Buying a first used boat: what to expect?

[pred02]

Hi,
My family is interested in purchasing a pre-owned Sea Ray 240 that is up to 5 years old. Ideally we are looking at 2003-2006 age range with 100 hours or less.

We did look online and saw a number of them listed at our local Sea Ray dealer at about $48-$52K. The range for these boats is approximately between $35K-$55K just by taking a quick look online.

As a first time boat and used boat buying I figure there should be a number of steps we should take before purchasing the boat.

1) Should we go through a dealer or a private party? I presume dealers will have a higher mark up but less risk associated with the boat.
2) Should we get an assessor / inspector to inspect the boat fully? How much would this service cost and how would we go about finding someone who can do this for us?

We are in the Boston, MA area where there are some boats listed. Should we expand our search nationally (i.e. lots of Sea Rays in Florida) if so we then have to count in the costs of going down to see the boat, etc.

The boat is going to be purchased here and then shipped to Croatia where we are going to keep the boat. We are also going to register the boat in the US and fly under the American flag not to pay customs in Croatia (and we live here all year long except in the summer when we go there).

Any advice for a first time used boat buyer is appreciated.

Kind regards,
George B.
x7485

 

[kevinnice]

another alternative is to look at various english language websites in croatia?
i googled it and a couple of companies have sundancers for sale...

 

[pred02]

another alternative is to look at various english language websites in croatia?
i googled it and a couple of companies have sundancers for sale...

The problem is that boats in Croatia/Europe are much more expensive than in the US. As we also live 11 months out of the year in the US it's easier for us to find a good boat rather than when on vacation there for a couple of weeks.

Here is a 2001 Sea Ray Sundancer 240 priced at $75,500 and no customs tax payed (so it would be same as we are trying to do with a boat from here). I emailed various shipping companies but based on what I read the boat would cost about $5000-$7000 to ship there.

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/list...oker&&hosturl=waypoint-int&&ywo=waypoint-int&

Talking to a dealer in RH and MA they say that now with the recession a good percentage of their sales are from European customers who buy 2nd hands boats even without seeing them.

 

[Lazy Daze]

WOW! A brand new one goes for much less than that! Funny thing is, we actually sold a boat to someone in Croatia about 2 months ago.

Realistically, a 3 - 5 year old 240DA should be in the $30K to $40K range.

 

[K-9]

:grin:love for sale all 26':thumbsup:

The problem is that boats in Croatia/Europe are much more expensive than in the US. As we also live 11 months out of the year in the US it's easier for us to find a good boat rather than when on vacation there for a couple of weeks.

Here is a 2001 Sea Ray Sundancer 240 priced at $75,500 and no customs tax payed (so it would be same as we are trying to do with a boat from here). I emailed various shipping companies but based on what I read the boat would cost about $5000-$7000 to ship there.

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/list...oker&&hosturl=waypoint-int&&ywo=waypoint-int&

Talking to a dealer in RH and MA they say that now with the recession a good percentage of their sales are from European customers who buy 2nd hands boats even without seeing them.

 

[mwph]

There is absolutely no way I would purchase anything as "high maintenance" as a boat for use one month out of the year. From my limited experience, (and countless hours of research), boats need a lot of attention. Do you plan on paying for someone to provide that 11 months out of the year?

Here is just a wild guess...Rent a boat for one month out of the year and save yourself some time, headache, money, gray hair, blood presure and overall grief.

 

[pred02]

There is absolutely no way I would purchase anything as "high maintenance" as a boat for use one month out of the year. From my limited experience, (and countless hours of research), boats need a lot of attention. Do you plan on paying for someone to provide that 11 months out of the year?

Croatia is absolutely beautiful place to go boating. My family goes there every year as do I. My parents are getting a boat because they will retire in a couple of years where they will spend 3-6 months on the island. Because it can get boring on the island having a cruiser and going to different cities is key (there are over 1000 islands to visit there). And the distances aren't great and the seas aren't that roudy. For example, from Korcula (where they have a place) it is about 60 miles to Dubrovnik and less to many other islands. They can practically spend a month on a boat cruising up and down the boat. The reason why they want to buy a boat now and not a few years from now is that they are afraid they are not in capacity (physical) later.

Yes, there is a marina and my father being local knows the mechanic. There is also dry storage at about 1200 euros/year. You can arrange with the marina to do the maintance etc.

Sea Ray S240 rental is about 2400 euro/week in Croatia (excluding fuel, skipper, port fees). Even if they do not like it or it's too expensive they can sell it to another foreigner there (always people looking for boats) and they will make up for it.

 

[yachtguyannapolis]

to answer your first post, usually a deal can be found if a boat is bought from a private party. Using a broker to represent you in the deal is a good idea, and a using a marine surveyor to give the boat a full work over will save alot of pains in the long run.
Good luck and let me know if you have any more questions.
Maybe I can stow away in your new boat!!

 

[pred02]

to answer your first post, usually a deal can be found if a boat is bought from a private party. Using a broker to represent you in the deal is a good idea, and a using a marine surveyor to give the boat a full work over will save alot of pains in the long run.
Good luck and let me know if you have any more questions.
Maybe I can stow away in your new boat!!

+1 on Surveyor

Broker - how do we find a decent broker and what are the expected broker fees?

Kind regards
George