The Ultimate Checklist: Inspecting a Used Boat Before Purchase

Finding the best used boats for sale can be daunting. However, if you’ve found a boat you are interested in buying, this checklist will help you to feel confident about your purchase. Bring this checklist with you when you go to check out a boat you like, and you won’t be led astray!

Checking The Exterior of the Used Boats

When you are getting the first look at a used boat for sale, pay attention to a few things on the boat’s exterior. You’ll want to look for cracks, blisters, signs of previous collisions or repair, and even signs of fading. Here are a few specific locations you’ll want to check for damage and wear:

• Hull and hull underside (discoloration, chips, fading, chalking, or damage)
• Chines
• Transom/Stern
• Gunwale
• Cleat
• Hard top/bimini

Checking The Interior of Used Boats

Once you step aboard the boat, you’ll want to check that everything not only looks good but works too. Turn on every switch, look in every livewell, flip cushions to check for wear, jostle the railings a bit, and make sure everything is attached to the boat securely. Here are a few specific places to look for damage:

• Windows and windshields
• Electrical systems
• Upholstery
• Flooring
• Doors and hatches
• Deck fittings
• Navigation lights, sound devices, and other safety equipment on board

Checking The Mechanics of Used Boats for Sale

Beyond hitting switches, you’ll also want to thoroughly inspect all the mechanical systems on the boat. Start by asking the current owner for maintenance records and see if there are any specific concerns to be aware of. It can also be telling of the boat’s condition to see how often the previous owner took the boat in to be serviced. If the boat has been serviced recently, you may not need to perform as extensive of a mechanical check. However, it’s still a good idea to take a quick look at the following:

• Engine (signs of corrosion, leaks, wear?)
• Belts and hoses (cracks or wear?)
• Steering system (does it feel stiff?)
• Propeller and shaft (and damage, aligned correctly?)
• Batteries (check age and charge)
• Plumbing (flush the head to make sure it works, check for leaks in the freshwater system)

Looking For an Easier Way to Find Used Boats for Sale?

If you are looking for the simplest way to buy a used boat for sale, stop by Gage Marine. Our knowledgeable staff would be happy to run through this checklist with you on any boat in the lot so you feel confident about what you are looking at and your eventual boat purchase. Take as much time as you need and ask as many questions as you’d like— our staff is here to help you feel secure in your boat purchase!