17 things I check before I hand over a dollar. 6 make me walk away.
I've bought and fixed a lot of boats. I've also driven two hours to look at one and left without it. This is the list I use.
Not a checklist of jargon. The stuff that actually costs you money.
The six deal-breakers
If I find any one of these I'm back in the truck. Doesn't matter how good the price is.
What it costs when it's bad
Next to each thing I check, what it actually runs to fix. That's the part most people are guessing at, and guessing is what gets you.
Me, on a real boat
An 8 minute video walking a boat I'm actually looking at, start to finish. Plus a calculator that tells you what to offer.
See what a boat's worth before you drive an hour to look at it.
Put in what he's asking and what you found wrong with it. It'll tell you what it's actually worth and what I'd offer. Walk, offer, or good buy. Takes about thirty seconds.
Open the deal calculator →I'm Nic. People call me the boat doctor, mostly as a joke that stuck. I buy boats and outboards that don't run, I fix them, and I sell them. I've done it enough to know what's worth fixing and what isn't.
I put this list together because I kept answering the same questions in my DMs. Figured it was easier to just write it down.
This probably isn't for you if…
- 01You want a boat to use, not a boat to work on. Nothing wrong with that. Go buy the nice one, you'll be happier.
- 02You're not willing to drive an hour to look at something and come home empty handed. That happens a lot. It's part of it.
- 03You want somebody to promise you a number. Nobody can do that, and I'd be careful with anyone who says they can.
I'd rather tell you now than waste your time. If none of that scared you off, the list is below and it's yours.
Me, walking a $3,400 boat I already know I'm not buying.
Boat Buys runs on its reviews.
That's the whole reason this page tells you who it's not for. Here's what people actually say inside.
"For someone just starting out fixing outboard motors, this group is awesome. The guys who have been doing it for a while are responsive and helpful and will jump in, answering questions."
"I'm an 18 year old with no experience and the people here at Boat Buys are super patient and friendly with anyone that has no experience with a boat motor."
"Absolutely great group to be a part of. All the guys in here are more than willing to go tremendous lengths to help you troubleshoot and flip motors."
Real reviews from the Boat Buys community. Plenty more where these came from.
Already know Boat Buys? You don't need the list.
Skip all this. There's a free week, and if you join through my link, send me the first boat you're looking at and I'll tell you what I'd pay. Full disclosure: I get paid if you join through it, which is exactly why I keep telling you who this isn't for.