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Boat Inspection Checklist
Are you buying a used boat, and need a boat inspection checklist to ensure you inspect all the critical components? You've found the right place! There are six key points…
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articles | June 5, 2023
A brief overview of Marine Transmission and Propeller Ratios
Marine engines are powerful, constant load engines. However, they need more than just power to get your boat moving. Unlike car engines, they do not have a number of gears to cycle through. Additionally, boats require a marine transmission, shaft, and propeller. These critical parts transfer power from the engine....
articles | February 28, 2023
Everything You Need To Know About Boat Anodes
In this article, we are going to cover everything you need to know about boat anodes, including: Boat anodes explained Where you’ll find boat anodes Different types of anode material The do's and don’ts of boat anodes Galvanic corrosion Let’s get into it, shall we? Boat anodes explained An anode...
articles | February 16, 2023
Marine Propulsion On Recreational Vessels
Boats come in many different shapes and sizes with varying purposes. The desired use of the boat may determine which marine propulsion method is best suited. The most common marine propulsion methods include: Outboard Sterndrive Shaft Drive Pod Drive Jet Drive Fitment of bow and stern thrusters, joystick integration, second...
articles | January 9, 2023
Refurbishing an Old Boat: Wise Investment or a Money Pit?
When it comes to buying or refurbishing an older boat, it's important to consider the financial viability. While it may be tempting to buy a 1980s Haines with great sea-keeping abilities, the cost of replacing parts can add up quickly. You’ll likely need to rebuild the stringer system, replace the...
articles | December 21, 2022
The Best Christmas Presents for the Boater in Your Family
As the holiday season approaches, it's time to start thinking about gift ideas for the boater in your life. Whether they're a seasoned sailor (or like us – a stink boat driver) or just getting started, there are plenty of great Christmas presents out there that are sure to put...
articles | July 28, 2022
Where Do I Find My Boat HIN Number?
Every boat should have a HIN (Hull Identification Number). The HIN is easily identifiable on the hull, although not everyone knows where to look. As a result, we often have people ask us "where do I find my boat HIN number?" In some cases they can be hard to locate,...
articles | July 15, 2022
Where Do I Find My Boat Engine Serial Numbers?
Every marine engine has a serial number that should be easily identifiable on the engine. In some cases they can be corroded off or hard to read, or the sticker is missing. With all the different makes and models it can be confusing to know where to look. We’ve started...
articles | June 21, 2022
Boat Batteries Explained
In this article, we are going to look at the differences between types of boat batteries. We'll also cover the jargon used, and some of the most common questions we get asked during surveys. Throughout, we will cover: Most common battery types Flooded vs sealed lead acid batteries AGM and...
articles | May 31, 2022
What are the limits of a Pre-Purchase Marine Survey?
Surveys of all kinds have their limitations. Whether you’re booking a pre-purchase marine survey for insurance purposes only, engine only, or a full pre-purchase inspection, it’s impossible to know absolutely everything within a timely (and therefore cost effective) manner. You’re probably wondering why I would write about the limitations of...
articles | May 19, 2022
Boat Purchase Contract
Boat Purchase Contract Are you purchasing a boat privately and would like a simple boat purchase contract to formalise the purchase? Having a clear contract in place is important to protect both the buyer and the seller if there are any disputes. We have created our industry standard free contract for...
articles | May 1, 2022
7 Key Points To Marine Diesel Turbo Longevity
Understanding Turbochargers To benefit from our 7 key points to marine diesel turbo longevity, we first need a basic understanding of what a turbocharger is, and what purpose it serves. Induction and forced induction Our marine diesel engines draw air into each cylinder by movement of the piston. The stroke of...
articles | January 15, 2022
Things You Need To Consider When Buying A Boat
“Would you buy this boat?” is the million (or multi-million) dollar question we get asked on a daily basis when someone is buying a boat. Unfortunately, we cannot provide a simple yes or no answer. Just like people, boats are diverse, complicated and sometimes carry a lot of baggage (some...
