How to judge a used boat

[AbsoluteZero]

I've noticed that wakeboard boats can range significantly in price, and it's not always easy to tell what the differentiating factors are. So what should I look at? BTW, I'm looking at <20k boats.

does the type/brand of tower matter?
Are tower speakers or other accessories really worth much?
How do hours affect the price? At what point should I worry about the boat having too many hours >300 >500 >700

I can't help but get a little nervous when I'm looking at 14 year old boats that are still asking >15k. I know these boats hold their value really well, but I'd hate to spend money on something that wasn't worth it.

I've looked at the http://forums.wakeboarder.com/viewtopic.php?t=59748 post quite a bit. I'm amazed at how much those specific models are priced at even after years of use. It's like after 15 years some models have lost less than 50 percent of their initial cost. I would buy new today if I knew I could get 50 percent of my money back in 15 years.

[the_dude]

Well the post you linked to was a few years back so those boats are older now and it's a different economy.

If you want to boil down value differences (as opposed to "asking price") between similar boats then the single most important consideration in buying a used boat is how it was cared for. The best way to judge this is to ask lots of questions of the seller and inspect the boat thoroughly.

I'd personally much rather have a well cared for boat with twice the hours over a boat that the seller used a bunch the first year but then neglected and let sit on the side of the house so it has low hours. As someone who spends a lot of time working on old cars and boats I can tell you lack of use can be one of the biggest killers of anything mechanical. Seals dry out, hoses dry up and rot, oil collects moisture, yada yada yada.

To answer your specific questions:
1) does the type/brand of tower matter? Biggest factor is if the boat has a properly installed tower or not. Brand tends not to have a significant impact on overall price.

2) Are tower speakers or other accessories really worth much? Like all vehicle accessories you get cents on the dollars when selling a vehicle with additional aftermarket accessories equiped. Use that to your advantage in negotiations. That said, I'd be willing to pay more for a well installed stereo that I like for example. But while two wakeboard racks can set you back $500 if you had to add them, is that really significant to the boat's overall price? Probably not. Decide now on what accessories your planned boat HAS TO HAVE and shop accordingly. Be willing to pay a bit more for a boat that has these accessories properly installed but don't pay a bunch more to buy a boat loaded with a bunch of gear you don't personally want/need.

3)How do hours affect the price? At what point should I worry about the boat having too many hours >300 >500 >700? Often times hours have a disproportionate effect on price. They are the closest thing you can get to miles for cars. However, while inboard boats use automotive based engines they have far less moving parts than a car. A boat only has a propulsion system. No suspension, no brakes, no wheels and tires, no axles, etc. A well maintained inboard should easily go 2,000+ hours without needing say an engine replacement.

When looking at a used boat here are just a few suggestions
1) Always test it on the water.
2) Ride behind the boat using your gear (wakeboard, ski, whatever)
3) Run the boat through a full warm up cycle. Turn off and start the boat several times cold and warm.
4) Run boat at all operating ranges including full throttle passes.
5) If concerned with salt water use, look for excessive corrosion. Get the carpet wet and taste it with a finger (gross but how anal are you?)
6) Test every component on the boat. For example, use perfect pass on multiple settings. Open every hatch compartment, check how it opens and latches, how are hinges, how are gas charged shocks? Shower work? hot and cold? Does the blower work? (don't just listed to sound put your hand over the vent in the back of the boat). All lights work, ballast fills and drains? on and on. Do it all!
7) Does the seller have maintenance logs and/or receipts? Has the boat been properly winterized each season (if you live in a climate that can freeze even once a winter)? Proper fluid changes done on a regular and timely basis, etc?
Has the boat ever been stored in a slip/on the water? Feel the hull for gel coat blisters. Crawl under the boat and look at the condition of the bottom of the boat and running gear
9) What is the shape of the trailer? Tandem axle or single? Rust? Galvanized or painted (galvanized costs more and lasts longer)? Drum brakes or disk or no brakes? Do brakes operate properly?
10) How is the interior condition? Compress the foam anywhere there are seams. Are they separating? separated? Any dried out vinal likely to crack?
11) Boat stored inside our outside?

Though boats have far less moving parts than cars they are subjected to abusive environments and significantly different levels of care and this drastically impacts the value

[HHI Dave]

the_dude, thanks for taking the time to type that. This is a really informative post, I'm going to forward it to a friend who is shopping for his first wake boat right now.

The only other thing I can add... I couldn't agree more about a well cared for USED boat vs. a boat with low hours that's been sitting. I'd rather buy a boat that's been loved than a boat that's been ignored.

[newbieboarder]

great info, thanks,

[AbsoluteZero]

Thank you for that great info.

how much value to you put in nada pricing?

[AbsoluteZero]

anyone have a comment on nada pricing?

[bftskir]

everybody buying or selling will look at nada blue book values---but a boat is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. nada is a guide it is not the do all end all---condition and accessories can add value but not mean you must pay more necessarily. cash talks.