Take compression tester with you. Use a set of muffs and a water hose to fire it up, then I do a quick compression test after that. Then take it to the lake and run it. Make sure everything electrical works. Look in the fuse panel for oversized fuses. Check the Moldex connector for loose or clipped wires. Make sure the trim will move all the way in both directions. Make sure it goes into forward and reverse gears easily and doesn't try to jump out. Make sure the boat steers easily and runs straight without having to fight the wheel. Check the rear area under the deck to see if the hull leaked and took on any water. Check to see how old the batteries are. Pay attention to the trailer too. See if you can hear any bearing noises as it's towed to the lake. Check the lights and wiring to make sure it all works. Last, but not least, make sure the seller has clear titles in his name for both the hull and the motor. Make sure the trailer is registered as well.

DO - pay cash

DON'T - finance a toy

I think what you look at changes with how much your paying and the year of the boat. Some things that are o.k. on a $6K boat would never be OK on a $26K boat.

Don't have it checked out by the same guy the owner uses. If he missed something the first time he will miss it again.

One of the best parts of getting a "new" boat is shopping for it. If this really is your first boat you have to ask yourself ; do you want a good purchase or do you want a boat now? There are a ton of boats out there, especially around OK City. Remember that the common law of businesss prevents getting too much for too little. If you take your time and do your research you can find the right boat for you that will make you proud. Ask yourself some pertinent questions pertaining to the boat purchase. The answers will help you determine how to evaluate a boat.

Do you want warranty, a good ride, a fast boat, a well cared for boat, a good resale, a name brand, and on and on ?

shop around and be patient. There is no shortage of boats to lookout.

Lots of good suggestions here already.

Do test drive with the previous owner who used it, not somebody flipping it. Horror story when a friend bought a used boat: we went out for the first time, motor died, we went to the back to try to find the problem and water started coming in through the cracked transom when our weight went to the back of the boat. Second story: I sold a boat with a minor steering cable problem that was easy to deal with but I forgot to tell the buyer and they ended up paying a couple hundred bucks to fix it before I ever heard about it.

a lot has already been said...make sure and try all the switches and listen to make sure all the pumps run, plug in the running/navigation lights to make sure they work, if the boat is older than say 1990 go over the transom area real well for signs of stress in the form of cracking or repairs, look in the bilge area to see if anything is odd looking or poorly repaired...climb under the rig and look for missing gelcoat or poor repairs and while you under there look at the trailer real well again for poor repairs like back yard welding joints that may hold till your half way across the state then they let go...when you take the boat for a spin on the lake when you come back in before pulling the boat out check the trailer real well with the boat off it, check the bunks, look for rust, if the trailer has brakes make sure to test them and if you go to the owners house first look where he keeps it for any signs of leaking brake fluid, etc. - good luck !!!

Thanks for all of the great responses guys! I really appreciate them and will use them to help find the right boat. I'll definitely try to be patient and not rush myself into a mess, but once I get my first rig I'll be sure and post some specs and pics for you all!

Definately which was said above "take it to a good fiberglass shop for inspection"! Take a buddy with you that you trust that has some boat savy and have him look at it as well to see if he finds anything.

If this is the boat you want do NOT hesitate to pay a one / or two hour labor rate to have a trusted marine mechanic look at it.

Take a flat head screwdriver after you run the boat for at least 30 mins in the water and check the lower unit oil for water.

Compression test. You can buy a good compression gauge at the local auto shop and it works for everything.

Just a few thoughts...

I always asked how long they owned the boat and alittle background on it if you dont know the person selling.I dont want to buy something that someone is trying to get rid of because of a problem that goes unoticed by someone,dont ask me how I know this.Do your homework and you will be ok.

if not able to get it checked by a fiberglass shop look at every inch of the bottom and take the motor off the transom saver trim it up and stand on it if the transom flexes just walk away

DO NOT BUY ANYTHIG...........................EXCEPT A SKEETER!!!!!

get a friend/coworker that is familiar with buying and owning boats to help you.

have the motor checked with a certified mechanic..mainly compression and hours.

test drive from a cold start and check all electronics, live well pumps, dash gauges etc... require that they all work.

double check that the Hull and motor ID #'s match the titles
(i bought an out of state boat on the internet that had a new gelcoat ..the hull id was not attached on the transom where it was supposed to be.. i had to have a tp&w boat theft detective get involved to get my boat titled..... lesson learned)

buy a name brand boat.. you will get brand arguments on this sight until hell freezes over, but buy a skeeter, triton, ranger, legend, champion, or bass cat so you can sell it when you are ready for another one

check the prop shaft... when you spin the prop by hand, it should spin freely and in a tight cicle... no wobbles, vibrations or sticky spots.

make sure the trailer is in good shape... have your friend follow behind while you tow to make sure axle is straight and leaf springs, brakes, and lights all work.

even with all of that..say three hail mary's, genuflect and pray to god you got a solid boat.

Good luck!

This is not a show stopper but a big plus is ease of getting at batteries, pumps, hoses, etc. I love everything about my BassCat P-2 except access to under the deck.