Looking to buy a small boat (for sale, buying, price)

[MarciaMarshaMarcia]

Can anyone recommend a reputable boat dealer on the Olympic or Kitsap Peninsulas or the I-5 corridor? I'm looking for a small aluminum boat with an outboard to take out on the bay or lake with my dog and not sink. I'm not a boat person so this is a learning experience. Thanks in advance.

[oregonwoodsmoke]

If you look an-line, there are several websites where boats for sale are listed. I suggest that you start there.

For smaller boats, Craigslist can at least be looked at. You might get lucky. That's where a lot of private sales are listed.

This time of year, the boat safety certifications are going on. Watch for those and go by and talk to people. Locally, they are done at the fire hall, but there should be announcements about when and where for your area.

Good used boats in great condition for a reasonable price are hard to come by, so expect to put in some time with your search. The longer you look the more focused in you will become on what you want. You probably should not buy until you know enough to tell what is what.

[oregonwoodsmoke]

Adding, I'd be a bit careful about taking a small boat out onto the bay. Please talk to someone about what sort of boat is suitable before you buy. Small aluminum boats are for calm lakes in gentle weather, not the ocean.

If there is a coast guard station or a harbor master near you, that is a good place to go in and ask for advice. Seriously, they would rather that you ask before you buy than to have to go out and rescue you.

[bad apples]

Be careful, boats tend to be overpriced in this region.

[MarciaMarshaMarcia]

Thank you for the advice, what price would be considered reasonable for what I am looking for? I really do not have a clue. Also, is it customary to test run a boat, as one does when buying a car?

[bad apples]

Originally Posted by thisplacesucks

Thank you for the advice, what price would be considered reasonable for what I am looking for? I really do not have a clue. Also, is it customary to test run a boat, as one does when buying a car?

If at all possible yes at least ask them to see if the motor runs on a small boat. People with a boat can usually do this if they have a barrel or hose connector for the engine. The price just depends on a lot of factors. You will need a Washington State Boater Education card if you plan on getting a boat larger than 14 ft in length or if it has a outboard motor of 10hp or greater. Depending on your age you may not need the card. For an older boat like what you are wanting for small lakes and ponds. You could expect to pay around 1200 for a really nice setup. Metal or fiberglass hull, trailer and good outboard motor. You could pay a bit less for a mediocre setup. Keep in mind though that any outboard motor that runs good is worth at least 500$ Unless its under 10hp. Make sure you are getting boat with a trailer that it comes with a title. No title can be a pretty big hassle in most states. You have to apply for a salvage title in most cases , not worth it unless you have a really nice trailer. Usually those are titled anyway. Hope this helps. If you find a boat you are interested in I would suggest taking some photos of it writing down everything that comes with it and posting on Iboats.com forum asking if it is a fair price. People are really helpful on there and it is a forum specifically for boat talk.

http://forums.iboats.com/forum.php

Also what Oregonsmoke said, if you are planning on going on the ocean or even the bay you need a boat capable of handling that. Metal jon boats are for rivers and lakes. With the wind the way it is in the area I would prefer something with fairly high sides even in lakes. Something like a Bayliner or any fish and ski type boat large enough to handle swells in excess of 10 ft. It can get nasty out there, so plan accordingly.

[MarciaMarshaMarcia]

Thank you, badapples and oregonsmoke for the info and resources. This is a new adventure for my pup and I and we are looking forward to getting on the water!