Inspect boat in San Antonio, TX

[yzfr1]

Should you ask a local to look at boat before making a trip?

I am changing this thread as it seems it was not quite what I was looking for.

After getting advice from some nice boat owners in another thread here, I thought to myself, how nice.. so I created this thread to ask if someone would be willing to check out a boat before making a trip just to make sure it was not a waste of time.

This thread is however has turned into a discussion on whether this is a good idea and whether I should go look myself as some people don't think it is a far drive. And you are right, it is not all that far (although this is relative).

I think this is great discussion on whether it is a good idea or not to ask someone you don't know to take a look. It appears that there are many people who disagree on this subject so it should keep going.

For those of you who think I should go look myself, I will.. Not as easy as all that but that is another story.

No hard feelings to anyone on my part. I respect all of your opinions or I would not be here.

For those of you who have not read the initial post, I left it intact below.


Original Post
___________________________________________________________________

I am have a found a boat in the San Antonio, TX area that I am looking to buy. I live in Dallas which is bit far to go and look at a boat to decide to buy.

Is there anyone that would be willing to look at this boat for me and give me an evaluation on it?

If so please pm me and I will get you the details.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Joe]

not a good idea... on either side.

 

[yzfr1]

not a good idea... on either side.

Not that I don't share your sentiment. Cause I was apprehensive about it. However, I had 3 people from the forums suggest this. I don't know. I can see the drawbacks. I just kind of figured since I got the ideas here that people might be a bit honest about it. Maybe I will just remove the post if I can...

Oh well...

 

[Merlin Clark]

I sold a boat just before Christmas and the buyers- brokers- surveyor traveled about 2 hours each way and only charged $450. I thought this was very reasonable. He was very good too.
Might find a San Antonio surveyor cheaper than this since it would be local.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

I see nothing wrong with this as long as you use some common sense. There are lots of credible folks here on this forum, many of whom would be an excellent as first look candidate. I have done precisely this for a couple of people who were interested in boats locally but who lived too far away to make it down for a first look and in both cases, I saved them the frustration, time and effort involved in looking at a boat that was described far better than reality.
Obviously, if you are not diligent in your actions, anyone can take advantage of you so act accordingly and hopefully you will find someone in that area who can help.

 

[yzfr1]

I see nothing wrong with this as long as you use some common sense. There are lots of credible folks here on this forum, many of whom would be an excellent as first look candidate. I have done precisely this for a couple of people who were interested in boats locally but who lived too far away to make it down for a first look and in both cases, I saved them the frustration, time and effort involved in looking at a boat that was described far better than reality.
Obviously, if you are not diligent in your actions, anyone can take advantage of you so act accordingly and hopefully you will find someone in that area who can help.

Thanks Don.

I was in a forum the other day asking questions and someone brought this idea to my attention. I didn't come up with it on my own. I would have never thought of it. It kind of made sense to me though. Then I had a few more people suggest the same thing. I guess I figured that people here might know their sailboats and what to look for and some are willing to help others out. After all, a lot of the time that is what people are doing here. Giving advice and helping out.

 

[woodster]

Not that I don't share your sentiment. Cause I was apprehensive about it. However, I had 3 people from the forums suggest this. I don't know. I can see the drawbacks. I just kind of figured since I got the ideas here that people might be a bit honest about it. Maybe I will just remove the post if I can...

Oh well...

first off let me say that anyone that is willing to look at a boat for from this site will prolly be strigh up and forthrite...if some one is willing to take there time to do that i am sure that they have nothing to gaine or loose by doing so...well gain yes a good friend in the long run.....the only thing i see that may be a draw back about this if there preception and yours are way of base...and that is possible....so just ask them all the questions you need answered and let them help you....and maybe some day you can do the same for some one else....

so just keep the thread going and see what happens.....after all if you get a deciding report back from that person and you go buy the boat on there say so just keep in mind that if it is not what you expect when you get there..... just dont write the check for the boat and all you will have lost is a trip to San Antonio...and go see the Alamo and river walk so the trip will not be a total loss......

regards

woody

 

[Sanfelice]

Why not?

I think that is a reasonable request. The poster surely is just wanting a pair of eyes to see if it is worth the drive for a personal look. Not a survey. I can't tell you how many times I have seen descriptions of boats that sound turn key but in reality nothing but junk.

 

[yzfr1]

I think that is a reasonable request. The poster surely is just wanting a pair of eyes to see if it is worth the drive for a personal look. Not a survey. I can't tell you how many times I have seen descriptions of boats that sound turn key but in reality nothing but junk.

That is exactly what I am looking for. Thank you. I just need to see if it is worth making that drive. Gas is not too cheap these days.. I guess I might not have worded it correctly.

BTW Sanfellice, I am originally from around your area. Good to hear from people from my home.

 

[Joe]

Why don't you ask the seller to send you some pictures? Then...... post them... or give us a description of the boat you're looking at... then ask what are the known issues with that particular model.... and find out if they have been addressed by the current owner.

Why.... 'cause anybody can offer to take a look at the boat for you, but unless you and your agent are on the same page.... what's the point?

You should be able to determine from an average set of pictures and an equipment list whether you want to see any more of the boat... isn't that all you are asking an unknown previewer to provide you?

