Used boat checklist

[Gunnin4fish]

I'm looking to buy my first boat. I'm thinking a Lund Rebel at this point.

What should I be checking out on the prospective candidate boat/trailer?

[marine_man]

Floor Integrity (any soft spots?)

Loose Hardware (not a big deal, but something to be fixed)

All installed accessories work (lights, livewell, bilge, etc)

No sheared off / bent / damaged rivets (again, fixable, but worth noting and negotiating on)

Carpet Condition

Good Trailer Bearings

Lights Work

General Trailer Condition

You don't mention motor; are you buying a motor separately or do you have one already?

marine_man

[Gunnin4fish]

I'll probably be buying the motor with the boat. What is there to look for there?

[jwmiller33]

i'd want to go on a test ride in the boat to see the motor in action, not just see the motor run in the garage with the hose.

[Pat K]

On the motor you'll want to do a compression check on the cylinders and check the lower unit lube, if it's milky colored there's water in the lube.

I second the test ride too.

[walleyemaniac]

I to would say take it out for a test drive. Motors run different in the water then hooked up to a hose in the driveway. Stay out for awhile to not just a quick trip acsoss the lake. Stop and start the motor a few times make sure it restarts easy after it's warmed up. Make sure there's no water in the bottom of the transom (slow leaks). That way to you've pulled the trailer, you know it pulls good, the lights work, the bearings and tires are good. How easy the boat is to unload and load...

[Gunnin4fish]

excellent posts, gentlemen. Thanks a bunch!

[Slob_Samurai]

If you are serious about a particular boat I would have it taken in to a shop to have it checked out. It only cost me $80 and they checked everything out.

Small price to pay for a little security about your purchase.

[Outfitter17]

Slob is right, if you can take it down to a marina to have it looked at for an afternoon I think you will be way ahead. If they find something you didn't see it could save you from spending a bunch of money, plus they know what to look for and you may not.