Buying boat from old guy... Question.

[igsavel]

Found 1989 Sunray 21' with 5L Merc in very good condition with good trailer for $5500 . It's OK price, posted was $6000.
Owner is a old guy and selling it because healthy conditions.
Problem is: he don't want or can't (due to health) do test drive on water...
What to do in such situation?
Boat look very strong, good maintained and used just for few hours per last 4 years.
We run the motor. Starting without problem, running smoothly... No cranks or smth
Shifting by finger... Tilting without problems.

What to do? Buy or not to buy? This is a question...
May be do some addition tests outside water?
Any advises appreciated...

 

[Opnine99]

Re: Buying boat from old guy... Question.

Maybe he has a family member he would trust to do a sea trial with you. The price seems about right if its in great shape, but I would still at very least find someone who knows boats well to check it out with you.

 

[minuteman62-64]

Re: Buying boat from old guy... Question.

I'm an old guy. If I had a boat I wanted to sell, I'd figure out some way to demonstrate it to prospective buyers (I'd also figure out some way to make sure I wasn't just taking a bunch of lookey-loos on boat rides).

 

[nforsee]

Re: Buying boat from old guy... Question.

I refuse to buy without getting a test run.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Buying boat from old guy... Question.

I'm an old guy, too. If I'm selling something that I can't or won't demo, I better be prepared to take a big hit on the sale.

What is the boat worth to you, untested? How much can you do without a trial to minimize your risk? In short, how much are you willing to gamble, based on the potential for repairs? THAT is what the boat is worth, and not a penny more. If the seller won't take it, walk away.

My .02

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Buying boat from old guy... Question.

You have to watch out for those 'old guys' . . . they will get you everytime

It is best to take a test ride, as it demonstrates sooo much about a boat, and any issues that it may have. Have the old guy figure out a way.

 

[tazrig]

Re: Buying boat from old guy... Question.

Running a boat on muffs means very little it won't show you how it run under load. You need to do 2 things.

1) find a way to sea trial it or forget it.
2) spend 2-300 dollars on a marine survey. (unless you are very experienced with boats or find a friend who is)

iboats.com Review | March 2013

 

[Mason78]

Re: Buying boat from old guy... Question.

I'm an old guy. If I had a boat I wanted to sell, I'd figure out some way to demonstrate it to prospective buyers (I'd also figure out some way to make sure I wasn't just taking a bunch of lookey-loos on boat rides).

Can I get an official definition for "Lookey-loos"

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Buying boat from old guy... Question.

Here's what I'd do, and have done on the last 2 boats I bought (and bought each without a sea trial):

You have a conditional bill of sale, that gives you a couple days, or through the next weekend, to test it your self and return it if there are major structural or mechanical issues that prevent it from operating. Not a broken bow light or falling apart seat--something major. I did this with an outboard I bought way inland; it was attached to a free boat on a free trailer so they weren't an issue.

Or a conditional BOS that lets you take it to a mechanic for inspection, again only for major mechanical or structural issues, within a few days. I did this with a local boat since I planned to take it straight in anyway for a new water pump; paid for the once-over on the outboard while they were at it. Since it was a 8 year old saltwater hull I didn't worry about that a bit, and I knew how the boat would handle having been in similar boats.

Sure there's risk and trust issues on both sides, but maybe that's the best work-around for the "old man" issue that you would not do with two 30 year guys in a deal. Or a boat under $2000. Or a boat in a seller's market. You are accomodating each other. if you're worried, give him a cashier's check and ask him not to cash it, or take the title unsigned. But call your insurance company first and add it before you hitch up.

I do not think it is right to sea-trial a boat to see how it handles or if it is right for your use. do your personal homework on your own time. As a seller I'd be pissed about taking novices for boat rides.

 

[BonairII]

Re: Buying boat from old guy... Question.

Do not buy it without a water test....or some kind of 48hr guarantee.

Many many boats look great on the outside....and are rotten inside.

 

[minuteman62-64]

Re: Buying boat from old guy... Question.

