TexasCHLforum.com

hi,

I'm looking into buying a small (18-20ft) power boat for fishing/swimming in area lakes.
I will be taking the boating safety course and plan to do my own maintenance, so I'm
fine if a boat needs some work, as long as its in running condition.

Any suggestions about things to look for in a used boat? Good websites to look
at (for sales as well as maintenance, etc).

I'm looking to buy something in the Austin area, so I'm watching the Austin craigs list.

thanks.

I take it you're looking at an I/O given the 18-20 foot comment?

I am familiar w/ Mercruiser, not Volvo or OMC. Make sure you get zero water in the boat during a test drive. It can come in from places like the outdrive gasket, bellows hose (encloses the drive shaft). or from cooling parts of the motor. Check carefully for rotted wood in the transom or floor. Check outdrive lube for any water (gives a milky appearance rather than simple clean oil). Maintenance schedule for mine said to remove outdrive every 100 hours or once per season to grease the u-joints in the drive shaft. I only did this about every 3 years or so because I could not do it and the shop cost me $300 or so each time. Make sure trailer wheel bearings are in good shape; probably want to install Bearing Buddies if it doesn't already have them. IMO, I would pass on any used boat that was not stored indoors for the majority of its life. If the trailer rollers need replacing, use the translucent yellow ones rather than the cheaper black rubber models as they hold up much better.

Find the nearest West Marine store and learn to love it. They will have anything you need part-wise.

Suggest going to the public library and browsing the service manuals for the type and vintage motor you are considering. Trailer Boats magazine is an EXCELLENT resource for new boaters.

That's all I can think of for now.

thanks for the info.

since I'm looking at used, I'm considering OB for ease of maintenance.

something like these:
http://austin.craigslist.org/boa/2457729653.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://austin.craigslist.org/boa/2464192574.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Q. What are the happiest 2 days in a boatowner's life?
A. The day he buys his boat, and the day he sells his boat.
******************************************************************************

Keep in mind that any item you buy that has "Marine" in front of it will
automatically be marked up 50-100% from the identical item that doesn't have a "Marine" prefix.

********************************************************************************
"A boat is a hole in the water, surrounded by wood, into which one pours money."

I was raised on the water and boats, I wish you the best of luck in your purchase, but had to throw
in the above couple of smiles. :-)

SIA

surprise_i'm_armed wrote:Q. What are the happiest 2 days in a boatowner's life?
A. The day he buys his boat, and the day he sells his boat.
******************************************************************************

Keep in mind that any item you buy that has "Marine" in front of it will
automatically be marked up 50-100% from the identical item that doesn't have a "Marine" prefix.

********************************************************************************
"A boat is a hole in the water, surrounded by wood, into which one pours money."

I was raised on the water and boats, I wish you the best of luck in your purchase, but had to throw
in the above couple of smiles. :-)

SIA

I would also add that this is the absolute worst time of the year to get a good deal on a boat. Give it a couple months and all the disillusioned boat owners will be begging for a buyer. October through January is prime time for a buyer.

ghostrider wrote:hi,

I'm looking into buying a small (18-20ft) power boat for fishing/swimming in area lakes.
I will be taking the boating safety course and plan to do my own maintenance, so I'm
fine if a boat needs some work, as long as its in running condition.

Any suggestions about things to look for in a used boat? Good websites to look
at (for sales as well as maintenance, etc).

I'm looking to buy something in the Austin area, so I'm watching the Austin craigs list.

thanks.

Have you looked in the used/demo classifieds at austinbassfishing,com ?
http://www.austinbassfishing.com/forum/ ... ackle-etc/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Among other things ...
Ranger_R77 is a REAL helpful fellow; he did much of the searching already ....
He puts lists together of boats at various prices like over 10k and ... under 10k ...
http://www.austinbassfishing.com/forum/ ... r-10k.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

He also tells many of his secret fishin' holes ... GPS coordinates or maps of brush piles the Conservation/fish attractor projects etc.

thanks for all the helpful input, guys.

2coolfishing is a forum that has a good classified section. Lots of boats, & lots of boating information.

As mentioned in a earlier response, use extra caution when looking at a boat not stored inside. Check for excessive rust on the trailer. Check for signs of mildew on the seats. Ask if they will let you take it to a dealer to have the compression checked on the cylinders even if you don't actually plan to. If they won't let you, run away very fast.