articles | November 14, 2021
Watermakers and Potable Water on Private Yachts
Potable water, also known as drinking water is something you might want for long stretches on the water. Water makers onboard create water from salt water. In this article Don will go through the two main types, what to consider and how good the water quality is. Most vessels in...
articles | August 23, 2021
The 3 Different Types Of Boat Maintenance
What are the difference types of maintenance that can be applied to engines and equipment on boats? Boats over the 40ft mark often have a number of engines, generator/s and other serviceable items onboard (water makers, stabilisers). All of these require regular maintenance. I would say that we could categorise...
articles | August 10, 2021
The Ultimate Guide To Manifolds, Risers & Exhaust Elbows On A Boat
There's a plethora of manifolds, risers and exhaust elbows fitted to boat engines out there. It can be very confusing understanding at what intervals they require maintenance. To help keep it relevant, we’ve split this up into petrol and diesel engines. With diesel engines, you’ll typically hear about the “exhaust...
articles | July 27, 2021
Boat Transom Problems – Everything You Need To Know!
What happens to a fibreglass boat that has a wet or rotten transom, and why is it important to fix it? We run through how a transom becomes wet, pictures of major telltale signs and cost to repair the transom correctly. What is the transom? A transom is the structural...
articles | July 19, 2021
Buying A Boat In QLD
Is it your first time buying a boat in QLD? You will need to do a number of things before you take your boat onto the water. You can follow along the step-by-step process below. As a result, you will find out exactly what you'll need to do. Step 1: Find...
articles | June 21, 2021
Hard Vs Soft Antifouling
A common question we get asked is "How long will my antifoul last?" Although a universal issue, there's no one single solution. There are many factors to consider. Moreover, we also need to consider timeframe. In the article today we will help you understand antifouling better. The main factors you...
articles | June 7, 2021
Everything You Need To Know About Boat Computer Plugins
Whilst there are a few different names for plugging into a boat computer, for this article we're going to call it the Engine Control Module (ECM). We will explain the reasons why you would plugin to the computer, and what you can expect to achieve from doing so. Engines typically have...
articles | May 5, 2021
The 3 Most Common Shaft Seals Explained
Stern gland, stern seal, gland package, gland seal, shaft seal, stuffing box, log seal, PSS, tides. You may have heard all of these terms and wonder what do they all mean? In this article we will go over these common shaft seals. We will discuss the pros and cons to...
articles | April 24, 2021
Engine Oil Samples For Pre-Purchase – Are They Really Useful?
I've noticed after years of taking oil samples a particular trend. There is plenty of confusion in the industry on what can be expected from doing a pre-purchase oil sample. There are common misconception about what an oil sample will tell you. This includes how worn the engine is, and...
articles | April 12, 2021
The Best & Worst Boat Ramps On The Gold Coast
In this article we've been out and visited all 32 boat ramps on the Gold Coast, starting on the northern end and working out way down to the furtherest south. We've rated them with a score of 1 to 10, so you can drive straight to the best ramp and...
articles | April 6, 2021
How To Stop Your Boat From Burning Down
With the recent boat tragedies, petrol powered boats have come into question. People with petrol powered boats have become curious about how to stay safe out on the water. When we hear about a serious accident on the water, it often leaves people feeling anxious around petrol powered boats. I...
articles | March 9, 2021
Our Expansion To The Gold Coast
We’ve expanded to the Gold Coast and Brisbane. At BoatBuy, we're no stranger to the sunshine state. Our boat inspections have taken us to the Gold Coast and Brisbane numerous times. I started BoatBuy six years ago, with the aim to help as many boat owners as possible. We aim...
articles | January 25, 2021
The Startling Spike In Boat Ownership That Nobody Predicted
Here's what the surge in boat ownership means for you The COVID pandemic has seen a spike in boat ownership, as more people look to explore their local waterways instead of taking an overseas holiday. If you’ve been to a boat ramp during a peak period recently, there’s no question...
articles | January 25, 2021
Top Tips on Buying a New or Used Boat
Are you looking to buy a new or used boat but need some tips before getting started? There are so many factors to consider, making tricky to know if you are getting a good deal or being ripped off. Should you buy new and pay a higher price for peace...
articles | January 12, 2021
Do you need a Boat Survey for Insurance?
