New boat

N

Nmocean

New Member
Nov 9, 2020
29
Boat Info
2019 Ford F-250 crew cab
2021 loadmaster trailer
Engines
4.3 two
Bought a 04 sundancer on Halloween that was in storage boat passed a survey and mechanical survey. Broker said in the spring you can sea trial the boat I will hold money in escrow in case anything is wrong for repairs.
Well it’s spring trailer will be delivered next week I contact the broker about sea trial he says I’m really busy you have had a boat for years I know the boat is ok. Won’t do a sea trial. This boat is 200 miles from me should I just load it and bring it home or demand a sea trial
 
Do you have it in writing? And when they say they won't do it .... does that mean won't do it or won't pay for it? I would hold them to their word. The sea trial will always uncover something -- whether major, minor or both. I bought an 04 around the same time last year, like you, and I almost walked away from the deal because of what the surveyor found during the sea trial. In the end I decided to go forward and fix the issues.
 
Did he at least kiss you before he . . . ? Hopefully you have something in writing. Hopefully he still has the escrow. Tell the SOB to get of his lazy arse and schedule the sea trial.
 
I was going this Friday I now changed it to next Friday giving him more time so we will see
 
Yikes. It would be hard to ask for your escrowed funds back in this market but that response from your broker would give me the heebe jeebies...

I would not buy a boat of this value without a full survey including the sea trail...no way.
 
Nmocean said:
Bought a 04 sundancer on Halloween that was in storage boat passed a survey and mechanical survey. Broker said in the spring you can sea trial the boat I will hold money in escrow in case anything is wrong for repairs.
Well it’s spring trailer will be delivered next week I contact the broker about sea trial he says I’m really busy you have had a boat for years I know the boat is ok. Won’t do a sea trial. This boat is 200 miles from me should I just load it and bring it home or demand a sea trial
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I re read you question...yes you should do a sea trial.... how is he selling other boats without them? .... you need WOT speed and rpm, temp, oil pressure, steering, trim tabs and outdrive operation
 
I had a survey done and a mechanical survey they didn’t run the boat since it was already in storage. A compression test was done I can tell the motors have been turned over. The boat has 83.1 hours on it that’s it. Erie is less than a mile from the boat I’m putting it in before I bring it home. With or without him.
 
We almost purchased an 07 260 Sundancer until we had the sea trial done. When the boat was put in the water there was a waterfall coming down inside the boat at the outdrive. The entire transom assembly had to be replaced (~ $8K). We walked away. We never would have known without the sea trial.
 
Do not buy that boat without a sea trial! It is your legal right and you should be very worried about why he would suggest that. Be very careful. If you take the boat and sea trial "without him" you will have zero recourse if something goes wrong (other than a lawsuit), because you will have already taken possession. Something smells fishy.
 
My guess is, if you tell your broker you want your money back because NO sea trial is a “failed” sea trial, there would suddenly be some interest in getting the sea trial going.
Always must be prepared to walk away when buying used. Keep that mindset and it will save you in the long run.
Good luck.
 
Nmocean said:
I had a survey done and a mechanical survey they didn’t run the boat since it was already in storage. A compression test was done I can tell the motors have been turned over. The boat has 83.1 hours on it that’s it. Erie is less than a mile from the boat I’m putting it in before I bring it home. With or without him.
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Did you officially "close" the deal?
 
Creekwood said:
Do not buy that boat without a sea trial! It is your legal right and you should be very worried about why he would suggest that. Be very careful. If you take the boat and sea trial "without him" you will have zero recourse if something goes wrong (other than a lawsuit), because you will have already taken possession. Something smells fishy.
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Leaglly, it would depend on what the contract says and whether the deal was closed. The fact that he states "money held in escrow" seems to indicate the deal closed and broker has some of the funds remaining "just in case." Why is backing out now is a problem. OP needs to clarify.
 
Golfman25 said:
Did you officially "close" the deal?
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Yes money has been paid the previous owner lien is paid off the boat is in my name I went back through the paperwork no where does it say sea trial.
My wife was with them she is furious because he said money would be in escrow if any problems arise doing sea trial
 
Wow. Sorry to hear about your issues.

Maybe everything will be fine with the boat and we will all be the wiser.

Any other options at this point?

Would it be appropriate to share the names of your broker/surveyor for our caution?
 
I will share names if he refuses to go on sea trial
 
Nmocean said:
Yes money has been paid the previous owner lien is paid off the boat is in my name I went back through the paperwork no where does it say sea trial.
My wife was with them she is furious because he said money would be in escrow if any problems arise doing sea trial
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Unfortunately I think your stuck. Doesn’t even sound like he left money in escrow. So if something turns up on sea trial it’s your problem anyway. I’d work him over. Sounds like a real scumbag. Good luck.
 
Golfman25 said:
Unfortunately I think your stuck. Doesn’t even sound like he left money in escrow. So if something turns up on sea trial it’s your problem anyway. I’d work him over. Sounds like a real scumbag. Good luck.
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I agree with Golfman. Sounds like you are stuck with the deal you signed, which was not conditional on a sea trial. It sounds like the escrow was only to protect you if the boat was not there for you to take possession of at the time you picked it up. The sea trial is a waste of the brokers time since you cannot back out of the deal anyway.

Hopefully there are no significant issues with your new boat. At least you got a survey and mechanical inspection. Take the boat and enjoy it!
 
Nmocean said:
Since new total hours
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Wow, okay. I'd be concerned about such low hours on the engines since that's averaging only 5 hours per year.

What is his issue with the sea trial? Is it that he just can't be bothered, or is it that he doesn't want to give you an opportunity to get out of the deal if something shows up on the sea trial?
 
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