If it vibrates it can mean a variety of things like a bent propeller. A vibrating boat makes a noisy boat. Discover more about aluminum fishing boats here.

If you are looking at  an inboard/outboard boat check to make certain the trim works, that allows the motor to move from the down position to the angled position. 

Rapidly, but carefully, test the steering from one direction to a different to detect how long it takes the boat to respond. 

Check to see how long that it takes the boat to plane after take off. 

Will the boat slip smoothly into gear, or does it jump? 

Be certain the boat works in reverse. You never know how significant this is until you’ve got to dock. 

Check the temperature, RPM, and speedometer for proper function. 

Create sure it’s doing it’s job. If your test ride is simply not long enough to tell, when you buy back to the dock run some in the engine hole together with a water hose till the bilge kicks in. 

It’s a good idea to take along many people on the test drive. Added weight in a boat can have an effect on it’s performance plus quickness. 

Check to see how many hours are on a boat. You measure a car’s use by miles plus a boat ’s use by hours. If a boat has more than five hundred hours you can expect to pay some cash in upgrades plus maintenance. 

Wood plus water don’t mix, especially in the bottom of a boat. Rigorously examine the bottom for soft spots, which indicate rot. Do not be afraid to get on your hands and knees and smell for floor for mildew.