mistakes when buying a boat

[catchy_fishy]

I've found Ausfish a very useful tool, if only I was using it first, but not having done so I believe I made a number of mistakes when I bought my first boat, that could've been avoided.

I was very new to boating - had no experience with boats, and had done no homework. I knew I wanted a boat, and that was about all.

I was more intersted in the outer appearance than what happened inside. So lessons having been learned I thought I would summarise for new boaties what to consider that I should've considered.

1. Be extra careful when you buy a second hand boat
2. Research your boats properly - get to understand what the boat was built for - in-shore, lakes, off shore, etc. This makes a difference to your satisfaction. I for example wanted a boat that would take me out 30 nm - for which the boat is licenced, but my petrol consumption won't allow such a trip (leaving enough for safe return voyage), and there's not enough space for too much more fuel - a few extra at purchase time, and I might be a whole lot happier today.

Dealers are keen to move stock and have access to a lot. You have every right to ask questions - you can also use the answers to help negotiate the best price, or get them to fix things first before you take the boat.

The basics, if buying from a dealer: (might as well ask for everything - if they say no, you can decide how important it really is)
- ask for
- the motors to be serviced
- new props, or recons if they're still good enough
- ask them to take the impellor out and to show it to you (this ensures they have to remove the prop, and of course you know the impellor has been checked properly) and makes sure that it (the prop) is at least lubricated enough to get it off the shaft ( I found out mine was seized and had to get a replacement, before she'd even been to sea)
- Skegs - get em if you can - if you do beach launching
- test drive. DONT let the salesman start the motors - you do it, to see if everything works.

If there is a pull cord start and a key, test both
- kill switches - test them (having passed seaworthy, my kill switches didn't work)
- Check for leaking fuel in the lines - mine had two leaks from a rusted nut that kept cutting it (and I smoke on board)
- rev counters - test them
- check under the hull for cuts or scrapes that could be repaired at someone elses expense
- Look for rust stains on the boat - usually a sign of a leak, or a drip - try understand where it is coming from first
- trailer - check the bearings - better still get them to fit new ones for you (if the trailer is second hand)
- trailer - my latest blooper - I never checked the springs. (mine have rusted through so badly that the prev owner strapped them with tyre tubing) - check yours
Fish Finder - try ascertain from the previous owner what fish finder he /she (for Ros) traded the boat in with - I'm convinced mine got swapped
- what fuel does the boat use - leaded or unleaded
- check inside the inspection hatches properly for damp that shoudn't be there
- check for rotten floors - springy underfoot - do not ignore this - this is as bad as buying a car because you like the make and model, its look etc, but without seats.
- check for cracks in fibreglass (unless it's a tinnie), and obvious signs of neglect that could cost you to repair
- check the hand winch - does it work
- check the bow eye, is it loose - not good if it is

Oh and something else I learned, leave ALL the bungs out when not in use - also helps to air the boat.

Today, only 3 months later I am not quite as bad off as poor Mad Turck but I didn't do that well. HOWEVER I will not be defeated again - why - because I am wiser, thanks to the insights and postings of many Ausfish Members.

Thanks to all who post responses to my questions, and in general to everyone's questions. That which you find fun, I find useful

[seatime]

catchy

That's quite a detailed list you've got. What I would like to see at the top of a new boaties' checklist is, a) talk to other boat owners, just like on here but face to face, ask them where they fish what they use their boats for etc. b) take a mate for a second opinion.
Spend a Saturday at the ramp talking to boaties and get some opinions and see them in action. It's a good time to learn what not to do at the ramp also.
If you haven't the experience yourself use someone else's experience before you buy. All good in theory, practice is harder. IMO cheers Steve.

[Fat Chilli]

Good article, helps me heaps, thanks. I'm still looking :-?

[finga64]

catchy you poor bugger :'(
you got caught with the lot didn't you matey.
write a book and recoop some of the money ;)
Bet you told all your mates who sold you your boat and the service you got :-?
Oh, you forgot to mention take the boat for a long ride on the water and ask what warrantee is given and on what.
Hope everything is going OK now as, as you mentioned, your boat is a good looking rig.
Cheers and better luck in the future
Scott

[2iar]

A lot of good advice there guys.

The most important piece I'd give is:

DON'T RUSH IN.

It's vitally important to think rationally when presented with an apparently great deal, a nice shiny rig that looks the part. Take your time...it's a big investment for most of us, and if you have to wait a few months for the right boat to come along, it'll be worth it to get the right one instead of rushing in and making compromises and the inevitable expense they involve. What's a couple of months of frustration resisting temptation compared to years of reliable, enjoyable service?