Do you need a boat survey for insurance? To answer that question, we first need to ascertain the age and use of the boat. Each insurance company will set their own guidelines so it's best to ask them directly, but as the industry standard, it is common practice for an...
articles | November 12, 2020
What is the Boat Survey Process?
If you’ve never bought a boat before, you’re probably curious to know the normal procedure. Do you need to put down a deposit? Do we need to slip the boat? Who pays for this? Do I need a boat survey and what does this process involve? If you’re new to...
articles | September 23, 2020
I Bet You’ve Made One Of These Boating Mistakes Before!
Getting out on the water on a new boat is exciting, but it can also be nerve wracking. With a long list of things to remember, it's easy to make little boating mistakes with costly consequences. Here are seven common boating mistakes I've seen, including some I've done myself. Boating...
articles | April 8, 2020
Outboard Vs Sterndrive Trailer Boats – What’s More Reliable?
When buying a used trailer boat, you can be faced with a couple of options which may not make a lot of sense to start with. Outboard vs sterndrive - which one should you choose? What does "sterndrive" or "outboard" even mean? What are the advantages and disadvantages of them?...
articles | November 3, 2019
Low Hour Boats – Are They Really Better?
"Low hours" and "only X amount of hours" are common tag lines thrown around in online advertisements when selling low hour boats, usually implying that it's a good thing. There is always two sides to every story. Inspecting boats everyday, I get the chance to see high and low hour...
articles | July 3, 2019
Buying A Boat – What You Need To Know About Buying & Selling
If you're in the market for buying a boat, or if you’re selling a boat – this article is for you. Having bought and sold a couple of my own boats over the years, I'm going to go through my top spots to buy and sell boats, some tips for...
articles | May 6, 2019
The Best Boat Ramps On Sydney Harbour
Growing up in Sydney and being in the marine industry, I've visited most of the boat ramps on Sydney Harbour. I haven't been able to find anything decent online detailing the ramps, so I thought I'd give it a crack. Manns Point Boat Ramp Now, this is one ramp I...
articles | April 5, 2019
5 Spots You Absolutely Have To Visit On The Hawkesbury
When I first started boating I would float around Sydney Harbour, and Sydney Harbour only. I didn't realise there were so many other places to explore and discover. After years on Sydney Harbour, I moored a boat at Brooklyn and this forced me to explore the Hawkesbury. I was incredibly...
articles | March 26, 2019
Marine Cooling Systems – What You Need To Know About Your Boat
How are marine engines kept cool, and what maintenance needs to be done to the cooling systems? We’ve all lost our cool before...but when it happens at sea you can find yourself in real trouble. Unlike a car motor, boat engines use the water from below the vessel to keep...
articles | January 7, 2019
Mercruiser Transom Assembly Replacement
A leaking transom assembly is a common problem found on boats over 10 years old fitted with sterndrives, living permanently in saltwater. Many popular makes such as Sea Ray, Riviera, Sunrunner and Mustang will all likely need a transom assembly replaced or repaired at some point. But what’s all the fuss...
articles | July 31, 2018
Sterndrive Vs Shaft – Are You Throwing Your Money Away?
