Survey Results -- what do you think?

Golfman25

Well-Known Member
Sep 12, 2009
7,587
IL
Boat Info
1998 370 Sundancer
Engines
7.4 MPI
2000 340 DA. Survey shows:
dead shower sump pump
dead midships bilge pump
Prop dings
Water intrusion and delamination in attached swim platform.
(Waiting for the final report).
 
The only thing that would concern me would be the swim platform if it is integral? Or are you meaning it is a bolt on? Mine is a bolt on and has a soft spot but I knew that at survey time. I plan to pull mine at the end of this season and cut out the underside and replace the core. The other option is to buy a bigger one from swimplatforms.com but I can fix mine much cheaper.

Props are an easy fix as are bilge pumps. Negotiate that into the purchase price or better yet make the seller fix those. If it is a bolt on swim platform tell them to reduce the price by the cost of a new one and just order a new one.
 
Sump pump and bilge pumps are relatively simple jobs just a pain to get to.

Prop dings are typical and a good prop shop will get them as good or not better than new.

The 2000 swim platform is not integrated so access will be easier.

So far if the price is right no reason to walk.

Now, let's see the results of the sea trial and engine reports.

-Kevin
 
Shower sump and bilge pump I would require them to fix before sealing deal as they are safety issues.

Swim platform depends on whether you want it to be your problem or not. If you don't, then require them to replace it to seal the deal. If you just want to get the price down some, then adjust price accordingly.

Prop dings are just a way of life. I'd just get some financial consideration for reconditioning them (although if it ends up coming with a new swim platform then I'd just eat the prop reconditioning myself).
 
Agree with the above. The only concern would be the swim platform. Negotiate the repairs into the cost of the boat.
No deal breaker there

Good luck, I love that era of 340
 
FWIW I had a wet swim platform/delamination issue on my 2001 340DA, and it ended up costing $4,400 to repair in 2010.
 
All sound like easy enough fixes if you’re willing to spend the money on the platform, but the rest of the boat would have to be very nice and priced fairly because I’d be a bit skeptical about buying a boat from someone who deferred replacement of things as simple as a shower sump pump and bilge pump. Particularly one who offered it up for sale that way.
Would be kind of a “WTF” moment for me.
 
FWIW I had a wet swim platform/delamination issue on my 2001 340DA, and it ended up costing $4,400 to repair in 2010.

That’s just obscene marine robbery.

I just got a quote for a new, custom platform for my 360 and it was less than that shipped.

Crazy.
 
All sound like easy enough fixes if you’re willing to spend the money on the platform, but the rest of the boat would have to be very nice and priced fairly because I’d be a bit skeptical about buying a boat from someone who deferred replacement of things as simple as a shower sump pump and bilge pump. Particularly one who offered it up for sale that way.
Would be kind of a “WTF” moment for me.
I agree. I walked from one who didn't even bother to take out the trash from last year in the cabin or wipe down the dirty seats. This one has an absentee owner, estate type situation so it makes a little sense.
 
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You need to get a firm handle on the costs to repair the boat before you close on it. Those costs should come off the selling price. Also, the matter of the props. How do you know the props are the correct props for that boat? Given their poor condition and the lack of maintenance I would wonder. A new set of props, if these are not the proper size will cost about $4,000. If they are correct, you are still looking at hundreds of dollars to fix them. Maybe make the deal contingent upon the boat achieving WOT spec? If it does, then deduct the prop repair cost from the selling price. Try to avoid making an emotional decision.
 
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Dock neighbor bought a brand new swim platform for his 2015 310DA and installed was about $4000. I called swimplatforms.com for a quote on one for a 2000 270DA and it was $2200.
 
Sump pump and bilge pumps are relatively simple jobs just a pain to get to.

Prop dings are typical and a good prop shop will get them as good or not better than new.

The 2000 swim platform is not integrated so access will be easier.

So far if the price is right no reason to walk.

Now, let's see the results of the sea trial and engine reports.

-Kevin
So on sea trial it ran 4300 rpm (engine tag says 4000-4400). Pushed 31.1 knots (gps) down river. Lightly loaded (3 people and low fuel) and dinged up props.

Props are 17 x 16.
 
IMG_4230.JPG
So on sea trial it ran 4300 rpm (engine tag says 4000-4400). Pushed 31.1 knots (gps) down river. Lightly loaded (3 people and low fuel) and dinged up props.

Props are 17 x 16.
Sounds like props are doing what they should do. Deduct the cost of repairing the props and other stuff from your offer. Tune the props to achieve 4400 WOT. Assume you ran it at WOT for a minute or so to see if there are any overheating issues.
 
Without knowing the price maybe this estate sale boat has already been heavily discounted
 
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Without knowing the price maybe this estate sale boat has already been heavily discounted
Even so, the executor will want to broom it out. Buyer has some leverage here.
 
Don't ask don't get.

The question here is were dinged props disclosed or seen in the initial presentation. If so, I would assume that it was calculated into your initial offer.

Survey negotiable items are generally for things only discovered at the survey.

-Kevin
 
Yeah the four things listed, plus others, where all "surprises."
 
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There are almost always surprises with a used boat.
 
Yeah the four things listed, plus others, where all "surprises."

Then that would be fine. I am just saying that you try to discount at offer and then discount at again after survey the seller may not be too receptive.

I have always told the seller to disclose anything they know is wrong before I make an offer. Otherwise we would negotiate problems that were found in the survey. If it was disclosed upfront I would incorporate it in my offer.

-Kevin
 

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