buying used from a dealer

[skysurfer2010]

This is my first boat purchase and I have a newb question for you guys. If I were to buy a used boat from a dealer, should I still have a survey done?

 

[haskindm]

Re: buying used from a dealer

ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY, YES! Have a survey done. The dealer may not know of major problems or may be covering them up. Trust but verify!

 

[skysurfer2010]

Re: buying used from a dealer

Thanks!

 

[Chris1956]

Re: buying used from a dealer

Sky, Used boat dealers are just as trustworthy as used car dealers, well almost as honest. You need to know what you are buying, however, a survey cost money. You need to balance the value of what you do not know about the boat against the cost of the survey. A simple example: Let's pretend that you know that a boat is generally sound except the condition of the outboard gears are unknown. Say that a used OB Gearcase costs $500 and the survey that will tell you the gears are bad, costs $400. Does it make sense to pay for the survey?

 

[skysurfer2010]

Re: buying used from a dealer

Yeah, that makes sense.

I'm looking for an 18 or 19 foot bowrider with a small I/O. I thought a survey would be in the ballpark of $100 to $200. Am I wrong?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: buying used from a dealer

Sadly I think you are. I think surveys are upwards of $400. If the dealer is offering even a short warranty, that could take the place of a survey. Just make sure you use the hell out of it during the warranty period to turn up any issues!! In that size boat your major concern is going to be is the deck and transom solid. You can probably check these things our yourself competently and maybe have a mechanic look over the engine and drive which would cost much less than a full survey.

 

[skysurfer2010]

Re: buying used from a dealer

Wow! I didn't think they would be that expensive for a boat that's under $7,000!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: buying used from a dealer

I could be wrong, those are just the numbers I've seen batted around on here. It could be cheaper but it also might be just one of those things that no one does on a boat under a certain size so there's no reason to price it out. Like I said, a good mechanical inspection of the engine and drive and of course a thorough rot inspection done my yourself should be sufficient.

 

[Aviator5]

Re: buying used from a dealer

A good surveour will find something wrong with boat so you can knock $400-$500 off the asked price. But I definetely won't by the boat from the dealer (broker) without survey and mechanical checkup. One time is enough for me

 

[skysurfer2010]

Re: buying used from a dealer

Thanks guys. I'll at least get a mechanic to look at the boat once I decide on the one I want. I'm going this week to look at a 99 Crownline 202BR. It's a little bigger than I originally wanted, but it looks like a really nice boat.

Aviator- do you fly? Just curious. I work for a part 135 flying a King Air.