You live and you learn I guess. I was excited to get my 1st boat and trusted a local citizen here in town that the boat was "lake ready" as he said. I spent $1,200 and got a 1974 Roughneck with a 1979 Johnson 115hp on it. Went the next day to put it in Tawakoni and it was a no go. Took it to the shop and there was no compression on 1 of the pistons. Total motor re work is what I was told. ANother $1,000.

I think I am just going to spend $4,000 and get something nicer. Sell this one.

I am told that the happiest day in a man's life is the day he buys a boat and then the day he sells it. I hope this is not true. LOL.

Any tips on buying your 1st boat...well 2nd now is much appreciated.

Paying an impartial mechanic $200 to inspect and run a compression check would have saved you $1000, actually, $2000 because you probably would not have bought it.. There are other things to look at, hull, deck condition, transom condition, electrical system, etc.

As well as take it to the lake for a test drive....... a real test drive not just putting around the marina.

Roger that.

The guy at the shop told me to bring it to him for $50 and he will check it next time. That will be a well spent $50.

Sorry for your loss. I'm sure that $1200 was hard earned.

I would never buy a used boat without running it on the water first. If the seller tells you it is lake ready they should be willing to meet you at the ramp and take you out for a test run. If they won't do that I would walk. There are good boats out there in your price range. But don't get in a hurry and assume anything. And be prepared to spend some maintenance money up front too (lower unit oil and impeller). If you are a new boat owner be sure you are familiar with all the safety items required...usually mo money. Hopefully the boat you find is truly lake ready and all these things are included and up to date.

If he is such a trusted citizen he should take it back since he bent the truth on the condition of the boat.

Classic Fiberglass offers the pre- boat buying inspection for free.
If any of you are buying a boat in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and can bring it to us we will inspect it for free. COuld save you some money and heartache down the road.

Those are bulletproof engines and are easy to fix.
I just sold my 1980 Evinrude V4 in May. It had been used on 3 different boats, had good compression and ran like a new one the day I sold it.

You can find good ones on craigslist and almost any boat salvage yard for $800 or less.

I am just going to be straight up with you:

you wont get a good boat for $1200 unless it is say, a jon boat and 5hp motor.

at 4k it can still be dicey. 16-17ft tin, 40-50hp motor. anything esle...

wait and spend 8-10-12k.

a boat aint everything.

and no shame in a good 35mph Aluminum boat either.

Start by asking to see the title and compare it to the Hull Identification Number on the transom. Then verify the name on the title is the guy you are negotiating with. If there is no title or it doesn't match, thank them for their time and walk away. Do this first and save yourself a lot of time and BS.

You need to do an on the water test. No boat is perfect and the price will start dropping. If it passes the lake test, agree on a price pending a qualified mechanic review. You should pick your mechanic before you go boat shopping. Don't use his mechanic or his buddy down the road.

I have bought and sold a lot of power boats over the last 30 years. I only bought 2 of them without an on the water test and regretted buying both of them. One of them was brand new.

Being young my budget was VERY strict last year when I finally saved up enough, $1000 1978 Ranger Aztec. The dude didn't want to start it up, lake test it, or let me take it to the shop for checking. My stupid @$$ said "No Problem" and I bought it!!!!
Can't believe what I was thinking. It ran great but I took a chance with it. I have a new boat now and I was careful with buying it. Good luck

Thanks for all the info. Greatly appeciated.

"trusted local citizen"

they the worse at &*^%#ing people

Why not confront him about this purchase? You know he knew about it.

Always have it inspected and test run it.

I also offer free pre buy inspections, If they are brought to me. Im in Corinth, 5 minutes from lake lewisville.