I am considering buying a used boat. This will be the first boat I have ever purchased. I've read the owner postings and have several things to look for, however, I was considering trying to find a third party inspector. It this a good idea?
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
Good idea if you do not know what to look for.
Bob: It is probably a good idea if you do not know what you are looking for. You need to check out EVERYTHING from the hull, deck, transom, mast, running and standing rigging, motor etc. There are a lot of things to look at. Are you prepared to TOW a boat. Not an easy chore. If you do not have a good sized tow vehicle you need to add this to the purchase price. If you decide you do not want to tow and setup the boat before/after each outing, you can take the money that you would have spent on the tow vehicle and put it into a larger vessel. There is not much difference in sailing a 23' or a 28' boat. A little more sail handling but more stability. Good luck, it is a great outlet during stressful times.
Bob: It is probably a good idea if you do not know what you are looking for. You need to check out EVERYTHING from the hull, deck, transom, mast, running and standing rigging, motor etc. There are a lot of things to look at. Are you prepared to TOW a boat. Not an easy chore. If you do not have a good sized tow vehicle you need to add this to the purchase price. If you decide you do not want to tow and setup the boat before/after each outing, you can take the money that you would have spent on the tow vehicle and put it into a larger vessel. There is not much difference in sailing a 23' or a 28' boat. A little more sail handling but more stability. Good luck, it is a great outlet during stressful times.
D
Doug T.
Survey
Having a professional marine survey done -- and being present while it's accomplished -- it well worth the price, even if just for the education it provides. There are some good books available on surveying, but having an experienced professional do it with you is invaluable. I agree on the towing comment -- a bigger boat is just about as easy to handle, sailing-wise, and gives you a lot more flexibility for overnights
Having a professional marine survey done -- and being present while it's accomplished -- it well worth the price, even if just for the education it provides. There are some good books available on surveying, but having an experienced professional do it with you is invaluable. I agree on the towing comment -- a bigger boat is just about as easy to handle, sailing-wise, and gives you a lot more flexibility for overnights
R
Ray Bowles
Bob, another thought along the lines of Steve's
comments about towing is to consider a water ballasted boat if you are planning to tow. We bought a Hunter 26 as our first sailboat and it tows very well behind our 1/2 ton pick-up. It is also large enough for the two of us to spend a week on the water. Buy what suits you the best, but make sure it has sails. Your bitten by the bug now and you will love it. Ray S/V Speedy
comments about towing is to consider a water ballasted boat if you are planning to tow. We bought a Hunter 26 as our first sailboat and it tows very well behind our 1/2 ton pick-up. It is also large enough for the two of us to spend a week on the water. Buy what suits you the best, but make sure it has sails. Your bitten by the bug now and you will love it. Ray S/V Speedy
K
Kenneth Pfaff
Depends on number of factors
Back in 1995 when I bought my previous boat a 93 23.5 I decided not to go with a surveyor for several reason. !. The boat was only 2 years old, the previous owner upgrade to a larger hunter. 2. The 23.5 was not an overly complex boat. 3. The boat was in great shape. 4. The boat was not overly expensive so I felt the added cost of a surveyor was not needed.
Back in 1995 when I bought my previous boat a 93 23.5 I decided not to go with a surveyor for several reason. !. The boat was only 2 years old, the previous owner upgrade to a larger hunter. 2. The 23.5 was not an overly complex boat. 3. The boat was in great shape. 4. The boat was not overly expensive so I felt the added cost of a surveyor was not needed.
B
Bill O'Donovan
J
jim oursler
survey archives for first time buyer
It will cost about $`10 per foot for the survey. Do it. Also, search on the archives for ' hunter 23.5 " and read the history for past 3 years..
It will cost about $`10 per foot for the survey. Do it. Also, search on the archives for ' hunter 23.5 " and read the history for past 3 years..
J
Jerry Smith
My insurance company required a survey...
I purchased a 1987 Hunter 31 a couple of years ago. I have been a boat owner for about 23 years. I had the boat professionally surveyed and it costed me $125.00. Although I am an experienced boater I was able to learn things from the professional surveyer that I did not know about my boat. When it came time to insure the boat, the insurance company required a survey also. The surveyer can also help you to know if you are getting a good deal on the boat or if you are paying too much. If I were a first time boat buyer, I would definately use a surveyer. If the surveyer finds just one thing wrong, or missing it could be well worth the money. If they don't find anything wrong, it's worth it for the peace of mind. Boating is Great!!! Enjoy! Jerry Smith
I purchased a 1987 Hunter 31 a couple of years ago. I have been a boat owner for about 23 years. I had the boat professionally surveyed and it costed me $125.00. Although I am an experienced boater I was able to learn things from the professional surveyer that I did not know about my boat. When it came time to insure the boat, the insurance company required a survey also. The surveyer can also help you to know if you are getting a good deal on the boat or if you are paying too much. If I were a first time boat buyer, I would definately use a surveyer. If the surveyer finds just one thing wrong, or missing it could be well worth the money. If they don't find anything wrong, it's worth it for the peace of mind. Boating is Great!!! Enjoy! Jerry Smith
Need to request a survey for both!
If you are purchasing a new (used) boat you should probably ask your surveyor for a buyers survey and an insurance survey. We transfered our insurance from Allstate (since it was new) to BoatUS last year. The insurance companies will normally accept a survey that was performed within a year or two. BoatUS did NOT require a survey. I assume it was because we had continous coverage. The boat was a 1985 model that we puchased new in April of 1987.
If you are purchasing a new (used) boat you should probably ask your surveyor for a buyers survey and an insurance survey. We transfered our insurance from Allstate (since it was new) to BoatUS last year. The insurance companies will normally accept a survey that was performed within a year or two. BoatUS did NOT require a survey. I assume it was because we had continous coverage. The boat was a 1985 model that we puchased new in April of 1987.
B
Bob R
Thanks
I appreciate the advice. I will get a survey, based on insurance (and my inexperience). Thanks. I will probably ask more questions after I make a purchase. This forum is extremely helpful.
I appreciate the advice. I will get a survey, based on insurance (and my inexperience). Thanks. I will probably ask more questions after I make a purchase. This forum is extremely helpful.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.