Can I get an official definition for "Lookey-loos"

Someone who looks at a boat and wants to go for a test run, but has no intention of actually purchasing. I have no actual experience with this, but have heard reports of it occurring.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Buying boat from old guy... Question.

No lake test, no sale.

I don't care how old the owner is, if you are not qualified and/or don't know anyone who is in determining the shape of the boat in its entirety its no sale.

 

[BonairII]

Re: Buying boat from old guy... Question.

Someone who looks at a boat and wants to go for a test run, but has no intention of actually purchasing. I have no actual experience with this, but have heard reports of it occurring.

If I were selling a boat...I'd offer a sea trial ONLY if they paid in full ahead of time. And that money would only be refundable if the buyer found some kind of major issue with the boat during the trial.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Buying boat from old guy... Question.

I'm an old guy. If I had a boat I wanted to sell, I'd figure out some way to demonstrate it to prospective buyers (I'd also figure out some way to make sure I wasn't just taking a bunch of lookey-loos on boat rides).

I'm yet another old guy. Any cars or boats I have sold have all been in pristine condition, and I have the service records to document proper maintenance. The visual condition has always shown that they were well cared for as well. I price them fairly, yet a little bit under book value to ensure a quick sale. The Bill-Of-Sale always says "Sold As-Is".

I won't stand for lookey-loos, but what'e even worse is that the buyer might be an idiot and do something stupid. That's why I don't offer a test drive. Take it or leave it. I don't force anybody to buy anything.

Heck, the last 3 cars I sold were sold out of the driveway with no plates on them and thus no chance for a test drive there either.....LOL.

I can't remember selling a major item that didn't drive away with the first person to come to the house. I was always satisfied with what I got and never had a complainer come back.

Works for me! I may lose a 100 bucks on the deal but the no hassle is priceless. I may also lose a couple of potential buyers after the initial phone call, but there is no shortage of other buyers willing to agree to my terms.

 

[Another retired guy]

Re: Buying boat from old guy... Question.

Consider this - the "old guy" is having to sell his boat because of health issues. He probably loves that boat more than some of his family members, and really doesn't want to sell it. Maybe can't stand the thought of someone else driving it
Be gentle in your negotiations.

Signed Another old guy

Footnote - I bought my boat from the old guy I just described!!!

 

[BonairII]

Re: Buying boat from old guy... Question.

It's very possible that the boat IS and has been well cared for. But IMO a buyer should always err on the side of caution....so if the buyer is willing to take the risk involved in buying a boat without a sea trial, he/she should offer a price commensurate with that risk.

Worse case, the OP should have the boat surveyed BEFORE paying.

$5500 is a lot of dough to fork over based on the motor running on muffs....and no checks for hidden water damage etc........

On a 25 yr old boat!

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Buying boat from old guy... Question.

I'm an old guy. My neighbor will drive the boat while you look over his shoulder - $200 NON-refundable deposit.

 

[Opnine99]

Re: Buying boat from old guy... Question.

I'm an old guy. My neighbor will drive the boat while you look over his shoulder - $200 NON-refundable deposit.

ding ding ding we have a winner......even though it goes in favor of the seller, that is how it should be, even if there is not a reliable neighbor I'm sure there is someone that he would trust enough to take the sea trial with the buyer......unless he just really doesn't care if he sells or not and its a take it or leave it type of deal.

 

[Oshkosh1]

Re: Buying boat from old guy... Question.

If you're a good judge of character, and have a basic knowledge of boat specific issues, you'll know if he's selling a load of BS or not. I'm guessing that the majority of boats sold in that price range on CL, or ad are not water tested, and that the majority of those have been sold by an honest seller.

Now, if I were dropping some SERIOUS coin on a newer boat, that's another issue.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Buying boat from old guy... Question.

There's an "old guy" that has a boat for sale near me.

His loved family treasure of 23 years.

Guess what, he sells 3 or 4 of these boats every year.
Turns out they are trade-ins from a dealership that doesn't want them on their lot.

Trust but verify.