New boat buying tips

[arkansasbowhunter]

Kinda late in the year but thought this was a suitable topic anyways.

Just wanted to give some folks some things I have learned from my past boat buying experiences.

1. Make sure all items like transducers and skimmers are secured to the boat with stainless steel screws. It is best to ask that are installed on a plastic board like a cutting board material but thicker. This will enable you to move the transducers easily without having to drill more holes in the transom. Also prevents them from falling off from rusty screws.

2. Make sure the cranking battery is the biggest that you can get if you are running live wells and electronics. It is no fun to be stranded on the lake without cranking power. A lot of times the new boat dealers throw in a small battery without the above consideration.
Hence, it is best to buy a set of small jumper cables to leave in your new boat.

3. Make sure the electronics are hard wired In and no wire clips used as they will work loose and give you fits as the electronics go out.

4. Make sure your Trailor has a spare for future needs and that you have the tools to get it off as you will need it one day.

5. If buying a larger boat make sure the Trailor has radial tires as they will wear better for you.

6. Make sure you fill out the warranty information as it is easy to forget if it's a new rig.

7. Make sure the bearing covers are on good as it's no fun going down the road slinging grease.

8. Make sure you know where the fuse block is and carry extra fuses.

9. When buying out of area, know that you are probably not going to be serviced by the place you bought your boat from. This poses problems as local boat dealers sometimes shun you and put your rig to the back of the maintenance line or plainly tell ya to go get serviced where you purchased the boat.

10. For warranties, make sure you keep a service log with receipts on the outboard. If any issues arise the manufacture may want proof maintenance was performed if it wasn't by a service center.

11. Get all your serial numbers for equipment, boat, electronics, etc on one piece paper as it will make it easier for you to reference in the future.

12. Make sure you follow engine break in guidelines if it's a new motor

13. Buy the biggest motor for the rig you can afford as you will always wish you had more horsepower.

14. Take the boat for a test drive if possible

15. remember that with a new rig most places just slap a prop on the boat. The prop may not be best for your needs and so research a little on this before hand or you may end up spending another wad of money on a prop more suitable for your boat and motor.

16. Consider going ahead and having an onboard charger installed as it really is a time saver when returning from the lake.

17. If you like to crank bait fish then you may opt to not buy the deep cycles the dealer installed as you will probably like golf cart batteries better and this will save you the hassle of swapping out later.

Hope this helps someone for future boat purchases. Feel free to contribute more tips for folks.

[arkansasbowhunter]

18. Make sure all electronics have 5 amp fuses and nothing higher. You want the fuse to blow instead of the unit.

[arkansasbowhunter]

19. Trailers may come with regular lights but you can ask for them to be upgraded to Led lights as they will save you in the long run.

[arkansasbowhunter]

20. Make sure you check the navigation lights are working as that's something overlooked often and when you need them and they don't work you will be upset lol.

[arkansasbowhunter]

21. When you look at the used motor market make sure you check compression on the cylinders.

22. When buying a used motor also check the Lower unit oil for cloudiness as it may indicate a seal leak. The oil needs to be clear.

23. If the previous owner can't recall when the water impeller was replaced go ahead do your self a favor and change it out soon.

[arkansasbowhunter]

24. If a buying a used trailor then go ahead when you get it home and pull the hubs and check the bearings and grease. May jack the Trailor up and spin the hub to hear any noise and also check it for heat from the tow home. If you travel far distances to fish you may consider carrying a spare hub kit in the truck.

[arkansasbowhunter]

I hope this checklist of a sort will help other folks. I know I forget things and it's nice to have a guide being a first time or an many time boat owner.

[arkansasbowhunter]

25. If it's a used boat, pull the prop and tm prop off and check for line on the shaft. The line can cause seals to leak.

[arkansasbowhunter]

26. Buy yourself and carry a small Tupperware box in your boat and fill it with a screw driver (Philips and standard) , spark plug wrench, electrical tape, extra fuses, small can oil, pliers, etc for small on water fixes.

[arkansasbowhunter]

27. When you get your boat home and all registered, place your important papers and insurance card if required in a ziplock bag and stow them somewhere you can easily access.