What should I look for when buying an old boat?

Asked by: Jeremy Granner

Used boat buying checklist

• Check the condition of the transom. Make sure the wood where the outboard motor mounts on the boat is in good shape and isn’t rotten. …
• Test the floor. …
• Inspect the hull. …
• Run the motor. …
• Check the lower unit. …
• Check motor tilt and trim. …
• Check lights and other miscellaneous items. …
• Look up the price.

How do you tell if a boat is a good buy?

Every bit of hardware wiggle the windshield. Make sure everything is tight and nothing is damaged on the sides make sure that your hardware is all in good shape that you don't see any cracking.

What age boat is best to buy?

But how old of a boat? And how do you go about completing a deal? Our experience indicates that boats in the 2-4 year old range usually offer the best prospects. Of course, boats that are only one year old are hard to find since not many people sell at that age.

What should I look for in a boat?

Hull. The hull is the main part of a boat — check it carefully. Inspect it for any defects, dents, gouges, holes (repaired or otherwise) and other irregularities, such as visible fiberglass repairs. Especially check below the water line, which can be damaged from banging into rocks, debris or other boats.

How many hours on a boat is too much?

If a boat is 10-15 years old, 200-300 hours is most likely not enough. You would want to see that number closer to 500 or more for a boat of that age. Generally speaking, 1000 hours on a petrol V8 inboard putting out 350hp or more in a large sports cruiser (think 25ft or larger) has had a hard life.

How do you inspect a boat before you buy?

Even the number of boat hours logged the maintenance history and also its storage history a good rule of thumb to follow that if you can use it you should test it.

What should I look for when buying an old fiberglass boat?

Issues normally the transoms can be your main issue because it's a structural part of the boat.

How many hours is a lot for a boat engine?

The average marine gasoline engine runs for 1,500 hours before needing a major overhaul. The average marine diesel engine will run for more than three times that long and log an average 5,000 hours under the same conditions.

How do I know if my boat hull is good?

And you can see the top laminate is actually all dry. Okay that means it was just a red resin star of the area. And watch this and you can see it as we peel it away you see the gloss.

How long will a fiberglass hull last?

How Long Do Fiberglass Boats Typically last? Fiberglass boats can be sound and seaworthy for up to fifty years or more. Fiberglass is very durable, and with proper maintenance and care, fiberglass boats can last for many decades. Fiberglass itself will not break down but instead will break down due to outside factors.

Is 1000 hours on a boat alot?

Recreational boats are used between 75 and 150 hours per year. Using 100 hours as an average, a ten-year-old boat with 1000 hours on the engines should have plenty of life left in it.

Is an inboard or outboard better?

Inboard motors generally last longer than their outboard counterparts. You can squeeze roughly 1,500 hours out of an inboard before necessary maintenance. Outboards, on the other hand, last about 750 hours on average. So, the inboard option means less maintenance (nearly half) even though they cost more initially.

How much does it cost to replace boat engine?

An inboard powerboat engine replacement costs approximately $15,000, while you should set aside about $5,000 to $10,000 to replace the motor for a sailboat. If you have a sailboat with an outboard motor, you will pay significantly less, somewhere around $1,500, because this vessel uses wind as the first power source.

Is it worth rebuilding an outboard motor?

It’s too old, parts likely too scarce, and technology is way out of date. If it’s a later ’80s or younger engine with some or all of the features previously mentioned, and a new engine is out of the question, rebuilding is a good option that will add more years to your old outboard’s life.

Is it cheaper to rebuild or replace an engine?

Rebuilding to repair is usually cheaper than buying a new engine, too. You may save up to half of the cost of a new engine by rebuilding. However, sometimes rebuilding is not a good option. In cases where rebuilding will cost as much as a new engine, your mechanic should be upfront about those costs.

When should a marine engine be rebuilt?

If the guts of your engine are good, if it’s not burning lots of oil or guzzling more fuel than it used to, and still has plenty of get up and go, then repairs are usually worth the expense—and cheaper than the alternative. But if something goes awry inside the engine, you’re looking at a rebuild.

How long can a boat sit without running?

One of the most commonly-asked questions we get is, “Is it okay if my boat isn’t running for a while in Fort Lauderdale, FL?” The answer is yes—but you have to do some maintenance beforehand. As long as it’s well maintained before going into storage, a boat can sit for a few months, a few years or even a few decades.

Is 700 hours a lot for a boat?

Is 700 hours on a boat a lot? If you are thinking about buying a boat with 700 hours on the engine, but it’s been kept in great shape and not hammered with regular maintenance, then actually 700 hours on a boat might not be a lot. It’s completely down to the brand and upkeep of the motor.

What is the lifespan of an outboard motor?

A typical estimate from the industry is that an outboards motor last around 1,500 hours of operation. Assuming the average owner uses their boat 200 hours a year, this would mean that the motor would last between seven and eight years.

Are old outboards reliable?

The “good old” outboards—the ones that were built in the 1950s and later—are even better than those early, antique outboards. They are just as reliable, and a lot easier and cheaper to fix than state-of-the-art motors.

What outboard motor is most reliable?

So before you make any moves, be sure to check out these best-of-the-best outboard engines.

• Yamaha V-Max SHO 115 – Best Mid-Size Outboard For Acceleration. …
• Yamaha F250 – Most Reliable Outboard. …
• Suzuki DF350A – Most Efficient Design. …
• Mercury Racing 450r – Best High-Performance Racing Outboard.

Why did Evinrude fail?

Evinrude wasn’t in the 300 HP + space and that hurt them. They didn’t have the same dealer network that Mercury or Yamaha did and didn’t own as many transoms, making it tough out of the gate.

Is Evinrude better than mercury?

Fuel Efficiency



The answers to these questions can make all the difference when picking Mercury Optimax vs. Evinrude. The Evinrude is known for running cleanly and more efficiently. That means over time, you’ll get more bang for your buck while traveling long distances.

Are Johnson and Evinrude the same?

It has been owned since 2001 by the Canadian firm Bombardier Recreational Products. Bombardier stopped selling outboards under the Johnson brand after 2007, and moved all sales entirely to Evinrude Outboard Motors until they were discontinued in June 2020.

Has anyone bought Evinrude?

The boating world was shocked when in May 2020, it was announced that iconic Evinrude Outboard Motors would immediately stop production. Canadian parent company Bombardier Recreational Products had purchased the failing company, then called Outboard Marine Corporation, in a post-bankruptcy sale in 2001.

Is Evinrude made by Mercury?

BRP Discontinues Evinrude Outboard Engines, Signs Agreement with Mercury Marine. Valcourt, Quebec, BRP (TSX: DOO; NASDAQ: DOOO) announced today it has re-oriented its marine business by focusing on the growth of its boat brands with new technology and innovative marine products.

Are Evinrude boat engines good?

Despite their 2-stroke status, Evinrude outboards are marketed as the cleanest on the planet. They do have the distinction of being the first outboard manufacturers ever to receive the EPA’s Clean Air Technology Excellence Award.