How To Buy A Used Fishing Boat

How to Find a good Used Fishing Boat

One of the best sources to find a good used boat at a good price is your local news paper, or local online classifieds. If you can by direct from an owner you can normally get a much better price than from a dealer; who is basically a middle man. If you can't locate a fishing boat that you're interested in locally, one of the best wider online resources is Boat Trader

How to Buy a Used Fishing Boat

a used fishing boat may be the best option for many people. Whether your interested in a used bass boat a saltwater, or river boat, It makes perfect sense to consider a used boat; especially when shopping in today’s economy.

Fishing is a seasonal sport for most folks. Even when the season is in, the average used fishing boat is actually used very few hours in a year; yet the market value for most boats declines considerably as soon as it's pulled off the dealership lot. This fact puts the used boat shopper in a very good position to buy a great very lightly used fishing boat at a very good price. This being said, you should

How to Inspect a Used Fishing Boat

Here is a checklist of the things you should check and problems you should look for in a used fishing boat.

1. Check the Boats Transom

This is one of the most important things on any boat to check. for those of you who may not know what the transom is, it is the part of the back of the boat which the engine mounts on. The transom carries the full weight and force of the engine. It must be well reinforced and very strong. Some fiberglass fishing boats have solid fiberglass in the transom and some are reinforced with wood which can rot over time. Grasp the lower unit with both hands and pull and push while watching for movement in the transom which indicates weakness.
Look for weakness and stress cracks in the transom as well as in the entire hull of the boat.

2. Check the Boats Electrical System

Make sure all the trolling motor, lights and pumps such as the bilge pump, livewell or baitwell pumps are working. If you do encounter a problem it can often be fixed easily by cleaning a connection, or replacing a switch so this may not be a serious problem or reason not to buy a used boat.

3. Check for Leaks

You definitely should try any used fishing boat out on the water before you buy. while on the water, open the hull access area and check for excessive amounts of water which may indicate a serious leak in the hull. You should never take on more than ½ gallon of water over an 8 hour period of boat use.

4. Inspect the Boats Trailer

The trailer is very important because this is how you get your fishing boat to the water. Nothing can ruin a fishing trip faster than a trailer breakdown on the way to your fishing destination. Some of the common problems area's with a boats trailer are wheel bearings, lights, brakes and tires. Most of the problems are caused by the trailer being in water frequently during launches.
Water can wash the grease out of bearings causing them to malfunction if not maintained correctly. Water also will cause corrosion in light connections and bulbs.

How to Inspect Used Boat Motors

For obvious reasons this is probably the most important inspection that you should do on a used fishing boat. a boats motor can be the single most expensive component on a boat. Most used bass boats (without an engine) cost less than the engine its self.

One very important part of the motor on a used fishing boat to check, is the lower unit or "foot". This is the part that contains the propeller and its shaft on outboard motors. The most common problem here is a malfunctioning prop shaft seal. This allows water to seep into the housing and mixing with the lower unit oil can burn out the lower unit. This is a seriously expensive problem!
To check for this problem, locate the drain plug usually located on the bottom left or right of the lower unit of the motor. A straight screw driver is all you need to remove the plug on most outboards. let a few drops of oil drip out in a cup. If the oil is cream colored or milky in appearance this indicates water is present and there may be a problem with this used fishing boats motor. If the oil is amber and clear you're good to go.

Be sure to check the entire outer housing of the lower unit to make sure there are no cracks.

When trying out a used boat, listen to the engine while it's running. Listen for knocking sounds which may indicate an internal problem.

Also you'll want to let the boat idle in neutral and look at the small stream of water coming from underneath the engine. This is the outflow for the cooling system. a weak or broken stream indicates that the water pump may need to be replaced.

Ask Questions

Do not be afraid to ask the seller of a used fishing boat questions. Ask for a service record or receipts for proof of when the boat was serviced. Or parts replaced.
If the boat is less than 10 years old ask if there is a warranty or extended warranty which may be transferable.

Ask what problems if any the owner has had with the boat; and why they are selling. Pay close attention to the answers and look the seller directly in the eye.

Have a Mechanic Inspect The Used Boat

If you happen to know a good marine mechanic, ask the seller to let your mechanic inspect the boat. The advice of a trusted professional can be very valuable.
Buying a used boat is a very good way to save money on a great boat. Armed with the knowledge of problems to look for and how to look for them can make a used fishing boat purchase much less risky.