Buying Used - Where to Start

Buying a used boat is appealing to those who are looking for their very first boat investment or even for the experienced boater that wants to upgrade, or just have a second boat. Buying a used boat is a wonderful option, but there are some factors that need to be considered when looking for your used boat investment.



Buying from a private seller


Buying a used boat from a private seller runs a high risk even though, at times, it can seem like a better ‘deal’. Most private sellers do not allow you to test drive the boat that you are interested in purchasing. Most private sellers also don’t stand behind the boat sale or offer mechanical and other help should a problem arise once the boat is yours.


Also See: Marine Warranties


Should you find that you have completely fallen in love with a boat from a private seller, be sure you are very careful and look over the boat very thoroughly. Look for scratches, dents, cracks – open all doors and cabinets. Check the cables and steering. In fact, you should consider hiring a qualified professional boat surveyor to look over the boat and to do a complete certified inspection.



Even if the used boat from a private seller seems perfect and receives a wonderful inspection, you should try to get some background check information on the boat and the seller. Yes, there are good deals out there, and yes, there are plenty of amazing boat owners looking to legally sell their used boat – but fraud runs rampant, and stolen boats are constantly being sold throughout the country. Always make sure that you’re working with a well known, local, and highly recommended seller.



It’s best to stay away from long distance online sales. You may end up spending more money in traveling expenses, only to come back home with a broken boat or even worse, not coming home with a boat at all! Never, ever, buy a boat online without inspecting it first, or hire a certified professional to inspect it.



Buying from a dealer



Buying a used boat from a dealer can certainly take care of most of those headaches and extra costs for you that might come along with buying from a private seller. If at all possible, you should try to buy your used boat from a trusted boat dealer (like us). Boat dealers inspect every used boat that they have so that it is ready and waiting for you to inspect it yourself. Want to take it for a test drive? – Certainly! Quality boat dealers allow their clients to test drive their boats before final purchase. Just like a car, you want to know every detail of what you’re about to invest into – boat’s aren’t that different than purchasing your next new dream car.



Buying from a well-known and highly regarded boat dealer or broker can ensure that you aren’t getting yourself into a fraudulent deal. Next thing you know, instead of spending money on fishing bait for you, and a new boat grill for your other half, you’ll be spending money on finding a lawyer and trying to get yourself out of this “amazing deal” that you had to have.



Boat dealers stand behind their boats (as they should, since they inspected them), and even offer special servicing and maintenance. You can take comfort in knowing that you can take your used boat back to the same dealership that sold the boat to you for tune ups and servicing, and have it treated like the ‘baby’ you know it is – after all, they took care of it before you ever did.



While there are pros and cons to both buying from a private seller and a dealership, the bottom line is that you want to make sure you have the boat properly inspected before making the purchase and you should always ask questions about the boat no matter where you purchase it from (previous owners, any accidents, etc). Make sure you are comfortable with your dealer or seller – it will help if you buy local or from someone that you know can be trusted. And if you feel like something is too good to be true, do some background snooping and make sure you’re not about to be ‘conned’.



Now, go find that perfect boat and enjoy the second half of summer out on the water. Happy Boating!!

What to Do if You Run Out of Gas

It is every boater’s worst nightmare – being stranded in the middle of a river, lake, or the ocean. Many things can strand you in the middle of nowhere – engine problems, bad weather, etc. But one of the most common things is running out of gas. So simple, yet so common. Before you leave dock, always make sure you have enough fuel for your journey, and make sure you have even more than enough. A little extra gas never hurt anyone!

Even the best of boaters may find themselves in this situation though, so here are a few things to do should you find yourself stranded.

1. First of all, don’t panic! Panicking in any emergency situation on a boat is a no-no – especially if there are others on board with you. Take a breather and clear your mind so that you can make rational decisions.
2. If you have a VHF radio or phone, and it is working, you should make that your first choice for trying to call for help. You can read our blog full of information on how to use a VHF radio and what stations to call here. 
3. Set your anchor so that you don’t float any further than you want to. This will also assure that you don’t drift into rocks, shallow water, etc.
4. Observe where you are. How long have you been in your boat -- are you close to shore? Could you paddle there (if you’re in a smaller boat)? Are there any rocks or other dangerous objects around that could puncture your boat? Are there any landmarks that you can give over the radio so that other boats in the area know your location quicker and easier?
5. If it’s daylight, make sure you put on sunscreen and stay hydrated. There’s nothing worse than getting burnt to a crisp, or worse, passing out from heat exhaustion or dehydration. Put cool rags on your neck or face to cool your down if you are in an extreme heat situation.
6. Put your life jacket on. You never know what else could go wrong. And you should already have it on anyway!

Adding to these tips and to help you plan for a boating trip, always make sure you give a friend or family member a copy of your float plan. Your float plan should include your course, how many people are aboard, your vessel description, and places that you may stop. You should also let them know a time that you’ll be back from your journey, and that if you aren’t back by a certain time, they should call for help. If you are delayed, make sure you contact them and make them aware. Have nautical charts of the area that you are boating in (stop by - we'll help make sure you have the right one), a global positioning device (GPS) and a reliable way to communicate on board (VHF Radio, Cell Phone & Charger). These are all things you can do in advance that could potentially save your life. Happy Boating!