Re: Possible first boat - is this a good deal?
If you are skilled with these tools and the techniques associated with them, then proceed with the tests you need to perform:
1) Hydrometer /Load tester
2) Compression gauge
3) Spark plug wrench
4) Large straight blade screwdriver
5) A set of ear muffs for the motor
6) A catch tray for lower unit grease
If not, and you can't analyze an engine and its oil, the lower unit and its oil, or an exhaust system and its soundness, and you aren't deft at spotting serious issues (like those that will require a new engine), then proceed to this:
Hire a marine surveyor; Get a Sea Trial and Survey
The seller has accepted your offer on a boat. You've lined up your financing. Now it's time for a sea trial to see how this boat handles and performs in the water. The seller usually provides the sea trial. Your broker will usually go with you on the sea trial to answer your questions.
A survey is your opportunity to find out any problems, see if everything works properly and determine the boat's condition. Buyers pay for the surveys and for hauling the boat out of the water for inspection.
If an unforeseen problem shows up during the survey, you might be able to negotiate it into the final price.
Use a marine surveyor.
Don't necessarily use a surveyor the seller has recommended - and don't rely on a survey report from the seller. The report might have been written before certain problems turned up in the boat.
Always use an independent surveyor, and always survey the boat in and out of the water. Marine surveyors inspect the boat in your interest and the interests of your lender and insurance company. Often your lender will designate a marine surveyor, and brokers have lists of marine surveyors approved by lenders and marine insurance companies.
You can also find marine surveyors by calling the Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors (SAMS) at 1-800 344-9077, and the National Association of Marine Surveyors (NAMS) at 1-800 822-6267.
One word of caution - California has no occupational licensing standards for marine surveyors.
You should also ask an independent marine mechanic to inspect the engine.
Be there at the boat survey.
We recommend that you attend the survey to learn firsthand what condition the boat is in. It's the best time to ask the surveyor questions.
What to do with your sea trial and survey results?
One big reason for the survey Is to find out the current condition and market value of the boat you want to buy.
If the results reveal flaws and problems, the sea trial and survey may give you the opportunity to back out of a contract without penalty - or to negotiate repairs on the boat.
But be advised: If you're buying a boat at a rock-bottom price, or if the seller is in distress and is selling for below his market price, the sea trial and survey will not give you leverage to negotiate. The seller might not have funds for repairs and is selling as is, where is. The seller may insist that you pay any repair costs.
Your broker usually gives copies of the survey report to your lender and insurance carrier for their review. They'll want to know the boat's condition, its replacement value and the surveyor's determination of the boat's market value.
Keep in mind, though-surveys are no guarantee against hidden or undetected defects.
