What is a Boat Compression Test?

Summer has just begun, and if you have visions of your family enjoying the lake life this summer, it’s not too late to invest in great new or pre-owned boat from Buxton Marine.

One of the questions we often get from prospective buyers is about boat compression tests. What are they? What do they do? Are they accurate? Buxton Marine – the best boat dealer in DFW – explains more about compression tests below:

What is a Compression Test?

A compression test is simply a tool used to determine how well a boat’s engine is running (something pretty important when you’re buying a pre-owned boat). It works by determining how well the engine compresses fuel and air in the engine cylinder. It’s a great test and one that we recommend before buying a pre-owned Malibu, Tige, Mastercraft, or Nautique, but it certainly has it’s limitations as well. 

Where A Compression Test Falls Short

Let’s say you go into your doctor’s office, he takes your blood pressure, and then uses that statistic to determine whether you are healthy or not. While your blood pressure is an indicator of overall health, it’s not completely accurate when looking at the big picture. The same thing is true for compression tests. Compression tests are great for determining an issue with the engine, but you can’t base future performance of your pre-owned boat in Texas on the test alone. 

Never Skip the Water Trial

At Buxton Marine, we always recommend a water trial to get a feel for performance before buying a pre-owned boat in Texas. As you’re enjoying the lake life, assess the acceleration, idle, shifting speeds, and wide open throttle (WOT).

Ready to enjoy the lake life this summer?! Come see us at Buxton Marine in Lewisville, Texas – the best boat dealer in Dallas-Fort Worth!