I think I finally found a good boat that's priced well/fair

Such a frustrating process. I'm glad I am not trying to buy in this market. That's one of the downsides to working through a broker representing the seller. If you could talk directly to the seller, the BS would come through a lot more quickly. Selling brokers get paid when a boat sells and they only have downside to investigating anything they suspect but are not told by the seller. So they are zero help to a buyer. As they say, caveat emptor.

Maybe in the spring Mr. Dufus will have his eyes opened and you can give him your offer again.
 
Creekwood said:
Such a frustrating process. I'm glad I am not trying to buy in this market. That's one of the downsides to working through a broker representing the seller. If you could talk directly to the seller, the BS would come through a lot more quickly. Selling brokers get paid when a boat sells and they only have downside to investigating anything they suspect but are not told by the seller. So they are zero help to a buyer. As they say, caveat emptor.

Maybe in the spring Mr. Dufus will have his eyes opened and you can give him your offer again.
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Assuming they are working with a buyer who is going to get a survey, etc. I would disagree. Nothing is worse than having issues arise after the survey which could have been identified and dealt with prior. Brokers should value their time more than to put up with shady sellers. I know I would be upset if I spent more than 30 min. on a vessel that ended up surveying like crap.
 
Let's not forget how many posts we all see after someone bought a boat without a survey or with a half-assed survey.

I don't think brokers are stupid. I think they know how to sell boats. They obviously minimize issues because that is how they close the sale. I also think they have to work with dishonest sellers - the broker isnt having the boat pulled to check the props before listing.

Many on this board are experienced owners, and not representative of an average buyer, especially over the past two years. The broker probably knows in a hot market a less discerning buyer will come along. They might be right.
 
Yeah I'm really struggling with this one, and trying not to let emotions get in the way, I really like this boat. It showed very well. I can't think of a good compromise that's a win-win for both sides.

There's another one for sale, exact year make model and color about 4 hours south of me. I talked to the seller's broker and of course it sounds great. Even watched a video of it. I don't want to invest the time and energy just to have this happen again.
 
mrsrobinson said:
Yeah I'm really struggling with this one, and trying not to let emotions get in the way, I really like this boat. It showed very well. I can't think of a good compromise that's a win-win for both sides.

There's another one for sale, exact year make model and color about 4 hours south of me. I talked to the seller's broker and of course it sounds great. Even watched a video of it. I don't want to invest the time and energy just to have this happen again.
Click to expand...

Take a day trip and take it for a sea trial. If it performs well, then start spending money on doing your due diligence...
 
yobub said:
I also think they have to work with dishonest sellers - the broker isn't having the boat pulled to check the props before listing.
Click to expand...

For instance, this seller knew about the issues and did not disclose them to the listing broker

In my experience, this is happening a lot. It is not a brokers job to pre-survey the boat. However, any boat that I would list, gets a thorough inspection from myself before I just take a listing blindly.
 
mrsrobinson said:
It's a broker listed boat, they're not going to give me a sea trial without a contract.
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Ok. Then structure it accordingly.. sea trial, mechanical inspection then survey. Should still be out minimal money doing it that way... but I get your frustration. Thankfully I've never looked at so many "duds".
 
mrsrobinson said:
It's a broker listed boat, they're not going to give me a sea trial without a contract.
Click to expand...

Most would be happy to give you a sea trial on the boat with a contract in place, simply add to the terms that you would like to perform a sea trial and personal inspection prior to having any surveys done.
 
I will try to "say" this with as much respect as possible - It seems you want a pristine, virgin boat at a used up whore price - multiple threads and hundreds of posts of jerking off and still no boat - and now in your latest thread you want other people to do your bidding for you - doing a valve job on a 15-20yo boat is basic maintenance - I would not deal with a buyer like you - I would move on to someone with more realistic expectations
 
Make an offer contingent on a visual inspection. If they accept your offer and put it under contract and you go see it and do a personal inspection and don't like it, terminate the contract/walk. Then you're only out your travel time & expenses and whatever it cost you to wire the money to the escrow account if you don't like it. If you don't agree on a price you're comfortable with then you're out nothing but a phone call.

I personally will never buy or sell another boat w/o reputable broker representation. The sense of protection I feel is priceless.

Have a broker represent you to ask the sellers broker your important questions &/or concerns. In my experience, in most cases, the brokers are a little more open/forthcoming about things. Assuming the selling broker is open to co-brokerage.

Just my $0.02. Good luck!
 
