Buying Used Government Boat: Six Questions

[SanJuanAdventure]

I am interested in getting [your opinion] of the ballpark value of a government surplus boat that is being auctioned in Indiana ending September 14, 2025.

INTENDED USE
I am looking for a boat that can be used for water skiing, wakeboarding, kneeboarding, and tubing on the lake, but also might be reasonable to take from Anacortes, Washington to the San Juan Islands on occasion--knowing the trip would be weather-dependent and we might need to head back early if the weather changes or head to Bellingham if that route would be more protected based on the weather predictions. I have no significant interest in angling at this time. I want a family boat.

WHAT THE SELLER'S REPRESENTATIVE HAS TOLD ME

The representative didn't know too much other than [the boat at auction sale is a 2007 180 VENTURA]. The representative believes the Mercury outboard is original, and a dual-axle trailer is included. It was a Department of Natural Resources or law enforcement patrol boat. The representative said they often go for relatively cheap, but are sold as-is and buyer-beware, as these boats can be run hard. [From online research] my inference is the 180 VENTURA model does not have a door for a head on the port side but the 210 VENTURA does. Also a 180 VENTURA typically has a 150-HP engine, while the 210 VENTURA may have a 225-HP engine. The representative said the price new in 2007 was $50,000 but he was uncertain if that included the engine and trailer.

Q1: after you have looked at the photographs at https://www.allsurplus.com/en/asset/2858/12168, do you believe this is a 180 VENTURA or a 210 VENTURA?

A SIMILAR BOAT
A similar boat with a c.2018 Honda BF250 sold for $17,200 .

Q2: after you have looked at the photographs at https://www.allsurplus.com/en/asset/2857/12168, what do you think about the similar boat and its sale [price]?

Q3: if you think the boat at auction is a 180 VENTURA, what potential problems are known about the 180 VENTURA model?

Q4: if you think the boat at auction is a 210 VENTURA, what potential problems are known about the 210 VENTURA model?

Q5: would the difference between the 180 and 210 VENTURA models make a significant difference in [taking a trip to] the San Juan Islands?

[UNASKED QUESTION INFERRED FROM INITIAL STATEMENT]

Q6: what is the value of the boat now at auction at https://www.allsurplus.com/en/asset/2858/12168?

BACKGROUND

I have never owned a boat. I had friends growing up that had boat . I always enjoyed being out on the water.

ASIDE
I've lurked for awhile and have found the forum helpful.

[Jefecinco]

After spending several years in the Corps of Engineers I would not buy a small government surplus boat. They receive virtually no preventive maintenance and tend to be very hard used. They are tools. Having said that, you could be one of the lucky few surplus buyers who are happy with their purchase. Larger vessels, such as tow boats with crews who spend years working and living aboard, are well and lovingly maintained.

[jimh]

The fundamental difficulty that I see in this situation is you are in Washington State and the boat is in Indiana and it is on a very heavy-duty dual-axle boat trailer. If you become the successful bidder, you will need to manage removing the boat from the auction website and getting it to your home location. You should give some serious consideration to exactly how you will manage that project. For example:

• Do you own a truck that can tow this big trailer, boat, and engine to Washington state, which is probably going to be a trip of about 2,200-highway miles and will require crossing over the Rockies?
• Do you have a hitch drawbar and trailer ball to fit the trailer?
• Is your truck fitted with the appropriate trailer lighting power receptacle?
• Do you have about a week of spare time to drive to Indiana, get possession of the boat, get the trailer hitched up, and drive back?
• What plans do you have for contingencies if the trailer is not road-ready and needs repair or servicing?
• Do you have a second driver that can take over for parts of the driving every day?
• Have you ever pulled a heavy trailer?
• Have you ever driven 12 to 14-hours a day for three or four days in a row towing a heavy trailer?
• Do you a have comprehensive set of trailer spare parts that will fit this trailer such bearings, grease seals, grease and a grease gun, a large jack, a spare tire, a proper lug nut wrench, flares, and other equipment that is typical when attempting long-distance towing of a boat and trailer whose condition is unknown.

