Recommendations when Buying Used Boats from Boat Dealers in Missouri

The state of Missouri has a lot of great boating spots. According to Missouri State Parks, eight parks are located on vast manmade lakes that are among the most popular spots in Midwest U.S. for water activities, including fishing and water sports. These lakes are the Lake of the Ozarks, Table Rock Lake, Stockton Lake, Harry S Truman, Pomme de Terre, Lake Wappapello, Mark Twain Lake, and Big Lake.

Those who want to enjoy the great variety of boating activities these eight lakes provide would need a nice boat meant for their respective purposes. Boat dealers in Missouri offer both new and used boats. New boats are great as they are less risky, but they’re pretty expensive. For those who are on a budget or want a better bang for their buck, a used boat can be a good option as long as necessary pre-purchase steps are taken. Below are some recommendations in buying a used boat:

Inspect the Boat’s Appearance

Cottage Life indicates that prospective buyers should check for signs of overall maintenance. This starts with the physical appearance of the boat. Occasional small cracks may not be a huge cause for concern but those larger than two inches (length or diameter) probably indicate worse problems. Other things to watch out for are mold and mildew buildup, flexing, and loose seats. If an extensive amount of these are present, it’s a safe bet that the boat was not well-maintained. In such cases, it would be advisable for a buyer to look at other boats.

Inspect the Mechanisms and Performance

If the boat passes the appearance test, the buyer can proceed to checking its parts and performance. A test drive is actually more significant for a used boat. That said, it’s important to manage expectations here as one can’t realistically expect a used boat to perform at levels comparable to a new one, unless it’s been fully restored. The important factors to consider are the cleanliness of the engine, the quality of the oil, how the engine starts, and how it handles on the water.

Get Expert Help

If still in doubt after the above inspections, the buyer can hire marine surveyors when checking out used boats for sale in Missouri. Different types of used boats can be found at trusted boat dealerships such as White’s Marine Center.

Sources
Boating, Missouri State Parks
8 tips for buying a used boat, Cottage Life