You want to be a boater. You’re excited about the prospect of going deep-sea fishing or spending a day out on the water, cruising around. You want to feel the wind in your hair and the sun on your skin. Shelling out money for a new one, though, can cost you a chunk of your happy funds.
One way to save on costs is to scout around for used boats in Gainesville. Read on for smart buying tips to help you.
Check out the hull condition
In many ways, this part makes up the foundation of the boat. If there are osmotic blisters—pockets of moisture trapped between the layers of the fiberglass and layer of gel coat—that’s nothing to be afraid of. The blisters won’t affect the structure of the boat. It can lower the resale value of the vessel considerably, though. If you think you’ll end up selling your boat in the future, you’re going to need to shell out money for the repairs. If the blisters are much too large, though, move on to the next.
Check for damage
Are there cracks in the gel coat? A crack or two isn’t anything to worry about. But if there are multiple cracks in one portion of the boat, that could be a sign of impact damage. Also, don’t forget to check for chips and scratches. If the boat was repaired in the past, ask what kind and how extensive the repairs were.
Test the electronics
Make sure the electronics work when you scour through used boats in Gainesville. You could easily replace burned-out bulbs but if several of the devices aren’t working, that could indicate wiring problems or a faulty battery. Other times, it could be a sign of engine overheating, the Cottage Life warns. That’s going to mean lots of repair costs for you. Decide if it’s worth it or not.