You’ve heard the sterndrive horror stories… thousands spent on repairing transoms and other components - but how does something like this happen? First, if you need clarification of what a sterndrive or shaft-drive is, check out one of our first articles here. When you’re looking at a 30-35ft boat in...
articles | July 3, 2018
Aluminium Boats vs Fibreglass Boats
If you’re in the market for a boat, you’re most likely looking at a either fibreglass boats or aluminium boats - but what are the advantages and disadvantages of each? Fibreglass Boats The invention of fibreglass, also known as GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic), dates back to the 1940s. As the...
articles | March 14, 2018
9 Reasons You Can’t Sell Your Boat
Have you ever wondered what is going to come back in the survey when you go to sell your boat? Seemingly you’ve spent thousands on the boat, but was it on the clear covers or the mechanical components? Over the past few years I’ve completed hundreds of hull and engine...
articles | December 13, 2017
7 Most Common Ways To Stop Your Boat Sinking
1. Check your float switches and bilge pumps It never ceases to amaze me how many people own a moored boat but don’t even know what the bilge pump or float switch look like. As an owner, one of the most important things you can do to avoid your boat...
articles | October 29, 2017
IPS vs Shaft: The Truth About Pod Drives
We’ve all heard the horror stories - but how good, or bad, can they be? Pod drives, such as Zeus or Volvo IPS (Inboard Propulsion System) are all so popular in Australia. There are many boat manufacturers that come to mind who are using them, fitting up to 3 in...
articles | September 11, 2017
Top 9 Easily Avoidable Boating Breakdowns
Throughout the years of inspecting and repairing boats, I’ve noticed a trend of common boating breakdowns and issues that could’ve been avoided with proper preventative maintenance or basic inspection before boating. #1 Wheel Bearings These when bearings are moments away from failing! You’ve all seen the trailers parked on the...
articles | July 25, 2017
Buying A Boat: What Is The Process In NSW?
So you’ve decided on the boat you want to buy, but where to from here? What paperwork do you need? Typically the process works as follows, although some people will do certain parts differently. This only applies for a boat bought and registered in NSW. Are you insuring the boat?...
articles | April 26, 2017
8 Berthing Tips That Work Every Time
Looking for some hints on how to safely and securely park your boat? Boatbuy offers 8 top berthing tips to help you along the way. Berthing Tip 1. Check the wind direction and speed Knowing exactly where the wind is blowing will have a big impact on the path you...
articles | February 7, 2017
How Much Does A Marine Survey Cost?
Marine Survey costs vary with the type of survey you're after. Marine Surveyors in Sydney generally charge $25 - $40 per foot (vessel length) for a pre-purchase inspection. Higher-end pricing is generally for surveys with mechanical inspections. Conversely, you can get an insurance survey for $14 - $18 per foot....
articles | January 15, 2017
How To Effectively Trim Your Boat
What is the best way to use trim and trim tabs? One of the most common questions we get asked are "how do I adjust the trim tabs", and "how do I trim the leg?". First things first, if your boat is a shaft drive, you don’t have to worry...
articles | December 6, 2016
Mooring, Berth or Dry Stack?
Every boat needs a home. In this article we’re going to outline the differences between each place, and which one is best suited to your needs when it comes to storing your boat. Aside from storing your boat on a trailer, you have three (3) options: 1. Mooring– a large...
articles | January 20, 2016
Sydney Harbour Boating Bucket List – 9 Must Visit Spots
These must-visit spots on Sydney Harbour are perfect for a swim or to soak up the scenery. 1. Athol Bay Getting a good vantage point on Sydney Harbour for NYE - Photo credit @ainslee Situated out the front of Taronga Zoo, this may be the most popular spot on Sydney...
articles | November 25, 2015
What If You Breakdown On The Water?
Owning a boat can have a lot of benefits, which we will list in another article, but what if you experience a breakdown? Unlike a car, you can’t just jump out and leave it on the side of the road. The marine environment is harsh, and you need to keep...
articles | July 23, 2015
How to Choose A Boat – 4 Major Drive Types Explained
One of the most common questions I get asked when someone is choosing a boat is “Should I buy this boat for X amount?” Before I can give a good answer some basic details need to be figured out. First, you need to determine the main purpose of your boat...