Advise needed for firts time boat owner

LEGEND40

New member
Hi All

I am looking at buying a new or should I say my first boat.
I want to use it for two purposes.

• Fishing on local dams and estuaries
• Taking the family for a Sunday cruise on the Dam

Can the experience guys please shed some light on the most practical solution. I don’t want to buy something and a few months later find that it’s not suitable for my needs.
I had a look at the Yamaha explore 510 and explore 465 Twin.
 

fishy_fishy

Sealiner
Hi I too am looking to buy a boat and have come up with a few points that one should consider before buying a boats. Note this is limited to a bass boats.

Makeup of Boat? Fibre Glass?
Boat Size?
Outboard Size & Type?
New or 2nd Hand?
Skippers license & COF?
Towing the boat?
Storage of the Boat?
Budget?
After sales service
Trailer licensed and up to date?
Trailer has a license disc?
Trailer rusty or cracked?
Photo of chassis plate on the trailer?
Compare with the Vin on the license disc
Bouoyancy certificate valid?
COF (certificate of fitness) valid? Yearly
Safety equipment on the boat
Outboard motor
Any damage to skeg, prop and cowling?
Check outboard motor to check it thoroughly (compression test on each cylinder, water pump checked and the motor to be run
Check battery (cranking)
Check control cables
Check steering system
Check that all gauges are working
Checking the trolling motor works at all speeds
Check that the trolling motor batteries are good
Check for cracks on the boat
Check at the back
cracks on the transom
Has the transom or splashwell being repaired
any cracked gel coat at the back
Photo of bolts at the transmom mount
Floor of the boat flexing?
deck is made out of?Open all lids and check if the hinges are all good
Check all hatch locks
Open hatch with the fuel, check for any strong petrol smell

:f1shy
 

mouse001

Senior Member
Hi Legend if you intend doing LTB i would recomend a cat because they are just so stable then also look at the size as my first boat was a supercat witblits +-14 ft two years later i moved up to a supercat 520 (17ft). so dont rush.the other thing is the tow vehicle dont get something that you will battle to tow.
Regards
Mouse001
 

MichaelK

Sealiner
When you settle on the boat that you want to buy check the following.

1.Check the engines year and model on the transon bracket.Remember its the motor thats the most expensive part of a boat, so if its an older motor, you maybe getting ripped off if the asking price is high.

2.Check behind the prop on the housing if its cracked or not, the locknut tightens behind the prop over time and cracks the housing in older motors. Thats why its recommended to change the locknut after a few services

3.Feel the motor head to see if its warm or not and then get the owner to start the motor. Take note if it kicks over first time or if he battles to get it going from a cold start.

4. Open the engine cover and check for general cleaniness, good wiring and if there is any corrosion.

5. Check the trim tabs, situated above the prop to see how much corrosion has taken place and if they need replacing. Depending on the make and model of the motor, some motors also have anodes (metal that degrades faster to prevent corrosion on the motor) on the shaft

6. Check for any prop damage, a damaged prop will affect the motors performance and to purchase a new prop is pretty expensive.

7. When the motor is running, listen to its sound. Sometimes the carbs are dirty and it doesnt fire on all cylinders. If it doesnt repond immediately to the accelerator thrusts, then their may be under lying issues.

8. Very important, Take the boat for a test on the water
and open up the motors.

9. Make sure the boat has a valid boayancy certificate.

10. Make sure the boat has all its safety equipment for its catagory that its registered for.
 
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