I've searched this board, and was unable to find any threads on this topic, so if there are any, I apologize in advance for asking the question again. I plan on buying a new 28 MKII from a Catalina dealer in State A and then ship it to a marina in State B. Recently a friend recommended that I hire a surveyor in the dealer's area to check out the new boat during the commissioning/trials process. He says this is the only way to make sure that the inevitable "new boat" discrepancies will be identified and corrected by the selling dealer prior to shipping from State A to State B. I understand the need for conducting a survey before buying a used boat, but have never heard of doing this with new boats. I'm looking for some input on this topic from more knowledgable folks before going through with the transaction. Many thanks in advance for your help.
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Survey
IMHO, one reason to buy a new boat is that you avoid the hassle and expence of a survey...and all is new. Catalina is a good company that stands by their products. Your only problem might be the distance between where your boat is and where the closest dealer is. I was in your exact situation (before I bought a used boat), and the dealer, who was about 150 miles away, said he would send somebody to my marina to take care of warranty problems.
IMHO, one reason to buy a new boat is that you avoid the hassle and expence of a survey...and all is new. Catalina is a good company that stands by their products. Your only problem might be the distance between where your boat is and where the closest dealer is. I was in your exact situation (before I bought a used boat), and the dealer, who was about 150 miles away, said he would send somebody to my marina to take care of warranty problems.
same issue
I have the same issues. I'm trying to buy a C28mkII 300 miles from the nearest dealer (and a different state) and, although I never thought to survey a new boat, I'm really nervous about the service I'll get at this distance.
I have the same issues. I'm trying to buy a C28mkII 300 miles from the nearest dealer (and a different state) and, although I never thought to survey a new boat, I'm really nervous about the service I'll get at this distance.
My experience
I bought a new C36 MK II last year. We live 170 land miles from my dealer - about 500 nautical miles by water. My experience and opinion would indicate that a surveyor would be unlikely to be any great help depending on your experience. My view of surveyors is that they are experienced at and essential for discovering problems that result from wear and tear - delamination, water in the core, rigging wear, hose replacements, lifeline problems, modifications that aren't safe etc. They also no doubt can spot obvious new boat problems - but so can you. All new boats will have some problems. Catalina boats are built to ABYC standards - so you don't need to beware of unsafe design and uninformed owner mods. A good dealer (which I have) generally knows the boats he sells and clears obvious problems up. My dealer encouraged us to sail from their marina for a couple of weeks in order to discover problems. Other buyers of Catalinas were there doing exactly that when we were there. The dealer also indicated that if I had problems once we were back home that they would have someone locally fix them. In fact, what I did (and what I advise) is that after a week or so at the dealer's dock my wife and I took off and cruised the north shore of Lake Ontario (where the dealer is located). We cruised a total distance of about 400 nm and returned to the dealer with a short list which he took care of. We then sailed off for the 500+ nm home to Lake Huron. On the way home we didn't find any real problems. Later in the summer we took a cruise up Lake Huron to the North Channel - about another 500nm. During this cruise a problem appeared which both Catalina and the dealer is standing behind, above and beyond the wording in the warranty (which indicates that I have to return the boat to where I bought it). So my advice is to make sure the dealer has a good reputation and has been around for a long time. Mine has sold Catalinas since the 70s. I think it helps to maintain a good relationship with the dealer based on honesty and the facts with persistance applied as necessary. Living far from the dealer you should be prepared to do some small things yourself - that is fun in any event. Finally, I will say once again - unless you are not experienced, I don't think a surveyor is needed on a new boat - new boat problems are different than old boat problems. The dealer cleared up the few initial problems when he and I spotted them up front - during the initial inspection and initial sail. Check out the boat for a few days while you stay in the area of his dock. A couple other problems did not appear until I had used the boat for an extended cruise while reasonably close to the dealer. If it is possible take at least a week and cruise in the area of your dealer. So far I can say that Catalina and our dealer stand behind the boat - even though we are far away from the dealer.
