any tips ??

moparlvr4406

moparlvr4406

Active Member
Jun 29, 2011
4,462
Lake Monroe Indiana Fourwinds H31
Boat Info
1985 340DA
1966 SRV180
(2)1960 Sea Ray 600
(2) 1963 808 Cruise-a-bouts
Engines
twin 350hp Crusaders 4.0 Onan /
Merc 950 SS
Merc 650
Merc 1100
twin Johnson 40
on how NOT to become emotionally invested in the purchase of a boat ??
My 1990/91 350/370DA possibilities are getting VERY REAL now and I am finding myself
really getting attached to the idea of a bigger craft.
But this attachment is starting to scare me a little with the idea that it (or the Admiral's enthusiasm)
may affect my purchasing judgement.
any tips on the "art of the deal" and staying detached ????
 
I have no idea on how to detach yourself from it, but that is what surveys are for. I invested alot of time looking for 320's fell in love with more than a few, and then the 340 fell in my lap. I quickly forgot about the rest.

When you find the right boat you will know. Trust me
 
This is why we do this. As long as you understand that, it's OK. Just buy a good boat at a fair price. You've probably looked at enough boats to ascertain the good, bad, and ugly. Make your pick, and then bring in the surveyor to pick it apart and sweeten the deal. Goforit!

Don
 
Try writing a comprehensive list of criteria before looking at boats. Must haves, really wants, and would be nice. Take your time considering each item and which group it belongs under. Then reference it while looking at boats. This will help you remember what was most important to you before you saw the shiny new toy calling to you.

Example:
Must be at least 30'
Must be no more than 10 years old
Must pass marine survey with no engine problems over $500 to repair
Must not cost more than $XXX
Really want vacuflush
Really want snap carpet
Would be nice to have generator
Would be nice to have clean seats

Fall in love with your list, not the boats you are looking at. Then just find something that matches.
 
Have a hard number. $50k, $100k, $10k. Whatever you want, but DON'T cross it.

Get a survey, and survey the boat yourself. Find everything wrong and get estimates for repair. Add 50% to the estimates.

Factor in outdated electronics. These add up quickly.

Does your bottom need stripped and painted? There's a couple more $k

How old are the batteries and charger? There's another $k

I'm not going to go on and on and compile a comprehensive list. You know what to look for.

My point is to cover every detail and assign a realistic dollar value to EVERYTHING. Don't let anything slide. The more you say "ehh, it's just a ____, no big deal" the more you are cheating yourself. Everything on a boat of this magnitude is expensive to fix.

There are boat out there in 100% condition. They do command a premium but often times it's warranted. Some things are harder to fix, and difficult to assign a value to. That small tear in the headliner may be insignificant, but it's going to bug you every time you walk past it. Are you really going to replace the whole headliner? Obviously this is a fictitious example, but these little things are the ones that sneak up on you. It's all the little things you overlook because you are focused on the big picture.

I consider the total cost of purchasing. Purchase price plus repairs. What ever I can talk the owner down to is up to me. This is where the hard number comes in. It doesn't matter if you buy the boat $10k under if it needs $20k in repairs.

Much of it depends on your personality as well. My boat is the source of many of my obsessive compulsive complexes. Once I get it in my head that something needs attention, it usually ends up turning into a project. Maybe that one gauge with the burned out backlight is ok for you. Me, I'm probably buying a new set of gauges.

Every time you go to the boat, take pictures and make a list. You will start wondering about things later that evening and the pictures will come in handy. You'll also forget the little things like if the short and long pedestal for the table are present. How about filler cushions and tables, all there?

it's an exciting, expensive, rewarding and stressful process.

Try to be as objective as possible.
 
magstang1 said:
Have a hard number. $50k, $100k, $10k. Whatever you want, but DON'T cross it.

Get a survey, and survey the boat yourself. Find everything wrong and get estimates for repair. Add 50% to the estimates.

Factor in outdated electronics. These add up quickly.

Does your bottom need stripped and painted? There's a couple more $k

How old are the batteries and charger? There's another $k

I'm not going to go on and on and compile a comprehensive list. You know what to look for.

My point is to cover every detail and assign a realistic dollar value to EVERYTHING. Don't let anything slide. The more you say "ehh, it's just a ____, no big deal" the more you are cheating yourself. Everything on a boat of this magnitude is expensive to fix.

There are boat out there in 100% condition. They do command a premium but often times it's warranted. Some things are harder to fix, and difficult to assign a value to. That small tear in the headliner may be insignificant, but it's going to bug you every time you walk past it. Are you really going to replace the whole headliner? Obviously this is a fictitious example, but these little things are the ones that sneak up on you. It's all the little things you overlook because you are focused on the big picture.

I consider the total cost of purchasing. Purchase price plus repairs. What ever I can talk the owner down to is up to me. This is where the hard number comes in. It doesn't matter if you buy the boat $10k under if it needs $20k in repairs.

Much of it depends on your personality as well. My boat is the source of many of my obsessive compulsive complexes. Once I get it in my head that something needs attention, it usually ends up turning into a project. Maybe that one gauge with the burned out backlight is ok for you. Me, I'm probably buying a new set of gauges.

Every time you go to the boat, take pictures and make a list. You will start wondering about things later that evening and the pictures will come in handy. You'll also forget the little things like if the short and long pedestal for the table are present. How about filler cushions and tables, all there?

it's an exciting, expensive, rewarding and stressful process.

Try to be as objective as possible.
Click to expand...
Good stuff right there
Thanks :thumbsup:
 
Hang all the canvas before you exchange any money. My boat has several different configurations possible.

