What to Look for in a Used Fishing Boat

Now
that the weather is warming up in many parts of the country, it’s time to start
thinking about getting back into the wilderness so we can enjoy everything that
Mother Nature has to offer. If fishing or boating is on your agenda, you might
be considering picking up a new — or new-to-you — fishing boat.

Buying
used can be a fantastic way to save money while getting your hands on a great
boat, but there are a few things that you should be on the lookout for.

Engine Hours

When
you’re looking for a used car, one of the first things you should check is the
mileage. That isn’t an option on boats, but what you can look at is engine
hours. The lower the engine hours, the less the boat has been used. On average
— if you don’t live in a boating-friendly state like Florida or Texas where you
can head out onto the water year-round — a boat will get used for about 50
hours per
season.

Have
the engine hours checked and see how they line up with the reported age of the
vessel. A used boat with high engine hours isn’t necessarily a deal-breaker, as
long as the previous owner has detailed maintenance logs. However, the more a
craft has been used, the more likely you’re going to experience a problem. New
or inexperienced owners will probably want to avoid fixer-uppers with high
engine hours.

Size

If
you’re an avid boater, you may already have a trailer and the other
accouterments you need to stay safe on the water. Maybe you’re looking for a
used fishing boat because you want something a little larger or more
comfortable than the craft you’re currently piloting. Before you sign on the
dotted line, make sure you’re double-checking the size of your new vessel to
make sure it will fit the trailer you already have. Then don’t forget to give
your trailer some
preventive maintenance to keep it working smoothly. Keep dirt off it to
prevent corrosion and look for rust. The last thing you want is for your boat
unable to reach the water because you forgot to keep your trailer in good
condition.

Of
course, if you’re upgrading to a bigger boat, keep in mind you may need a new
trailer all together. Don’t forget to calculate that into your costs.

Wear and Tear

Don’t
just take your new boat at face value. Make sure you take it out of the water
and get under it to inspect the hull for damage beyond standard wear and tear. While
the hull on a used boat won’t be pristine and will likely have indicators of
use, you need to look for cracks and gouges that indicate it’s been ill-handled
during its life. These could become leaks later, leaving you calling for a
rescue if you’re too far from shore.

Fiberglass
hulls that haven’t been well cared for can even delaminate at high speeds. The
last thing you want is to have your new boat fall apart around you when you
open up the throttle for the first time. Delaminated
fiberglass can be repaired, even as a DIY project, but it’s something you should be aware of
before you make your purchase.

Maintenance Logs

Don’t
buy a used fishing boat unless you’re sure it has been well cared for
throughout its life. To that end, make sure the previous owner has kept
comprehensive maintenance logs you can verify.

Engine
hours are only one part of the equation here. You need to make sure that oil,
spark plugs and other replaceable parts were changed on schedule to ensure
there is no undue wear and tear on the internal engine components.

Enjoy Your New Boat

Once
you’ve done your research and inspected your potential purchase, all that’s
left to do is sign on the dotted line and enjoy your new boat. The weather is
warming up, and it’s the perfect time to get out and enjoy some time on the
water.

If you’re looking for a used fishing boat, don’t let these potential problems scare you away. There are plenty of fantastic used options on the market — you just need to ensure that you’re getting one of the good ones instead of something that’ll cost you more money in the long run. If you do your homework, you’ll end up with a vessel that will serve you well for years to come.

Just like doing your homework for fishing boats, it’s important to research your next fishing spot. Fishidy can help with that. Check out our Fishing Hot Spots and contours on thousands of lakes all across the U.S.

Source: The Fishidy Blog