To Sea Trial or not

[capecodcruiser]

SBW. Very good advice. I am concerned with liability getting it up and running, etc. Obviously many things could go wrong with commisioning a boat that has been out of the water for over a year. Kind of PO'd that the guy won't even go to the effort of getting it running so we know where we are starting from. Going to call him tomorrow and either come to some agreement or chew his ass out! Had a buddy email him asking about the boat to see if he would respond and he was on his phone within an hour. Also told my buddy he doesn't have a title, boats don't need them......I smell B.S. .

 

[Mr Salt]

Remember if a deal looks to good to be true, it likely is. If you can't put the boat in the water and test it. Get away as fast as you can. Your cash is good but you don't know about the boat.

 

[sbw1]

I agree with the last post. There are lots of willing sellers out there with nice boats.

 

[Woody]

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I am taking the knowledge here and applying it to this deal. I am not going to go further without a mechanical inspection and a sea trial. I have reached out to him to set both of those up but have not heard back yet. And, yes I am the guy trading the Ferrari for the boat......I was just trying to get a conversation going here as to others opinions and thoughts. Just like sitting on a barstool at the marina and talking boats.

SBW. Very good advice. I am concerned with liability getting it up and running, etc. Obviously many things could go wrong with commisioning a boat that has been out of the water for over a year. Kind of PO'd that the guy won't even go to the effort of getting it running so we know where we are starting from. Going to call him tomorrow and either come to some agreement or chew his ass out! Had a buddy email him asking about the boat to see if he would respond and he was on his phone within an hour. Also told my buddy he doesn't have a title, boats don't need them......I smell B.S. .

Sounds like he doesn't want to do any business with you. Maybe he just doesn't want your car. I wouldn't even bother calling the guy, let him go. If he's got any interest he'll call you. What state is this boat in? Some states don't require a title.

 

[chollyjohn]

No matter how much money I would be spending, I certianly would want to see how things operate and how the boat handles. Sea Trial should be a must. Survey a must and don't forget to have all grounding checked and engine oil & lower unit oil/transmisison lab test. A compression test is also wise and can alert you to possible problems.

 

[LTD.330]

capecodcruiser,

If the boat is a Federally Documented Vessel, there will be no title. But, he will have the Certificate of Documentation issued by the Coast Guard (he has to renew this yearly). There will also be a 7 digit number in at least 3 inch high letters on some visible part of the hull, usually in the bilge.

sbw1 nailed it, there are a lot willing sellers out there and they won't be near as shady as character is coming across.

 

[Woody]

capecodcruiser,

If the boat is a Federally Documented Vessel, there will be no title. But, he will have the Certificate of Documentation issued by the Coast Guard (he has to renew this yearly). There will also be a 7 digit number in at least 3 inch high letters on some visible part of the hull, usually in the bilge.

sbw1 nailed it, there are a lot willing sellers out there and they won't be near as shady as character is coming across.

Depending on state this boat might not have a title or be federally documented, just registered

 

[SCORPIO]

I would insist on a survey and seatrial or no deal. I'd level with him and him why. I'd think he'd want a mechanic to check out your Ferrari since work on an exotic could be expensive and good Ferrari techs. don't grow on trees. Just curious, what model Ferrari?

 

[capecodcruiser]

So the guy finally got back to me and he is coming to see the car next week. Said he will let me know when they start to move boats in the yard that are in front of the 31 and we will get it in the water and surveyed/sea trial. So, the game may be back on. Keep my fingers crossed.

 

[capecodcruiser]

I would insist on a survey and seatrial or no deal. I'd level with him and him why. I'd think he'd want a mechanic to check out your Ferrari since work on an exotic could be expensive and good Ferrari techs. don't grow on trees. Just curious, what model Ferrari?

Scorpio
The car is a 1995 355. Awesome car, but I feel like it's time to move on. But, someone mentioned here that the car is probably at the bottom of it's depreciation curve and the boat will continue to depreciate to a point of being worthless.......I hate when people point out common sense to me!! So, I probably shouldn't be getting rid of stable/non-depreciating asset for a depreciating, but you can't keep them all!

 

[comsnark]

Not true... I insured my boat 340 last year without a survey... If I was buying a 98 310, I would may sure that the new exhaust mod was done. I would also do a compression check on the engines and generator, and I would definately do a sea trial...

Really? If you don't mind me asking; what insurance company are you using?

When I was shopping I called around several places and "recent survey" was always a requirement. This applied to both the SeaRay and my sailboat, but not the PWC's. Incidently , I was only pursuing liability coverage for the sailboat (i.e. no hull value)

 

[magster65]

So it's running on the hard? Does that mean it's on stands and he doesn't want to pay to sling it in and out? Most 'deals' are made with 'subject to' in the contract. Present your offer 'subject to' a successful sea trial. If he doesn't want to do that then I'd thank him for his time and walk away.

Also, there may not be anything wrong with the boat and this guy is just an oddball. It wouldn't be the first time ya' met a weirdo I'm sure!

 

[chollyjohn]

The quesiton is not if you buy the boat but eh quesiton is how big of a boat should you buy? A 1995 - 355 is defiantely worth a 37-42 footer. Doncha think?