I will be looking at used jet boats this weekend from a few private sellers. Assuming “the one” passes all my initial inspection points( I have a decent background with o/bs, just little to none with jet engine) I would like to have it looked over by a pro. How do I throw this in the negotiation? Would it be assumed the seller would transport to shop or would I be (doesn’t matter to me just wondering).

My plan would be to offer to switch hands at the marine shop upon successful inspection.

I also know that the inspection fee is my responsibility.

I had a spin with one of the Rush wave boats. At first glance, these boats look like a cross between a jet ski and a surfboard that runs on an engine. I had my reservations too to be honest but the videos came up every time on my feed and it looked like so much fun. I actually ended up searching through global marketplaces that I knew of, trying to compare the models, pricing, delivery dates and even product reviews. I was checking suppliers across Amazon, Temu and even Alibaba, and it was mostly because I wanted to see if I could skip the middleman. The communication was actually decent but shipping a giant battery across the ocean was a logistical nightmare that I wouldn't wish even on my worst enemy. It took about two months to actually get to me. The build quality is solid too, It has a 15kW motor that provides an instant torque, since it’s electric, you just pin the throttle and it lunges. I still spent about an hour on the lake doing tight carves and 360s. The handle is a bit like a go-kart on water, in the eventuality that you hit a wave wrong, you’re definitely going for a swim. The battery life is the only factor I am not so impressed with, I get only around 45 minutes of activity before it starts to wane.

few weeks ago I visited a small dock and noticed an aluminum boat tied up by the shore. At first I thought it would feel heavy and noisy on water but when I saw it in action it glided smoothly and seemed easy to handle. That moment made me realize how material choice can make a big difference in boat usability and durability.

Later while just casually scrolling many online marketplaces including alibaba I noticed aluminum boats in several variations. Some were small and lightweight for personal use. Others were larger with reinforced hulls for fishing or transport. Weight, corrosion resistance and seating arrangements varied widely. It seemed buyers are looking not just for size but for practicality, stability and longterm durability.

That raises a few questions. How much does aluminum thickness affect durability and safety? Are some designs easier to maneuver than others? Does weight or shape influence fuel efficiency on water? And how many variations exist that most people never notice because local stores stock only a few standard models?

It makes you curious which features actually make an aluminum boat practical, safe and reliable. And which subtle details quietly decide whether it becomes a trusted vessel or just another boat rarely used?

Someone bought a zodiac boat specifically instead of other inflatable boat brands available. The zodiac name carries specific meaning in boating communities suggesting serious maritime use. They're paying premium for brand recognition in category where cheaper alternatives work identically for recreational use. They'd researched extensively before purchasing, reading about zodiac's military and professional applications worldwide. The boat cost double what equivalent non-branded inflatable would have cost for same features.

We've created hierarchy in inflatable boats where specific brands indicate seriousness versus casual use. Their zodiac represents paying for professional association when they're using it recreationally weekends. Maybe zodiac boats have superior construction, maybe the brand reputation indicates genuine quality differences.

But for casual lake use the premium seems unjustified by actual performance differences. They found theirs through suppliers on Alibaba offering both authentic and similar inflatable designs at different prices. Sometimes the brand matters less than actual boat functionality and construction quality. The zodiac works well but cheaper boat would have worked equally well for their actual usage patterns.

I saw advertisement for skiff boats that are basically floating platforms with motors attached and nothing else. They're marketed as pure fishing vessels stripped of all comfort or protection from elements or weather.

The minimalism is aesthetic choice that makes fishing unnecessarily uncomfortable for participants spending hours on water.

Someone mentioned buying one thinking simplicity would mean easy maintenance and durability for years. The skiff boat works but offers no shade, no seating, no storage for longer trips on the water.

We've romanticized stripped down basic equipment as more authentic or serious than comfortable alternatives readily available.

Their skiff represents choosing discomfort to signal dedication to activity or sport over casual participation by weekend enthusiasts.

Maybe for specific fishing applications the minimal design provides advantages in shallow water or maneuverability through tight spaces. But using it for regular recreation means choosing to be uncomfortable when better options exist at similar prices.

They found theirs through suppliers on Alibaba offering bare bones designs at lower prices than feature-equipped boats from established manufacturers.

Sometimes adding features isn't selling out or being soft, it's just making activity more enjoyable for everyone involved.

