What should I look for when buying a used boat?

I'm fixing to buy my first boat. The one I'm looking at is a 17' Bayliner with an 85hp evinrude. Besides a compression check on the motor, what are some of the red flags I should look for when inspecting the boat? The seller said he would take me out on the lake In the boat for a test run. How can I tell if the transom is bad, etc? Thanks!

First off congrats!

You will probably get plenty of good advice on here but the one thing I will say is pay the money for a mobile mechanic to look the boat over first.
If the mechanic finds things that make you not want the boat you didn't just spend $75.00 or so on "nothing". you just saved yourself a lot of headache and more expense after the purchase. If you are not a boat mechanic there are things that you can miss during a ride along.
I have bought three used boats and the first one I had that happen and it was purchase I wish I had never made, you will hear the saying ---
Boat=break out another thousand thing, that was my case, very frustrating.
I bought a cheap "costing" boat cause I didn't I have much money and then couldn't pay to keep it fixed.
When I bought my toon a few years ago I had catfishhunter1963 check it out and he checked things i would NEVER thought to look at--He had a very thorough checklist and I was confident when I bought the boat.
Around here i only know of Jim (catfishhunter1963) and tarponfly that does it, I bet you can find one around where you are at.
Good Luck!

Watch the bay liners. I had a fishnski that was the wettest ride I have ever been on. Have the motor checked!

I went from a Bayliner fish/ski to a CC and what a world of difference in comfort. I'd suggest finding something that you can get up and move around in.

Bayliners are a wet ride!

A couple things make sure the boat is what you are looking for and will it fit your needs. Theres a couple things you can do if you can't get a mobile mech.
Make sure to do a compression check. Make sure the numbers are within 10% of eachother.
Take a big flat head and check the lower unit oil. See if its milky or has big chunks of metal on the plug.
Put pressure on the "whale fin" of the motor and see how much "flex" the transom has. Check under the boat for any cracks or damage.
When on the water check gauges and pumps. Kill the motor several times to see if it restarts without problems.
After pulling the boat out of the water remove the plug and pay attention to see how much water drains out. Hope this helps

Check the transom and the floor for soft/rotted wood.

YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN VERY SOUND ADVICE. A few dollars spent up front on a good check out is money well spent. It will save you a big head ache.

YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN VERY SOUND ADVICE. A few dollars spent up front on a good check out is money well spent. It will save you a big head ache. Good luck.

Take it out for a day's fishing first, if possible.

Buy as big of a boat as you can! A 17 is pretty tight once you get all your gear on board, and will be a rough ride in big winds...

Might check all the documents before kicking any tires
Plenty a trailer swapping without proper paper work has had a many trailer impounded
in recent years.
Boat,Motor and Trailer must have supporting legal documents in Texas
There are 3 very nice rigs for sale near Abilene,all three have no title on the trailers
The people that own them havent sold them in over 2 yrs because of smart buyers that did their home work

No title on trailer wouldn't bother me....register it as a home made trailer and your done.....done it about 3 times already haven't had a problem yet....

Yep,last two boats I have bought registered the trailer as homemade no problems here.

One for me--

Thanks guys. Plenty of useful information. I will take it all into consideration. The seller is a dealer in Lubbock. My boss's brother giving me a good deal. But I may wait and spend a little more money later for a nicer boat. Been saving for a year for this one. Really want a pontoon, just can't find anything for less than $6000. I don't want to spend that much right now. Just want a nice cat fishing boat, and really want it before the trophy season is over.

Save your $, don't buy something that you will regret....keep checking craigslist etc....you will eventually find a steal....

+1
Once I got out of my canoe the first two boats I bought was like a hamburger with no meat in it, just all I wanted to pay for a boat at the time, kept each one a year or less before getting the toon.
I'm done now though, love the toon.

If ya want a toon get a toon why would ya buy something ya wont be happy with? Are ya in West,Tx no. of Waco or West Tx

I should have said my WIFE wants a toon. I just want a fishing boat. Oh, and I'm in Midland not Waco.