Purchasing a Boat during Cold Weather Months

E35123

New Member
Jul 25, 2007
13
Catawba Islands
Boat Info
2007 320 Sundaner
Engines
Mercrusier 350 MPI Horizon
Is it possible to properly survey a boat that is stored outside in winter weather (Michigan).
I am looking at a boat that is shrink wrapped and stored outside, is it even possible to do a haul survey and mechical inspection before the shrink wrap can be removed?
 
tiara in the snow 01.JPG
You might find someone to have a look at it but hard to get a meaningful, accurate appraisal of a boat wrapped and covered in snow. The boat will still be there in April and even that can be a little early depending on when spring arrives. Best to wait. Where is the boat stored?
 
The boat is stored outside in Harrison Township MI. I figured it is best to wait until spring to properly do a haul and mechanical survey. I think I will wait.
Thanks for the feedback.
 
tiara in the snow 01.JPG
The boat is stored outside in Harrison Township MI. I figured it is best to wait until spring to properly do a haul and mechanical survey. I think I will wait.
Thanks for the feedback.
Maybe someone over there could swing by and have a look at where it is stored and shoot you a couple of emailed pix of what it currently looks like. Would be happy to do this if it were in the Grand Have area but this one is too far away.
 
If you are within driving distance they can cut a hole in the shrink wrap and install a zipper. You can get below and do a visual inspection. You can inspect the cabin and bath, you could inspect the cockpit and decide if the boat passes the "first over visual". When I was shopping for a boat for about a year, many boats never made it past this stage. Oh yes they all looked good in the pictures the owner or broker emailed me.
 
If you are concerned that the boat will be sold out from under you, it is possible to enter into a contract contingent upon a full hull survey, a mechanical survey, sea trial, etc.. you can either defer the surveys until the boat is launched or with your surveyors to do all but the in-water portion of the surveys and the sea trial now, then finish up your due diligence when the boat is launched in the spring. All you will have at risk is the deposit but if the boat is later rejected, that should be returned.

If t he boat is dealer owned, the dealer will press you to close now because he is strapped for cash to pay his overhead in the winter. If it is a brokered boat, the above is normal. The broker and seller know the boat is probably not going to sell until boat show season in late winter and there should be a deal to be made.
 
Great advice!
I think I will go and view the boat with my own eyes (it has a acces for in the shrink wrap) to see if that passes my touch and feel test.
I guess the next step would be to agree on a price contingent on a mechanical and hull survey when it could be completed properly. In my eyes since the boat is stored outside and it is shrink wrapped this would likely push the survey out to March? I can’t see giving the seller anything more than a small deposit prior to the surveys being done. I guess if he is not good with that I need to let it go.

Thanks for everyones thoughts.
 
You can still do a bunch of home work. Ask for a look at any and all documentation for the boat. I got everything with mine including the original bill of sale. How many previous owners? BTW I did not have good luck using the online search crap they want to charge you for just saying. Check all the cabinet doors, look in and under everything. A previous owner who loved the boat will show through, the opposite will show through as well. Just as an aside, we went to look at the boat we bought by ourselves at the marina and several people at the dock that came and spoke with us while we were doing our walk around and they all knew the boat and it’s history.
 
We did a contract in January with all the normal outs as I was 1200 miles away and had a good boating friend lay eyes on it for me.

Pictures all looked good but I’d driven 9 hrs to look at one that looked good enough in pictures to make the trip. Total disaster within 15 minutes being on the boat.

My friend and wife whom have had boats over forty years drove the two hours to check this one out.

Three questions I asked the each to answer once they been on the boat and seen her were.

1. Exterior presentation & condition on a scale on 1-10
2. Interior. “ & “ 1-10
3. Engine room, engines & generator visual inspection 1-10 and that was by him only as she never goes below,

Based on their info, contract price negotiated, knew it would be late March earlier April weather, sea trail and serveyors of boat & engines dependent. Cash closing within 10 days of acceptable results.

Worst weather conditions and time/contract in my favor before others moved forward come Spring were in my favor to tie the boat up if I could which we did.

I’d move to tie the boat up if you can before spring arrives and others might be waiting IMHO. Seller want contract & you’ve lost nothing as you can always keep looking and still walk away if you find and better deal so I’d try to put the boat in your control if it meets your desire?

Good hunting
 
Take a look. Make any offer contigent on review, survey and sea trial in the spring. Good luck.
 
I know it's not the norm or reccomended practice but I bought my 89 268Da last winter without survey for a great cash in hand price.
I am very mechanically capable and the boat was in an unheated building.
I guess it boils down to risk assessment
In my case an older boat that looked clean in every way .having a good look at the hull and bilge and fluids along with recent invoices from maintenance were enough for me to put the money out on a boat i had not even started.
I ended paying 30 % less than I see its value as and got a good deal.
 
I have agreed to terms on a new to me 2000 sea array 380 Sundancer. Offer is contingent on passing a sea trial, mech inspection and Survey. Waiting on some better weather. I am located near stlouis and the boat is at LOTO. I am picturing a day in the upper 40’s, no ice on the lake. After survey/inspections, winterizing it all again.... hauling it to Shelbyville ILLINOIS and possible winterizing after IL she is in her home slip. I know it’s crazy, but need an investment like this to have as much info as possible....

I can’t imagine doing this in Michigan.

Is this a private sale or broker/dealer sale?
 
If you are within driving distance they can cut a hole in the shrink wrap and install a zipper. You can get below and do a visual inspection. You can inspect the cabin and bath, you could inspect the cockpit and decide if the boat passes the "first over visual". When I was shopping for a boat for about a year, many boats never made it past this stage. Oh yes they all looked good in the pictures the owner or broker emailed me.

Kind of like internet dating. They can look good in the pics, but when you see the, in person... lol!

But yes, you make the deal contingent on a) personal inspection, b) survey(s), and c) sea trial. If the boat is close, you’re out nothing if it fails your inspection. If it’s far, you’re out some travel time and money. But hey, this time of year it gives you some boating things to do!

This is where a good friend or a good broker can help. The friend can visit it for you. A good buyer broker can talk with the selling broker and get more history and info about the boat than perhaps you can just from a listing.
 
Do NOT get talked into buying someone else’s survey no matter how recent. I got suckered into this and it did not turn out well. Pay the money for your own personal survey and do not use a sellers surveyor
 
My broker handled this and walked me through this comfortably. I couldn’t be happier with the process and the end result. He knows a lot of people in the industry all over the Midwest where we were looking and were able to rule several out with just a few phone calls. Get a great broker involved if you don’t have one already. Let him or her do what they’re paid to do.
 
Currently waiting repairs to be paid by the owner. Compression came back low on the starboard engine cyl 2&8.... survey and mechanical test is the best thing I could of done. Boat ran great, 36.5 mph on gps...
 

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