| This is the time of year when we come out of hibernation, the sun warms up the earth and the water beckons! Whether you are a seasoned boater or a newcomer to this lifestyle, buying a boat is a big decision. Cynics and people who don’t have the right knowledge on hand can be heard to say axioms such as boats are "holes in the water, into which you throw money" and "the happiest day of a boat owner's life is the day they buy the boat and the day they sell it." This doesn’t 'have to be the case if you approach boat ownership with an understanding of what is involved. Do your homework! Ask yourself the following: • Is the boat just for your family or do you need a bigger boat to accommodate friends too? • What will you use the boat for? Fishing, water skiing and wakeboarding or just to cruise. • How often will you use the boat, seasonally or all year round? • Will you operate the boat on dams and rivers or on the ocean? • How much can you afford to spend? The costs go beyond just the boat, you need to take into account where you are going to house the boat (do you need to hire a boat locker), insurance, maintenance, instruction and safety course fees and petrol • Don't forget that newcomers to boating have to do the required skippers license. It's based in categories of how far from land you want to go, as well as weight. This is a once off test for the skipper, but your boat will have to pass a test annually to be fit for the water. This is all in an effort to keep yourself and other boaters safe. Once you have that nailed down, you need to decide whether you want to buy a new or used boat. We all want a brand spanking new boat but often you can get more for less when you buy a second hand boat. However there are benefits to buying new in that you know it has no history, with a used boat you need to look out for tell tale signs of trouble because it is no use buying a boat when it spends 90% of good boating time being repaired because you bought a BAD used boat. On top of that you end up spending what you could have bought a new one for. If the deal sounds too good to be true – it probably is. Here’s what to look out for! • Mismatched paint. This could indicate that the boat has been in an accident and had repairs made. Although this in itself may not disqualify the boat, if you were not told of the repairs what else might you not have been told about? |
• Does the keel run true in a straight line fore and aft? Is straight horizontally? • Do you see any apparent water lines inside the boat or on the engine? Look for a line that separates a rust free area on the engine and a lower area with a lot of rust. This could indicate that the boat took on water. • On an inboard, does the shaft turn true or does it wobble? What about the prop - any nicks or cracks? • Take hold of the prop and try to move it up and down and sideways. You should not be able to move it much. If you can, you have a worn cutlass bearing. • Take a small rubber hammer and lightly tap the hull moving around the boat. If you hear voids in the fiberglass, that could be a problem of repairs, blisters, or delamination. • Walk around the decks and on the bow - you shouldn't find soft spots. • Is the steering free and easy to move? • Is the upholstery in good shape? • Check around hatches and windows - do you see water stains inside? • Is there any musty/moldy smell inside? This could indicate leakage, prior water damage or simply neglect. • Make sure it is legal with all required equipment. • Are the handrails bolted through and not just screwed to the surface? Are they secure? • When you start the engine do you have good water flow? • Check belts and hoses for cracks or wear. Even with low hours on an engine(s), rubber deteriorates just sitting. • Check the oil and instead of wiping the stick with a cloth use your fingers, do you feel any grit? What is the color? How does it smell? Does it smell burned. • Check the transmission fluid with the same process as the oil. • Check the impeller and while you are looking at it throw it away and replace it with a new one. • Does the transmission shift easily or does it "clunk?" • See if you can get the maintenance records and review how the boat has been maintained in the past. Also look for recurring problems. • See if you can find the previous owner(s) and ask about the boat. • If you are looking at an inboard/outboard make sure the tilt motor works properly. • If you are looking at an outboard look under the cover for excessive corrosion. If you do the due diligence and buy the right boat for you and your family, there is no better lifestyle and no better investment that will guarantee you hours and hours of wonderful times and memories! Happy Boating! |
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