Used Boat..Am I setting myself up for trouble?

NitroSport · Post by **NitroSport** » Fri Jun 21, 2013 8:19 pm

After fishing tournaments out of a 45mph Nitro Fish/Ski I'm getting very serious about buying a true bass boat. I've found an 04 Ranger 520 that appears to be in excellent condition & clearly wasn't driven hard & had to be stored indoors. It literally doesn't APPEAR to need any cosmetic or exterior work whatsoever. Motor's an Opti with fairly low hours & looks like new. It was checked by the dealer & they said it's in great shape. As most of you know even older used Rangers aren't cheap so I'm nervous about laying out mid 20's for a 9 year old boat. I know Ranger owners will say there's a reason they hold their value, because they're the best built which may be completely valid. Bottom line is, I'm looking for opinions on whether it's worth going with a different brand but newer, or if those of you who've gone this route have ended up replacing pumps, hoses, electrical, gauges, steering components, trailer parts, etc, or if I shouldn't be so worried about it. Can't imagine getting buy-in from the wife to buy it only to have to "Break Out Another Thousand" soon after.
Thanks in advance for any input.

clearlakeoutdoors · Post by **clearlakeoutdoors** » Sat Jun 22, 2013 4:23 am

check NADA boats . 04 520 should be around 20 k, but if it has low hours paying a little more it should be fine take the boat to a mercury dealer and have them hook it up to their computer and they can give a history on the motor

split172 · Post by **split172** » Sat Jun 22, 2013 7:35 pm

At that price, there better be nothing wrong with it whatsoever. Also should have top of the line electronics and maybe power poles.

I have bought a couple used boats and never had a single problem. I am extremely picky in what I choose.

If you would like, send me an email and I will send my list of questions/checklist I use when buying a used boat.

If this Ranger is not your dream boat then I would pass. Even in pristine condition, that boat is overpriced.

Most important thing is the engine. Get compression numbers. Should be within 10% of each. I would stay away from anything with replaced power heads. Just my two cents

DG · Post by DG » Sun Jun 23, 2013 9:10 am

As with anything used and no warranty, there's always the chance for something to go wrong. I purchased my Skeeter used knowing that being a 6 year old boat there could be issues so I had it checked out by C&C. The report came back good so I made the decision based on the boat being garage kept, maintained well, serviced as needed and the fact that it was exactly what I wanted.

I went in knowing that things can go wrong at anytime and because of the difference (about 1/2) of a new one vs used, that I could absorb the cost of some problems and still be OK.

If this is what you want and it sounds like it is, all you can do is the basic homework and then the rest is up to you. Yes price is an issue but you have to set a price that you want to pay. If it sells for that fine, if not, then it's not meant to be. Good luck! By the way, I have only put $35 (besides normal up keep) in my boat and that was for a bilge pump that failed within a month of buying it.

biteme · Post by **biteme** » Sun Jun 23, 2013 11:26 am

split172 wrote:At that price, there better be nothing wrong with it whatsoever. Also should have top of the line electronics and maybe power poles.

I have bought a couple used boats and never had a single problem. I am extremely picky in what I choose.

If you would like, send me an email and I will send my list of questions/checklist I use when buying a used boat.

If this Ranger is not your dream boat then I would pass. Even in pristine condition, that boat is overpriced.

Most important thing is the engine. Get compression numbers. Should be within 10% of each. I would stay away from anything with replaced power heads. Just my two cents

520's hold their value in the 20k range pretty well. When your able to find a 04 520 for 20k with all options you listed you might want to jump on it.

OP, If it checks out it sounds like a great deal!

NitroSport · Post by **NitroSport** » Sun Jun 23, 2013 8:10 pm

Thanks for the honest input guys. Great points & along the lines of my own thoughts, so at least I don't feel like I'm way off in my own mind. Really appreciate hearing your own experiences & opinions.
Chriss

Mitch · Post by **Mitch** » Tue Jun 25, 2013 10:00 am

You'll love the Ranger 520, but do some testing on the motor and batteries. Adjust the price for any discrepancies and deal with the cosmetics with the seller. Remember, it s a USED boat not a NEW one. If all proves good and you are HAPPY with the boat and the price then go for it. It just may be the last boat you will ever want. It WILL last a lifetime if taken care of. SERVICE the motor when needed and CLEAN the boat after each use. My 2001 520 looks and ran as good in 2007 as it did in 2001 !!! Planning on getting another 520 when I can finally retire next year.

mm · Post by mm » Tue Jun 25, 2013 3:52 pm

I had the exact same situation, same boat, when I was shopping for mine a few years ago.
I found a really nice 520 and was nervous about it so I had it checked out by C&C first thing before I bought it. It had about 170hrs and the compression was fine and it was real clean so I bought it.
Since then I have put about 300 hrs on it and haven`t had any real issues at all, just normal wear stuff and maintainence.
Also, you will love the 520. It fishes and rides great. Best of all, its a Ranger and it WILL hold its value better than most others.
Anything you buy used may have some kind of problem or another, thats how it is with used stuff and sometimes new. C&C will take care of you if anything needs attention.
I will tell you the required maintainence is really necessary and isn`t cheap on these newer big outboards.

NitroSport · Post by **NitroSport** » Tue Jun 25, 2013 7:45 pm

Exactly what I was looking for Mitch & MM. I have the pleasure of spending a ton of time on the back deck of Mike Tuck's 2004 520 throughout the year & I absolutely love the ride & handling of that boat. Of course he's an artist driving that thing, but the ride has been far better than most if not all of the other boats, bigger or smaller, I've drawn in FLW tournaments. This boat has around 400 hrs on it, but they're not hard hours based on the type of fishing the owner did out of it I believe. Now I just have to convince the boss (you all know who I mean) it's worth it. Again, thanks everyone for the candid thoughts & input. It's a big decision & I'll see what I can do to make it happen!