fbpx
Wednesday, September 27, 2023
  • Login
  • Register
Southern Boating
  • Boats
    • Center Consoles
    • Dual Consoles
    • Motoryachts
    • Power Cats
    • Sport Cruisers
    • Tenders & Ribs
  • Destinations
    • Bahamas
    • Caribbean
    • Pacific
    • U.S. Atlantic
    • U.S. Gulf
  • Engines
    • Engine Buyers Guide
  • Maintenance
    • DIY
  • Electronics
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
      • Drinks
      • Appetizers
      • EntrĂ©es
      • Dessert
      • Holiday
  • Gear
  • Shop
  • Web Reader
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
No Result
View All Result
  • Boats
    • Center Consoles
    • Dual Consoles
    • Motoryachts
    • Power Cats
    • Sport Cruisers
    • Tenders & Ribs
  • Destinations
    • Bahamas
    • Caribbean
    • Pacific
    • U.S. Atlantic
    • U.S. Gulf
  • Engines
    • Engine Buyers Guide
  • Maintenance
    • DIY
  • Electronics
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
      • Drinks
      • Appetizers
      • EntrĂ©es
      • Dessert
      • Holiday
  • Gear
  • Shop
  • Web Reader
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
No Result
View All Result
Southern Boating
No Result
View All Result
Home Maintenance DIY

How to Buy a Better Used Boat

April 15, 2017
in DIY
0
buy a better used boat
586
SHARES
3.3k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on LinkedInShare via Email

A marine surveyor offers advice based on more than 35 years of experience.

There’s a reason why sales of pre-owned boats outpace new purchases 10 to 1. They represent a heck of a good value, particularly when factoring in perks like depreciation and owner outfitting. The trick is finding the most boat for your money with the least amount of previous owner headaches. Here’s a look at three issues that can turn your potential dream boat into the proverbial hole in the water.

Issue 1: Engine problems

Engines are typically the most expensive piece of gear on board, and it’s a hard lesson to learn after purchasing that deal of a lifetime to discover a rebuild or replacement is required.

Warning signs: Start by looking for obvious problems such as leaks, excessive rust, broken components, etc. Next, check coolant level and properties (for closed systems). Lack of antifreeze should be a concern (a possible indication of leaks) as would coolant with a rusty color or an unusual amount of solids.

Pull the dipstick and check the oil. A slightly low level might be okay, but higher than normal levels could be a sign of trouble, especially if the oil is milky or frothy—an indication that water, antifreeze or transmission fluid is present. The cause of this could mean anything from a blown gasket to a cracked block.

Coolant reservoir leak and corrosion
Coolant reservoir leak and corrosion

Is the engine difficult to start? Depending on the engine (gas or diesel), hard starting could be caused by anything from weak batteries to faulty plugs, fuel pump issues or bad fuel. How does the engine sound? Does it run smoothly at idle and under load, or does it idle unevenly and stall out when placed in gear? Rough running can be caused by anything from clogged fuel filters to compression problems, while engines idling at more than 800 rpm may have been set high to mask idling problems.

Verify proper oil pressure and operating temperature. Low oil pressure could be due to anything from faulty oil pumps to cam bearing failure. High water temperatures may be something as simple as a failed impeller, but could also be caused by corroded manifolds or exhaust risers. Also, read the smoke signals. A well-maintained engine may smoke when it’s initially started or while idling but not when warmed up or under load. Smoke color can also provide an indication of problems (blue for burning oil, black for incomplete combustion, etc.).

Red flags: Have the engine surveyed by a marine mechanic, then discuss repair options and cost.  Engines are a big-ticket item, so always weigh the cost of repair or replacement versus walking away from what initially seemed like a great deal.

Issue 2: Wet/delaminated decks

Water intrusion into cored decking likely causes more boat damage every year than sinking, grounding and fire combined. Cored construction simply means you’ve got an inner and outer skin of fiberglass sandwiching some other material between them: balsa, plywood, foam, etc. The prime directive with cored construction is to keep water out, particularly with balsa or plywood. Wet wood coring can rot and allows the cored deck to separate, which drastically reduces structural integrity. Long-term water exposure causes problems with foam-cored decks as well: core separation, freeze damage and even disintegration in some cases.

Warning signs: The first step in finding deck problems can be as simple as walking on them. Soft spots, oil-canning (flexing) or even water squishing from deck fittings are all indicators of a potentially expensive repair. Drips and brownish stains below decks are also common signs of water-soaked decks and rotting core.

Sound out the decks by tapping them with a small plastic-headed hammer or the end of a screwdriver handle. Sharp, crisp sounds are what you want to hear, while dull thuds can be an indication of delamination. Moisture meters such as those available from JR Overseas (jroverseas.com) are also an excellent tool for sniffing out soggy decks.

