How to Properly Test a Boat before You Make That Purchase
Buying a boat is one of those financial decisions which rivals purchasing a house or a car.
Since you are making an investment in something that you probably want to last
you for a while, you want to be sure that the boat you purchase is good before
you lay down the cash for it.
Checking out a boat is not as easy as giving it a run around the lake. Taking ten minutes
to test drive a boat is not where you want to stop your boat inspection. To ensure that the
boat you are buying is not a lemon, you should treat the purchase with the seriousness that it deserves. Checking out the boat thoroughly before buying
can mean the difference between happy boating and sitting on the docks watching
others have all the fun.
You should be aware that the difference between bad boats and good boats have nothing
to do with their appearance. A boat which looks sleek and shiny could just as easily break
and sputter, leaving you stranded. Only by giving a boat a
thorough hands-on inspection can a top of the line boat be separated from one scraped from the bottom of the
barrel.
You should first check the construction quality of your potential purchase by opening all
access doors and plates to inspect the structure behind them. Another way to look into the
construction quality of a boat is to look into its anchor locker. This allows you to see if
there is any light leaking in through and around the deck joint. This is a sure sign of
shoddy construction, and you should politely exit the boat and walk away from the
purchase.
Before you test the boat out on the water, be sure to check the fuel level. Some dealers
will leave the tank almost empty (to reduce load) so it will seem to have more power. Also take into
account the amount of gear that is presently on board, as well as how many passengers
are present. All of these are factors in how well a boat performs.
Run the boat as if you already own it. See how well it cuts
across through waves at different angles to get an idea of how it handles. If you are
planning to test a boat for salt water use, it is a good idea to see how well water drains
from the boat. The water should drain rather quickly out the scuppers. If the water should
happen to pool up in the bow, it will drain slowly and can be a particularly dangerous
situation should the boat ever see rough water. If the dealer doesn’t want to allow you the
chance to properly inspect the boat, walk away!
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