Broker deal?

R

rdstillw

New Member
Mar 12, 2009
25
Melville, Long Island
Boat Info
Sundancer 240
Engines
350 Small Block
Someone recently wrote:

Sounds like it could be an awesome deal but spend a few extra hundred bucks and get a marine surveyor to check it out. Especially if you are buying it from a dealer as a brokered deal. What are the 240's going for new $80k+? Best wishes wth it.

My question is why get a surveyor "especially if its a brokered deal"
Also, does anyone know a desent surveyor on Long Island NY
 
It doesn't matter if the owner, a broker, a dealer's sales person or Cesar Chavez is selling the boat, there could still be serious condition problems that makes your $12K investment not worth the cost to haul it to the land fill.

The cost to replace the transom core or a rotton stringer for example could easily double your $12K investment.
 
Frank,
I have a question regarding the use of a surveyor. Lets us us say you buy a used boat sight unseen from far away from a dealer. You then follow the required steps and get it professionally surveyed before buying. Who is liable if something is missed by the surveyor or if something is misdiagnosed. Or is it just too bad. It would seem by the cost of gettting a boat properly surveyed that I would hope nothing is overlooked. Or is this just like getting a home inspection and nothing more than recommendations by a professional. I have never used a surveyor but recently had a friend use one and I think some things were grossly overlooked and not reported. Thanks
 
The quality and accuracy of a survey are directly related to the experience and competence of the guy you pick to survey the boat. The burden if picking the right guy is on you, the buyer. There are a couple of associations NAMS and SAMS that have some guidelines for surveyors, but their registration with one or the other doesn't insulate you from incompetence or laziness. First hand experience with an individual and recommendations from other boaters is very helpful. I've also found the surveyors list from Boat./US to be useful........if you are a member, contact their consumer advocate Carolyn Ajootian.

Personally, I get more out of an interview with the surveyor. I ask some hard questions concerning things I know to be Sea Ray specific to see if the surveyor is current on what I need surveyed. I've also got a built-in BS detector and its pretty hard to feed me a line of crap on boats.

Technically, the surveyor is going to be bound by the contract you sign as to his responsibility and liability. Most surveyors have what is called a "best efforts" clause in their contracts. That just means you get the surveyor's best effort to discover the condition and value of the boat you want surveyed. Here, the reasonable man theory comes into play.........would a reasonable man with the same training and experience under the same circumstances find the defect? Bottom line, unless the surveyor is guilty of negligence (which you have to prove), you aren't going to have any recourse against him.

So, when you employ a surveyor you are hiring someone with experience and training to determine the condition and value of the boat you are buying.......that is all. Hire the right guy and he finds everything. Hire a lightweight or deadbeat and you could have big problems.

Now the most important thing.......Do not ever...EVER!...buy a boat sight unseen. There are just too many ways to end up screwed on a boat you have not seen.........in the past I've seen brokered boats represented by the broker with photos that were of a completely different boat, not the one for sale......with photos of the right boat, but from when the present owner bought it, not after he trashed it........photos that were Photoshopped to remove water stains from leaks on interior soft trim, cut/split upholstery, fiberglass damage and rust on engines. Perhaps your surveyor will catch all that type stuff, but only after you have paid for a survey on a boat you don't want. I've always found it cheaper in the long run and a lot less risky to buy a boat you've seen even if you have to find one closer to home or spend money with the airline to go see it.
 
Last edited:
Thank you for the advice...just got off the phone with Surveyor Jim Olsen who's going to look at the boat. Definitely worth the peace of mind.
 
[Now the most important thing.......Do not ever...EVER!...buy a boat sight unseen. There are just too many ways to end up screwed on a boat you have not seen.........in the past I've seen brokered boats represented by the broker with photos that were of a completely different boat, not the one for sale......with photos of the right boat, but from when the present owner bought it, not after he trashed it........photos that were Photoshopped to remove water stains from leaks on interior soft trim, cut/split upholstery, fiberglass damage and rust on engines. Perhaps your surveyor will catch all thiat type stuff, but only after you have paid for a survey on a boat you don't want. I've always found it cheaper in the long run and a lot less risky to buy a boat you've seen even if you have to find one closer to home or spend money with the airline to go see it.[/quote] taken from Frank's response




Man, the tough love advice is something that I will never forget. I agree completey, I would never buy a boat sight unseen. I would have to see it up close and personal before buying. Pictures just do not tell all, I have seen it first hand recently and I could not agree more. It is amazing what a can of krylon can do to an outdrive in pictures.

Thanks for the in depth note, it needs to be made a sticky in the newbie lounge.
 
Last edited:
Good sticky..I have seen the boat in person but its wrapped up so all I could see was the inside cabin and cockpit. Im starting to get cold feet about this boat by reading about all of the maintenance and service required to maintain a salt water boat. One big thing that concerns me is if "my" boat is fresh water cooled or salt water cooled. Would anyone know. I heard if its salt water cooled Im going to have to get the risers replaced every 4 years. The boat is a 1997 Sea Ray Sundancer 240.
 
A '97 240DA..............I'll add to the "see the boat in person" comment that on this particular boat you must sea trial it before agreeing to buy it.

Some people find the 240DA to be squirrely and are not happy with theirs, but others love them and have figured out how to manage the trim/tabs, etc to get reliable handling. You don't know which group you'll be in until you run the boat yourself.
 
Yes you right...I didn't mention that but yes final sale is based upon the sea trial with the surveyor on board. My biggest concern is that I have picked the right guy to look over the boat...Ive been reading about the risers and elbows and how you can ruin your engine if these are not properly maintained. This is my first boat and not too sure what you mean by squirrely so Im not sure if Ill even notice the difference. This forum is great though theses a wealth of info in here. Does anyone know if "my" boat is equipped with salt water cooling or fresh water??
 
The elbows are raw water cooled, they are going to need to replaced every 4ish years...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,163
Messages
1,427,598
Members
61,072
Latest member
BoatUtah12
Back
Top