I absolutely love my 1996 Sea Ray Ski Ray Tournament BR. If was one of my first boat purchases ever. It's nearly 30 years old, and despite its age, it's still one of my favourite boats to get out on the water with. It's a great reminder that you don't need to spend $100,000 on a boat to enjoy everything boating has to offer. In fact, some of the best value in the recreational boating market can be found in boats that are 20, 30, or even 40 years old.
Many will want the benefits of a newer boat, which is completely understandable. For example, surf systems can only be found on newer tow boats. Joy-stick control systems are also new technology and cannot be found on older boats.
However, we wanted an classic style ski-boat. These were very popular and plentiful in the 80s and 90s, but became much more rare with the advent of wakeboarding and subsequently wake surfing. To get into a ski boat of that body style, we were looking at a segment of used boat inventory that would certainly be 20 to 40 years old, and we were prepared for this.
Of course, buying an older boat comes with certain risks. Boats spend their lives exposed to water, sunlight, vibration, and changing temperatures. Over time, these conditions can take their toll on everything from the engine to the upholstery and structural components. However, with a little knowledge and the right approach, buying an older boat can be an incredibly rewarding experience.
Before purchasing my Ski Ray Tournament, there were six things I wish I had paid particularly close attention to:
Depreciation is one of the biggest advantages of buying an older boat. Most of the significant depreciation has already occurred, meaning you're often purchasing the boat for a fraction of its original price. However, not all boats hold their value equally, so understanding the market and what comparable boats are selling for is important.
Engine hours are another consideration, although I think buyers tend to place too much emphasis on them. A well-maintained engine with 1,000 hours can be a much better purchase than one with 200 hours that's been neglected. How those hours were accumulated, along with the engine's overall condition, is far more important than the number displayed on the gauge. The Ski Ray had 466 hours when we purchased it, but it was a Mercruiser 350 Magnum, which has a great reputation for quality, so that wasn’t a bother.
Maintenance history tells you a great deal about how a boat has been treated. Regular oil changes, proper winterization, and consistent servicing are all positive indicators. Personally, I'd much rather purchase a boat that's been regularly used and properly maintained than one that's spent years sitting neglected in someone's backyard. The maintenance history on our Ski Ray was not well documented, which was a red flag. We did end up paying for this down the road. Keep reading for the details.
Upholstery is something buyers sometimes underestimate. Cracked vinyl, deteriorating stitching, and worn cushions might seem like relatively minor cosmetic issues, but replacing an entire boat interior can easily cost thousands of dollars. It's worth taking the time to inspect the seating carefully and understand what repairs might be required. The Ski Ray had obvious issues with the upholstry which suggested to me that it had been left out in the elements for many years. When we bought it, we new we’d have to re-upholster the whole boat at some point.
Soft floors are a much bigger concern. Spongy flooring can indicate water intrusion, rotting structural materials, or damage that extends beneath the deck. Depending on the boat's construction, these repairs can become extremely expensive, sometimes exceeding the value of the boat itself. The Ski Ray has fiber-glass floors, thankfully. Always look for fiber-glass floors where possible. They are a life-saver.
Finally, electronics deserve a thorough inspection. Older gauges, switches, wiring, and accessories can deteriorate over time, and electrical problems can be frustrating and expensive to diagnose. I always recommend testing every onboard system rather than simply assuming everything works.
In the end, we skipped the sea trial portion of our diligence and found the Ski Ray Tournament had a bad ignition module (common with that engine), which had been caused by over-heating, which led mis-fires in cylinder 5 and a blown head gasket. All was likely caused by overheating due to a worn impeller. That one $50 impeller led to almost $7,000 in engine work (impeller, head gasket, top end resurface, new distributer, new ignition module). That is before the $3000 in upholstery work. In the end, with a purchase price of $8000, we landed in our Ski Boat for around $18k. We knew we were getting into a project boat when we bought it, but identifying these issues before purchase would have saved a lot of head-ache and probably would have yeilded some additional leverage in purchase negotiations. In the end, we would have likely saved some time and frustration by simply buying a slightly newer $20k ski boat in better shape from the start.
That is why I cannot stress the following enough:
Used Boat Buyer Check List:
- Sea-trial a new boat for at least 45 minutes when buying
- Run it up to speed and up to temperature
- Watch for over heating
- Check all guages are working
- Check steering and throttle linkages for excess play
- Look for good oil pressure (consistent around 80psi)
- Look for good 12 volts + from the battery
- Pull the dipstick and check the oil
- If there is an outdrive, pull the plug and check the gear lube for metal shavings
- Check oil filter and fuel filter. Do they look relatively new? Or old and worn
- Check the extior of the hull for cracks or damaged gelcoat
- Look inside the bilge for water or lubricants
- Electronics should work, if they don’t, it suggests the boat may have been left in the rain or seen too much moisture through its life
- Look for prop damage
- Does the boat have mooring covers? What condition are they in?
- Does the boat have a bimini? What condition is it in?
- Check navigation lights
Ultimately, I believe the condition of a boat matters far more than its age. A well-maintained 30-year-old boat can still provide years of reliable enjoyment, and for buyers willing to do their homework, older boats can represent some of the best opportunities on the market.
At Bentley Dockside Boat Sales, if a buyer is not interested in the benefits of buying new, we recommend buyers look for boats 3 to 15 years old. Any older, and we make sure we do our diligence before representing them. We help buyers look beyond the model year to understand what they're actually purchasing. Because finding the right boat isn't always about buying something newer. Sometimes, it's about recognizing the value in something that's already stood the test of time.
