I got up early this morning at around 9am ( early for me, I work nights usually wake up at 2pm ) to drive 100 miles to go look at a 1990 Astro 17 ft.

I get there, the book looks decent but it will need some work in the near future ( being left outside uncovered in the rain ) the carpet is starting to rott some and come up. will be needing seats soon.

It was at a car lot. I asked the man running the place if there was any way I could test drive it. I told him I have cash in hand and I'm ready to make an offer depending on the test drive.

He looked at me and said " If we allowed people to test drive the boat, we would be going down to the lake 4 to 5 times a day, If you want it then you buy it and if it doesn't work out for you then we will get you your money back "

I responded to him with " If you allowed people to test drive the boat then it probably wouldnt still be sitting out here for 2 months, Would you buy a used car without test driving it? You want me to buy the boat and you will get me my money back if it doesn't work out for me? Sounds like you're hiding something, I bet if I was to drive off of the lot, go put it in the water and something wouldnt work on it and I loaded it right back up and brought it back over here that you would tell me it wasn't like that when I bought it and theres nothing you can do for me"

How do people expect to sell a boat without letting somebody test drive it first?

There's a sucker born every minute. Dont go back.

heres a link to the boat, so dont waste your time if you see it on craigslist and are interested in it

http://www.jerryscarcenter.com/64298/1990_Astro_Quick_Fire_17%27_SC.html

the pics also make it look better than it really does

Too many for sale, let him eat it. I hate bad attitudes.

In the past 21 years of selling boats and motors here in San Marcos, I can say that 99% of the potential buyers know what they want, know what price to pay, and know the reputation of the seller, IE, Me. If the person really needs to ,"try it out" Then 2 things are going on.usually. 1. He's not sure of the boat that he is looking at, and needs seat time to make up his mind. 2. He's looking a something he cannot afford and is trying to "sell" his spouse on buying it. If a buyer is stead fast about running the boat, My answer is, "Sure no problem, You will have to lay a $100 bill on the table, If you buy the boat, we deduct the $100 from the purchase price. If you do not buy the boat, the $100 covers my cost of fuel and time." I have warded off numerous "buyers" as they usually come back with,"Oh, you know it's really not what I'm looking for" I can tell, from experience, a tire kicker and a real buyer. I have even had kids come in and say they want to buy this ski boat or that ski boat and say something like," I'll buy the beer, and bring a couple of my buds and well see if this boat can pull a skier" The $100 trick does them right in. But in your case, You should have been given the green light, providing that you show that you know how to operate a boat. And the dealer should give somekind of warrantee and/or return policy. There should have not been any problem with the kind of deal you offered him. Hope he likes setting on inventory for the winter...

Mike, I had to re-read your post a couple of times. Are you saying that most people that buy a boat from you do not take it for a test drive? I've only bought a few boats, but I would never buy one without test driving it. JMHO

SE Kansas grass grower

Mike, Buying a new boat is different than buying a 1990 boat. Especially from a dealer that has a truck sitting outside with only 1 door on it. Then you pull up and see the owner of the dealership get into that truck and drive off.

Yes. Beleive it or not. 99% of the boats that I have sold, were never test driven. 100% of the boats that I have sold carry a warrantee, as well as the motors that I have sold. The only exclusion is for consignment sales. I have taken 5 people to the lake for a test drive and only 1 person did not buy the boat.(He put an eight foot scar down the side of the boat and then said because of the scar, he didn't want it {censor-censor}). I'm in agreement with you about a test drive. I want to see the engine perform as should, all electrical work,and work as should, and most importantly, I want to see how the hull performs under different situations. When I test drive a boat, I guarantee you the BOAT knows it's been test drove.

Yeah, but Mike....you are IN the boat business. I would have no problem buying a boat from YOU ( if you owned it)without a test ride for a couple of reasons:

1. I know you arent going to sell a piece of junk because doing so damages your reputation.

2. I also know that you have also personally performed all the necessary testing on the craft before you put it up for sale...and if anything needed fixing, you'd either fix it...or disclose it.

A used car dealer? No way.

Rule #1. Get it in writing.....Rule #2. Do it with a check.....Rule #3 See rule 1.

I've never test driven a boat before i bought it-
ONE (thats all it takes)I sure wish i would have
But Heck, the boat i have now (and love it) i did'nt even crank it after visting the owner for 30 mins
You just never know

I just can't see myself buying a used boat without a test drive.

When I was shopping for my first bass boat five years ago, I looked at three boats seriously, drove all of them and bought one. One was a 20-year old boat that had just been updated with new carpet, upholstery etc by the guys at a service and maintenance shop that I had used for years for my ski boat, were incredibly honest, reliable and did great work. When I took out the refurbished boat, the motor ran great for five minutes then started starving for gas, running rough etc. I finally got it back to the trailer and back to the shop where it was for sale. The guys at the shop were embarrassed. So I'll always drive a boat before buying.

no way would I buy a used boat without a test drive and I would never pay $100 to do so.

I have bought 3 new trucks and 2 new boats with out test driving. I new what I wanted. something used I would get check out