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Sub Category : Miscellaneous

If you are in the market for a boat, then buying a used boat is the great way of getting one, without spending more than your budget. In some cases, you can very easily save thousands of dollars by buying used rather than new.

Just like buying a new car though, you do need to know what to be looking for when you check out a potential boat. Here is what you should be looking for when you are looking at a used boat to buy.

Think About What Kind Of Boat You Need

The very first thing you should do when thinking about buying a boat, new or used, is what you would use that boat for. There are plenty of different kinds of boats available, with different equipment that lends itself to different activities on the water. Knowing exactly what kind of boat you want to, before you even start shopping around, is going to save you a lot of time.

For example, if you are hoping to take trips on the ocean and spend your time exploring the waters, a larger boat that can accommodate people overnight is a good option. You may also want space on the deck to hold a marine fuel bladder or two, to allow you to go further without having to refuel at land.

Check The Title And Registration

If you see a boat that you like the look of, it’s easy to start thinking about all the things you will need, including that fuel bladder for boats and all the other safety gear you want to get on board. Before you even think about buying that boat gas tank bladder, you need to be checking the title and registration on the boat in question.

Which is vital, as you want to see that the both is fully registered, and has registration numbers that match the make and model as well as the hull identification number. Typically, if you are buying from a marina then they should be able to show you this as part of the initial meeting. If you are buying from a private party, you want to be sure that the current registration card and title has their name and address on it.

Look For Any Wear Or Damage

Just like a car, a boat can take on wear and tear over time. In a similar way, you may be tempted to take on a more worn out boat, if the price is lower. Before you do so and load up the marine fuel bladder to go sailing, you’ve got to be sure that the wear and tear isn’t excessive.

When inspecting a used boat, take a good look at the hull to see if there are any dents or holes, as well as any visible repairs. It’s especially important to check below the waterline, as there can be more damaged from banging into rocks and other issues.

Also, take a good look at the deck. You want to be sure there is not any rot, cracks, or soft spots. If you do find these things, they are signs of excessive wear, as well as mold and mildew damage.  If this is not addressed, then there may be issues with the deck supporting the weight of people or equipment such as a fuel bladder for boats, which of course you do not want.

Inspect The Engine

The engine is one of the most crucial parts of the boats, and the most expensive, so you want to be sure that this is in good condition as well. After all, it’s no good investing in a boat gas tank bladder and other equipment if the engine will not get you where you need to go. Taking a look at it, you want to see that there isn’t any corrosion under the engine cover, or any deterioration on the belts and hoses.

Ask the owner of the boat to start the engine, and have it run at full throttle for at least 10 seconds.  If you see any smoke, or here the engine running rough or noisy, then that is going to be a problem. You can always hire a boat engine mechanic to examine the engine for you, to see if there were any issues that you may have missed.

Look For Defective Electronics

Like with a car, you may often find electronic issues with boats, but most of the time they can be easily fixed. If you are buying a used boat though, you want to ensure you have your full budget to use on equipments such as a new marine fuel bladder to go with it, rather than fixing expensive electronic issues.

Look for issues with the radios, radar, the lights, and more, as they will suggest a problem with the wiring order system itself.

Take A Look At The Hardware

Finally, before you commit to buying and start grabbing a new fuel bladder for boats and other gear, take a look at a hardware on the boat itself for example, take a look at the seats and pull on the hinges to ensure everything is securely held in place. If they are simply wobbly, the screws can be replaced, while corrosion can indicate rot or other issues.

You can also ask to see the boats maintenance records, as well as any storage records available. These give you an idea of what maintenance has been done over the boat’s lifecycle, as well as where it has been stored. If you know upfront what kind of repairs you will need to do on your used boat, you can budget better for other equipment you want, such as a boat gas tank bladder.

With so much equipment to buy, such as a marine fuel bladder and other safety gear, buying a boat can be expensive. Getting a used boat will save you a lot of money, but make sure you are inspecting it properly before you commit to buying.