Before buying any boat it's a good idea to double-check some of the more common, "bad boat," indicators. These can be difficult to spot, but knowing what to search for is half the battle. Avoid any boats with the following defects: Poorly constructed deck-to-hull joints. Look for water stains or signs of excess moisture. A wet interior that leads to mold, mildew, and rust are common complaints of a slow leak. Poorly designed structural bulkheads. Look for actual support-don't rely upon superficial appearance. Imagine windows popping out or interiors breaking due to lack of proper support. Poor quality materials. One of the worst culprits is very low-quality plywood used for entry-level boats. Do your homework to see what type of materials are used in the construction or repair of the boat. Marine quality plywood is expensive. Avoid low grade-materials like plywood filled with knots.