Buying a second-hand boat is a good way to save some money and get you out on the water sooner. However, making sure the used boat is in tip-top condition can be a challenge. The key is to know exactly what you want to use the boat for and have some idea of what to look for in a used boat. Here are some suggestions to help you find the perfect used boat.

Inspect It For Signs of Damage

Sounds straightforward, but a lot of the time people are so excited about buying a boat that they forget to really take notice of the condition the boat is in. Look for small spiderweb-looking cracks in the fibreglass above and below the waterline. These little cracks generally appear around handles, gunwales, wind-shields and near screws that have not been put in properly. Also look for flexing, mould and moisture that can indicate rot. If you find cracks, it’s not the end of the world but it’s good to be aware of them and you might even get the price knocked down because of them, rot on the other hand could be a deal breaker.  narrow boats for sale

Check All Over For Mould and Mildew

Mould and mildew can be signs of rot and further damage to the boat. Upholstery can be replaced easily enough but you want to make sure you find it because you don’t want that getting worse and it can also cause health issues while you’re on-board.

Start the Engine

Don’t make the mistake of buying without firing up the engine first. A lot of first time buyers who are looking for a catamaran for sale can be shy to ask about the engine because they feel like they don’t know what they’re doing or are unsure of what to look for, but ask to get the engine up and running. Wait to see if the engine slips or grumbles or blows smoke. Black smoke from too much oil can be fixed with a tune up but you don’t want to be caught out having to give the engine a complete overhaul because that will end up costing you.

Check the Electrics

Make sure that any electronics are in working order. Test them properly to make sure that they actually work and don’t just look like they are working. It’s best to adopt the ‘try before you buy’ method in this case and take the boat out with the owner to make sure that everything is in complete working order. If there are any hiccups along the way the owner will be able to explain or perhaps knock the price down depending on what comes up. Getting the boat out on the water is the only way to really know if everything is working properly.

Ask For a History

The boat should have a log book including maintenance records, registration details, and the number of previous owners. If you find out that the boat has had a lot of previous owners then there is probably a reason that people keeping selling it off and that’s something you want to know about. There are plenty of reasons why people buy and sell boats, but you want to be able to make an educated decision, so request a full history for the boat.

The most important thing is to not rush your decision and thoroughly check over a boat before committing to purchase it. Even life jackets and lines can show how much care and maintenance the boat has enjoyed in the past, and you want to make sure that the boat you buy has been well looked after. Happy boating.

Image from: https://www.sailmagazine.com/multihulls/14-things-remember-buying-catamaran