Boat buying nightmares

[garbler]

Years ago sales contracts had a sub-section dealing with sea trials, the possible need for additional time to comply, weather and tide restrictions but the gist of the sea trial was roughly worded ‘ to prove satisfactory operation of vessel and equipment ‘. An equipment failure during trials where vessel is being operated in a conventional or normal fashion cannot be attributed to a buyer who is trying to confirm ‘ satisfactory operation ‘. Unless the contract terms specifically warn against operating certain equipment then everything should be tested.

Now then I must say a prudent surveyor would be smart to handle controls over to the owner or owner’s representative while leaving or docking the vessel. If you’re going to have a mechanical failure it’s probably best to be out and away from traffic or docks.

Rick

 

[AlanT]

Years ago sales contracts had a sub-section dealing with sea trials, the possible need for additional time to comply, weather and tide restrictions but the gist of the sea trial was roughly worded ‘ to prove satisfactory operation of vessel and equipment ‘. An equipment failure during trials where vessel is being operated in a conventional or normal fashion cannot be attributed to a buyer who is trying to confirm ‘ satisfactory operation ‘. Unless the contract terms specifically warn against operating certain equipment then everything should be tested.
Rick

That is interesting. Just looked at my most recent PSA and the only language it has in this respect states that the "vessel shall be demonstrated, at the seller's expense, to the buyer's satisfaction".

I certainly agree with your handling comment near docks. The seller's broker scratched the hull bringing it into the travellift on one engine, that again was taken care of by seller.
~A

 

[Art]

I make it pretty easy: "All-Inclusive Sales Contract"


SOLD: “AS IS / WHERE IS” ______________ ______, 2023

Boat: _________ CA, CF __________ / Hull-ID ____________

Being Sold: As Is, Where Is

Sale Price: $ _________________________________________

Sold By [The Now Previous Owner]: ________________________

Sold To [The Now New Owner]: ____________________________

The New Owner: Having self accomplished or paid others for all review needs; including $100 cost for a one to two hour sea trial by Previous Owner. Herein certifies that having fully reviewed and being satisfied with this boat and all its equipment and condition, the New Owner now and onward takes full responsibility for all mechanical, electrical or otherwise parts and/or portions of this boat that is/are considered sold in an “As Is – Where Is” sale package - In Total. Also included as New Owner's responsibility for all portions of this sale is/are, but not limited to, all registrations, insurances, maintenances, improvements, item replacements, boat usages and/or all/anything of the like.

Previous Owner’s decorations, personal items, tools… etc will be removed upon sale conclusion, before boat is turned over to New Owner.

New Owner Signature: _____________________________________

License # _____________, Address___ ________________________


Previous Owner Signature:____________________________________

 

[GerryBboating]

Wow I am very fortunate with my boating experience, both buying and selling now my story is different and I certainly was not looking to spend 500 to 600 K. When I was shopping for a 19' bow rider to play on the lakes of central Florida in 2017, I looked for quite a while and most of the boats I saw were in terrible condition. Then I saw the add 19' Maxum bow rider in excellent condition Punta Gorda Fl, I live 3 hours away so I jumped in my truck and away I go with my wife. I drove straight to the boat yard so see this beauty, the guy wanted 9,500.00 for boat and trailer when I saw the boat I started laughing and thought the guy was making a joke!

No sir he was serious he was a young guy in his 20s and his father was with him, I was very angry to say the least the yard guy was there watching as well. The father pulled me to the side and explained his son was injured in a accident and his perception has not been right since his accident, he asked me to look over the boat since I drove al this way already. I cooled off and said lets hook it to the water muffs and see if she starts. They didn't know what I was talking about, but the yard guy drug the boat over and we hooked it up to the water supply.

The boat was filthy it had ripped upholstery in a few places and it had barnacles all over the hull and outdrive even the prop was worn down to about 50% of its new condition size. I have been around boats since I was a kid so although I am not a pro, I have some idea what to look for while looking at a used boat.

I got the engine running but it was running really rough it was a Mercruiser 3.0 so its a pretty simple engine to diagnose and repair, I spent time with them going over the boat and explained the boat is only worth with trailer about 3,000.00. that the barnacle's would need to be sanded off the boat,and bottom either painted or new gelcoat put on, the seats needed to be completely reupholstered, and the engine needed to be tuned and serviced and, it needs a new prop!

Oh and the tires on the trailer were dry rotted. Lol I left them at the yard and wished them good luck, the father called me about 2 hours later. My wife and I were still there because we booked a room for the weekend, the father asked if I would consider buying the boat as is and asked if I would call his son. Bottom line I bought the boat for 3,300.00 once I did all the work to the boat, I ran the boat for about 3 years on the lakes it turned out to be a great boat for us very dependable and economical to run. I ended up selling the boat for 9,500.00!!!

After looking at Trawlers for 1 year, I found a 43' 1982 Ocean Alexander in the water in Marathon Fl, the boat was filthy inside but after looking at different makes and models over the year I thought this boat might work for us? My wife agreed so I ordered a survey and once I received the survey decided it was time for a sea trial, the sea trial went fine I brought a diesel mechanic friend of mine with me on the sea trial and glad I did. The engine ran fine no over heating problems but she was smoking and needs a rebuild. I knew if I bought it it would be a project and take time to get through the boat, and learn all the different systems on board. My problem was the surveyor did a terrible job, and missed a ton of repairs that needed to be done before she was sea worthy. November will be two years owning the boat, I have made many repairs mostly the engine repairs, batteries exhaust, bilge pumps, shower pumps, new sanitation system and toilets, air in the fuel system took me a long time to find those problems. but now she runs great, very dependable with a single Ford Lehman 120 hp diesel and bow thruster. I paid a great price of 25K for my boat so I have no regrets at all, except for the survey guy I chose was terrible.

I am still running the boat around the keys, and always doing projects on her 43' is a lot of boat to deal with but I am getting there. she came with a generator, gps, water maker, polit minder, hot water heater, freezer and refrigerator, and marine air. It really helps that I do 99% of the work onboard myself, if If you cant do 99% of the work onboard yourself. DONT BUY A BOAT!!!

 

[Delta Riverat]

Yeah, me too.

Been through 5 outboards, one a 19 foot cuddy that was sleepable in the V berth and marine toilet removed and porta potty added. Have a 21 foot walk around cuddy now that I don't fit in (head and feet both hit) and up for sale.

So my next boat is the 44 foot Gypsy. Yeah, right. Without the help of my honest, helpful and hard working broker never would have happened. He had all the connections, mechanics, captains, title company and everything worked smoothly. Yeah, I paid big bucks for the fixes, new heads, clean bilge, fix bad wires and equipment mounts, replace starboard raw water intake hose. Even cut the mast off for free after we found the boat would bang the roof at the new slip.

And training. 5 sessions with a licensed captain covering safety, basic boat handling, docking, anchoring, and close in maneuvering. Guess what I paid the captain for 30 hours of training? Yeah, zero.

So I just like to hail out a big thanks to all the good honest brokers out there who make dreams possible -