Shake down or test drive this weekend

[Bilboinsa]

Tomorrow my wife and I are taking a prospective purchase out on the lake. It is a 2015 Berkshire 22 w a Yamaha 115. The boat is a demo from Yamaha Marine, and has minimal hours on the engine.

What should I look for or check during the drive? I know lots about cars, but nothing about boats. I assume a nice engine note without any power drops or surges, good and firm steering, but what other than that? Should I expect 30 mph?

Any and all suggestions are welcome. Thanks.

[Bamaman]

You should be seeing if the engine hits the 6000 rpm redline--and no more or not much less. It might go 30 mph--or slightly slower.

Then put it into a series of tight turns. Sometimes boats will have the props ventilate in tight turns--which is not what you want of the way the boat's setup.

Check under the boat to see if the cross braces are covered with aluminum sheeting front to rear. Those that are ride better--keeping waves and splashing from slowing you down.

If you're going to be into any water sports or carrying large people loads, 3 toons and a 150 hp motor are more desirable.

[zoom650]

Once you clear the dock, tell everybody to hang on, then drive it like you stole it. Do a few donuts, cross some wakes. From full speed , come to a stop and see if the bow nosedives. Repeat in reverse.

[PlaynDoc]

Any and all suggestions are welcome. Thanks.

Get away from the dock... Toss the wife's shirt overboard... Shotgun down 3 beers.... THEN drive it like you've stole it!

[Strake]

Tomorrow my wife and I are taking a prospective purchase out on the lake. It is a 2015 Berkshire 22 w a Yamaha 115. The boat is a demo from Yamaha Marine, and has minimal hours on the engine.

What should I look for or check during the drive? I know lots about cars, but nothing about boats. I assume a nice engine note without any power drops or surges, good and firm steering, but what other than that? Should I expect 30 mph?

Any and all suggestions are welcome. Thanks.

Well, how did it go??? I didn't see your thread until now, or I would have replied earlier..... We have a Berkshire 233 RFX with a Yamaha F200 on it. You didn't list which model 22 ft Berkshire so I didn't know what possible options you should check to see if your boat has them. You are welcome to send me a PM with your email address and I can send you a copy of the 2015 32 page brochure if you want it.

I would suggest you push them for the full NEW BOAT and NEW ENGINE Warranty.

We're very pleased with the quality and workmanship on our Berkshire.

Richard

[Bilboinsa]

Ok, sorry for the delay, but used boat shopping takes a lot of one's schedule....

The Berkshire w a 115 ran very well. I did most of what was suggested here (wife's shirt stayed on, and I only shotgunned 3 Ozarkas), and put the boat through a lot of its paces. The salesman said the 115 topped out at 5300-5500. Plenty of gettup since I am used to beat-up rental pontoons with a 70 on back. It handled the chop and wakes really nicely. One thing I noticed was the lack of "sheeting" I would call it. It felt weird to have water smacking under my feet at the helm while at speed. Is that a viable aftermarket option--to put sheeting on the underside? Or is that just something you get used to?

This weekend we are testing "more boat". It is a 22' Berkshire Tritoon with a 150hp, and only 34 hours! Should such few hours be a red flag? The dealer wrench (Phil Dill in Lewisville, Texas--been around for many many years.) says everything on the boat is solid, but due to the age, I only get a 30-day shakedown waranty.....

Oh well, more fun to be had. I will see if the wife's shirt comes off this time......and it will be neat to see if I can tell the hp and handling dif.

[Bilboinsa]

This weekend we took a 2010 Berkshire Tritoon w a 150 out on a VERY choppy Lake Lewisville for a test drive/shake down......

WOW! I mean, really, wow. I have been in race cars and not been as nervous about my speed. That much heft at speed was a little unsettling, but I am sure I will be able to acclimate. The boat is fully skinned, and it almost felt like a traditional hull. The third pontoon makes it SO nimble in the water. I believe we actually were airborne crossing a big wake at speed.

The (double) Bimini frame has some dings, but it is still very functional. Boat is very clean. Only downside is no warranty. I have the dealer (very well established) down to $27,500. Should a 6year old boat with only 32 hours on the motor concern me? Any other thoughts before we pull the trigger? Thanks for any input!

[Reiner]

This weekend we took a 2010 Berkshire Tritoon w a 150 out on a VERY choppy Lake Lewisville for a test drive/shake down......

WOW! I mean, really, wow. I have been in race cars and not been as nervous about my speed. That much heft at speed was a little unsettling, but I am sure I will be able to acclimate. The boat is fully skinned, and it almost felt like a traditional hull. The third pontoon makes it SO nimble in the water. I believe we actually were airborne crossing a big wake at speed.

The (double) Bimini frame has some dings, but it is still very functional. Boat is very clean. Only downside is no warranty. I have the dealer (very well established) down to $27,500. Should a 6year old boat with only 32 hours on the motor concern me? Any other thoughts before we pull the trigger? Thanks for any input!

That price seems very high to me comparing it to what I paid for a brand new Lowe SS210 RFL tri-toon with 150 HP Mercury, fully underskinned, galvanized dual axle trailer. Mine was $6500.00 more out OTD including tax, license for a brand new and not 6 years old and no warranty boat.

[ron nh]

If you're financing, It may be cheaper to buy brand new. You'll get better rates (usually) to make up the difference, and get a warranty. I don't think it's a bad price if the hours are correct,and it comes with a trailer? but the furniture is 6 or 7 years old @ this point.

[Bilboinsa]

Sorry. Yes, it comes with a nice tandem axle trailer.

[Scoops77]

The dealer wrench (Phil Dill in Lewisville, Texas--been around for many many years.)

Bilboinsa, have you checked some of the dealers in that same vicinity? I bought from a dealer right next door to the one you mentioned just a few weeks ago and they have been very accommodating in helping me find the right prop (to the tune of 5 different props) and really doing anything it takes to make sure your getting what was promised at the time of sale. Just a thought....


by the way, I'm still on the hunt for the right prop (and more speed).......

[Bilboinsa]

Thanks so much. Yes, we have searched all over the metroplex, and especially the marine mile in Lewisville--including Jerry Whittle. We started to go "search crazy". Knowing there might always be a better deal coming along someday, we nonetheless decided to buy this one boat, because it gives us all that we want, which was a pre-owned (really going into this thinking we might sell it in two years, so new was not an option), tri-toon with a 150hp four stroke outboard (which I only learned about after studying this discussion board), in very good shape and low hours.

We are signing the papers on Saturday, and they are transporting it to the Canyon Lake Marina on Monday. We are psyched! I will try and post pics.

Thanks again, and best of luck on your prop search!

[Bilboinsa]

Sorry for the delayed update, but here she is! I believe we have doubled the hours on it within the month since delivery! I cannot believe how much fun this boat is!

[ROLAND]

That's a good lookin rig... congratulations...