I am speaking from experience in towing larger boats long distances. I can tell you that there are many things that can go wrong in towing a larger boat a long distance.

Also, if the use of the boat trailer previously was just to move the boat a short distance from some storage yard to a launch ramp, the trailer running gear may not be in suitable condition for highway speed driving for 2,200-miles.

Also, a final question: if and when you get the boat back to Washington state, do you have a place to legally park it somewhere?

Looking at the boat and trailer, it will need a long parking space. Many homes are in neighborhoods which do not permit boats to parked on the street or in the driveway at a residence.

MY CONCERN
You have never owned a boat and you plan to buy an 18-year-old heavily used boat located 2,200-miles away on a very heavy-duty trailer and get it back to Washington state; that seemsto be a tremendously larger task than you might realize.

[SanJuanAdventure]

Thanks for taking the time to respond and bringing up many good points.

Yes, I have an 12 passenger van that can tow 6200 lbs.
I spoke w/ Boat Master and they said this trailer should weigh ~1100 lbs, the venture 180 should be ~2300 lbs, the honda 250 should be ~630 lbs for total of 4030 lbs, though these are hypothetical numbers and I realize real world numbers may be higher... it seems that I should safely be able to tow with this rig, though admittedly am getting close to my max.

I have the time to pick it up, though unfortunately won't be able to stop at some of the beautiful places we'll be driving through. My previous long distance towing experience includes 26' penske pulling a double cab tundra on car carrier from CA to TN and TN to WA on a tighter schedule than I have for this trip. Admittedly that was likely easier than this as the Penske is so big you didn't really feel the truck much at all. I have also towed a moderate amount previously with a suburban/tahoe and various ~30ft trailer and shorter trips helping friends with boats.

I would likely look at either replacing or repacking the bearings as this is a long trip and the previous trailer maintenance is unknown and potentially lacking and it seems like this is a relatively easy way for me to see how things look without taking too much time. I would plan to take tools as mentioned and get a spare tire once I actually see the boat/trailer and confirm what it currently has.

Thankfully once I get back to WA storage is not a problem as my parents have a multiple bay heated shop where I can keep it.

Obviously this would be a huge undertaking, and potentially risky buying it unseen, but I don't see these boats often in this area and when I do they are often >50k.

Question:
Have you seen other patrol boats like this that have a head on the port side and a 250hp outboard and only 18ft? They say it's a venture 180 but pictures seem more similar to the venture 210 and the motor seems like way too much for the venture 180. The trailer is supposed to be 30ft and looking at the pictures it seems to me the venture 210 is more likely. Do you think it's the 180 or the 210?

Thanks again for taking the time to share your knowledge and experience!

[jimh]

...I have a...van that can tow 6,200-lbs....My previous long distance towing experience includes 26-foot Penske pulling a double cab tundra on car carrier from [California to Tennessee and Tennessee to Washington] on a tighter schedule than I have for this trip....I would likely look at either replacing or repacking the bearings ...I would plan to take tools...and get a spare tire once I actually see the boat trailer... once I get back to WA storage is not a problem

Your experience is probably atypical for someone who has never owned a boat before. You sound quite well prepared for the task of towing the boat back from the auction site, if you decide to bid on it and win the auction.

[jimh]

Q3: if you think the boat at auction is a 180 VENTURA, what potential problems are known about the 180 VENTURA model?

Q4: if you think the boat at auction is a 210 VENTURA, what potential problems are known about the 210 VENTURA model?

Boats from Boston Whaler do not typically have inherent major problems that vary by model or production year. They are generally quite well designed and very well made boats.

One possible indicator of a model that might have been out of the normal Boston Whaler approach would be a model that was only offered for a very short period, a few years. The VENTURA models have been offered for many years and seem to be popular.

The boat you are considering is very likely a commercial or government variation on a recreational model, which means the hull layup will be heavier than would be used on a recreational boat, with an associated increase in the hull weight. My inference for this is the heavy rub rails on the hull sides toward the stern, as that was not a typical recreational boat feature.