Need Voice of Reason

I would not spend $900 to survey a $20k boat. Sea trial to see if it hits 4800 rpm and runs cool at 3600 for 20 minutes. Haul it to a Merc tech for an engine inspection.
 
Hi Ohioboater,

I think you made the right move getting the survey. I've been looking at 36+' boats for the last two years and have tried to do as much pre-surveying as I can to rule out boats I don't want. I've probably looked at around 30-40 boats at this point and have made offers on 3. I own a moisture meter and thermal camera and have gotten pretty good at using them. I recently found a relatively clean boat with a couple of issues, had my offer accepted, and hired a very good surveyor to look it over. He found the same issues I did, plus a couple of ones that I didn't find (in my defense some were impossible to see until the boat was hauled). This boat is a 2003, so pretty close in age to the one you are looking at.

Things I found that the surveyor agreed with:
- Dry swim platform
- Dry anchor locker/lid
- Dry stringers/bulkheads
- Elevated Moisture around deck hatches

Things the surveyor found that I might have detected once the boat was out of the water:
- elevated moisture around a leaking thru-hull fitting
- elevated moisture near one trim tab

Things the surveyor found that I would have likely/definitely missed on my own:
- 1ft area of hull de-lamination (percussion sounding)
- various minor mechanical issues
- engine diagnostics and electronics readings
- overall analysis of the condition relative to similarly aged vessels.
- Professional confirmation (goes a long way toward getting everyone on the same page)

I paid around $1500 and it was worth every penny no matter how the deal goes. I'm planning on doing a bigger write up for the forum once things have wrapped up. My survey was around 50 pages long with numerous sections, photos, and analysis.

Edit: actually with the valuation information and engine diagnostics it came out closer to 70 pages!
 
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In agreement with the idea that smaller boats don’t necessarily need a “survey”, having the owner take a 220 to the local sea ray dealer and spending a couple hundred bucks to get an assessment could work.

Formal surveys can be expensive. We spent about $3k this spring, by having both an excellent hull guy and and excellent Volvo diesel guy. But, I lined up the hull guy before we even looked at the boat and had a chance to talk in advance.

That said, pretty boat, but it has a Bravo III drive. Great drive until they break, then money pit awaits. In the twelve years we owned the 280 we easily spent $10k on BIII related work, gimbal bearing, drive shaft, seal & bearing, steering pin, transom plate, bellows jobs, prop work. This is not to say it’s a bad drive, but it is expensive and they don’t do salt water well. Point being you can easily miss a couple grand in work, just by not knowing.
H
 
I would never even consider a survey for a boat that size. I have owned 4 240's and they are awesome, and not prone to breaking. They can't fake functionality. Like everyone has said, if it hit 4800-ish or more RPM, and speed in the upper 40's, and temperature and sea water psi are good, then check the outdrive for horrible noises. If the drive has been off and the gimble bearing inspected or replaced, The odds are on your side.
You can't give away a boat this time of year. Don't over pay.
 
Its 15 years old - that's a negative.

Only 23 hours use per year - that could be a negative if it sat for years without use. A positive if he used it 23 hours EACH year.

Not kept in water - a positive. But if it was kept in his driveway with a poor cover - just as bad as water kept.

Not the first owner - a negative.

At 15 years, the stringer condition would be my concern. Buy a moisture meter and get trained in its use and then do your own survey.

My buddy bought a 15 year old boat that was never kept in the water. In fact it was kept on a trailer in an environmentally secure warehouse by the original owner. The problem was it was run hard and put away wet. There was always water left in the hull. The first time his kid jumped in it he put his foot right thru the floor and the guts were totally rotten.

OTOH, you might just be looking at an unspoiled gem.

Get a survey, or make a lowball offer.
 
dammit...mostly answers I expected to hear. i have one last shot at a survey for next Friday, but it is the most expensive one...if he is even available. After that lining up schedules is going to be near impossible before the end of any boating season. We shall see....
where in central ohio?...........we are sea ray owners and would not have our 215 ec without an inspection or sea trial............my guy, a merc specialist, might be able to help you out, just need to know exactly where you and the boat are located................
 
I wold like to thank everyone for their opinions. I managed to find yet another surveyor, I am paying quite a bit, but he was available for next week when or original survey was scheduled. I am anxious to hear what he has to say about the boat...I will report back!

Hi Ohio! Well, what was the result of the survey??????? Tell us about your experience?
 

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