Seller at Survey?

[firecadet613]

I'll be running the boat during the sea trial and sounds like I'll be on site during the survey. She's packed into a storage building on blocks currently.

 

[JVM225]

You're selling the boat on your own, and that can be a good thing. I sold my old boat on my own and it worked out well. The 1st guy to look at it bought it. But there is another side to that coin.
As a buyer, I initially looked at boats that were FSBO but as the process evolved I became increasingly reluctant to look at boat's that weren't through a broker. We ran across some crappy brokers for sure, but most were pretty good at honestly presenting boats. Owners on the other hand can be less realistic about a boat they have an emotional attachment or financial obligation to.
If you are using a broker to sell the boat, then let the broker sell the boat and don't be there for the survey or sea trial. The broker should operate the boat, demonstrate it's systems, and be knowledgeable enough about it to answer any questions the surveyor has or be able to get that information from the seller and provide it as a follow up. My personal feeling as a recent shopper is that the presence of the seller along with the broker is problematic.
If you are selling the boat yourself without a broker then by all means you should be present to operate the boat and answer relevant questions directed to you by the surveyor, but lay back as much as possible and don't argue things with the surveyor as they are going through your boat.
The buyer is paying the surveyor for their expertise and evaluation, not to debate his findings with the seller. As tough as it is to have someone pick apart your pride and joy, you have to resist getting defensive.
I'm a firm believer in a sellers boat never leaving the dock without either the seller or the sellers agent (broker) aboard, and that the boat shouldn't be operated by anyone other than the seller or their broker. But that person is only there to operate the boat and answer questions that are asked. The "hard sell" should have been done before the buyer contracted with the surveyor, and the time to debate the things that come up in the survey are after it's completed and the buyer has the report.

 

[sbw1]

We sold a 370 Express to a dealer in northern Michigan and the dealer requested my presence. The boat was docked in a very tight slip that was not easy to get in and out of. Windy conditions complicated the situation. I backed the boat out and took it through a crowded fairway and turned the helm over to the surveyor once we were in the open waters of Lake Michigan. He did ask that I demonstrate all functions of the electronics and asked a few questions while under way. I took the boat back to a TravelHoist for the boat to be pulled for an inspection that took about two hours. Ten year old boat and it passed with flying colors. There were nervous moments listening to the hammer hit some areas that sounded like a dull thud instead of a sharp ping. But no real issues. Glad I was there to watch.

 

[scoflaw]

We sold a 370 Express to a dealer in northern Michigan and the dealer requested my presence. The boat was docked in a very tight slip that was not easy to get in and out of. Windy conditions complicated the situation. I backed the boat out and took it through a crowded fairway and turned the helm over to the surveyor once we were in the open waters of Lake Michigan. He did ask that I demonstrate all functions of the electronics and asked a few questions while under way. I took the boat back to a TravelHoist for the boat to be pulled for an inspection that took about two hours. Ten year old boat and it passed with flying colors. There were nervous moments listening to the hammer hit some areas that sounded like a dull thud instead of a sharp ping. But no real issues. Glad I was there to watch.

Exactly how I feel about it....Had my boat under contract last year with Pop Yachts Broker was nothing but a salesperson working for his company looking for their 10%. No effin way this yahoo was going to pilot my boat out and back into the slip with just the 2 of them on board

 

[Brett H]

If I'm selling by owner, my boat doesn't leave the dock without me at the helm. I try to stay out of their way, answer questions presented and have no expectations of getting a copy of the survey. But that doesn't mean I'm not paying attention if something comes up.

Furthermore, if selling via broker, it's still probably not leaving the dock without me at the helm. I have zero confidence that a broker or captain by those titles alone can drive my boat. I would have detailed discussions qualifying who may be allowed to take my boat on a sea trial. If something gets damaged, sure they might have insurance but that would open up another can of worms (depreciation, delays, lost sale).

Qualifications for broker -- Sales Guy. Qualifications for USCG OUPV captain - Took classroom course, passed written test (book smart), has documented hours but nothing that guarantees experienced at and/or good at driving a similar boat. I'm definitely not trying to belittle anyone (broker or captain) who is qualified but the title alone means very little. You can get a USCG OUPV Master Inland based on hours in an 18' pontoon boat. Do your due diligence.

By the way, Private Sale in Georgia, No Sales Tax! Brokered Sale - 7% Sales Tax, 5-10% Commission. That's motivation for both parties.

 

[scoflaw]

Only if the buyer registers the boat in that state.

Register a boat in NH or RI. .....no sales or excise tax. Don't even have to live there, they will mail you the forms

 

[mwph]

Excellent thread. Thanks to all for taking the time to post.
Although my purchase was much smaller than most of those in this thread I will add this...

I asked that the seller be available to answer questions the day of my survey. He said he would be available but did not answer the call after the survey. It quite possibly cost him some money as I further reduced my offer based on his unwillingness to talk to me.

His loss.

 

[Arickosmo]

I'm in the process of buying and just sold. I would want to be near during survey, driving during sea trial and I wouldn't expect anything less from the seller in a private transaction. The seller I'm currently dealing with seems to be a great guy, like me. If everyone is comfortable the deal should be amicable. It's business, if you're not comfortable, change the way it gets done so you can be.