Interested In A Used Pontoon Boat? 4 Things To Check
Posted on: 22 June 2021
If you want to get out on the water more, and you don't want to break your budget, a used pontoon boat may be the right investment for you. However, when purchasing a used pontoon boat, you will want to do your due diligence with checking the boat to ensure that it is in good condition and will allow you to get lots of hours of fun out on the water.
1. Outside
When buying a used pontoon boat, you want to look at the boat when it is out of the water so that you can quickly inspect the outside quality. Check the hull and the pontoons, and be on the lookout for patches, cracks, dents, and welding, all signs it has undergone repair.
Check the laminate on the underside of the boat. Even with lots of usages, the laminate should be smooth. If the laminate is cracked, wrinkled, or bubbling, you will want to be aware in case you need to schedule repairs.
2. Motor
The motor is what powers the boat. When looking at the engine, you want to look out for signs of leaks. In addition, you want to find out if there are any repairs that have been made to the motor. If repairs have been made to the engine, ask for receipts and documentation, so you can know what happened to the motor and what kind of care and attention it may need in the future.
Check to see if the motor looks clean and cared for, or if it is really dirty. In addition, you should always be able to find out how many hours the motor has on it, which will give you a good idea of how many more hours you can get out of the motor before it needs to be replaced.
3. Flooring
The floor of a pontoon boat is often covered with carpet. If there is mold or mildew on the carpet, you can easily replace or get the carpet deep cleaned. With the flooring, you really want to pay attention to the wood that supports the floor. If the wood is rotting, you will have to do some major work to get the boat safe. Unless the boat is selling for a rock-bottom price, you are going to want to pass on any pontoon boat with rotting floorboards.
4. Furniture
With a used pontoon boat, you will more than likely see a little wear on the furniture. If the furniture is covered in vinyl, mold, and mildew, you don't have to kill the sale. However, you will want to factor in the cost of treating and cleaning it into the offer for the boat. If the seats or cushions are damaged to the point that they can't be repaired, you can have new ones installed. If that is the case, the price point should reflect that.
When purchasing a used pontoon boat, look at the boat when it is out of the water and carefully check the quality of all parts. If any parts are worn down, consider what it will cost to replace or repair them, and be sure that is reflected in your offer price.
Share