What questions do you ask when buying a boat from a private party?

Question

i am planning on buying a boat from a private party. what questions do i ask them..

Answer 1

Would you allow the surveyor that I've hired look over your prized possesion ?

Answer 2

ask them why they are selling the boat, next ask for a test run, if all is still well ask for your mech. to look it over, or have a professional surveyor inspect.

Answer 3

well it depends on the type of boat you are buying, but your going to want to know how many hrs of use are on the boat and before you take it out your going to want to make sure the bilge pump is in working order (pump the water out of the hull back outside.) Also make sure the hull is ok and that the motor starts easily. cant give you to much more with out knowing the type of boat

Answer 4

1.  does it float ?

2.  does the motor come with it & does it run good ?

3.  whats wrong with the boat ?

4.  why are you selling it ?

5.  does a ancore come with it ?

6.  do ores come with it ?

7.  any life vest's come with it ?

8.  is the trailor rusted ?

9.  is the spare tire anygood ?

10.  how old is the boat & motor ?

11.  when was the last registration payed ?

12.  was it ever salvaged ?

13.  has it ever sunk ?

14.  any holes I should know about ??

15.  has it ever been in salt water ??

16.  do the lights work on the trailor & boat ??

I'm sure theres more, but , you get the picture, good luck & be carefull, you get what you pay for !!

Answer 5

I feel the two most important factors are the engine (of course), and the hull itself.  For the engine, ask for maintenace records or if there was ever any major work done to it.  The engine hours.  A compression test on the engine is critical, which tells you how each cylinder is functioning.

As far as the hull, same thing.  Ask them to point out any damage that was done or repaired.  Look for cracks, patches, holes, etc.  Make sure you agree what comes with the boat, like trailer, electronics, etc.

Answer 6

how many fish they caught on the boat and size.....if they tell a story about the biggest fish ever caught, then you know they're lying to them selves and to you and the boat is bogus

Answer 7

Does it float?

Answer 8

http://www.dbw.ca.gov/Pubs/Usedboat/INDE...

Maybe this will help.

Lake boat? Ocean boat?

Sport fishing? Leisure boat?

Answer 9

Is the boat all fiberglass?

Are there wooden ribs under the fiberglass rotten and water-logged?

Can you start the engine for me and hear it run?

Answer 10

If you're novice, it will be better to find a professional yacht broker. I'm sure its better way.

Answer 11

can you  take us out on the lake this weekend with it and try it out. if its in good shape and they really wont to sale it they will be happy to do it.

Answer 12

This is not really a question you can ask the seller, but make certain that they really do own the boat. Ask people on nearby boats in the marina/yard. Ask at the office, you might even ask the local police. Stolen boats get sold to unsuspecting people all the time.

Also, get the boat professionally surveyed - especially if it's a big/expensive boat. Make your offer "subject to survey".