What questions should be asked when buying a used boat?

When I inquire with a private owner of a used wake/ski boat, what should I be finding out?

Depends on the age the boat...if older, you want to ask about any wood in it. When I bought mine last season, I focused on their maintenance routines, how they used it and weighted it, and if they ever hit anything. But it really comes down to seeing the boat in person and knowing what to look for that can tell you how the boat was used and maintained.

Just to be clear, it doesn't matter what you ask them, you need to verify it yourself. Don't believe what people tell you.

compression test, fluid check, and if you know about the boat, probe the owner to see what knowledge they have. if getting a trailer ask about and check tire age, and when bearings were last inspected/lubed.

Obviously everything should be inspected. That said, you can weed out a lot by asking questions so you don't waste your time looking at an obvious POS:
- Any scratches on the hull, tears/stains on the interior
- Do all gauges work? What is the oil pressure at idle, crusing speed, and WOT
- Any accidents / major repairs?
- Maintenance? Do they have records?
- Hours on boat
- Info on the trailer - maintenance, how old are the tires, how are the brakes, etc.
- Ask about options - make sure it is the boat you want.

Most of what others have said, but also don't be afraid to make arrangements to have a professional look it over if you're not comfortable doing so yourself.

When we bought our boat, we arrived at a price with the seller and then I left a deposit (couple hundred dollars) for him to hold the boat and drop it off at the shop the next day. He also signed an informal agreement that if the boat satisfactorily passed inspection that the sale would close or if I decided not to go through with it, he kept the deposit. If it did not pass inspection, I got the money back.

I'm still learning a lot about boats in general and having a reputable shop to go through things with/for you on a prospective purchase is a great help.

When selling something, I try to give all the details...Maintenance, repairs, condition, etc! I try not to leave any questions for the potential buyer! When buying something I expect the same! It's the people that just don't have alot to say that cause hesitation! I'd 1st ask: "Tell me about the boat"!

Originally Posted by jbird

When selling something, I try to give all the details...Maintenance, repairs, condition, etc! I try not to leave any questions for the potential buyer! When buying something I expect the same! It's the people that just don't have alot to say that cause hesitation! I'd 1st ask: "Tell me about the boat"!

I do the same when I'm selling something. Proabably too much detail. Pretty sure I scared off a few potential buyers when I sold my Prostar. I think they hung up thinking it was a piece of shat!
But when I found the right buyer, he drove 300mi to get it and paid me what I was asking.

Dee, It really does come down to knowing what to look for. I offer a pre purchase inspection service at very reasonable rates so If you are interested in having someone along who knows exactly what to ask and look for let me know. I just inspected a boat here in nor cal for a guy in New Zealand.