Looking to buy a boat which is on the hard for winter. Am concerned about the engine status ( it's a Yanmar diesel 13 hp, 1984). Marine surveyor is reluctant to start engine in cradle to see if it runs. Seller does not want to wait to close the deal until after sea trial, and also pointed out logistical difficulties such as who paints the bottom and preps the boat to launch, etc. Has anyone encountered this? Any advice for a first-time boat buyer regarding these issues? As I see it: Do I insist on sea trial? Has anyone checked the engine in the cradle? Thanks for your help in advance! Joe
Sea trial or not? How to test engine in winter?
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Don't buy until you try!!!!
Other issues might become aparent during a sea trial. I bought a boat on a trailer once and we rolled out the mainsail and it looked to be in good condition. When I got it to the lake it was about 3' too short for the mast. While looking at another boat the owner assured me that the bottom was fine and there was no use in a haulout to check it for blisters. I put on my mask and snorkle and found out that the bottom had many large blisters. If all else fails you may be able to write a provision in the sales agreement that he will fix any engine problems. On my current boat during sea trials the PO wanted to keep the engine below about 1700 rpm. Only after I owned the boat did I find out that it overheats when pushed above 2000 rpm... Experience is an expensive teacher!!!
Other issues might become aparent during a sea trial. I bought a boat on a trailer once and we rolled out the mainsail and it looked to be in good condition. When I got it to the lake it was about 3' too short for the mast. While looking at another boat the owner assured me that the bottom was fine and there was no use in a haulout to check it for blisters. I put on my mask and snorkle and found out that the bottom had many large blisters. If all else fails you may be able to write a provision in the sales agreement that he will fix any engine problems. On my current boat during sea trials the PO wanted to keep the engine below about 1700 rpm. Only after I owned the boat did I find out that it overheats when pushed above 2000 rpm... Experience is an expensive teacher!!!
Escrow
If you cant start the engine on the cradle...which you can by running a fresh water hose to the intake..... Then work out a deal to escrow a $$ amount to cover damage or replacement of the engine....after the deal is complete and the bottom is painted (by you as the new owner)...slash her in.....if it fails the test.....either deal is off...or the escrow fund is used to fix the problems with the engine...or the escrow is returned to PO in full.......If sale is a go the bottom paint is your funding...if not write into the contract that that cost is removed or returned to you.... Note: escrow funds must be held by a 3rd party not benificial to the deal.....possibly marina?..or bank. A contract can be written to include or exclude anything. are you using a broker????...if so they have been through all of this before....just like buying a house.
If you cant start the engine on the cradle...which you can by running a fresh water hose to the intake..... Then work out a deal to escrow a $$ amount to cover damage or replacement of the engine....after the deal is complete and the bottom is painted (by you as the new owner)...slash her in.....if it fails the test.....either deal is off...or the escrow fund is used to fix the problems with the engine...or the escrow is returned to PO in full.......If sale is a go the bottom paint is your funding...if not write into the contract that that cost is removed or returned to you.... Note: escrow funds must be held by a 3rd party not benificial to the deal.....possibly marina?..or bank. A contract can be written to include or exclude anything. are you using a broker????...if so they have been through all of this before....just like buying a house.
