[BroadHopper]

I bought plenty of used boats and this is my take.

Fresh water only! I bought some boats that were used in salt water and the corrosion problems were a pain. Even if it is a closed cooling system

Survey! Definitely have to boat surveyed by a reliable independent marine surveyor. I call my insurance company and they have a list.

History! Check out the history of the builder, who owned or built the boats during the year of manufacturer. What were the reviews? You can find the answers by Googling. You will find boat quality varies from year to year because of economy, owners etc.

Quality! Obviously a Thunderbird/Falcon/Formula boat is top notched while an older Bayliner will give you headache. You may pay a bit more for a higher end boat, but you save money on the long run.