Buying a boat in winter.

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Aug 13, 2005
25
Mirage 26 Jordan
I'm hoping to put in an offer on a sailboat this weekend. After everyone agrees on the price, we sign the contract subject to a satisfactory survey and sea trial. I think that most people allow ten days to arrange insurance, survey and finances. But, it's winter here so what arrangement is made for a sea trial. Seems unfair to the seller to have a deal pending for 3 months. Or am I missing something? Thanks. Brian
 
Aug 13, 2005
25
Mirage 26 Jordan
I'm hoping to put in an offer on a sailboat this weekend. After everyone agrees on the price, we sign the contract subject to a satisfactory survey and sea trial. I think that most people allow ten days to arrange insurance, survey and finances. But, it's winter here so what arrangement is made for a sea trial. Seems unfair to the seller to have a deal pending for 3 months. Or am I missing something? Thanks. Brian
 

Jim

.
May 21, 2007
775
Catalina 36 MK II NJ
Ok, you can do this

do you need a sea trail? You can buy the boat without one. The seller may not want to wait 3 months and keep the boat on the market. That is want I would do if I were the seller. You can have the boat surveyed on land. Wait for a warm day in the early spring to run the motor. The important thing is that the motor runs in forward and reverse.
 

Jim

.
May 21, 2007
775
Catalina 36 MK II NJ
Ok, you can do this

do you need a sea trail? You can buy the boat without one. The seller may not want to wait 3 months and keep the boat on the market. That is want I would do if I were the seller. You can have the boat surveyed on land. Wait for a warm day in the early spring to run the motor. The important thing is that the motor runs in forward and reverse.
 
Jun 4, 2007
117
Gulfstar 37 Noank, CT
Escrow some money for the Sea Trial

I once purchased in January. The broker (for the buyer) suggested that we survey subject to the sea trial at the earliest possible date and set an escrow amount for any potential repairs. The whole process worked out fine. This will open a can of worms, but he was one broker that I would highly recommend! There are a couple of others out that should have the fleas of a thousand Arabian camels infest their armpits!!
 
Jun 4, 2007
117
Gulfstar 37 Noank, CT
Escrow some money for the Sea Trial

I once purchased in January. The broker (for the buyer) suggested that we survey subject to the sea trial at the earliest possible date and set an escrow amount for any potential repairs. The whole process worked out fine. This will open a can of worms, but he was one broker that I would highly recommend! There are a couple of others out that should have the fleas of a thousand Arabian camels infest their armpits!!
 
Sep 25, 2008
7,668
Alden 50 Sarasota, Florida
sea trails can be important

Depending on how thorough you are, a sea trial can be crucial. Some people view them as simply a joy ride but there are numerous valid and important reasons for making a sale contingent upon a successful trial which is the only way to determine if everything actually works as it appears. I would escrow whatever the max amount you can negotiate with the seller.
 
Sep 25, 2008
7,668
Alden 50 Sarasota, Florida
sea trails can be important

Depending on how thorough you are, a sea trial can be crucial. Some people view them as simply a joy ride but there are numerous valid and important reasons for making a sale contingent upon a successful trial which is the only way to determine if everything actually works as it appears. I would escrow whatever the max amount you can negotiate with the seller.
 
S

Scott

You wanted the good deal, right?

Isn't that why you made the offer in the winter? You might have to sacrifice a sea trial if you want to take title in the winter. You can try for various concessions. Maybe the seller will allow escrow to be held for some specific items and when a sea trial confirms what you expect, the escrow can be released. I wouldn't do it that way if I was the seller, but you never know until you suggest it. I think it is unfair to expect to get a winter-time deal and have a sale pending until spring. If you want to finalize the deal in the spring, you might have to pay a higher price. The deal is only fair if both parties agree to it and each holds up their end of the bargain. I think it's a buyers market so your chances of making a good deal are favorable.
 
S

Scott

You wanted the good deal, right?

Isn't that why you made the offer in the winter? You might have to sacrifice a sea trial if you want to take title in the winter. You can try for various concessions. Maybe the seller will allow escrow to be held for some specific items and when a sea trial confirms what you expect, the escrow can be released. I wouldn't do it that way if I was the seller, but you never know until you suggest it. I think it is unfair to expect to get a winter-time deal and have a sale pending until spring. If you want to finalize the deal in the spring, you might have to pay a higher price. The deal is only fair if both parties agree to it and each holds up their end of the bargain. I think it's a buyers market so your chances of making a good deal are favorable.
 
Jun 1, 2005
772
Pearson 303 Robinhood, ME
As long as...

you can have it surveyed on the hard... you are good to go. The surveyor will come up with a list of stuff 1 mile long... don't get discouraged (however you will have to fix some of the list before your insurance will cover you). Make an offer 25% below the asking price. You can escrow some money for the engine/tranny. You will want to take a GOOD diesel mechanic (if a diesel) with you on the sea trial and "put it under a load". That should not be unreasonable... you would not buy a car without starting the engine. I don't think you will be able to escrow more than 2 or 3k.... get what you can. It is a great time to buy... make sure the broker is working with your interests (there are some doozies out there)! Good luck, Rich
 
Jun 1, 2005
772
Pearson 303 Robinhood, ME
As long as...

you can have it surveyed on the hard... you are good to go. The surveyor will come up with a list of stuff 1 mile long... don't get discouraged (however you will have to fix some of the list before your insurance will cover you). Make an offer 25% below the asking price. You can escrow some money for the engine/tranny. You will want to take a GOOD diesel mechanic (if a diesel) with you on the sea trial and "put it under a load". That should not be unreasonable... you would not buy a car without starting the engine. I don't think you will be able to escrow more than 2 or 3k.... get what you can. It is a great time to buy... make sure the broker is working with your interests (there are some doozies out there)! Good luck, Rich
 

Ross

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Jun 15, 2004
14,693
Islander/Wayfairer 30 sail number 25 Perryville,Md.
What constitutes a sailboat? A hull, spars, a rudder

and a keel. Those things are easy to check out. An auxillary engine. Start it, run it, Shift the tranny forward, neutral, reverse, it works test done. visual inspection for bumps, dings, bruises, and obvious new repairs, inspection done. Are you comfortable with what you see? if yes , buy it . If no, walk away.
 

