WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING A BOAT
You have made the decision, you are going to invest in a boating lifestyle, what do you buy?
It has been said that the best boat a bloke can buy is the one his wife will allow him to buy!
What Boat?
Jokes aside it is vitally important that you select a boat which caters to your needs, for example, if your wish list is to go boating with the family on inland waters, and partake in water sports, you would be looking for an efficient hull which accommodates the family in comfort, with sufficient power to tow skiers/wake boarders, and tubes. You most certainly would not be in the market for a deep V monohull or a Catamaran with two engines, rigged with every piece of fish finding gear known to man.
What Engine?
It is just as important not to overpower, as it is to ensure sufficient power. The boat is designed to carry a certain weight on the transom, and if this is exceeded, it changes the handling characteristics of the hull completely, often with serious consequences, there is no cheap fix for this problem.
Water is the most difficult medium to propel an object through, and consequently requires significant power to do so, which translates directly into fuel consumption. 4 stroke engines are up to 50% more fuel efficient than 2 stroke engines, and have been found to be far more durable. When purchasing a boat you would be well advised to opt for 4 stroke power. If fishing is your primary use, it becomes ever more important to consider fuel consumption, as often this entails travelling great distances to get to the fishing grounds, and if you have gas guzzling engines you will not be able to carry sufficient fuel to get to the fishing grounds and back.
New Or Used?
Buying a Pre Owned (USED) Boat
Whilst there are good value propositions available in the used boat market there are also a lot of potential nightmares to be had, take a minute to study the pros and cons
When purchasing a pre-owned boat from a reputable Dealer, the Dealer will ensure that the boat is registered in your name, free of any encumbrances, as well as ensure that the vessel is supplied with a current sea worthiness in your name, and that all the documentation pertaining to the vessels flotation and sea worthiness, and trailer registration, are present and correct. The other positive to consider when purchasing from a dealer is that you, as the consumer are protected under the consumer protection act, against material defects and there is an implied 6 month warranty, which you do not have when purchasing privately or on Gumtree.
It is a common misconception that the Dealers are more expensive when considering a pre-owned boat. The market which is way more powerful than all the Dealers put together, will ultimately determine at what price boats will change hands. We have had clients who have purchased a “bargain” on Gumtree only to discover, sadly, too late, that they could have bought a later model, better boat, free of defects, for way less from the Dealer.
We have seen consumers purchase a vessel privately, only to find out that the boat does not have a flotation certificate, or in fact any flotation which renders the boat useless in its current condition. What was supposed to be the start of a fun process turns into a expensive exercise, which leaves a bitter taste in the mouth, and leaves you stranded with something that will never be as good as the one you could have had which was available from the Dealer at the same price as you paid privately, and does not require any repairs.
When purchasing a boat privately check the following:
• Is there a current manufacturers flotation certificate for the boat?
• Is the trailer registered in the name of the seller?
• Does the chassis number reflected on the registration certificate of the trailer match the number stamped on the trailer?
• Are there any outstanding hire purchases on the vessel?
• Does the boat have a current survey (Sea Worthiness Certificate), and if not, when was it last surveyed.
• Is the boat equipped with a 2 Stroke or 4 Stroke engine? 4 stroke will be more expensive, but the cost of ownership is a lot less.
• Start the engine and check that the impeller is pumping a solid stream of water.
• With the engine running check to see that the gearbox is sound both forward and reverse.
• If the engine is equipped with power trim and tilt check the operation of the system.
• Check to see that the steering system is free and smooth, or if the boat is equipped with Hydraulic steering that there are no hydraulic fluid leaks. If the boat is equipped with an engine larger than 90Hp it should ideally be rigged with hydraulic steering, this will have a major impact on your boating experience.
• Check to see that the Transom is sound, no cracks or rotting - this is a very expensive repair and sometimes can cost more than the value of the hull, and subsequently not worth doing.
• Check to see that the deck is sound and not cracked and sagging.
• If there are inspection hatches in the deck, check the timbers below deck for integrity, ie. free of rot.
• Check the trailer for corrosion and cracks, check the wheel bearings, there should be no play on the wheels. A trailer can cost up to R25,000.00 depending on the size of the boat, and is as important to your pleasurable boating as the boat itself.
If any of these items do not check out, rather give us a call and let us assist you in appraising the vessel. It might save you from a miserable experience, but more importantly make sure you become a boater and not a boat repair expert.
