Checking the Condition of Pontoon Boats

Buying a used pontoon boat can be frustrating and often disappointing. Knowing what to look for will help to ease any anxiety. The basic appearance is not the best way to choose the best pontoon boat for immediate use or a project pontoon to restore.

The most important item next to the engine, are the pontoon logs. Aluminum pontoons can look shiny or dull. This does not affect their durability. Anodized aluminum logs often look dull or cloudy. Check each log for any possible punctures not only on the exterior but also under the deck. Check the strength of the fins on the front of the logs. These fins often take abuse when docking. Holes and fins on aluminum logs can be repaired. Check for Leaks. At this point you must weigh the savings against the cost of repairing logs.

The next important items are the fencing and aluminum trim. These can be replaced if necessary, however, the cost is usually substantial. The color of the panels can be changed if they are not desirable. The condition of the square tubing is the highest concern. Check the trim around the edge of the deck and the corner caps and note if any are missing. Corner caps can range from $15-$40 depending on the brand of boat. The trim can be replaced but if it's an older boat, the chances of matching are slim. In order for the boat to look right, you may have to replace the trim all around the boat. Trim replacement from the factories can cost as much as $6-$14/linear foot plus shipping. Shipping cost for long pieces can be very expensive.

It is important to get on the deck of the pontoon and look around. Even a nice looking carpet can hide a bad deck. The deck will likely have rot closest to the fence but can show up even out in the middle of the deck. If the boat has been re-carpeted with an indoor/outdoor carpet, beware of what's under it. Indoor/outdoor carpet does not have a rubber backing and allows water to go through it exposing the deck to moisture. This moisture under the carpet usually never dries out and can cause damage. Since the motor heavy and causes the boat to lean toward the back, water damage usually shows up in the back first. If there is furniture along the back of the boat, examine under the furniture for deck damage and furniture frame damage. Walk on every inch of the deck and if you feel soft or spongy areas, the deck is going bad and will need to be replaced. If this is the case, it will give you greater bargaining power since having the deck replaced can run anywhere from $900-$1,500 depending on the deck size and who does the work. Dealers can be considerably higher than someone like me because they don't want to do the work...they want to sell you a new boat. I could tell you horror stories people have told me concerning work done at dealers.

Sit in the captain's seat and look over the steering console. When sitting in a pedestal seat check to verify that it swivels with little difficulty. Turn the steering wheel to determine the condition of the steering system. Check the switches to see if the lights and other accessories work. Ask if the gauges are operational but seeing them work is even better.

If the pontoon is being sold with a motor, have a mechanic of your choice determine the condition of engine. This may cost a little but it's cheaper than having to rebuild an engine. This may include but not limited to checking the spark plugs, wiring, cylinder compression, and lower unit oil. The lower unit oil should appear clear. If milky looking, water has gotten in and contaminated the oil. When the engine is running, the engine should be "peeing" strongly from the water outlet at the back of the engine. If not, there may be a water pump problem. If you have ever owned a boat, you know how expensive it is to repair engines. Try to get one that starts out with fewer repairs needed.

If the pontoon comes with a trailer, check the overall condition. Check the tires for cracking on the sidewalls and near the wheel rims. If the trailer just sits around and is exposed to the sun, dry rot can take place and you will need to replace the tires in short order. If the trailer is the bunk type, make sure the wood bunks are solid and the hangers are in good condition. If the trailer is of the "scissors" type, make sure the cables and joints are in good condition. This type of trailer as a habit of rusting easily.

How much a used pontoon boat should cost is determined by many factors. Boats tend to be more expensive in the spring and summer with the better deals coming in the fall and winter. This is when most boats sit around unused. The condition of the boat will drive the pricing. The worst the condition, the more bargaining power you have but the more repairs it will need. And probably most important is your drive to get a boat. If you can take your time and not fall for the first boat you see, you generally have more bargaining power. Make a low ball offer and see what happens. If they don't take it, wait a couple of weeks and try again. The seller may be getting hungry. Also, a hand full of cash can be tempting in making a deal.

Don't forget the title to the boat. Make sure you get all the necessary documents required by your state for registering the boat. It is usually a good idea to get a Bill of Sale.

There are several web sites and publications that you can find the value of boats as well as trailers. Here are a couple of links to get start.

Good Luck



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