Tips for Buying a Used Boat

With the warm weather coming, you might be looking at getting a boat to help you and your family enjoy some on-water fun. Or maybe you’re into fishing or simply lounging on the pristine waters of your local lake or river. Whatever your plans may be, you’ll want to make the right choice when boat shopping, and a great way to slash some of those top-dollar prices is to buy used. Many used boats will offer all the same, great features that their newer counterparts offer, at a fraction of the cost. L&M Marine LLC has provided some tips for buying a used boat, so when you stop by our location near Mobile, Alabama, you can let us know where you’d like to start your search. We also serve Pensacola, Florida and Biloxi, Mississippi.

Set a Budget

Even though you’ll be looking at lowered costs, there’s still going to be a wide range of options that offer a range of prices. Some used boats might still be fairly expensive, so set a budget ahead of time that you can provide our staff. We’ll try to keep you in budget while meeting all your boating needs. After all, we don’t want you spending more money than is feasible. Don’t forget to include other things in your budget, like registration, boat slips, and gear. How much you spend on these things may affect how much you can spend on the craft itself.

Do Your Homework

Here comes the hard part, although hopefully it’s exciting as well. You’ll want to do some research on what you want and what’s going to be a smart investment. If you need to, do some research about the field itself. If you aren’t sure what distinguishes certain boats, then consider brushing up on your model definitions. This might be easier if you think about what you want to do with your vessel first and then find something to match.

You’ll also want to take a look at some of the available models. This can help you set a realistic budget, but it can also help you learn more about other owners’ experiences with a particular model year. Check online forums and reviews to see if a boat you’re interested in performed well for other owners, or if there are some red flags to keep in mind. You should be able to find websites that list boat models and any recalls associated with them.

Ask for Model Reports

If the boat clears the initial research, ask for a servicing report. This will give you information on how well cared for the boat was when in the possession of the previous owner. If you don’t see many regular servicing visits, you might be saddled with the wear and tear that comes with poor ownership. The report can also tell you about accidents and other major repairs.

Inspection

Even with all this information, you’ll still want to perform a thorough inspection. Inside and out, every nook and cranny, and all moving parts need to be checked for signs of wear and tear or damage. Make note of everything you see, even if some of what you find aren’t dealbreakers. Maybe you don’t mind a scratch here and there, but you still want to write down that it’s there. Also if you see signs of more serious damage, you might want to think twice about investing. Even if it’s going to be cheaper, it may not be worth the long-term maintenance fees coming your way.

Now it’s time to stop by L&M Marine LLC to see the used boats we have for sale right now! We welcome all boaters from Mobile, Alabama; Pensacola, Florida; and Biloxi, Mississippi, to check out our inventory and see if we can help you find your next craft.