Buying a secondhand boat-Advice

I am a first time boat buyer but been fishing on them most of my life.
I am looking to buy secondhand.

Will be fishing in KZN and Mozambique. I have a Cat C with surf launch endorsement. I am interested in a 5m gemini rubberduck with 2 yamaha 50Hp 2-strokes(78Hrs) on a trailer. It is within my budget and comes with safety equipment for cat c, radio, COF till the end of 2018.

I am going to go see the boat later this week and was wondering if anyone had any advice on what i must look out for, ask for etc.

Thanks so much

Guy Logan wrote:

I am a first time boat buyer but been fishing on them most of my life.
I am looking to buy secondhand.

Will be fishing in KZN and Mozambique. I have a Cat C with surf launch endorsement. I am interested in a 5m gemini rubberduck with 2 yamaha 50Hp 2-strokes(78Hrs) on a trailer. It is within my budget and comes with safety equipment for cat c, radio, COF till the end of 2018.

I am going to go see the boat later this week and was wondering if anyone had any advice on what i must look out for, ask for etc.

Thanks so much

Click to expand...

Hey Guy
Best advice I can give you is to try and test drive the boat and check for the following:

Ensure that it is a Gemini
Check all paperwork, bouyancy certificate, survey certificate, trailer registration etc
How easy is it to get the boat off the trailer
Check the steering, it should be light to turn
Acceleration should be smooth
That boat should be able to get onto a plane with 1 motor.
There should be no water leaking in between the pontoons and the hull.
The pontoons shouldn't have any leaks

Get some form of assurance in writing about the condition of the vessel, those Gemini's are excellent boats and those engines are bulletproof.

Good luck

Also check the trailer properly.
make sure there isn't allot of rust on the trailer plus is the trailer registered/licensed? Getting a unlicensed trailer licensed can be a ball ache plus bearings can be expensive if they give in when you are on your way on holiday.

If buying from a dealer make sure he's reputable. Some guys on here have had disastrous experiences.

Hi Guys

Thanks for all your input. Went and saw the boat last night. Been kept under cover which is good, overall in good condition. All papers in order. Only concerns i had were that there was quite bad rust on the back of the trailer and those little arms that you lock in place to hold the motors up are seized. Otherwise it is in great condition for the price.
Will be asking for a test drive soon.

i will keep you updated.

Good luck. A test drive is always the best way to make a decision.