Red flags: While repair costs will be directly related to the size of the delaminated area, cutting open a deck for core replacement is rarely a cheap proposition. If a deck flexes like the bounce house you rented for junior’s birthday, run or get ready to lay out some serious cash.

Issue 3: Manufacturer’s defects

It’s a sad fact that some problems you’ll encounter are fresh from the builder or caused by improper aftermarket installations by the dealer.

Warning signs: The sky’s the limit with the range and type of problems you’ll encounter. Common issues include holes drilled or cut into cored decks that aren’t properly sealed afterward against moisture entry. Windlass hawse holes are notorious for this. Also, inadequate backing plates for railings and cleats, unsupported wire runs, inaccessible fuel tanks, and lack of seacocks below the waterline thru-hull fittings—the list seems endless.

Red flags: Here’s where a good marine surveyor is worth his weight in gold (marinesurvey.org). It’s the surveyor who, like crotchety old Aunt Emma did on your first real date way back when, picks and gnaws at your new love, ferreting out all those faults your own moonstruck eyes have overlooked. With survey report in hand, you can work with the seller to correct these issues outright, negotiate a reduced price or determine if it’s better to find a boat with fewer issues.

— By Frank Lanier, Southern Boating Magazine February 2017

Tags: buying a boatelectricenginesnew or usedsystemstechnicalTips and Tricks

Recommended

An image of sailors competing in Antigua Sailing Week

Antigua Sailing Week

April 5, 2019
3.3k
Pets on Deck

Pets On Deck

January 24, 2017
3.3k

Don't miss it

A center console turns on open water while sporting Honda's New BF350 Outboards
Engines

Introducing Honda Marine’s BF350 Outboard: V8 Power Meets Premium Performance

September 21, 2023
3.4k
Man holds stop sign covering his face
Marketgauge

Will The Fed Finally STOP?

September 20, 2023
3.3k
Highfield’s Sport 660 (21’ 4” LOA; 8’ 6” beam)
Boats

Highfield Boats Unveils New Models at Exclusive Michigan Event

September 19, 2023
3.9k
Deena Lippman Sea Bass Image
Featured

Female Anglers Rise Up: A New Trend in American Fishing

September 15, 2023
3.7k
Oil barrels in front of a graph showing increases
Marketgauge

Could Higher Oil Prices Throw The U.S. Into a Recession?

September 13, 2023
3.5k
The Ocean Alexander 28E Cuts across deep blue waters
Boats

The Ocean Alexander’s 28E: Revolutionizing Yachting with Modern Luxury

September 12, 2023
5k
Facebook Instagram TikTok Youtube LinkedIn

Navigation

  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
logo

1591 E. Atlantic Blvd, 2nd Floor
Pompano Beach, FL 33060
Office: +1 (954) 522-5515
Fax: +1 (954) 522-2260
Contact us: info@southernboating.com


Newsletter

Subscribe to our mailing list to receive the best in boating weekly direct to your inbox!

No Result
View All Result
  • Boats
    • Center Consoles
    • Dual Consoles
    • Motoryachts
    • Power Cats
    • Sport Cruisers
    • Tenders & Ribs
  • Destinations
    • Bahamas
    • Caribbean
    • Pacific
    • U.S. Atlantic
    • U.S. Gulf
  • Engines
    • Engine Buyers Guide
  • Maintenance
    • DIY
  • Electronics
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
      • Drinks
      • Appetizers
      • EntrĂ©es
      • Dessert
      • Holiday
  • Gear
  • Shop
  • Web Reader
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise

© 2023 Southern Boating Media

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
Don't Miss Out

Get weekly content updates to stay informed about the best boating and yachting news.

Don’t miss out on this Special Offer

Only 1 Dollar Per Issue!

Get Yours Here

(Billed Annually for our Digital Subscription Only)

Don’t miss out on this Special Offer

Only 1 Dollar Per Issue!

Get Yours Here

(Billed Annually for our Digital Subscription Only)

Don’t miss out on this Special Offer

Only 1 Dollar Per Issue!

Get Yours Here

(Billed Annually for our Digital Subscription Only)

Enjoying our Content?

Get it delivered weekly to your inbox! Dive into Your Fix of Adventure with the Latest in Boating, Yachting, Fishing, Gear Reviews, Exotic Travel Destinations and Lifestyle. Don't Miss Out, Sign Up Today!

Before You Go

Set Sail With Us! Dive into Your Weekly Fix of Adventure with the Latest in Boating, Yachting, Fishing, Gear Reviews, Exotic Travel Destinations and Lifestyle. Don't Miss Out, Sign Up Today!

  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy