Used boat inspection necessary?

[infamousboone]

I have verbally committed to purchasing a 2006 wakesetter VLX with about 200 hrs on it.

Is it necessary to have a professional inspection done? I am already planning on visually inspecting it myself as well as going for a test drive. But given current lack of boat knowledge should i have professional inspection done?

Edited September 16, 2009 by infamousboone

[Ndawg12]

I have verbally committed to purchasing a 2006 wakesetter VLX with about 200 hrs on it.

Is it necessary to have a professional inspection done? I am already planning on visually inspecting it myself as well as going for a test drive. But given current lack of boat knowledge should i have professional inspection done?

absofrickenlutely!!!!!!!!!! Especially since you say your knowledge is limited.

[TalleyHo]

I have verbally committed to purchasing a 2006 wakesetter VLX with about 200 hrs on it.

Is it necessary to have a professional inspection done? I am already planning on visually inspecting it myself as well as going for a test drive. But given current lack of boat knowledge should i have professional inspection done?

absofrickenlutely!!!!!!!!!! Especially since you say your knowledge is limited.

I would agree -- and I would make sure you get a reputable dealer/person that has knowledge of INBOARDS. I went on a road trip w/ a friend a while back that had a 'local' dealer check out a boat he was going to purchase. After a 700 mile drive, and a clean bill of health from a local dealer who only had outboards and i/o's, there was CONSIDERABLE vibration (like had his wife been there, should could of have a GREAT time in the bow on her own). Each of the 4 blades on the prop has matching curls. I was heavily skeptical, but after a 700 mile drive, he didn't want to hear it. Fortunately, a simple trip to the prop shop fixed the problem, but....

[Pistol Pete]

Agreed,

If you're not mechanically inclined, and have limited or no previous boat experience, I would have it inspected.

[MN_LSV]

I would have to agree. We did and it cost us about $300 to have a local dealer go through it with a checklist. We bought it in the spring in MN, so we couldn't test drive it, and had to have them re-winterize it (included in the 300). They checked everything from lights, radio, engine compression, hoses, ballast pumps, shaft alignment. For us buying it used in the off season, it was a no brainer just to hear it run, but I think I would have it done it anyway for piece of mind.

[srab]

On the other hand . . . .

200 hours on an '06 amounts to about 50 hrs. per season. Used enough, but not over-used.

If the owner has taken meticulous care of his boat and has maintenance records, I might

be happy with just a test drive.

At 200 hours, the boat should have recently had a service (Either that, or it is due for

a service). Fluids should have been changed and alignment checked at that time. If she's

been serviced, she runs well, doesn't overheat, doesn't vibrate, accelerates smoothly, runs

40+ mph at WOT, and you get the sense that she's been taken care of, I might be inclined

to pass on the mechanic.

If she hasn't been recently serviced, the seller can't/won't come up with maintenance records,

or you have even the slightest doubts after the test drive, then I'd think a marine survey was

essential. The seller should have no problem with that. If you're willing to pony up $300 or

so for an inspection, he'll know you're serious and just being cautious. If he were to balk

at an inspection, he's probably got something to hide.

[mcbean7]

If you don't know or trust the seller a $300 marine survey/inspection is cheap insurance/peace of mind.

When I was looking to buy our boat I had my heart set on one in Florida. Same year as my current boat, just different motor (monsoon) and color. Anyways, all the pics the owner sent looked great. Just for peace of mind and recommendations from Crew members I had a marine surveyor come out and do an inspection. He did a very thorough writeup along with very detailed pictures of flaws/imperfections/potential problems he found. He found some electrical issues the owner was not even aware of. Obviously, I decided to pass on that boat. That $300 was the best money I could have spent.

Bottom line...if you don't know or trust the seller or are not familiar with these boats, have it inspected.

Edited September 17, 2009 by mcbean7

[Bobby Light]

If this is that boat you were talking about you found in Idaho take it to Idaho watersports and have them inspect the boat. They have a couple Malibu dealerships down there. I would forget a marine survey, however if you're using BECU they require one on a used boat bought from a private party. Most marine surveyors don't know jack about wakeboats.

[WakingMeHappy]

Even paying an inboard boat mechanic $100 on his day off would be worth it considering what you're going to be spending overall. If he finds anything wrong you just have to decide what you're will to except or not.

[Baddog]

I have verbally committed to purchasing a 2006 wakesetter VLX with about 200 hrs on it.

Is it necessary to have a professional inspection done? I am already planning on visually inspecting it myself as well as going for a test drive. But given current lack of boat knowledge should i have professional inspection done?

Also be sure to do a test ski/ride behind it. It might be perfect in every way, but if there is something you really don't like about the pull or the wake, walk away. It should all be good, but that amount of money, due dilligence is mandatory.

[Bill_AirJunky]

Being in Seattle, your in an area where people can get away with sorta winterizing the boat (did it plenty of times myself). But if the boat is in eastern WA or ID, winterizing is an absolute necessity.

Considering the consequences, I'd have it checked out. Cracked blocks, bad rings, head/head gasket problems, & blown heater cores are just a few problems you might run into if the boat froze & wasn't winterized properly.

Get it checked out. Getting a Malibu mechanic to do it on his day off is a good idea to save some money. There are Malibu dealers in Issaquah, Portland, TriCities, Coeur'dAlene & Boise.... to name a few.

Might even have someone from this group check it out..... I might trust some of the sharper members more than most mechanics myself.

[Michigan boarder]

$300 is well spent. Because, if you buy it, you'll likely take it in at some point and say "I bought this boat a couple of months ago, it ran good this season, but can you do a once over on it?" Well, just spend that money now and you'll feel good about hitting the water everytime thereafter, and know what you have to start with.

But I also agree with having a Malibu dealer (or other DD dealer if none available) go thru it, they'll know more than a marine surveyor.

For what it's worth, we import shrimp via shipping vessels into our facility from Thailand. There was a suspected issue with a load, so they sent a marine surveyor here to witness and inspect the unloading. He had absolutely no idea what he was doing (the product condition, the container refer unit operation, etc.). But did it to "the best of his knowledge" and collected his fee.

[Bill_AirJunky]

Coincidentally, I believe the Malibu dealer in Issaquah is also a marine surveyor.

Edited September 18, 2009 by Bill_AirJunky

[infamousboone]

Thanks for the reply's everyone. After reading the responses the choice seemed pretty obvious. The boat is being inspected today. All goes well i have got myself my very first boat!

[boardnxtx]

If you have the opportunity to have it inspected, I'd definitely do so. I recently purchased an 07 VLX from a dealer over 1,300 miles away, sight unseen (other than pic's of course). The dealer was very thorough in explaining what the issues were with the boat (most visual). He walked around the boat on the phone with me and pointed out every little thing that I would see. He then gave me a list of the work they would do before shipping, and also sent me work orders so I had a record of such. Overall, I was very impressed with my purchasing experience. This was first purchase of the sort, and I'd definitely do it again in the future. This was however through a dealer. If I were to have purchased the boat from an individual I would have required a dealer inspection and copies of such inspection, with any issues noted. If it is a legit deal, then a seller should have no problem doing so.

Good luck, sounds like you are headed in the right direction.