selling a boat advice

[rebars1]

I am selling one of my older boats (1971 18' trihull merc888 with tandem trailer, so we're only talking about $2500.00 or so.) One potential buyer who checked it out wants to haul it about 60 miles away for her friend/mechanic to look at it. She has not asked for a sea trial.

I this a safe idea for me? Who is liable if there is a flat tire or other trailer problem?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: selling a boat advice

you are the owner, you are responsible, until title is in buyers name. see if she can get the mech to come to the boat? or go with her.

 

[wajajaja02]

Re: selling a boat advice

no way, does it leave your posesion until paid for, and titled , you must specify that it is a used boat and is sold AS IS AND THE RECIEPT SHOULD SPECIFIED THAT AS WELL THAT THE BUYER SIGNS,
CHECK SOME PREVIOUS THREADS YOULL FIND SOME THREADS WHERE PEOPLE HAVE BOUGHT BOATS AND CARS AND COME BACK TO SMALL CLAIMS COURT AND BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN WINNING REPAIR BILLS IN EXCESS OF THE PURCHASE PRICE.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: selling a boat advice

Tell the buyer to bring the mechanic to you - do not let the boat out of your possession until the deal is done. Do not make any representation as to the condition of the boat and be clear that the burden of determining this is on the buyer. Write a bill of sale that indicates "as is" and that no warranty of any kind is offered. I like to add a statement for the buyer to sign that says they have inspected the boat to their own satisfaction and that they are fully aware of the boat's condition. I also include a statement that there will be no refund for any reason.

You may also wish to insist that the bill of sale be signed in front of a notary. While this may seem like overkill, I once had a problem with a title that I signed over to someone on a car. The guy never registered and titled the car in his own name and put a ficticious plate on it. The car ended up getting towed and the impound yard came after me for the bills.

While its too bad that we all have to be outhouse lawyers these days, there is just no getting around the fact that not being very particular about how you do things can come back to haunt you.

 

[bhammer]

Re: selling a boat advice

I wouldn't let the boat out of your sigt. Set it up so that you wil take them boat to them for the inspection. Write up a small contract that says you will pay for the tow if they purchase the boat. If they do not, then they owe you for gas/time. Maybe $50 or $100.

 

[Mark42]

Re: selling a boat advice

You say the mechanic is the friend of the buyer. I would tell her to bring him to the boat to inspect it. I would not let them take the boat. If you want to bring the boat to the mechanic, that is up to you, but you are talking about 3 hours driving and about 6 gallons of gas (at 20 mpg) to make that 120 mile trip.​