Buying used boats

HardDrive · 07-31-2005, 10:13 AM

I am looking for some advice on buying a boat. I am looking for a 26-30' cuddy. Looked at Sea Ray, Cobalt, Bayliner. Only real criteria is that is has an enclosed head.

New boats run 50-80k depending on options, so I was thinking of buying used. Is this foolish? Will a 10-15 year old boat end up costing me more in long run?

Other than engine and drive train rebuilds, what are other major issues? I am completely ignorant when it comes to onboard water systems, power, navigation.

What about running in salt water vs. fresh? Does the boat need to be fitted differently to run in salt?

Any advice would be most appreciated.

Seahawk · 07-31-2005, 10:57 AM

A PPI in boat-speak is called a survey. If you even think of buying used, get one! All parallels to buying a Pcar apply.
Before deciding on a particular model, make sure you do some homework on the type of environment you are goig to spend the majority of time boating in: here in Maryland, on the Chesapeake Bay, there are some fairly important requirements given average wave height and wave spacing that you may not have if you plan on spending a lot of time on a lake.
Also, maintenance considerations need to be a major factor in your selection...less is more.
Good luck.

JeremyD · JeremyD's Garage

www.thehulltruth.com

Good boating info - and yes do a survey first

Racerbvd · Racerbvd's Garage

Did you see this??

Boat For Sale

Dixie · Dixie's Garage

Don't even waste your time looking at a Bayliner. It's the Yugo of the waterways...

Racerbvd · Racerbvd's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Capt. Carrera
Don't even waste your time looking at a Bayliner. It's the Yugo of the waterways...

Ditto, that is a nice way of putting it

Steeve · 07-31-2005, 03:18 PM

What is it my divorced buddy always tells me... "if it flies, floats or f***s, rent it.

afterburn 549 · 07-31-2005, 09:18 PM

been in boats all my life.....you get a lot of boat with a bayliner they a entry level adventure except mabe the 3788
way to much stock is put into surveys...but if you know nothing its a place to start...start by suveying survayers.....no one can forcast the eng.-cheapest part of the whole boat anyway......they go up hill all day......dont count on them giving any kind of sevice like in a auto...auto demands about 15% power on average,boat probly 75 to 80%......diesel is much better.....www.admiral boat transport.com

ken_xman · 08:04 AM

Buy SeaRay. I was just on a new 42' Flybridge of my biz partner yesterday. I was very impressed.

JeremyD · JeremyD's Garage

Actually just like Porsche - if you buy a decent brand used boat that is built well - the depreciation curve starts bottoming out. I have a 10 year old Pursuit that I bought 5 years ago (and it had 100 hours on the Yamaha engine) I could probably sell it for close to what I bought it for.

So, that said - I would look for a nice 5 year old boat - 250-500 hours Outboards (Yamaha or Suziki's) and maybe stick to a 25-27 foot boat for a first boat. In this segment - Sea Ray makes some excellent boat -so does Pursuit - Grady White - Chapparel. Mide tier boats would include brands such as Cobalt, Wellcraft, Aquasport, Seaswirl, and Sea Pro. Lower level brands would include Bayliner and Rinker.

Depends on what you are doing too - Some a geared more for fishing - some for more cruising.

Jamie79SC · 08-01-2005, 08:00 AM

I'll second Jeremy - it all depends on what you're going to do with it. Salt water fishing boats are much different than putting around Lake Washington boats.

For boats this size, a marine survey is a little overboard. As for soundness of a boat that size, beyond the engine there's not all that much to look for.

- Can you see evidence of hull damage or major repair?
- How is the wiring (DIY nightmares abound - are you up to re-wiring?)
- How’s the plumbing? A leaking smelly holding tank will put a damper on your day, but nothing like a corroded or weak seacock will.
- How are the electronics? Even if they work, if they're too old, they don't have much value. For example, I'm replacing a perfectly good GPS this summer because I can no longer buy maps for it.
- How's the canvas and upholstery? Replacing old tops or camping canvas is expensive.

If you're planning on keeping the boat in the water, and want to do some serious costal cruising, I came across a KILLER deal on a 31' Aluminum boat in Kirkland. It was purpose built as a yacht, but is built like a slightly oversized Alaska gill-netter. It has a Volvo turbo diesel and seems reasonably well fitted out. The owner told me he'd take +/- $50k for it. I'm not sure what kind of weed he's smoking because it would cost $150k at least to build. PM me if you're interested or if you just want to talk about boating in the Northwest…

craigster59 · craigster59's Garage

I used to have a 24' Skipjack that was a great boat. Used ones are probably right in your price range. Grady Whites are another good boat.

Yellowbird RS · 04:02 PM

You need to call International Yachts Collection. San Diego CA. (619)225-0588 and ask for the Seattle, WA phone I trade them my old 94 Falcon 92' for a new 04 Azimut 68' they have great deals and hundreds of boats to choose from.

I second Steeve my boat is not only mine is a family good.