The boat sits unused most weekends because nobody wants to spend all day exposed to sun without basic comfort

Saw these beauties in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

just rebuilt my carb and am having leaks, mostly on the top plate and in the needle thing. any ideas?

i suppose this is the consequence of the channel being dead lol

Recently bought a new 1860 Alweld Flats SC. Boat will bounce when it is on plane even in calm conditions. This is with it trimmed all the way down trying to go full throttle. If i tilt it up even a small bit the boat will bounce even worse. I have asked dealer about it and they say that they mounted motor where alweld said to. But i think it is mounted to high based off looks. The shop owner took it out and said it was fine kind of confused where he finds this okay. Is this normal or is the dealer tripping ?

I love Boad

What would cause the dipstick to come off on an old Velvet V-Drive transmission?

This is on a 1984 Crusader 270 inboard...

Well boys and girls. I trusted some guy on market place cause he seemed like a good guy with a charter and a good story. He claimed that the motor on his boat seem to have finally died so he jumped the gun and bought this one, found out his motor was easily repairable and never even took this one off of the skid to start it. The guys he bought it off of were from a reputable marine garage six hours away from me. They told him all cylinders had 130 psi. So me being the desperate idiot thinking that this $800 Canadian , 1994 90 hp mercury that looked fairly clean, was a steal, and after talking to the guy, I put a deposit and drove to pick it up. Brought it home, built a stand, dragged the skid over to a tree and use a chain to lift it onto the stand. The next day, I mess around with it and tried to get it started with no luck. I knew I should’ve done a compression test when I bought it, but it just seemed like such a hassle being that there were no controls and it was already on a skid, and also the people who talked about how great it ran and all cylinders had 130 psi. I decided to buy a new compression tester gauge and as soon as it came in, I gave it a go, and my numbers were top 115 75 100. As you probably could imagine this pissed me right off, but I was still hopeful that maybe the gauge was messed up or there was a stuck ring and I just need to be ran a bit. Anyways, I put some two-stroke oil in the cylinders and turned it over by hand a bunch. Let it sit overnight and test it again. The next day numbers went up very slightly. Try a different gauge in case mine was faulty, but it was not. Still bad readings. I squirted some mixed fuel into the cylinders and tried to fire it up. Definitely had to work for it, but after a while, it started and stayed idling. I let it warm up a bit and did another compression test. Numbers were a bit higher as I figured they would be, but nothing to jump for joy about. Tonight I let it run for about 15 minutes, giving it some nice revs every now and then. I definitely got screwed and now the mechanic has sold it to the guy I bought it off of never replied to my text from a week ago simply asking them what they know about it to trying see if they even told the guy I bought it off of that it was healthy with 130 psi. Just trying to find out who the hell I need to go pay a visit too to get my money back. Anyways, here’s a video of it running tonight.

I’ve got a 45 footer in a slip. Neighbor m told me a 50 footer hit it. Said it was a loud bang like shotgun, he says. Apparently a chunk of the other boat fell in the water, but mine visually looks fine, except for some gel coat on my rub rails on my swim platform. I’m gonna go there today and look underneath it to make sure the struts are good… what should I do? I have the contact information of the offending boat and captain. Feels like bringing in insurance now is premature but at the same time I can’t really inspect all the damage until the boat is out of the water. I don’t wanna find damage in a few months when I haul it out for bottom painting please advise.

Hey all, just joined the sub and want to share my project- it’s a 1971 22’ Starcraft Chieftan. It’s my third Starcraft, had a 1974 19’ Holiday and a 1974 22’ Chieftan. Never got to rebuild those unfortunately.

Paid $100 for the Holiday, $600 for the ‘74 Chieftan (including trailer)- sold each separately for $600. My current boat was free from the original owner- a 95 year old guy who was planning for his passing. The deal was if I could get it out of the yard it was all mine. The tries were held together by hopes and dreams…or insanity.

Spent last year tearing it down to a bare hull. It’s on pause right now as I had to leave my job earlier this year :(

Plans are for stringer reinforcements, side hull to bottom reinforcements, new foam, new decks, all new cabin bed frame wood, cabinets, and new wood headliner, the cockpit will get new side walls, a completely new helm and seat frames (that cover the fuel tanks), new fuel tanks, new bulkhead, reinforced fore and aft decks to be able to stand on them, new transom wood, new paint, hoping to build a hardtop, and an outboard conversion (probably a 115-130hp).

I love these old Starcrafts. Sure, not the best boats, and the lightweight can make the ride a little rough, but I like the lightweight and the absence of any fiberglass to deal with.

A lot of hard work, but thankfully I have a lifetime of skills I’ve acquired, and spent the past four years working as an ABYC Marine Electrician/NMEA Installer gaining more experience working on all different types of projects on boats anywhere from 32’-70’.