I'm enjoying how this thread has morphed into advice (good) about the process of negotiating a purchase.
For shibbershabber, if you do some searching, you should be able to find info about the mechanics of buying selling boats through a broker. I strongly suggest that you do this. The broker is an expert and he his representing the seller, not the buyer. Just like buying and selling real-estate, you need to know the rules. Just like real-estate brokers, yacht brokers belong to an association and are mandated to abide by its and also State rules and regulations.
At one point in my working career, I made a living negotiating commercial vessel charters for mineral products like iron ore, coal, copper, manganese. One "rule" that existed in the international ocean vessel market was no "back trading" ... defined as countering a counter-offer either lower or higher (as the case may be) in the opposite direction from your previous position. But if the situation had changed from the time of the previous offer (such as the market suddenly moved in the opposite direction to your interests), but you still wanted book the vessel, then the proper course of action was to decline the opponent's last offer and walk away. Then start all over afresh. The other party might agree to re-open the negotiation, or might not.
In the case of a boat negotiation, if the seller doesn't reduce his previous offer/counter-offer, and you don't want to increase your bid, you should just repeat your last. You have no obligation to meet "in the middle". If you have a change of heart and don't want the boat at your last price, then decline the seller's last counter-offer. The negotiation is technically over and you can walk away.
I certainly agree with sandpiper that if new info comes to light, you can later ask for a price adjustment, or you are free to walk away. But you need to make sure that you have it clear in your opening offer that the offer is subject to your agreement to the findings of the survey, and subject to anything else that you feel is germane.
When I bought my boat through the seller's broker (who I thought was great, honest, professional, and successfully served the important function of intermediary between seller and buyer), the seller wouldn't reduce to my level, but it was close. I told the seller and broker that I needed a sweetener to continue. I proposed that the broker reduce his commission a bit that he charged to the seller and credit the savings to me. Also I needed to keep the boat on the hard in broker's affiliated company yard (which had open spots unlikely to be filled) so I could work on it and until I could secure a berth in my home port. I suggested a discount to the normal monthly fee yard fee. The broker agreed to both. The boat had been listed for over a year, and buyers weren't exactly lined-up, so the broker was motivated. Also, based upon my own "pre-survey", I had already factored into the purchase price certain repair and improvement items I knew were needed later. But when the formal survey was completed some unexpected faults were found. I said that I would maintain the agreed purchase price, but that a futher $x repair allowance would be deducted. The Seller agreed. (One point on these type of allowances: If in Washington state, as in California, you pay an annual property tax that is based upon the purchase price, the tax basis is the agreed price, not the price less the allowances.)
I mention all this to show that each negotiation is unique. Be creative. And as already commented by others, don't fall in love with any specific boat. If the negotiation doesn't go your way, move on. And get the book I previous mentioned: "Inspecting the Aging Sailboat" by Don Casey. There's a lot to know about owning a boat. As with anything else, its not intimidating once you become familar. But better you get into this new lifestyle with info in hand.
