Incorrect. I have done all my maintenance myself on all my boats and I have filed a warranty claim before.

Just another reason why some boats stay on the market so long. Some sellers think they are doing someone a huge favor by allowing a buyer to buy their boat.

Compression Gauge is cheap. Buy one and do it yourself...

He's probably right, and it's in great shape. But if i'm spending 15-25 K or more and plan to keep it for a few years I'm asking for a compression test. If I really want this boat, I'll ask him if I can have it done on my nickle. If he refuses, move on. There's plenty good boats out there.

I would walk away and let someone else buy his headache.

^^^^^

Yep, anyone who doesn't want a compression check done on their boat or a mechanic to inspect it is hiding something. PERIOD. If you require someone give you money before they have the motor or boat inspected, you are extremely unreasonable and probably want an unreasonable amount of money for your over-valued boat and sit at home and can't understand why no-one wants to buy your over-priced boat.

I get the idea of a compression check....I do. But, why is it such a deal breaker on a boat and NOT on anything else? I've sold a few cars, a couple riding mowers, and other combustion engine things and Never, ever have I had someone ask for a compression check. Haha. They say "does it run" I say yes or no. Simple.

A compression check only tells you that the rings and bores seal. That's all. It is only an indiacator that a motor either has a bad piston/pistons, valve not seating, or bad rings. It doesn't mean the motor is healthy. Period. Most poor running engines have issues that are not compression related. That's a fact.

Also, if and when I sell my boat, I will have one done. Just to insure that I wouldn't be accused of selling a boat with a burned piston.

That said, I doubt anyone would like some potential buyer to wrench on their boat. I could see it being a HUGE issue. Aluminum heads, seized plugs, yanking on coil wires, etc.

If the owner doesn't want to have it done....and it's a deal breaker for you....simply pass on it. I think a test drive would be a far better indicator of a boats mechanical condition. Does it start easily, run smoothly, not over heat, have good water pressure, idle smoothly, etc. none of these would happen with a dead slug in the motor.

The question I would ask.

Is the compression test the only hold up to you purchasing this boat. Money is ready. Everything is held up by the compression test.

If the answer is yes. We would be headed to the shop and you would pay for it. If it passes and you then tire kick or just stop replying. You would then receive a bill for my time.

You only have to do it once and save a copy of the report for an future buyers. I would do this anyway if I was selling my boat because a serious buyer is gonna ask for it.

Sounds like he has already done a compression test and chooses to hide the results...

No one is gonna pay you for your time in showing a boat you have for sale.

And if it fails you gonna pay him for his wasted time?

I'm not about to take someone else's piece of paper as validated fact when I'm about to hand over a cashier's check for over $50,000 for a boat that may or may not be in good operating order. When I bought my current boat, the seller properly read the queues that I wasn't just another tire kicker. We did a test ride and visit to my mechanic in one trip at his convenience. He towed the boat, and I picked it up from him after he fished a scheduled tournament he needed the boat for. He was an excellent seller; I'd buy from him again. But, I need my reasonable terms met also.

I agree. Maybe the guy has never had a compression test done and thinks it'll be some big ordeal or maybe he thinks you expect him to pay for it. Ask if he will let you take it to your mechanic of choice or if he will take it and YOU PAY to have it checked out. If he says no then you run. If he says yes then there's probably nothing shady going on, go get it checked out and enjoy your new boat if mechanic okays it.