JimH,

I have never kept a "trip log", is that common for the recreational boaters
in your area?

My maintenance records and receipts from the dealer (except for the first 20
hr. check up and the first 50 hr check up) have not referenced the hour
meter. Since I do most of the normal maintenance on my boat, I always save
the receipts for lube and parts and attach it to a Maintenance Log,
referencing the date the service was performed and the hour meter reading.

Is it common for most marinas and or mechanics to include the hours on the
work order?


" JimH" wrote in message
...

"Reggie Smithers" wrote in message
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JimH,
How can anyone know if the seller is being honest with the engine hours
if their is not hour meter?


A maintenance and trip log will help show how well the boat was maintained
and how ofter it was used. One will not be able to know the exact number
of hours but can gestimate it.



For that matter, how can someone be sure if the seller is being honest
about the engine hours even if their is an hour meter?


Again, a maintenance and trip log will validate it. Receipts from
mainteance done on the boat also helps, as does a professional compression
test of the engine(s).


Today's cars are set up to make it very hard to set back the mileage. I
don't think there is anything similar for replacing the hour meter and
just running the meter to provide a reasonable number of engine hours.


True. That is why it is important when purchasing a used boat not to rely
solely on the hour meter.