I bought a new C36 MK II last year. We live 170 land miles from my dealer - about 500 nautical miles by water. My experience and opinion would indicate that a surveyor would be unlikely to be any great help depending on your experience. My view of surveyors is that they are experienced at and essential for discovering problems that result from wear and tear - delamination, water in the core, rigging wear, hose replacements, lifeline problems, modifications that aren't safe etc. They also no doubt can spot obvious new boat problems - but so can you. All new boats will have some problems. Catalina boats are built to ABYC standards - so you don't need to beware of unsafe design and uninformed owner mods. A good dealer (which I have) generally knows the boats he sells and clears obvious problems up. My dealer encouraged us to sail from their marina for a couple of weeks in order to discover problems. Other buyers of Catalinas were there doing exactly that when we were there. The dealer also indicated that if I had problems once we were back home that they would have someone locally fix them. In fact, what I did (and what I advise) is that after a week or so at the dealer's dock my wife and I took off and cruised the north shore of Lake Ontario (where the dealer is located). We cruised a total distance of about 400 nm and returned to the dealer with a short list which he took care of. We then sailed off for the 500+ nm home to Lake Huron. On the way home we didn't find any real problems. Later in the summer we took a cruise up Lake Huron to the North Channel - about another 500nm. During this cruise a problem appeared which both Catalina and the dealer is standing behind, above and beyond the wording in the warranty (which indicates that I have to return the boat to where I bought it). So my advice is to make sure the dealer has a good reputation and has been around for a long time. Mine has sold Catalinas since the 70s. I think it helps to maintain a good relationship with the dealer based on honesty and the facts with persistance applied as necessary. Living far from the dealer you should be prepared to do some small things yourself - that is fun in any event. Finally, I will say once again - unless you are not experienced, I don't think a surveyor is needed on a new boat - new boat problems are different than old boat problems. The dealer cleared up the few initial problems when he and I spotted them up front - during the initial inspection and initial sail. Check out the boat for a few days while you stay in the area of his dock. A couple other problems did not appear until I had used the boat for an extended cruise while reasonably close to the dealer. If it is possible take at least a week and cruise in the area of your dealer. So far I can say that Catalina and our dealer stand behind the boat - even though we are far away from the dealer.
That's A Relief
Malcolm, Good input from you and Bert. Many thanx. In my case, the state of purchase will be NC, and I'll be shipping the boat to New England. There are dealers in New England, but the deal I can get in NC is so much better that my savings will be significant, even with the cost of shipping the boat north. I was particularly interested in your comment about the warranty language requiring a return to the selling dealer to provide the warranty service. I didn't know that. In my case, that wouldn't work, and would completely remove the economic incentive to buy the boat in NC. As long as I can have warranty issues fixed by my local (non-selling) dealer, it sounds like things will be OK without a surveyor. I guess the only real question now is how common (or rare) it is that a local non-selling dealer would refuse to provide warranty work because of the "return to original dealer" warranty language? Anyone in my situtation have that happen to them? Thanks again for any additional input. Tommy
Malcolm, Good input from you and Bert. Many thanx. In my case, the state of purchase will be NC, and I'll be shipping the boat to New England. There are dealers in New England, but the deal I can get in NC is so much better that my savings will be significant, even with the cost of shipping the boat north. I was particularly interested in your comment about the warranty language requiring a return to the selling dealer to provide the warranty service. I didn't know that. In my case, that wouldn't work, and would completely remove the economic incentive to buy the boat in NC. As long as I can have warranty issues fixed by my local (non-selling) dealer, it sounds like things will be OK without a surveyor. I guess the only real question now is how common (or rare) it is that a local non-selling dealer would refuse to provide warranty work because of the "return to original dealer" warranty language? Anyone in my situtation have that happen to them? Thanks again for any additional input. Tommy
Dealer Response
If you don't by the boat from the nearest dealer, the nearest dealer has no contract or obligation to work on your boat. You should purchase from your nearest dealer.
If you don't by the boat from the nearest dealer, the nearest dealer has no contract or obligation to work on your boat. You should purchase from your nearest dealer.
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