Once you've considered your price range and the activities you'll be using your boat for, you'll be able to decide on the type of used boat you need. When you find a boat you're interested in you'll need to have it inspected. You wouldn't buy a used car without inspecting it, but many people buy boats at some point and never even consider it. Well, that's a big mistake. The most important step in buying a used boat is inspection. If there are any problems, a qualified inspector will be able to find them. Dependable brokers and dealers always welcome the opportunity to have boats inspected. The cost of an inspection can run between 6 and 10 percent of the sale price. That may seem like a lot, but when you consider the cost of the investment, it's the only safe way. Once the inspector has given the boat a satisfactory rating, you'll want to take a trial run. With the owner present, the trial run should consist of a complete run-through of all the equipment. If the owner agrees to replace a faulty or missing item, find out the brand, and if the replacement will be new or used. Inspections are very important, and contrary to popular belief, inspections are not just for the biggest and most expensive boats.
