things to look for when picking up a new boat

[timddo]

Well after 12 weeks wait on a (6-8 week wait), then another 2 weeks for installation i'm finally going to get my boat this friday.90% if all goes to plan.

so far i'll be on holidays to take her home.

My check list is

1. Water test for cavitation + check for leaks.
2. Don't pay till i am completely satisfied.
3. safety gear

Anything else i need to consider

[emj]

If A New Rig, Pays To Check Trailer Bearings As It Has Been Known For Hub Assemblies To Leave Factory With Only The Lube Oil That Protects Bearings While On Shelf.also Put On Proective Coatings Where You Want Them Before It Hits The Water

[finga]

Make sure the trailer is rated OK for the boat, motor, full tank of fuel and all the gear you will have onboard.
Some are very borderline when you drive out the gate with no fuel and no gear onboard.
Who's not going to sleep Thursday night??

[bluefin59]

Make sure your boat insurance is up to date before you eave the yard i guesswould be a good thing........and if its a 2 stroke be sure they add the extra oil for the runin period ......matt

[Spaniard_King]

i would be paying attention to the fitout, looking for dissimilar metals, poor workmanship and any damage to paint, fixtures windscreen etc. Good idea to take a mate who has some boating experience along as most buyers are blinded by the fact there picking up a new rig

[disorderly]

Good idea to take a mate who has some boating experience along as most buyers are blinded by the fact there picking up a new rig

Thats a really good point,Garry.
It's so easy to overlook any faults when you are keen just to get the new rig home and start playing with it

Scott.

[PinHead]

take someone else with you..the excitement in collecting the new toy can overshadow the realities of checking everything.

[buggerit]

Yes picking up a new boat package is a bit like taking a girl home when your drunk , sometimes in the light of dawn there are more blemishes than you remember . Take a mate or your neighbor and don't give in to the salesman's excuses " i'm sorry i have to rush i have another appointment " .

PS .... You Lucky Bastard.

[Seahorse]

what did u buy

[timddo]

seahorse

A Tabs ocean series 5.45 . with 115 2 stroke yamaha, tandam dunbier LWS 5.7, has kill tank, live bait tank and safety gear. ( furuno sounder which i provided+ standard horizon cp180 chartplotter and si-tex VHF radio)

i upgraded the trailer due to weight concerns after a post in Ausfish,
The boat is heavy for it's size.

it's my second new boat. So i'm a bitter more educated then b4.

[seatime]

All of the above are top tips, have a written checkliist so you don't forget anything.
There is bound to be a few small items, check for shackles, I try to use SWL tested shackles for the safety chains, a tie down strap, test trailer lights, spare bungs, hose clamps, split pins, tools etc.
Find out what size the inline and spade fuses are and get some spares, spare globes for nav lights, cabin lights.
The tip on bearings is true, even get a set of bearing buddies and grease yourself. Check the trailer for roller set-up, a lot of damage can occur when trailering.
The launch/retrieve, water test and run-in will be the time for fine tuning.
Safety gear, check for longest shelf life on flares and compliant PFDs.

safe & happy boating.

[SgBFish]

Tim.

Over this week write out a list of things to do on the day and check them off as you go. That way there’s less chance of forgetting something on the day.

I find that its not so much that you are blinded by the purchase it’s the paperwork that distracts you.

Scott

[SgBFish]

Gelsec beat me to it.
Ask about the 10 hour service cost and hit them up for a feeby.

[Dantren]

Timmdo,

Congrats on the purchase mate - bet that was the longest 8 weeks of your life.....

Just a couple of thoughts for you-

1/ Ask for touch up paint.
2/ Read the manual re. run in procedure
3/ Got a spare trailer wheel/tyre??
4/ Got the correct electrical plug for the trailer & car??
5/ Make sure it fits under the garage.

Send us some pics mate..

Dan.

[cormorant]

If they are near the water- get them to water test it with you- amazing what you pick up from guys that deal with the same boat every day.

Ask to see there pre delivery check list- then just run through it with you and your mate before you do the paperwork.

Boat hook, second anchor, more anchor line, fenders grab em now and do a deal with cash. Get any motor spares you want to keep on board like spare prop nut retainer and split pin, tube of grease etc.

Everything is easier to fix before you leave the yard.- check it has everything the brochure or quote said it has.

Check the battery, no wing nuts , all corrosion protected, right level fluid and tied down etc. Check all electrics work. Use the radio , lights,, wipers bilge et.

Check motor has flushing fitting attached.

Check rego numbers are on boat.

Check you have all the booklets for all the electronics installed.

Check steering is smooth and not "notchy " (air bubbles) or stiff

Check for dodgy tranducer fitting as they haven't water tested it

Hopefully the battery is fully charged as motor alternators can take ages to fully charge a new battery.

Check you have bungs and get some spare ones.
Get a spare kill switch lanyard for the 2nd set of keys and floats for both of them.

Trailer winch handle.

Confirm they will re-prop the motor if they havent got it right and get them to write evrything down they promise you.

Check it is actually tied down to trailer with decent tiedowns not crap ones.

Check oil tank is full and with quality oil if a 2 stroke.

Check they have actually adjusted trailer rollers and skids properly so they are supporting the boat.

Check boat is sitting in the right position on the trailer and if not get them to move the post forward or back.

Make sure towball weight is ok.

Get them to security data dot the boat and all accessories before it leaves the shed- your insurer will also give you a discount. Thieves suck.
Think about a wheel clamp
Think about a prop lock


The blokes I have bought boats off have been salesmen but pretty decent really. If you bloke has been good it is worth being nice to him. Last time I dropped a case of beer off to him to say thanks. Well it was worth it. Not saying that he wouldn't normally do it but I had some teathing problems and he was really attentive to them even when the manufacturer was giving him the run around. Sort of cleared the decks after all the tooing and frowing of sales negotiations and delivery date hiccups etc. Cheapest case of beer I have ever bought and I don't think anyone had ever done it to him before. Weird he or the service manager call me now after servicing to say boat is ready etc- total change in attitude to how I see them treat some.

Nothing better than picking up a new boat so enjoy it and hope all your expectations are fullfilled.

Safe boating.