5 Tips to Buy a Boat

5 Tips to Buy a Boat
By Sandeep R

Its good the internet spews out reliable information whenever they needed one. Buying a used boat is tricky business you will not be buying just the boat, but also its ills. Here are 5 spots you should examine before you hand over your check:

Check the hours on the boat. Boats with more than 400 hours on them would already incur high maintenance cost.

Check the exterior - Look for signs of accidents like a scrape on the paint, or wood blisters. The hull should be hard with no sign of rot, and should not give off a hollow sound when you tap on it. Check on the propeller for any signs of cracks. Is it deformed? Can you see a scratch?

Check the interior - Is there radio equipment on the boat? You will need this for emergency, besides, marine law requires it. Are there life vests, too?

Check on the boats upholstery - You may incur additional cost on tear and wear you would not like your boat to look shabby, would you?

The floor should have carried well and should not show any sign of rot. Presence of mildew on wall crevices, or on the floors indicates vulnerable spots for decay.

Check on maintenance - Is the warranty still up? What major repairs were done to the boat? How many maintenance checks does the boat get every year? Who does the repairs and maintenance? Where is the boat stored while its not at sea? Hire the services of a marine mechanic to check on the boats mechanical parts such as plugs, alternator, spark arrestors, engine alignment, hoses, and blower among others.

Find out when did the boat get its last oil change? The boats engine condition can be determined from the color of its oil.

Check on the appraised value - Invite an appraiser to look at the boat and appraise its current market value. This will give you a head start on negotiating for the final price. If the boat is priced so far down the current market value, it could mean only one thing: the owner just wants to be rid of it. Find out why. A test drive should be done with the boat. A marine mechanic should be on board to hear and examine all the noises that the boat makes. Unless its driven, hidden defects may not be observed at all.

Sandeepr is the webmaster of the site Boat Dealers of USA, on which he is currently working on. Boats are his passion and he is looking to make his site as complete resource site. On his leisure time he likes to listen music and reading books.

http://www.boat-dealers.us

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