It has been said that the best boat a bloke can buy is the one his wife will allow him to buy!
What Boat?
Jokes aside it is vitally important that you select a boat which caters to your needs, for example, if your wish list is to go boating with the family on inland waters, and partake in water sports, you would be looking for an efficient hull which accommodates the family in comfort, with sufficient power to tow skiers/wake boarders, and tubes. You most certainly would not be in the market for a deep V monohull or a Catamaran with two engines, rigged with every piece of fish finding gear known to man.
What Engine?
It is just as important not to overpower, as it is to ensure sufficient power. The boat is designed to carry a certain weight on the transom, and if this is exceeded, it changes the handling characteristics of the hull completely, often with serious consequences, there is no cheap fix for this problem.
Water is the most difficult medium to propel an object through, and consequently requires significant power to do so, which translates directly into fuel consumption. 4 stroke engines are up to 50% more fuel efficient than 2 stroke engines, and have been found to be far more durable. When purchasing a boat you would be well advised to opt for 4 stroke power. If fishing is your primary use, it becomes ever more important to consider fuel consumption, as often this entails travelling great distances to get to the fishing grounds, and if you have gas guzzling engines you will not be able to carry sufficient fuel to get to the fishing grounds and back.
New Or Used?
Buying a Pre Owned (USED) Boat
Whilst there are good value propositions available in the used boat market there are also a lot of potential nightmares to be had, take a minute to study the pros and cons
When purchasing a pre-owned boat from a reputable Dealer, the Dealer will ensure that the boat is registered in your name, free of any encumbrances, as well as ensure that the vessel is supplied with a current sea worthiness in your name, and that all the documentation pertaining to the vessels flotation and sea worthiness, and trailer registration, are present and correct. The other positive to consider when purchasing from a dealer is that you, as the consumer are protected under the consumer protection act, against material defects and there is an implied 6 month warranty, which you do not have when purchasing privately or on Gumtree.
It is a common misconception that the Dealers are more expensive when considering a pre-owned boat. The market which is way more powerful than all the Dealers put together, will ultimately determine at what price boats will change hands. We have had clients who have purchased a “bargain” on Gumtree only to discover, sadly, too late, that they could have bought a later model, better boat, free of defects, for way less from the Dealer.
We have seen consumers purchase a vessel privately, only to find out that the boat does not have a flotation certificate, or in fact any flotation which renders the boat useless in its current condition. What was supposed to be the start of a fun process turns into a expensive exercise, which leaves a bitter taste in the mouth, and leaves you stranded with something that will never be as good as the one you could have had which was available from the Dealer at the same price as you paid privately, and does not require any repairs.
When purchasing a boat privately check the following:
• Is there a current manufacturers flotation certificate for the boat?
• Is the trailer registered in the name of the seller?
• Does the chassis number reflected on the registration certificate of the trailer match the number stamped on the trailer?
• Are there any outstanding hire purchases on the vessel?
• Does the boat have a current survey (Sea Worthiness Certificate), and if not, when was it last surveyed.
• Is the boat equipped with a 2 Stroke or 4 Stroke engine? 4 stroke will be more expensive, but the cost of ownership is a lot less.
• Start the engine and check that the impeller is pumping a solid stream of water.
• With the engine running check to see that the gearbox is sound both forward and reverse.
• If the engine is equipped with power trim and tilt check the operation of the system.
• Check to see that the steering system is free and smooth, or if the boat is equipped with Hydraulic steering that there are no hydraulic fluid leaks. If the boat is equipped with an engine larger than 90Hp it should ideally be rigged with hydraulic steering, this will have a major impact on your boating experience.
• Check to see that the Transom is sound, no cracks or rotting - this is a very expensive repair and sometimes can cost more than the value of the hull, and subsequently not worth doing.
• Check to see that the deck is sound and not cracked and sagging.
• If there are inspection hatches in the deck, check the timbers below deck for integrity, ie. free of rot.
• Check the trailer for corrosion and cracks, check the wheel bearings, there should be no play on the wheels. A trailer can cost up to R25,000.00 depending on the size of the boat, and is as important to your pleasurable boating as the boat itself.
If any of these items do not check out, rather give us a call and let us assist you in appraising the vessel. It might save you from a miserable experience, but more importantly make sure you become a boater and not a boat repair expert.
