Thoughts about cross-country boat purchase?

[TorchedGT]

Hi everyone, I recently sold my 20' Yamaha twin jet open bow, which was my first boat - and I'm ready to move on to something without 2-stroke weed wacker engines

Actually I loved that boat and it was a perfect entrance into boating, but my friends at the lake all have performance-oriented boats, and out on the Potomac it's the same deal. The newer yammies are great, but mine was back when they made 7 seater 55mph jet skis basically. heaven forbid you get stuck in any weather or chop.

So I was looking at local donzis and checkmates, possibly a baja or a rinker even (love the space and layout) but I came across one of the most beautiful boats I've ever seen (in this price range at least - I'm staying in the 20's!) - its a 22' Nordic open bow with the 6.2 and basic mods, estimated around 350hp. Looks to be in perfect shape considering its a decade old.

My issue is that it's on the other side of the country! I've placed a shipping quote on uship and I'm down to $2k, but that's still a lot. Tickets are too expensive at this point to fly out.. $800ish for short notice.) so I'm risking a sight-unseen buy. I'll ask for high res images and video of the trim movement, hatch opening, idling, etc.. but this is a very rare boat (90% of their boats are huge offshore style or high performance cats - they actually don't make this style anymore) and will be gone quick.

How is the title transfer and paperwork usually performed, what about boat transportation security and insurance, and who "owns" it while it's on the trailer? Does the shipping companies' insurance assume all liability for the boat while it's in their control?

Thanks!

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Thoughts about cross-country boat purchase?

$20k+ sight unseen..... sounds quite foolish to me..... at a bare minimum you need a survey with a sea trial.... as for ins... Yes the transporter would be responsible for damage but you'd have to prove that it was damaged while in their possession.

 

[TorchedGT]

Re: Thoughts about cross-country boat purchase?

That's a good point. I'm just nervous about her being sold out from under me, and unlike most purchases - once its gone, that's it. It'll be impossible for me to own a Nordic - beyond this it's like 25' crawl-thru Rage's that go for $35k still.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Thoughts about cross-country boat purchase?

so negotiate for the seller to hold it for a few days on a deposit of a couple hundred and get on a plane.... I bet you can find a better rate on the net.... also call the airlines and ASK for their cheapest flight... often there are flights even cheaper than you can find online.... make a trip of it... If you don't buy that boat look at a dozen in the area while you are there. If you DO buy it, rent a uhaul and drag it home yourself.

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: Thoughts about cross-country boat purchase?

I agree with Smoke. If you can afford the time (you can afford the boat, I'm sure you can afford the time), make an adventure out of it. If it's that great of a deal, it's worth checking out and driving home with it.

I bought my boat over craigslist, it was 6 hours away. Not cross country, but it still entailed making a decision on a deposit based on pictures and conversations. By the way, phone conversations will tell you way more than pictures. Pictures can be outdated, fixed, or biased (show only the good side, ect). You can tell alot by talking with the seller. Bottom line, you shouldn't be surprised if you have talked to the seller extensively. The day I drove out to get my boat, I met with the seller for about 15 minutes. I already had a pretty clear picture of the condition of the boat. Good luck.

Oh yeah, it's a purdy boat too!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Thoughts about cross-country boat purchase?

Sine you know the boats, you don't need a sea trial, but you should hire a marine mechanic at the seller's location to check it out for you (aka survey). It would be a bonus if he could run it. Understand, though, that if he misses something, you can't hold him responsible.

Risk of loss on goods in transit is an important legal issue, but is fairly well settled under UCC and shipping laws. Since you have to hire a shipping company, let them tell you what is needed, what is covered. You cannot assume liability starts here or ends there; it's all by contract and insurance coverage. You will probably have to trust your shipping company.

Your sales contract should require the seller to maintain his insurance until it is delivered to the shipping agent--and get a copy of his dec page to verify. If he will hold it for an extended time, either get yourself added as loss payee/additional insured, or, better, just add the boat to your own policy now.

If the title still has a lien, get the bank to serve as escrow agent--you send the bank the money; they release the title. Talk to the bank yourself. If there is no bank involved, I think it may be worthwhile to pay either a lawyer or a boat shop (like the one where you got the mechanic) to handle the trade. Otherwise you risk the old internet sales scam, and there goes your money (hint: if he won't let you send your own mechanic out there, the boat is a mirage.)

Actually, it doesn't need to be that complicated; what would you do if you were buying a $20,000 pick-up truck?

 

[TorchedGT]

Re: Thoughts about cross-country boat purchase?

Sine you know the boats, you don't need a sea trial, but you should hire a marine mechanic at the seller's location to check it out for you (aka survey). It would be a bonus if he could run it. Understand, though, that if he misses something, you can't hold him responsible.