Research the boat, look at the pictures yourself, ask the seller some educated questions ... then make the determination yourself whether to spend a few bucks for the pleasant drive down to San Antonio....

 

[LuzSD]

I think it's a fine idea, why not?
Six years ago when we were searching for our boat, we heard about a Cat 30 TR that seemed pretty nice and after multiple calls, one of them with the broker on board the boat describing things in detail to me.........we decided to drive the 3 hours to see the boat. It turned out to be in terrible shape, a total waste of time and trouble. We decided that we would not take that boat on even if they were paying US. The ad continued in the sailing sites and continued to be misleading so I finally contacted the owner of the brokerage and complained. I did get satisfaction from that telephone call so hopefully saved others either a huge headache or at least a long fuitless drive. So...I think you have a good idea in asking someone to just take a look. Most of us love looking at boats especially if we're not the ones putting out the money ........so I am sure you'll have no trouble getting some help. Good Luck with that!

 

[dscribner]

yzfr1,

I can't help you but to suggest that you ask others to check it out to see if it's worth looking at. Then, if they think it is, you make the six hour trip, check it out yourself, hook up with them and buy them a Lone Star.

Don

 

[C Jones]

I would not drive or fly to New York, California or Florida to look at a boat but San Antonio is not that far to me. 275 miles, 4 1/2 hours. Take a weekend and make it an adventure

 

[Beanruben]

Inspection can be subjective

Our inspector did a terrible job. I'm glad we got the boat, anyway, because of my personal feelings with what I saw. However, had he done the same inspection with a boat I missed seeing, I would have been doubly screwed.
Go see the boat, you're the one who is going to be using it. San Antonion from Dallas is not far, in the Northeast, 4 hours is nothing to see the boat of your dreams...

 

[mtbque]

Pay to get it surveyed and then decide next course of action after going over survey. Make sure you have surveyor who specializes in sailboats. My two cents...

 

[yzfr1]

Thanks everyone for your advice and suggestions.

I think I should have labeled this thread "Do you think it is a good idea to have someone look at a boat for you prior to picking it up?" haha

I think I will just bite the bullet, open my wallet and go look for myself. It seems to be the general suggestion.

For what its worth. This boat is not a high value boat. Nor is it in that great of shape. It seems to relatively cheap but that is why I am interested. I am guess I am just a little frugal with my money. The other day I look at a boat locally after I had been sent about 15 pictures and the pictures did not do much to describe the damage that boat had suffered. Needless to say the guy did not know much about the boat, neglected it and didn't know that it was so trashed. That is what I was trying avoid.

So keep the thread going and lets hear what people have to say. Is this a good idea or bad idea? What your thoughts.

 

[jmce1587]

Surrogate Buyer

To me buying a boat is a personal thing and I would be leary of someone else's judgement without seeing the boat. When you get on the boat and poke around for a while, you get a sense of feel for the boat, how the owner maintained it, what work you would need to do and want to do. With that said, a lot depends on the value of the boat. If ithe boat is not that expensive to you then it may not be worth the time to visit and any repairs you could handle.

In the past month, I purchased a H31 in Canyon Lake and moved it to Kemah. the one way travel time from my house was 3 hours. To me it was worth the drive. If you do go without viewing, the texas boater's directory has several marine surveyors in the SA, Round Rock, Austin area that can assist you. if you need contact info, let me know. Best of sailing to you.

 

[Floating Dental Student]

I recently purchased a 1989 Catalina 30, when it was all said and done I had looked at over 15 boats. Yes, that is a little overkill but I was on a mission to find my dream boat. Here is what I did, I found a region (like kemah/seabrook) and looked up every boat that fit my criteria. I called ahead and scheduled to view as many crafts as possible on that trip. Here are a few benefits in setting up multiple personal inspections...
1. Greater confidence in your buying descision
2. More options should the target craft end up being a lemon
3. Provides an accurate feel for the condition of market in that area
4. Allows for better negotiations as you will be educated on asking prices of other boats.

Hopefully this helps, oh one more thing. Bring a camera and be very organized in your collection of data on each craft as you can easily get confused once you've looked at a few.

GOOD LUCK!

 

[bkuether]

Buying remotely

I live in Maryland and bought my Catalina 320 in Chicago. For the initial "look", I flew out. (I lined up a bunch of boats to look at...) After I decided, the broker coordinated (not choose) the surveyor, and arranged the shipping. If you are going to buy a boat, and invest that much money in it, its worth the 200 bucks to go see it first hand. Now if you want to use a surrogate, I would use that type of person to give me that initial look. But would still go and see it myself.

 

[yzfr1]

I live in Maryland and bought my Catalina 320 in Chicago. For the initial "look", I flew out. (I lined up a bunch of boats to look at...) After I decided, the broker coordinated (not choose) the surveyor, and arranged the shipping. If you are going to buy a boat, and invest that much money in it, its worth the 200 bucks to go see it first hand. Now if you want to use a surrogate, I would use that type of person to give me that initial look. But would still go and see it myself.

Well no matter what, I would never buy it without doing the final check myself. I wasn't looking for someone to do the check and then just pay to have it shipped. I was thinking that someone just look it over and give me their thoughts. But again, I think I have decided to just go and check out several at a time. I think that it is good advice. Was originally hoping to save a few bucks in travel.