When buying a boat, most buyers only focus on cosmetics. They assume that if a boat has no cosmetic issues, it is well maintained. The truth, however, is some sellers will focus on the aesthetics in order to distract you from the main issues. Before you commit to a boat, you need to get expert advice from a boat surveyor near me. The reason for doing this is the marine surveyor has the experience, training and equipment needed to identify any major issue that a boat may have.
As aforementioned, the main area buyers overlook is that on the engine or motor. Before you bring in a boat surveyor near me, it is always good to do a few checks on your own. Performing the following checks will keep you from having to bring in a surveyor for every interesting boat you find. When you do these tests, you will be able to remove some boats from your list and only bring in a marine surveyor on the boats that are a perfect candidate. Here are some of the things you should do when inspecting the engine.
Check the condition of the oil
The most obvious step when inspecting a boat motor is to check the condition of the oil. You do this using the dipstick. Remove the dipstick, wipe it with a piece of cloth then reinsert it into the engine and take it out. There are three things you should check for.
- Oil color. If the oil looks like black ink, there might be an issue. This is unless you have a diesel engine. If the color of the oil is milky, there is a serious problem. A milky color shows that there is water getting into the engine. This indicates that there are broken parts and the condition of the engine has to be checked by a professional.
- The gritty feeling between the fingers. A gritty feeling when you rub the oil between your fingers indicates that there are metal fillings in the oil. Metal fillings indicate a serious problem.
- Foul smell. Oil has a distinct smell. If the smell is foil, the engine has an issue that requires a closer examination.
Take note of the boat motor hours
More boat motor hours mean the engine has been running for long. Keeping in mind that an average boater is on the water for about 50 hours per year, having 250 hours on the motor means the motor is about 5 years old. The lower the hours the better.
Ensure the motor matches the boat
Last but not least, you have to make sure the motor is the right type for the boat. The motor should have enough horsepower to power the boat without straining. Keep in mind that a motor that is too powerful for your boat can also lead to problems.