| Many people wonder if they are getting screwed | | | | you like so they can point out anything that needs to |
| when buying a boat. Here are some things to ask | | | | be fixed or could turn into a financial nightmare. Pay |
| yourself and to look out for when thinking about and | | | | very close attention when they tell you what to look |
| buying a boat. | | | | at and look for. Bring a notebook with you to write |
| Be informed and educated about boats and buying | | | | this down, and keep notes on every boat you see. |
| boats. If you just jump into it without any | | | | Also follow your friend's advice and if they tell you to |
| preparation you will definitely get burned. Before you | | | | walk away from a boat due to something they |
| even think of getting a boat you should have | | | | found, do it. |
| significant boating experience. If you don't then it is | | | | Don't actually decide to test drive a boat or even |
| very important to study boater education and your | | | | buy right now. You need to go home and review |
| state's boater education exam. You'll have to check | | | | your notes on all the boats. Then decide if you want |
| your state's boating laws and regulations. Boating is | | | | to test drive any of them. When you test drive the |
| very different than just hopping in a car and driving. | | | | boat you should know how to legally and safely |
| You must be educated on boating responsibilities and | | | | operate a boat. During this test drive you need to be |
| have the skills to safely operate a boat. | | | | focused on the performance of the boat. Does it |
| When buying a boat, screening the boats you're | | | | take long to start? Does it die regularly after the |
| interested in is the majority of the work. You must | | | | engine has warmed up to operating temperature? |
| have a trained eye for this as people new to boating | | | | Does it hesitate for a long time when given significant |
| won't be experienced enough to see some of the | | | | throttle? Does the throttle cut out during cruising |
| warning signs. Your trained eye should be a reliable | | | | speed? Is there excessive vibration or unusual noise? |
| and objective friend that is very experienced in | | | | Do any of the gauges not work? |
| boating and has made good boat purchasing decisions. | | | | When buying a boat you have to remember that |
| Bring your experienced boater with you the first | | | | there are no lemon laws protecting you when buying |
| couple of trips you take to look for boats to buy. | | | | boats from private owners. You must get the boat |
| Have them look at the oldest and cheapest boats | | | | taken to a marine service shop to get inspected. |