Looked at a lot of boats. Seriously considered six, offered on three, paid for a survey on two and bought one. Took months and everybody lies. Why can't I walk into a boat lot, test sail the one I like, buy a certified used boat with 90 day warranty on engine and standing rigging? End of rant. Very happy to finally own a boat. Photos at link. 1977, Mirage 26, surveyed well, needs some TLC. Gonna be a great summer. Brian Scott See you in the wind. Or is that motorcycles? Need a new tagline.
buying a used boat rant
- Thread starter Brian Scott
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I think you can
I believe Hunter dealers now offer used boats under a certification program although I'm not sure what the warranty duration is. This was recently advertized here.
I believe Hunter dealers now offer used boats under a certification program although I'm not sure what the warranty duration is. This was recently advertized here.
I wasn't referring to
my boat specifically, I realize that I'm at the bottom end of the scale. But the difference in general between looking at used boats and used cars. I guess buying a boat is more like buying a house than a car. Surveyor, home inspector. But, even with a house the realtor is required to disclose any problems. Boat brokers don't.
my boat specifically, I realize that I'm at the bottom end of the scale. But the difference in general between looking at used boats and used cars. I guess buying a boat is more like buying a house than a car. Surveyor, home inspector. But, even with a house the realtor is required to disclose any problems. Boat brokers don't.
Brian Scott...
sounds like you did everything right. Put that all behind you... and get down to the business of preparing to go sailing! How about see you "on the wind"?
sounds like you did everything right. Put that all behind you... and get down to the business of preparing to go sailing! How about see you "on the wind"?
- Jan 22, 2008
- 519
or see you on the water...
I hear you on your rant... I looked for a couple of years at a number of different designs, each with their downfalls before finally being able to settle on a list of characteristics that I wanted in a 'new to me' used boat. That list narrowed my interest to about a dozen different designs. During that time, I physically viewed only three other boats, some of which were on that list, others which fit the criteria similarly. All those boats were within a 40 mile radius of where I sail. When an unknown boat, came up that met all my specs, I checked it out, and other than one minor detail, (no anchor well) it was the boat I was looking for. I had never heard of the design, but checking it out on the internet determined that is was generally well built. The moral of the story, if you will, is to have patience, do your homework, and indeed you will find the boat you want. It will however be a long frustrating, experience.
I hear you on your rant... I looked for a couple of years at a number of different designs, each with their downfalls before finally being able to settle on a list of characteristics that I wanted in a 'new to me' used boat. That list narrowed my interest to about a dozen different designs. During that time, I physically viewed only three other boats, some of which were on that list, others which fit the criteria similarly. All those boats were within a 40 mile radius of where I sail. When an unknown boat, came up that met all my specs, I checked it out, and other than one minor detail, (no anchor well) it was the boat I was looking for. I had never heard of the design, but checking it out on the internet determined that is was generally well built. The moral of the story, if you will, is to have patience, do your homework, and indeed you will find the boat you want. It will however be a long frustrating, experience.
cars and boats
Hello, There are similarities between purchasing cars and boats. There are sleazy used car salesman, and boat brokers. If you buy a new car (or nearly new used car) you can get a warranty from the dealer or manufacturer. If you buy at the low end of the market it is caveat emptor! About the best thing you can do (if you are using a broker) is to find a good broker. They are out there, and you will know pretty quickly if the broker is good or not. Good luck, Barry
Hello, There are similarities between purchasing cars and boats. There are sleazy used car salesman, and boat brokers. If you buy a new car (or nearly new used car) you can get a warranty from the dealer or manufacturer. If you buy at the low end of the market it is caveat emptor! About the best thing you can do (if you are using a broker) is to find a good broker. They are out there, and you will know pretty quickly if the broker is good or not. Good luck, Barry
caveat emptor
A very old adage that still applies today. The seller expects the buyer to be able to look after his own pocket. Look at what you are buying. Pay someone to confirm your findings. Decide a fair value from your point of veiw and make an offer. Fair market value is what a willing and knowledgeable buyer will offer and willing and knowledgeable seller will accept after a reasonable exposure to the market.
A very old adage that still applies today. The seller expects the buyer to be able to look after his own pocket. Look at what you are buying. Pay someone to confirm your findings. Decide a fair value from your point of veiw and make an offer. Fair market value is what a willing and knowledgeable buyer will offer and willing and knowledgeable seller will accept after a reasonable exposure to the market.
Boats are not cars or houses
This is the way the boat market works and one has to be able to deal with that. This is why we read read read and then, after that, get a surveyor - which is still no guarantee. This is the nature of the beast and if you enter the arena you just have to deal with it.
This is the way the boat market works and one has to be able to deal with that. This is why we read read read and then, after that, get a surveyor - which is still no guarantee. This is the nature of the beast and if you enter the arena you just have to deal with it.
Used a broker
Terry Freeman of Freeman Eckley spent three week-ends taking us to bots in the snow in the winter of 2000. He knew the market, and was truly helpful - he wanted us to enjoy sailing, even though at our price point of $18,000, he wouldn't make much money. We bought our h27 for $9,000 subject to a survey. The survey did a good job of identifying the issues we had to deal with over the following three years. And it support a price reduction that more than paid for the survey. We liked the owner, who visited the boat to show us how to rig the sails, and to start the engine. Nobody lied to us. Terry was pretty good at showing the boats as they lay. And old boats all have the same types of problems - water getting in somewhere, and tired hardware/machinery. But we sailed Lady Lillie with no repairs the first summer, and then began tackling one project a winter until we had her where we wanted her. That will be sometime next year, I think. David Lady Lillie '77 h27
Terry Freeman of Freeman Eckley spent three week-ends taking us to bots in the snow in the winter of 2000. He knew the market, and was truly helpful - he wanted us to enjoy sailing, even though at our price point of $18,000, he wouldn't make much money. We bought our h27 for $9,000 subject to a survey. The survey did a good job of identifying the issues we had to deal with over the following three years. And it support a price reduction that more than paid for the survey. We liked the owner, who visited the boat to show us how to rig the sails, and to start the engine. Nobody lied to us. Terry was pretty good at showing the boats as they lay. And old boats all have the same types of problems - water getting in somewhere, and tired hardware/machinery. But we sailed Lady Lillie with no repairs the first summer, and then began tackling one project a winter until we had her where we wanted her. That will be sometime next year, I think. David Lady Lillie '77 h27
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