JimH,
How can anyone know if the seller is being honest with the engine hours if
their is not hour meter?

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? 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.


" JimH" wrote in message
. ..
When buying any used boat it is important to deal with a seller who is up
front and honest about things like engine hours, especially if there is no
hour meter.

It is also important that both the prospective buyer and seller know what
a reasonable price is for the particular boat.

There was another thread with a member claiming to have a boat for sale
who broke all these rules and will therefore have a hard time selling his
boat.


"Reggie Smithers" wrote in message
. ..
In a separate thread, there has been a discussion about buying a used
boats. I have purchased both new and used boats, and if I was going to
buy another boat I probably would buy a used boat.

I thought it might be interested if everyone added their thoughts of
buying a used boat vs. a new boat. To get the thread started I have
listed a few ideas. Please add yours.

Advantage of a used boat a

1. The new boats problems (and they all have a few gremlins) have
probably been solved.

2. The boat will probably include many options or accessories that will
be thrown in for free.

3. The other person is taking the big hit for depreciation that incurs
as soon as the boat is taken off the dealers lot. Even if the boat is
only 2 years old, you can probably save at least 20% off the cost of the
same boat new.

Any other benefits of a used boat?



The disadvantage of a used boat:

1. There might be hidden problems, that even a survey and mechanic will
not find.

2. You will not have the "new boat smell".

3. If you are going to finance the boat, you interest rates and down
payment might be higher than new.

4. You need to be prepared to spend more time finding a good used boat
at a reasonable price. It is easier to visit a boat show and check out
many new boats in one location.


Any other disadvantages of the used boat?

"Reggie Smithers" wrote in message
...
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.

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
...
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.

"Reggie Smithers" wrote in message
...
JimH,

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

It is for me.



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.

There you go. That is the best evidence you can present a prospective buyer
on the engine hours and maintenance.



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



Nope. But you can ask them to or note the hours yourself on the log or
receipt.

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

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? 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.

One of my hour meters jumped, so that it looks like one engine has 200
more hours than the other.



" JimH" wrote in message
. ..
When buying any used boat it is important to deal with a seller who is
up
front and honest about things like engine hours, especially if there is
no
hour meter.

It is also important that both the prospective buyer and seller know
what
a reasonable price is for the particular boat.

There was another thread with a member claiming to have a boat for sale
who broke all these rules and will therefore have a hard time selling
his
boat.


"Reggie Smithers" wrote in message
. ..
In a separate thread, there has been a discussion about buying a used
boats. I have purchased both new and used boats, and if I was going to
buy another boat I probably would buy a used boat.

I thought it might be interested if everyone added their thoughts of
buying a used boat vs. a new boat. To get the thread started I have
listed a few ideas. Please add yours.

Advantage of a used boat a

1. The new boats problems (and they all have a few gremlins) have
probably been solved.

2. The boat will probably include many options or accessories that
will
be thrown in for free.

3. The other person is taking the big hit for depreciation that
incurs
as soon as the boat is taken off the dealers lot. Even if the boat is
only 2 years old, you can probably save at least 20% off the cost of
the
same boat new.

Any other benefits of a used boat?



The disadvantage of a used boat:

1. There might be hidden problems, that even a survey and mechanic
will
not find.

2. You will not have the "new boat smell".

3. If you are going to finance the boat, you interest rates and down
payment might be higher than new.

4. You need to be prepared to spend more time finding a good used
boat
at a reasonable price. It is easier to visit a boat show and check
out
many new boats in one location.


Any other disadvantages of the used boat?

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

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? 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.


" JimH" wrote in message
. ..
When buying any used boat it is important to deal with a seller who is
up
front and honest about things like engine hours, especially if there is
no
hour meter.

It is also important that both the prospective buyer and seller know
what
a reasonable price is for the particular boat.

There was another thread with a member claiming to have a boat for sale
who broke all these rules and will therefore have a hard time selling
his
boat.


"Reggie Smithers" wrote in message
. ..
In a separate thread, there has been a discussion about buying a used
boats. I have purchased both new and used boats, and if I was going to
buy another boat I probably would buy a used boat.

I thought it might be interested if everyone added their thoughts of
buying a used boat vs. a new boat. To get the thread started I have
listed a few ideas. Please add yours.

Advantage of a used boat a

1. The new boats problems (and they all have a few gremlins) have
probably been solved.

2. The boat will probably include many options or accessories that
will
be thrown in for free.

3. The other person is taking the big hit for depreciation that
incurs
as soon as the boat is taken off the dealers lot. Even if the boat is
only 2 years old, you can probably save at least 20% off the cost of
the
same boat new.

Any other benefits of a used boat?



The disadvantage of a used boat:

1. There might be hidden problems, that even a survey and mechanic
will
not find.

2. You will not have the "new boat smell".

3. If you are going to finance the boat, you interest rates and down
payment might be higher than new.

4. You need to be prepared to spend more time finding a good used
boat
at a reasonable price. It is easier to visit a boat show and check
out
many new boats in one location.


Any other disadvantages of the used boat?

Reggie Smithers wrote:

JimH,
How can anyone know if the seller is being honest with the engine hours if
their is not hour meter?

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? 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.

You ask whether or not Krause is honest? Honest???

--
Skipper

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

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? 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.


Which is precisely why an engine survey is so critical.

Even *if* it can be convincingly established that there are "only 600
hours" on the engine,
so what? Did the last owner beat the living stink out of the engine for
600 hours? If so, it could easily be ready to go toes up. Did the last
owner cherish the engine and maintain it
fastidiously? If so, there may be another 1000 hours or more left where
that first 600 came from.

A boat that "looks like it was well cared for" is no guarantee either.
I remember one having two nearly identical 34 CHB's for sale. One
arrived in "average" or maybe slightly better
condition, and the other was such a blown out filthy pig when it came
to the dock that we insisted the owner have it detailed before we put a
"for sale" sign on it. The detailer did one heck of a job. Several
people in a row came to look at both boats, and they all immediately
indicated they would be much more interested in the (previously piggy)
boat that had just been detailed because "It's obviously had much
better care and attention from the previous owner." Even pointing out
that one boat had been detailed and the other had not didn't sway any
of those prospects to the actually better kept boat......seeing is
believing. Fortunately the previously piggy boat passed a mechanical
survey, and for all I know the buyer was happy with it for years
afterward and maybe still is.

Private maintenance log? Better than nothing, but could easily be
dummied up by a conniving seller. Ask to see receipts for oil, filters,
and tune-up parts in addition to entries in a spiral binder......(and
remember to keep them if you oneday hope to impress some other
skeptical buyer with your own maintenance log).

Most convincing record is probably a series of work orders, from a
shop, with engine hours and dates noted.