Good luck,
Mike

[nodjule]

Make sure you take the boat for a test run in conditions that maybe a tad uncomfortable, " there is no way you would fork out $20,000 plus for a car, without first test driving it," so why would you for a boat purchase, if the person selling the boat says no, then walk away, as 2iar stated, there will be a better rig come along if you dont rush..


Cheers.

[88fishframe]

Anyone about to buy a secondhand boat, maybe for the first time, send a PM to mad_turk. He's been on the wrong side lately and you could learn from his experiences :-[

[wessel]

Check the bilge for water line marks.Can they explain why there is sand and seashells in the bilge
If the boat is in the water, check for water collecting in the bilge. If there is a small bit there, take a bucket and a rag and get it out - check again an hour later if there has been any leakage
Was all the installation rubbish cleaned out like wire offcuts - if they end up in the bilge pump impeller you do have a problem
Check for any hulle repairs that may have been made.
Does the fuel breather line actually work.
Get your head underneath the console and take a good look at the wiring, condition of the stearing assembly, can you see any daylight past the gauges (water will get in and onto the electrics when you wash the boat.)
Is the utillity holes underneath the deck big enough to take the extra wiring you want to add later on for all those gadgets.
How was the motor mountings put in, what grade bolts did they use, did they over torque the nuts and damaged the transom.
What material is the hull made from - if it was marine ply and fibre glass, then check for any delamination. If you find any signs of it then be very carefull
Is there room for expansion ie cup holders, stereo, extra fuel tank, electronics, general cellphone and car keyes holder etc.
How well was the through the hull fittings done. Will they ever leak or are there signs that they have been leaking
Take the engine cowlings off and have a good look at the engine - is there any tool marks on the engine - what was done and by whom
Where and how will you store your rods, the cooler box, the tackle box, the life jackets, extra clothing you brought along when you launched at dark but now that the sun is out your are frying, safety gear such as extra water / flares / fire extinguisher / first aid kit etc

Seems like a lot of finicky details - but that is where the devil usually hides ;)

regards

Wessel

[spuderico]

Thanks fellas,
all great advice. I, like many more to come , am almost the owner of a secondhand rig. Luckily as a mature age consumer I was cautious and have done my homework. Still at the end of the day we tend to let the emotion of the purchase get the better of us and probably buy something just one day too soon. I am still anxious that when I part with my money I will have made the right choice. Have been given the thumbs up on another thread by an experienced member but ultimately it comes down to how comfortable one feels about the BOAT : MONEY ratio. More importantly, how "she who must be obeyed" feels about the boat.
The best thing I ever researched was Ausfish. Invaluble.

[spuderico]

in·val·u·a·ble ( P ) Pronunciation Key (n-vly--bl)
adj.
Of inestimable value; priceless: invaluable paintings; invaluable help.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
in·valu·a·ble·ness n.
in·valu·a·bly adv.

Sorry!

[catchy_fishy]

[quote author=finga link=1142196794/0#3 date=1142214623]catchy you poor bugger :'(

write a book and recoop some of the money ;) [quote]


Thanks Scott, for all your support.

I wasn't looking for pity, just trying to give back that which so many have helped me with.

My solution is quite simple really, just costs money - I will get a new floor, change the buoyancy to foam filled, and carry on. In my "the bottle is half full" approach to life, this of course assumes there is nothing serious under the floor.

For now though I've covered Catchy Fishy up for Winter (a few months early) left all the hatches open and will put a fumi-tab (serious fogging pesticide) under the covers. (did you read about my ants in the playpen post ?)

On 1 September she'll be uncovered again, and I'll take a call from there.

In the meantime I will carry on with the basics. My skipper's course starts again at the end of March, and I still need to pass that as well as the prac's for surf launching (boat supplied). I also want to do my radio licence. It's only a few months.

Hell I had my driver's licence revoked once for 6 months and survived that (Medical reasons - not negligence)

As an aside to new boaties - before you buy a boat also consider doing the skippers first. One learns much there too.

Thanks for all the feeling ! :P

I posted in the hope that someone, in fact many, are able to learn from mine, and others mistakes and advice.

Mike

[catchy_fishy]

Another small thing - take all the bungs out and check the washers, some of mine had perished - small but the dealer should've replaced all of them.

Also check the bilge pump works (if you have one)

And of course if there are lights / electronics on board test everything (in this regard I was lucky - i never even tested the gadgets I got, but they worked)