Risk of loss on goods in transit is an important legal issue, but is fairly well settled under UCC and shipping laws. Since you have to hire a shipping company, let them tell you what is needed, what is covered. You cannot assume liability starts here or ends there; it's all by contract and insurance coverage. You will probably have to trust your shipping company.

Your sales contract should require the seller to maintain his insurance until it is delivered to the shipping agent--and get a copy of his dec page to verify. If he will hold it for an extended time, either get yourself added as loss payee/additional insured, or, better, just add the boat to your own policy now.

If the title still has a lien, get the bank to serve as escrow agent--you send the bank the money; they release the title. Talk to the bank yourself. If there is no bank involved, I think it may be worthwhile to pay either a lawyer or a boat shop (like the one where you got the mechanic) to handle the trade. Otherwise you risk the old internet sales scam, and there goes your money (hint: if he won't let you send your own mechanic out there, the boat is a mirage.)

Actually, it doesn't need to be that complicated; what would you do if you were buying a $20,000 pick-up truck?

Thanks for the great information there both of you, I'll keep checking out flights and place a deposit today. I should have mentioned that it's not a private sale, it's actually located at a large boat brokerage service (bank repo) thus should have a clean title, and possibly carry a smaller likelihood of hidden defects - but who knows.

I have no problem buying the boat BUT I fly enough to know that $800 for a trip out west is highway robbery!

Oh and to answer your question - I'd fly out and drive it back My issue is that it's tough to get a one-way rental, and equally tough to get a vehicle equipped with a tow package (and obviously ALL agencies state that you are NOT allowed to use their vehicles for towing). An SUV rate plus gas and time off work.. I'd be well over $1000 - not "undoable" IF I could solve the vehicle type and one-way rental issues.

I'm headed over to the boat show in a couple hours and will talk to the bank there and see what the usual plan of action in this type of situation would be - I'll keep you all updated!

 

[BRICH1260]

Re: Thoughts about cross-country boat purchase?

If you drive your own vehicle out to bring it back, make sure your vehicle is capable of hauling the boat. I don`t know what your Range Rover`s capacity is, but that boat will be alot heavier than your old Yamaha. Make sure you take out an insurance policy on it before you start your trip home.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Thoughts about cross-country boat purchase?

with that additional info, just get the mechanic to look it over--maybe you can find one with ties (but not too many!) with the brokerage who will let him run it. Then let them set up the shipping. I wouldn't think twice about paying $2,000 (10% of purchase price) to let someone else do it. A week off work to trailer it is one less week of vacation time to play with it!

And a repo like that, unless it's already marked way way down, you may be able to get them to throw in the mechanic's bill, or some shipping. Banks do not want to hold those boats.

 

[Philster]

Re: Thoughts about cross-country boat purchase?

What is the actual/physical location of the boat right now? Near Havasu??

Edit: Nevermind... I saw the ad: Salt Lake City, UT

I saw that model (2002 in the ad) in versions up to 2005-2007 for just about the same price and in pretty fine condition. Make sure you are comparing it to newer Nordics. If you are willing to travel already, you might find another area where they are a dime a dozen and get something newer for about the same money.

The only sound advice is to hire an independent marine surveyor, who you find, to survey the boat OR hire an independent marine mechanic. Let me tell you this: If the review comes back good, if the final price is right and you want the boat... well, if it were me, I'd get the heck out there and drag her home somehow. At that point, with a good price and good checkup, it'd be a pleasurable experience.

My friends and I (even at 44) would be yelling, "Road trip!". We'd go get 'er.

.

 

[OllieC]

Re: Thoughts about cross-country boat purchase?

I'm actually in the same "Boat" as you right now. I need to get my boat from S.CA to MN. I've been getting prices from freight companies (haven't done UShip yet) from $3.7k-$4K
I wouldn't mind towing it myself as well, but have yet to find a one-way. The difference is the trailer it's on needs work so a flatbed would be needed unless I repair the trailer in CA.

I am also going to the MN Boat Show in a couple of hours!!!

 

[ricohman]

Re: Thoughts about cross-country boat purchase?

I bought my new Islander 221 on the other side of the country. I eventually decided to drive out and bring it back. My son and I made a trip out of it. Ended up saving $2500 on shipping after it was all said and done.
But we cheaped out and slept in the rear of the truck for a few nights.

 

[Alwhite00]

Re: Thoughts about cross-country boat purchase?

great looking boat, I am with the fly in, drive back crowd. How many mile away is it?

LK

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Thoughts about cross-country boat purchase?

heck, just buy a truck while ur there LOL

 

[cyclops2]

Re: Thoughts about cross-country boat purchase? NOT FOR YOU !!