Ross

.
Jun 15, 2004
14,693
Islander/Wayfairer 30 sail number 25 Perryville,Md.
What constitutes a sailboat? A hull, spars, a rudder

and a keel. Those things are easy to check out. An auxillary engine. Start it, run it, Shift the tranny forward, neutral, reverse, it works test done. visual inspection for bumps, dings, bruises, and obvious new repairs, inspection done. Are you comfortable with what you see? if yes , buy it . If no, walk away.
 
P

Pete

Ok here is my idea

Have the boat survey, Do not test the engine or sail it. If everything else is OK close on the boat and hold back the worst case scenario on the engine or a amount that seams reasonable to you. You did not mention cost of boat but if it is a 100K boat it would be reasonable to hold back 5k to 7.5k pending on a sea trial. If you are paying 5k for the boat this may all be a mute issue test run the engine and re winterize it,buy it. If this is a high end boat the broker and seller will expect you to hold money back,pending a sea trial if not remember that you are the buyer and there is always another boat. Keep in mind that it is now Mid January and no one has bought the boat yet so not very likely that they are going to buy it out from under you tomorrow. The seller and broker (if one) will still have to negotiate a deal and if there is another purchaser what is to prevent them from doing the very same thing of holding back money pending the sea trial. The seller should recognize this as he will get his money because the broker will be obligated to hold it pending sea trial and the seller know he has his boat sold and has received most of his money and the rest will be paid shortly. If you do a sea trial now you will be responsable (IMO) for the cost of launch and re haul as well as re winterizing the any systems you un winterized if this is even possible in your area. If the seller or broker wants to absorb the cost great but you should not have to in my opinion. Time is on you side here so either wait a couple of months and put in bid or try now and see what happens. Would be helpful to have a ballpark price because there is a limit to how far you can take this, however I disagree with your thery thatt this is unfair to the seller,with all do respect to both parties you have hte upper hand here and you need to proteck yourself WOULD you buy a used car without drive it or for that matter without even starting the engine???????? A hold back is done all the time and should not be a problem ! A little off topic here but there is a saying that the two best days of boating are when you purchase your boat and when you sell it !!! Think about it ! ! !
 
P

Pete

Ok here is my idea

Have the boat survey, Do not test the engine or sail it. If everything else is OK close on the boat and hold back the worst case scenario on the engine or a amount that seams reasonable to you. You did not mention cost of boat but if it is a 100K boat it would be reasonable to hold back 5k to 7.5k pending on a sea trial. If you are paying 5k for the boat this may all be a mute issue test run the engine and re winterize it,buy it. If this is a high end boat the broker and seller will expect you to hold money back,pending a sea trial if not remember that you are the buyer and there is always another boat. Keep in mind that it is now Mid January and no one has bought the boat yet so not very likely that they are going to buy it out from under you tomorrow. The seller and broker (if one) will still have to negotiate a deal and if there is another purchaser what is to prevent them from doing the very same thing of holding back money pending the sea trial. The seller should recognize this as he will get his money because the broker will be obligated to hold it pending sea trial and the seller know he has his boat sold and has received most of his money and the rest will be paid shortly. If you do a sea trial now you will be responsable (IMO) for the cost of launch and re haul as well as re winterizing the any systems you un winterized if this is even possible in your area. If the seller or broker wants to absorb the cost great but you should not have to in my opinion. Time is on you side here so either wait a couple of months and put in bid or try now and see what happens. Would be helpful to have a ballpark price because there is a limit to how far you can take this, however I disagree with your thery thatt this is unfair to the seller,with all do respect to both parties you have hte upper hand here and you need to proteck yourself WOULD you buy a used car without drive it or for that matter without even starting the engine???????? A hold back is done all the time and should not be a problem ! A little off topic here but there is a saying that the two best days of boating are when you purchase your boat and when you sell it !!! Think about it ! ! !
 

Jim

.
May 21, 2007
775
Catalina 36 MK II NJ
Wow, you know what they say about opinions

everyone has one. Hire a surveyor you trust and ask him what you should do. They have done it all before 100 times.
 

Jim

.
May 21, 2007
775
Catalina 36 MK II NJ
Wow, you know what they say about opinions

everyone has one. Hire a surveyor you trust and ask him what you should do. They have done it all before 100 times.
 

Jim

.
May 21, 2007
775
Catalina 36 MK II NJ
Ross

The motor is the MOST EXPENSIVE wear item on the boat. You NEED to make sure it is at least serivce-able before you agree to purchase the boat.
 

Jim

.
May 21, 2007
775
Catalina 36 MK II NJ
Ross

The motor is the MOST EXPENSIVE wear item on the boat. You NEED to make sure it is at least serivce-able before you agree to purchase the boat.
 
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