Boat

[Deleted]

Hypothetical - if my friend Johnny were to buy a used boat, what types of things would he be looking for first as far as red flags..... What would you be looking at first/listening for/etc during a on-the-water test drive?

Also, what are the costs of an I/O versus an outboard?
The 115HP and 8HP yamahas on my Alumacraft, keep the tank full of fuel and they run like a champ until its time to winterize.... not much to it.....

Thanks Johnny will appreciate it...

[ChampionShip]

Read this somewhere and it is SOOOO TRUE: Date an I/O, Marry an Outboard. If that's any indication of my view on it.

[islandmelody]

Look for rotten stringers, floor, and transom. Unless you're comfortable taking care of electrical stuff avoid electrical messes of wires and no fuses. I'm really tired of doing the routine maintenance on my sterndrive but can't afford to have a marina do it...especially removing the lower unit to grease the u-joints and winterizing. My work boat is powered by twin Honda 4 strokes. After I win the lottery my next boat will have Honda or Yamaha 4 strokes.

[hitnrun]

STAY AWAY FROM OMC STRINGER I/O'S!!!!

[remedy]

First thing I'd do is look at what boat it is - pretty much every boat out there is known for a set of years or a model that has a common problem. Find out what that problem/problems are and that will narrow it down on that specific boat of perhaps something that you wouldn't have started looking at. This is true of the boat model as well as the outdrive type and brand.

As to Outboard/I/O/Inboard debate...that's personal preference and they all have pluses and minuses when you look at initial cost, maintenance (ease of and cost of) - does "Johnny" want to fish early and late in the season - does he want a doghouse in the boat - a tunnel drive with a raised floor...beyond the mechanics there are a lot of pluses and minuses to how that choice fits the owner...definately some mechanical things that I would avoid but a lot of that is going to depend on how much time he wants to spend on it and mechanical ability.

General condition of hull - is it all dented, cracked, faded, etc will tell a lot about the history of the boat as to the owners attitude toward it. Is the oil and trans fluid clean and kept up - does the owner have a maintenance log? Who serviced it? If it's a marina - call them and ask about it - is the wiring a mess under the dash or is it organized and well marked...

Poke around on it - jump on it - take it for a sea trial - test all the switches and bring someone along who is mechanically and electrically skilled - if all that looks good and the layout is something he's interested in - get a survey on the boat - don't make an emotional decision and be willing to walk away if the surveyor says it's a "risk"...