Tips for Buying a Used Boat

Not everyone can afford to lay down the cash for a brand new boat fresh off the production line. Fortunately, with so many great used boats on the market, you don’t have to! Used boats are a great way to investigate the marine lifestyle on a budget. You can save hundreds and even thousands of dollars off the sticker price by buying a used boat that’s only a few years old, which lets you put that money towards insurance, supplies, maintenance, slip rental or travel expenses instead.

Here at Andersen Boat in Burnt Hills, New York, we offer a number of boat services, including financing, storage, parts and services, so we’re equipped to help you with whatever you need when it comes to your boat.

Build Your Budget

First, set a budget within your means and make sure you stick to it. Many a seller will try to convince you that you should spend more on superfluous features or a fancier boat than you can afford. Setting a firm budget that takes all aspects of boat ownership into account helps you to avoid overspending and getting yourself into debt. If you do need help with financing, Andersen Boat can provide you with some great options.

Do Your Research

Next, you’ll want to check out a variety of boats online or tour a marina to see what  type of boat might best suit your needs. Do you want a small fishing boat for freshwater angling? Or are you after a large pontoon that can host your whole family for a day’s cruising? Look up several different models of the type of boat you want to get an idea of how much they cost and what features they have. You may also want to check that any of the models you’re looking into haven’t been recalled.

Perform An Inspection

Once you’ve chosen a candidate, you’ll want to perform a thorough inspection of her. A boat can be made to look great with some cleaning and waxing, but you need to look closer to make sure you’re not missing something the seller is trying to hide. Cracks in the boat’s gel coat or finish that are longer than two inches signify a serious impact that might have damaged the boat’s interior. Look over wood for signs of rot and make sure that metal parts aren’t corroded or rusty. While a number of exterior flaws might simply be cosmetic, serious issues and disrepair can indicate that the boat wasn’t well-maintained or that she has problems you can’t see on the Surface.

Inspect the boat’s interior as well, looking for discoloration or rot under the floor. Make sure the seats aren’t mildewy. Check electronics to see that they function well. You might even check the oil and gasoline to make sure they’re clean and not thick or laden with metal shavings. You want to discover any and all mechanical issues with the boat now because they could cost you a pretty penny later.

Test Drive

Any reputable boat seller should allow you to test drive the boat for sale before you commit to buy her. If they refuse, you probably don’t want to continue dealing with them. It’s easy for someone to make a problematic boat look fine while she’s docked or on a trailer, but the true test of how good a boat is will only happen when you put her in the water.

As you drive the boat, perform a few tests. Find out how the boat functions at different speeds and while she’s idling. Get a feel for anything that seems out of the ordinary, like shaking, strange noises or vibrations that can’t be explained by normal operation. Check signals and lights to make sure that the electronics are good. If everything checks out and you feel good about the boat, you’re ready to make a deal!

Want to see some great used boats for yourself? Visit our Burnt Hills dealership to see our wide variety of used boats for sale. Andersen Boat serves the cities of Saratoga Springs, Schenectady, Albany, Catskill, Lake George, Amsterdam and Bennington, New York. We are also here for our customers coming from western Massachusetts.