I have my eye on a 18' aluminum bass boat with a mercury optimax outboard. I would like to purchase it before Spring hits to ensure that no one else comes along and scoops it up. The price is right, it is very clean, and it has everything I am looking for on it. This boat is a couple hours away from my home.

 

I have done some reading about buying boats with or without sea trials and have decided I would much rather have a sea trial prior to purchase.  It looks like sometime next week it should get above freezing where the boat is located allowing for a sea trial. I have owned a few smaller boats but this would be my first substantial boat purchase. I do not have a lot of knowledge when it comes to boats so I have a few questions about the sea trial in 40-45 degree weather. If the sea trial goes well, I plan to purchase the boat and tow it back home. It will hit freezing at home the night I bring the boat home. I have storage lined up, but may not be able to take it to the storage destination until the next day.

 

Will I run the risk of damaging anything by towing it home into freezing weather and letting it sit all night after the sea trial? If everything is drained properly will it be an issue? If I go forward with it, does anyone have any tips on what I can do to make sure everything is safe after being in the water and then going into freezing temperatures? Would I be better off waiting and just taking my chances? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

If you drain everything you shouldn’t have an issue. Just make sure to trim the motor all the way up and down a few times leaving it in max position for a few minutes on each up or down. Also, you can pull the plug on the lower unit to check for water (frank water or a milky color is bad, it should just look like gear oil, amber or really dark). Just make sure to be quick about it so it doesn’t all drain out. If you are really worried then you can splash some RV antifreeze in the live wells.

 

Id be more concerned about pulling a trailer if there is ice.

Welcome to BassResource!

 

I hate to say it but I think there is a risk. Biggest concern would be water left in the livewell tubing (you'd probably to test that out during your trial) or in the outboard intake which could freeze and expand cracking hoses or something else. There's a reason boats are winterized before freezing temperatures which aims to remove any leftover water. That said, I know a guy who fishes the river here in Wisconsin in March and doesn't do a thing except drain what he can.

8 minutes ago, Vilas15 said:

Welcome to BassResource!

 

I hate to say it but I think there is a risk. Biggest concern would be water left in the livewell tubing (you'd probably to test that out during your trial) or in the outboard intake which could freeze and expand cracking hoses or something else. There's a reason boats are winterized before freezing temperatures which aims to remove any leftover water. That said, I know a guy who fishes the river here in Wisconsin in March and doesn't do a thing except drain what he can.

Thanks! Love this place and all of the knowledge I have already gained here.

 

He currently has it winterized, so another worry was having to re-winterize it once I get it. The only other options I have are to buy it without a trial at all (cold compression test only), have him take it to a local marina for a survey (he already agreed to do), or wait until it is consistently warm outside for a few days in a row which may not be until mid March early April. Tough decision.

Dang, all this talk about freezing temps has me worried. I took mine out last weekend when it was 26 degrees outside lol. 

Trim the motor up and down a few times and bump the starter to pump out any water that didn't drain. If you're towing it any distance,  any water that might be in the livewell pumps and hoses should drain. Keep the livewell lids open if you plan on fishing at all otherwise they will freeze shut. 

If it has a speedometer disconnect the hose from the lower unit and drain it along with the other things eggroll said.

Open all drains you will be fine. Also leave motor lowered as soon as you park it for water to drain. I run my boat 12 months out of the year when possible and am often busting ice to get out to open water. The time I would be concerned is with an inboard. An outboard you will be A OK

I highly recommend regardless of on water test or not do compression test. You can get a gauge cheap at auto parts store and easily do yourself. Also ask him last time wheel bearings in hub were replaced or visually inspected. If not recent and you do buy make sure and take care of(can save you sitting on side of road in future).

    Best of luck on boat !! 

Maybe he'd agree to a non refundable deposit, say $100, to hold it for you and let you do a sea trial in early spring when the freeze is over.