Am I TOO Honest

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N

Nice N Easy

Am I too honest? The post about the Katrina boat made me wonder. Tongue in cheek here. As I stated in my reply to that post, I looked at several boats in this area, before buying a boat in New Jersey. Many of them had obvious damage, and no one admitted to it. Now I have my previous boat for sale. The damage to it was very minor, mostly the wind generator mast breaking and coming down on the bimini destroying the frame. In the process it scratched up the cockpit and damaged the external radio speakers. So I have not done anything to repair this damage. It is my belief that if I leave what damage there is alone, no one will think I am trying to hide something. I do not want to hide anything, and do not want a prospective buyer to wonder if I have. Will it cost me a few dollars in the sales price, possibly. Will I sleep good at night, absolutely.
 
Feb 26, 2004
23,341
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
Never can be too honest

Take some pictures, document what and how the damage happened, keep sleeping soundly. Good on you!
 
A

AXEL

Always be honest!

If for no other reason than principle. In your case, I'd either repair the boat or leave as is but only because I didn't want to put any money into it. You may do better repairing. Take good, detailed pictures of before and after. But always be honest.
 

Rick D

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Jun 14, 2008
7,204
Hunter Legend 40.5 Shoreline Marina Long Beach CA
I Wouldn't Worry About It

Every boat gets some bites and everyone repairs them. Actually, advising someone what damage you did have is more likely to reassure them than cause them to walk away IMHO. RD
 
Sep 25, 2008
7,687
Alden 50 Sarasota, Florida
other perspective

not unlike selling a house, curb appeal is important. If the first thing a potential buyer sees is damage, human nature is that most folks will think that's only the beinning. If it's as minor as you describe, why not fix it and eliminate the turn-off?
 
Feb 25, 2007
191
- - Sandusky, Ohio
Survey??

To follow an idea in that other thread, why not pay to have it surveyed and make that survey available to potential buyers? The cost could be rolled into your bottom line price. Use one of the major national surveying companies in order to calm any fears of conflict of interest. Once that is done, there is a lot to be said for curb appeal. You won't have a chance to explain anything if they don't stop and look. A little spit and polish goes a long way.
 

higgs

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Aug 24, 2005
3,736
Nassau 34 Olcott, NY
Honesty is best

When trading in my Irwin 32 I made sure the broker new all the problems that were not readily visible - all were minor. I had a couple of interior leaks and had a couple of baggies tacked up to catch the water. I told the broker and he left the baggies in place when he showed the boat to the next buyer and even brought the buyer over to talk to me about the leaks. I also let the broker know about how nice the sails were and other less obvious improvements. I agree, that if you are straight up and honest about the condition of your boat - people are more likely to deal with you. I sleep good at night - and that broker has a happy customer who is out saying good things about his honesty.
 

Ross

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Jun 15, 2004
14,693
Islander/Wayfairer 30 sail number 25 Perryville,Md.
Nice and easy, There is only one time when honesty

will get you into trouble: your wife asks " Does this make me look fat?" You should have a severe coughing fit and be unable to speak for several minutes. ;D
 
Dec 2, 2003
392
Catalina 350 Seattle
I love the answer to that one

Ross - I just love this answer to that question ("Does this dress make me look fat?") "It's not the dress." Try that one out and see if a coughing fit gets you out of there with all your teeth. Now that's honesty. Tim Brogan April IV C350 #68 Seattle
 

Ctskip

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Sep 21, 2005
732
other 12 wet water
When I was a kid

and spent the night at my grandparents home, every night my grandfather would say to me, "sleep easy". It wasn't until I was thirty something when I really understood what it was he was saying to me. How true. Thanks for reminding me of some nice times in my life. Honesty is truly the best policy all the way around. You don't have to remember the truth. Keep it up, Ctskip
 
Mar 18, 2006
147
Catalina 25 Standard/Fin Keel Grand Lake, OK
What Goes Around Comes Around....

I wouldn't have a clear conscience if I did something like that. I figure it's just bad karma to withhold information to a perspective buyer. Eventually the shoe is on the other foot and you may be the one being held out on. Sound like a cliche', but cliche's always have a grain of truth to them.
 

Ross

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Jun 15, 2004
14,693
Islander/Wayfairer 30 sail number 25 Perryville,Md.
In Maryland concealing material defects

during the sale of property is a crime. In home sales they require a "full disclosure" statement from the seller. If you put things back together and made it "look" whole without making it whole you would be robbing the blind.
 
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