Make sure every piece is there, and it all fits.
 
fsbk366 said:
Try writing a comprehensive list of criteria before looking at boats. Must haves, really wants, and would be nice. Take your time considering each item and which group it belongs under. Then reference it while looking at boats. This will help you remember what was most important to you before you saw the shiny new toy calling to you.

Example:
Must be at least 30'
Must be no more than 10 years old
Must pass marine survey with no engine problems over $500 to repair
Must not cost more than $XXX
Really want vacuflush
Really want snap carpet
Would be nice to have generator
Would be nice to have clean seats

Fall in love with your list, not the boats you are looking at. Then just find something that matches.
Click to expand...

Great stuff here too....

I am actively in the market too and I have a list of 6 - 8 candidate vessels. If I narrow it down to one or two boats I will start to get emotionally attached to them. A few boats on my list have sold but there has always been at least one new to add to the list. By keeping a list it helps me keep things perspective...they're just hunks of fiberglass and there will always be "the one" out there for me.
 
Tonka Boater said:
Great stuff here too....

I am actively in the market too and I have a list of 6 - 8 candidate vessels. If I narrow it down to one or two boats I will start to get emotionally attached to them. A few boats on my list have sold but there has always been at least one new to add to the list. By keeping a list it helps me keep things perspective...they're just hunks of fiberglass and there will always be "the one" out there for me.
Click to expand...
we have had our list of want/need/require for awhile now
we are looking at the last 2 on the list next Tuesday
found 1 that WAS a 100% boat ... perfect by my survey and probably would have passed a professional one too
but was a few K out of our price range and a lower offer would have constituted an insult to the boat in my mind as the price was well in line with the condition of the craft.
That was tough not to see how low he would go but again .... just couldn't push the edge of the $$$ that close.

I will not settle for close to what I want.....to much $$$ to settle
 
Last edited:
A respectful offer never hurts. That's how I bought my 280ss.

I was upfront that his boat was at the top of my price range. He invited my wife and I out to his marina. He said he was there every Sunday anyway. Once I had the cash in hand I made him the offer. I told him that it wasn't meant to be disrespectful or reflect what I thought the boat was worth, it was simply as much as I was able to come up with.

About two days later, he accepted. We communicated openly the whole time. He knew I was serious, and it was a genuine offer.

Sometimes it's not worth dealing with a dozen tire kickers trying to wring out every last dollar.

I say, make the offer. You never get what you don't ask for.
 
A wealth of of good help posted.
One thing I always tell myself with any big purchase - look at it on at least two different occasions. Every time you go back things will look more realistic.
Good Luck! :thumbsup:
 
Zorba said:
I have no idea on how to detach yourself from it, but that is what surveys are for. I invested alot of time looking for 320's fell in love with more than a few, and then the 340 fell in my lap. I quickly forgot about the rest.

When you find the right boat you will know. Trust me
Click to expand...

Back in the 90's I looked at 30+ boats over a year until I found that first boat. It was perfect!
 
KC_Sundancer said:
A wealth of of good help posted.
One thing I always tell myself with any big purchase - look at it on at least two different occasions. Every time you go back things will look more realistic.
Good Luck! :thumbsup:
Click to expand...
problem is one is about 5 hrs from home and the other 2 are 11 hours away
not that I wouldn't make the trip to double check.... it's getting time off work to do so :smt009
 
Hey Jim...

I know that you've been looking hard at a new boat. I also know that you certainly know what you're talking about! You could probably do a survey better than most surveyors given your rebuilding and upgrading experience with the 600 and Justified Priority! I'm not saying skip that important part of buying whatever you decide on.

I really think you will know in your gut which boat is right and what to offer. I'd certainly take you with me to look at any boat I was considering for purchase!

Good luck this week in your travels...and keep me posted.

Mark
 
Good advice here. I would add one thing:

Remember it is YOUR money here, not the broker's or seller's.

I once had a broker try to pressure me stating "You are willing to break this deal for this?" to which I responded: "I am not breaking any deal, it is my money and I will spend it where I see fit, not where you think I should!"

Keep the above in mind and it will remove some of the emotion. What will be, will be. If you can't get what you want move on and find something else. Once you sign the dotted line and hand the check over, it is too late.
 
How about this..... Along with a list of great features. play the devil's advocate. List the needs or potential needs of each boat.
With all of the information you currently have, look at each deal as a whole, price included, and find one or two things that turn you off.

.... The 91 350 is in great shape BUT - No service records & the electronics are out dated.
.... The 91 340 price is great BUT - The interior colors are pink & orange.

Pink & orange, would keep just about anyone from getting emotional!
 
mwph said:
How about this..... Along with a list of great features. play the devil's advocate. List the needs or potential needs of each boat.
With all of the information you currently have, look at each deal as a whole, price included, and find one or two things that turn you off.

.... The 91 350 is in great shape BUT - No service records & the electronics are out dated.
.... The 91 340 price is great BUT - The interior colors are pink & orange.

Pink & orange, would keep just about anyone from getting emotional!
Click to expand...
LOL ....I like orange :lol:
On most major purchases I take my friend Kevin (best friend and conscience) to keep me out of trouble
and I do the same for him.
Problem is I have no one that isn't directly involved to take as a disinterested party to see the things I don't
....guess that's what the surveyor is for.
 
Once you narrow down to what you are really looking for you're halfway there. Find what you think is a good one, have it surveyed no matter how handy you are, and then negotiate a fair price. If all of those things don't come together then keep looking. A good survey will go a long way to remove the emotion from the deal. A fair price is fair to both parties.
 
All good advise...will take it with me and to heart.
Thanks to all who responded
 
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