what to do

[boatguy19]

hi all: im selling a 17' searay ,i have alot of people looking at it and i dont know what to do about sea trails. how do you guys go about this. i cant take the boat out every time someone looks at it its on a trailer. do you get a deposit or how does this work. thanks for any help in advance.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: what to do

Are we talking about a $2K boat or a $20K boat?

 

[JB]

Re: what to do

Ask for a commitment to buy (maybe even a deposit) if the sea trial is okay.

 

[roscoe]

Re: what to do

Make a deal, settle on a price, get a $500 deposit, get it all in writing. Sale contingent on sea trial, boat being and performing as represented. No negotiations after the sea trial - take it or leave it for the agreed upon price.

Do the sea trial or instructional demo , as it may turn out to be.

 

[boatguy19]

Re: what to do

boat is only going for four grand maybe, its by no means a high end boat.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: what to do

boat is only going for four grand maybe, its by no means a high end boat.

$4K? Yah, I'm thinking muffs in the driveway.

If the buyer insists, like the other fellas have suggested, deposit, sale pending successful sea trial. Deposit is non refundable if sea trial is successful.

 

[agallant80]

Re: what to do

I bought a used boat like this before. First was checking it out and muffs in the driveway. Then I told the seller I would take it conditional on a trial at the local lake. We went out I bought the boat. With that said I have also seen people posting boat for sale will be down at the lake saturday. Call XXX if you would like to see it.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: what to do

Look at the thread about buying a boat from an old man (who can't take it out on a sea trial). A variety of opinions and lots of suggestions that boil down to you, as seller, shouldn't waste your time taking people who don't know boats on boat rides. Give reliable information, price low enough, and be ready to take some chances.

If you don;t have a mechanic who's worked on it recently and who can give a clean bill of health, one deal is to let the buyer take it straight to a good mechanic for a check-up at his expense; refund w/in 3 days for major malfunction . As in major.

 

[boatguy19]

Re: what to do

thanks for all the help so far, now i have a better idea about it. its a small boat but is a turn key boat. there is nothing i did not do to it nothing to hide.

 

[NYBo]

Re: what to do

The potential buyer should be prepared to pay for gas for the boat and the tow vehicle.

 

[beanz2166]

Re: what to do

I personally will never buy another boat without a trial. My boat currently runs great on muffs but misses like crazy under load on the lake. A problem since I got it. Three trips to the mechanic and we are still not fixed. For me if I can't try it I'm not buying it. Sorry

 

[ErikF]

Re: what to do

Have the prospective buyer pay for a tank of gas for the boat, the tow vehicle, and a few bucks for your time if you think you're worth it...

If the prospective buyer purchases the boat at the asking price apply the gas money to the sale price, basically make him or her pay for the sea trial in the form of a non-refundable deposit.

-Erik

 

[Fireman431]

Re: what to do

Look at if from the point of the buyer instead of the seller...

If I were buying (my .02), here's what would be acceptable to me:

1) Solid chance to look over the boat withou being rushed into price (in the driveway)
2) Hear it run on muffs until up to temperature, all while checking out lights, shift cables, electronics, etc. Allow him to bring a mechanic or other knowledgable person with him
3) Agree on a sale price, contingent on a successful sea trial. Good faith non-refundable deposit (could be as low as $100 to cover gas and time). This should be on a printed paper and signed by both parties. This is how dealers do it as well.
4) YOUR tow vehicle to the ramp. His vehicle may not have the proper requirements, ability, safety measures, or insurance to make sure the boat gets safely to the ramp and back. If it's his vehicle that gets used, would you trust him to launch/load your boat safely and properly?
5) Sea trial should really require no more than 10 minutes on the water, idling, at cruising speed, and at WOT. You run the boat. He may have never driven a boat in his life.

Your responsibilities include that the boat be in proper, safe working shape, look as good as possible, be safe to haul, have a reasonable amount of fuel in it, all required CG and registration requirements, and a clean title in hand.