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Ididntdoit said:
I will try to "say" this with as much respect as possible - It seems you want a pristine, virgin boat at a used up whore price - multiple threads and hundreds of posts of jerking off and still no boat - and now in your latest thread you want other people to do your bidding for you - doing a valve job on a 15-20yo boat is basic maintenance - I would not deal with a buyer like you - I would move on to someone with more realistic expectations
Click to expand...
Not sure I see it that way. Having been on the same search, the boats/owners/brokers out there are all bullchit. The problem with a boat like the OP is talking about with an engine issue is it could be an easy fix or it could be a nightmare. As a buyer I need two things -- a fairly represented boat (which means if you know compression is bad let me know) and a buyer willing to work with the unforeseen things that come up during survey (not the little items like light bulbs, but bigger issues definitely).

In the OPs case he was told only that the one engine doesn't reach full RPMs. Well that could be dozens of things. Only to find out later, after he spent his money that in fact compression is an issue. Not cool if you ask me.
 
spikedaddy99 said:
Knowingly withholding knowledge of a problem is BS, and I think illegal in the house buying world. Am I correct? I'd try to figure if a boat (qualifying as a 2nd home) would fit in the same "rules" and give the OP some recourse to recover funds he wasted.
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Yep, and, in Idaho at least, it's called a Disclosure Statement. They're taken very seriously if things aren't reported properly and those things come to light during or after the sale.
 
spikedaddy99 said:
Knowingly withholding knowledge of a problem is BS, and I think illegal in the house buying world. Am I correct? I'd try to figure if a boat (qualifying as a 2nd home) would fit in the same "rules" and give the OP some recourse to recover funds he wasted.
Click to expand...
You right, but who wants to go down that rabbit hole. Problem is, a boat supposed to be a toy and fun. Nobody wants to get involved with lawyers and courts and litigation over a boat. I would just walk away.
I hope it works out.
 
If a boat doesn't reach recommended wot my guard goes up immediately. Straight to leak down test. If it clears that its usually a less costly maintenance issue. People get to jacked up on compression tests. So many variables. If its not a gazillion psi in every cylinder then something must be wrong. Never seen a engine with a legit issue internally reach wot. Some surveyors won't even recommended a compression test if the engine performs to spec.
 
M
Craig said:
If a boat doesn't reach recommended wot my guard goes up immediately. Straight to leak down test. If it clears that its usually a less costly maintenance issue. People get to jacked up on compression tests. So many variables. If its not a gazillion psi in every cylinder then something must be wrong. Never seen a engine with a legit issue internally reach wot. Some surveyors won't even recommended a compression test if the engine performs to spec.
Click to expand...
When I bought my 380, almost 3 years ago, it reached spec rpm, but came back low on 2 cylinders. Leak down showed it was the heads…. Anyway, I almost didn’t go through with the mechanical survey on compression, but glad I did
 
Ididntdoit said:
I will try to "say" this with as much respect as possible - It seems you want a pristine, virgin boat at a used up whore price - multiple threads and hundreds of posts of jerking off and still no boat - and now in your latest thread you want other people to do your bidding for you - doing a valve job on a 15-20yo boat is basic maintenance - I would not deal with a buyer like you - I would move on to someone with more realistic expectations
Click to expand...
Wow. I'd hate to see a post from you when you are disrespectful.

I get your point, I suggest you get your facts straight first before flaming someone publicly. I think there's a private message option here, I suggest you try that next time.

I've had a contract on 2 boats now, both reported to have no issues, both passed my visual inspection. The starboard engine shut down on the first one when we tried to sea trial it. Never started again in my presence after multiple attempts to resolve and 2 hours sitting there with the mechanic, and helping him too. Not even my boat and I was helping to turn wrenches trying to get it resolved. We limped back in on one engine. Seller refused to take the issue seriously, threw some parts at it, still an issue. I was out $700.

2nd boat is documented in this post. Not sure what I did wrong, in your opinion, Once I learned the sellers actually already knew what was wrong with the engine I asked them to fix the engine or not. Had they shared what they already knew before I invested a day off, travel, making a deposit, etc. I would have had the information earlier, versus later. A lie of omission bugs me, not sure about you. Even their mechanic said it may be more than a valve job, that's where he'd start. Why should I assume that risk without asking them to fix it first?

And what do you mean by "bidding for me". Nobody is bidding for me. I am using a buyers broker for multiple reasons, none of which are to bid for me.
 
Craig said:
Never seen a engine with a legit issue internally reach wot. Some surveyors won't even recommended a compression test if the engine performs to spec.
Click to expand...
I wouldn't put it past some unscrupulous seller to put in a flatter-pitch prop that let a tired engine reach its prescribed max rpm. I think a leak-down test has validity in most any situation.
 
Reset. Mrs rob. We are 80 posts in and even i am lost in following this thread. I think you are still looking at 380s year and prices lost long ago. He wasn’t diss you. This thread has bounced like a super ball, old guys know what they are.
I think his point was buy new, or expect to spend money. You cant get a used “turn key” boat. Wont happen.
PS. I bought a Brand New boat Once. ONCE. Had more problems with it than any used boat i ever bought.
Going to bed. I get up early. Good night.
 
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