stuff
coupla things 1. how warm is it where the boat is? some yanmars are dificult to start in cold weather...consider heater on engine block an hour or so beforehand. else you may drain battery 2. don't run pressurized water to engine...stick intake hose in bucket (5 gal) and let it be drawn in
coupla things 1. how warm is it where the boat is? some yanmars are dificult to start in cold weather...consider heater on engine block an hour or so beforehand. else you may drain battery 2. don't run pressurized water to engine...stick intake hose in bucket (5 gal) and let it be drawn in
running on hard not good enough
Hello, IMHO, if you are going to spend any amount of dough on this boat, you really want to splash it and make a test run. Sure, you can run a hose to the motor and run it, but you can't test the transmission, and you can't run it under load. You really need to know that the engine will run, the transmission engage in forward and reverse, that the engine will run at the higher RPM without overheating, that it doesn't blow smoke at high RPM, etc. Regarding who pays, typically (and every deal can be different, but TYPICALLY), the boat owner is responsible for having the boat in the water and ready to be demonstrated. If you decide not to purchase the boat, you are responsible for paying to restore the boat to pre-survey condition. Here's a simple example: I bought my boat last June. It was on the hard. The owners contract with the yard covered launching the boat. My surveyor examined the boat in the hard, then the boat was launched and we did the sea test. If I decided not to buy the boat, I would have been responsible for paying the hard to haul and block the boat. I did end up buying the boat, so I just sailed it home. Regarding bottom paint and other things like that, that is really up to you. If you want fresh paint, then it would be your responsibity to pay for it. Good luck! Barry
Hello, IMHO, if you are going to spend any amount of dough on this boat, you really want to splash it and make a test run. Sure, you can run a hose to the motor and run it, but you can't test the transmission, and you can't run it under load. You really need to know that the engine will run, the transmission engage in forward and reverse, that the engine will run at the higher RPM without overheating, that it doesn't blow smoke at high RPM, etc. Regarding who pays, typically (and every deal can be different, but TYPICALLY), the boat owner is responsible for having the boat in the water and ready to be demonstrated. If you decide not to purchase the boat, you are responsible for paying to restore the boat to pre-survey condition. Here's a simple example: I bought my boat last June. It was on the hard. The owners contract with the yard covered launching the boat. My surveyor examined the boat in the hard, then the boat was launched and we did the sea test. If I decided not to buy the boat, I would have been responsible for paying the hard to haul and block the boat. I did end up buying the boat, so I just sailed it home. Regarding bottom paint and other things like that, that is really up to you. If you want fresh paint, then it would be your responsibity to pay for it. Good luck! Barry
ditto on the ESCROW
Not uncommon to complete the deal with an escrow. Be sure that both you and seller to completely spell spell out the 'details' in such an agreement. In the cradle, you can do compression evaluation and 'engine leak test' by applying high pressure air into the combustion chambers ... and a physical check by a qualified mechanic (at your expense) to take the 'edge' off of any 'nervousness' you have. Leak test: High pressure air is applied to the combustion chambers through the injector ports - if leak into the oil sump - worn rings; into the exhaust manifold - burnt exhaust valves; out the air intake - worn intake valves. You need a mechanic who HAS done these evaluations in the past as almost all engines will leak with pressure air in the combustion chambers.
Not uncommon to complete the deal with an escrow. Be sure that both you and seller to completely spell spell out the 'details' in such an agreement. In the cradle, you can do compression evaluation and 'engine leak test' by applying high pressure air into the combustion chambers ... and a physical check by a qualified mechanic (at your expense) to take the 'edge' off of any 'nervousness' you have. Leak test: High pressure air is applied to the combustion chambers through the injector ports - if leak into the oil sump - worn rings; into the exhaust manifold - burnt exhaust valves; out the air intake - worn intake valves. You need a mechanic who HAS done these evaluations in the past as almost all engines will leak with pressure air in the combustion chambers.
location
not sure where you are located but in another month or so just about everwhere in the US will be starting to put boats in the water. As the others have said buy the boat with a escrow or just wait until you can sea trial it.After all if you stop the purchase because the owner won't wait I would ask him how much longer it will take to get another buyer and all the related part of the deal done as well as what will the owner do it the next(if any)purchaser demand a engine sea trail.Stick to your guns and get a sea trial or an escrow. If you are using a broker the broker should insist upon this.As a purchaser you have the right to insist upon this or you are with in your rights to kill the deal.My guess is the boat will still be on the market in another month if you don't purchase. Your money your decision!
not sure where you are located but in another month or so just about everwhere in the US will be starting to put boats in the water. As the others have said buy the boat with a escrow or just wait until you can sea trial it.After all if you stop the purchase because the owner won't wait I would ask him how much longer it will take to get another buyer and all the related part of the deal done as well as what will the owner do it the next(if any)purchaser demand a engine sea trail.Stick to your guns and get a sea trial or an escrow. If you are using a broker the broker should insist upon this.As a purchaser you have the right to insist upon this or you are with in your rights to kill the deal.My guess is the boat will still be on the market in another month if you don't purchase. Your money your decision!
OTOH...
bought my first H31, for a great price, on the hard during the winter. I knew it was a deal and wanted to snag it. Surveyor, who I knew well, really knew these boats, turned it over and said probably ok. Did repair work, splashed her and never looked back. This is not to say that it would ever happen again or anyone else, but depending on the price sometimes it's worth taking the risk. Good luck. Agonizing issues.
bought my first H31, for a great price, on the hard during the winter. I knew it was a deal and wanted to snag it. Surveyor, who I knew well, really knew these boats, turned it over and said probably ok. Did repair work, splashed her and never looked back. This is not to say that it would ever happen again or anyone else, but depending on the price sometimes it's worth taking the risk. Good luck. Agonizing issues.
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