Viewing/ buying a boat

[anonymous-user]

All being well I'm popping down the coast later this week to view a 2003 Maxum SR18. I've previously owned a maxum but never got it in the water as the drive leg turned out to be a Chinese knock off and making strange noise amongst other issues. That was purchased as seen from a broker, did have a survey at several hundred quid but turned out he was a sail boat guy really.

This time it's a private seller but the boat is available to view both on its trailer and in the sea for a trial.

I've enquired about recent work and am told it's had the following:

The engine has just had a substantial amount of work done, all new :-

Exhaust manifolds
Risers
Exhaust Non return valves
Bellows kit
Gimbal bearing
Trim sender unit
Oil pipe connector
Spark plugs
Leads
Distributor and arm
Carburettor overhaul
Drive belt.
Over £3000 worth of parts and labour
Blower and pipe last year

I'm not expecting a new boat and am happy to do my research value wise but just looking for any key points to check or things to ask.

There is an unbraked trailer included, research on that suggests OK to tow if weight of trailer and boat combined less than 50% of tow car kerb weight. Google weights suggest I'd be just in.

Purchase is to fulfill family fun boat, will be normally 3 plus a dog up to 6 people max.

As a first real.purchase and new to boating I've a level 2 power boat course lined up locally for new month and have no intention of just letting loose. Happy to start out in the bay and progress as safe/happy.

[petery27]

Trailer wise anything over 750kg total weight requires brakes so you will need them for a boat this size. People disconnect the brakes for launching but they then aren’t Road legal.

I hope the boats better than the Maxum 1900 sc I went to look at last week. So many lies in the advert. The owner couldn’t have told the truth to save his mother I don’t think

[Audis5b9]

If you don't know boats very well, I'd recommend finding a friend who does and offer them a lunch out to take a look at it with you.

There are lots of things to check even on small boats, and requires some knowledge and understanding to know what you are looking at.

The basics, would be:

Engine - check for leaks (rust is good indicator of this if no liquid seen), odd noises/ rattles, hoses in good condition, does it get to its max revs, check for overheating (that means running it for at least 30 mins under load, and running at WOT to test it). Throttle cable stiffness, does it go into gear smoothly. does the trim work...

Hull - tap test for delimitation, check for osmosis (unlikely if its lived on a trailer), and obvious damage, deformations...

Electrics - try everything, make sure it works.

Paperwork - if this boat has much value (probably >£10-15,000) then I would want to see the correct Title and VAT documents as this will make re-sale easier and evidence that the person selling its, actually owns it.

I've no doubt missed lots of obvious things.... The rest should be cosmetic

[sandman77]

I have a Maxum sr1800. They are pretty basic boats so apart from the mechanicals have a good walk about in every inch of the floor to make sure they aren’t any soft spots. Make sure all the dials work as they should. Check the trim works. Check the seat covers for rips or tears. Check the canopy and cover as they are expensive to replace.

On the out drive check the anodes and the prop.

On the trailer check the bearings have been replaced recently, is the winch working properly, does it have a spare wheel.

Edited by sandman77 on Monday 15th August 15:13

[Pete54]

Your research needs to be a little more focussed - the boat is a little over 1 tonne - so it legally must have a braked trailer, Then of course it all depends upon whether the towing vehicle can meet the overall weight limits.

The description suggests quite a lot of work has been done, which does beg the question of why? Neglected and sorted out to sell? Neglected and then minimum amount of work to make it run? You really need to ask some good questions and get some good answers!