in and it had all the gear, bimini, fishfinder radio. It had what looked like an old Mercury 40 hp and when I rang him he said the motor was good and he had not been using it as he put a 70 hp on it when he bought it a couple of years back. He also said he had gone outside to the reefs. This put me off a bit as I thought 13 years was a bit old and with a 70 hp boat going outside it would have taken a bit of a pounding. It seems I could get a newer boat with less chances of cracking or deterioration. Does age affect aluminium boats very much?

[Jeremy]

Thanks for all that info. It has all been helpful and I will keep looking. I would appreciate anyone's views about buying an old aluminium boat. I had a look at a 1993 Quintrex Reefmaster that was parked on the side of the road. The fellow had $8900 on in and it had all the gear, bimini, fishfinder radio. It had what looked like an old Mercury 40 hp and when I rang him he said the motor was good and he had not been using it as he put a 70 hp on it when he bought it a couple of years back. He also said he had gone outside to the reefs. This put me off a bit as I thought 13 years was a bit old and with a 70 hp boat going outside it would have taken a bit of a pounding. It seems I could get a newer boat with less chances of cracking or deterioration. Does age affect aluminium boats very much?

The reefmaster is around the 5m size isn't it? In that case 40 hp is underpowered and the 70 would be a better match.

Don't worry about boats that have been used outside. The open areas of Moreton Bay can be every bit as rough or worse than outside when it gets above 15 knots and choppy.

Jeremy