Re: Thoughts about cross-country boat purchase? NOT FOR YOU !!

ALWAYS DO A PURCHASE in the correct sequence !!

Now that you KNOW WHAT BOAT YOU WANT.

Buy one that you can get to and wet ride it.

That is NOT the only 22' Nordic with a 6.2 ever made...........A picture or DVD is worth a thousand lies...........Believe that.

 

[cyclops2]

Re: Thoughts about cross-country boat purchase?

This could not be your boat in September 2011 ? I have slow dial up. got tired of wating.

Web search 2001 Nordic 22' open bow 6.2 L Was listed at www.riverdavesplace.com not there now. if it is the same as yours. Why so short a title. Unless it is being flipped up in price.

Probably a different boat.

 

[A/C Guy]

Re: Thoughts about cross-country boat purchase?

My issue is that it's tough to get a one-way rental, and equally tough to get a vehicle equipped with a tow package (and obviously ALL agencies state that you are NOT allowed to use their vehicles for towing).

Call U-haul, they rent trucks with hitches one way for cross country moves. I see them on the freeways all the time.

 

[Philster]

Re: Thoughts about cross-country boat purchase? NOT FOR YOU !!

Re: Thoughts about cross-country boat purchase? NOT FOR YOU !!

ALWAYS DO A PURCHASE in the correct sequence !!

Now that you KNOW WHAT BOAT YOU WANT.

Buy one that you can get to and wet ride it.

That is NOT the only 22' Nordic with a 6.2 ever made...........A picture or DVD is worth a thousand lies...........Believe that.

Why the screaming? Nordic boats are found out West. They are either dragged here by enthusiasts or zapped here (East) by aliens. The dilemma for someone wanting a different boat is being outlined in this thread.

Stop with the absolutes. Enthusiasts take chances to get what they want in some crazy ways and make an adventure of it. It goes beyond total practicality.

Wait, I'll try it your way:

Enthusiasts take chances to get what they want in some crazy ways and make an adventure of it. It goes beyond total practicality.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Thoughts about cross-country boat purchase? NOT FOR YOU !!

Re: Thoughts about cross-country boat purchase? NOT FOR YOU !!

I've done the fly across the country, buy the boat and drive it back deal.

Flew from Seattle to Orlando, rented a truck from Penske (U-hual had nothing but junk) and drove it back, the cost was about $750.00 for the truck. Boats aren't moving fast, I wouldn't buy it without seeing it first hand.

 

[TorchedGT]

Re: Thoughts about cross-country boat purchase?

If you drive your own vehicle out to bring it back, make sure your vehicle is capable of hauling the boat. I don`t know what your Range Rover`s capacity is, but that boat will be alot heavier than your old Yamaha. Make sure you take out an insurance policy on it before you start your trip home.

Yeah I'm aware she will be a good bit heavier than I'm used to - I actually towed the Yammie with my 12 year old land rover previously (just got the range rover) but they both have 7700lb tow ratings and self-leveling air suspension so I'll be set in that department.

What is the actual/physical location of the boat right now? Near Havasu??

Edit: Nevermind... I saw the ad: Salt Lake City, UT

I saw that model (2002 in the ad) in versions up to 2005-2007 for just about the same price and in pretty fine condition. Make sure you are comparing it to newer Nordics. If you are willing to travel already, you might find another area where they are a dime a dozen and get something newer for about the same money.

The only sound advice is to hire an independent marine surveyor, who you find, to survey the boat OR hire an independent marine mechanic. Let me tell you this: If the review comes back good, if the final price is right and you want the boat... well, if it were me, I'd get the heck out there and drag her home somehow. At that point, with a good price and good checkup, it'd be a pleasurable experience.

My friends and I (even at 44) would be yelling, "Road trip!". We'd go get 'er.

.

I was trying to keep it top secret
But yeah that's the one so it's 2100 miles away. I haven't found any others, I'm actually seeing late 90s 22 footers going for as much as 10k more than this one.

I just got the range rover and don't really want to throw the miles on it - that would be a fun road trip though! I'd be looking at over $1k in gas alone however.. I like the rental idea, but they won't do one-way on the pickup trucks. I'll check if I can just drive one of THOSE out and back, that'd be.. fun. :facepalm:

I've done the fly across the country, buy the boat and drive it back deal.

Flew from Seattle to Orlando, rented a truck from Penske (U-hual had nothing but junk) and drove it back, the cost was about $750.00 for the truck. Boats aren't moving fast, I wouldn't buy it without seeing it first hand.

Did you get a pickup or a box truck?! I swore I checked them as well. So they were okay with the one-way thing?