Buying Used Boat Advice

[sigbear]

I am looking at buying a 30'ish sailboat (Catalina etc.) 2007-2008.

How can I get all of the repair records, if any, for the boat before hiring a surveyor?
The boat's I have been looking at are all out of state and I would have to fly, rent a car, pay for lodging and food, so, I would like to have the records before the travel expenses.

Am I asking to much?, Cars are so easy.

Donny

 

[Clark]

Donny, with a boat that new, you might be able to find out which dealer delivered the boat and then ask them what warranty repairs were made to it. The HIN would help in that respect. Barring that, if there is a boat that really strikes your fancy you could contact a surveyor near the boat and ask for a pre-visit inspection. It would be an abbreviated survey just to give you an idea of the overall condition and allow you to determine if you want to visit the boat or not.

 

[oldsalt]

Ask the seller for lots of pictures and then review them in detail. If they are any good, you can zoom in and see a lot. I am in the process of selling a boat right now, and have provided a ton of pics to a person about 400 miles away. We are set to close the deal Sunday but it has taken a lot of e-mails and pictures.
Good luck.

 

[seadaddler]

$$$

they must be a good deal for you to fly and rent a car to just look and than the $$$ to transport her home or are you sailing her home.
I borth a boat in virginia drove about 8-10 hours they sent photo's but when I got there the info for the extra's were all wrong but it was a new boat so the dealer made good on every thing plus added in extra's to make the deal.
Sailed her home to NY in 4 days and kept her for 6 years before trading up to my 2007 h-36.
I did have a warranty leak like I said she was a new demo boat and the dealer got Hunter factory to pay for repairs in NY and it was a great boat and the dealer was fantastic and so was Hunter.
I ordered a new Hunter closer to home in 2007 and no problems still in love with her now in Florida,you are doing the right thing.
Nick

 

[Glenn17467]

A boat that new in a 30' irange s a big investment. As mentioned, get as many photos as you can to help narrow your choices. I'm sure you could find some withing 200 miles to go look at. If it's 300-400 miles, make a weekend out of it. Photos can make anything look better than it is and a surveyor will know what to look for and ba able to identify defects and damage.

Any boat you purchase should be surveyed by a reputable surveyor, whether the boat is 10 miles away or 400.