Standard Purchasing procedure?

[fwebster]

Only if the cat was wearing tennis shoes......

 

[Bridog]

Mike,

You seem to be very good at finding interesting things to start threads about recently. That's one for this week?

Week? He's good for one every other hour.

 

[Barlow1016]

Yeah when I purchased my 99 340 3 years ago it was a complete new experience for me.Sometimes I wonder how I ended up so damn lucky. I had made an offer over email based on pictures etc. When I showed up after traveling eight hours, And deposit check in hand. We taxied out to the boat that was a one owner boat kept on a lift under a covered canopy at Lake Mead The boat was filthy and had the original canvas as you can imagine it was shot. But I could see it was a diamond in the rough. So after a sea trial I lowballed him and told him take it or leave it.Keep in mind the owner and his broker we’re on board. The owner got shitty with me, and said fine when can you close? I said how about 20 minutes? Do you have the title and all the certified documentation??? Ultimately it ended up taking about a week to close because he still owed on the boat. So I had a trailer built and we went and picked it up short time later another eight hour trip one way. With some basic maintenance thing has been a total Jem!!!Fast forward three years I am now much more educated and also much more cautious. Thank you for all of the replies keep them coming.

 

[northern]

We looked at 3 boats long distance. Flew from Calgary to Mississippi once, Florida once and California once. I sent the broker 10% of asking price to secure the boat so would not show up and it was gone. In all cases boats were not good. I got all my money back.

 

[dtfeld]

I started out looking for a 380, but ended up with a 410. In my opinion, you have to step on the target boat. Things like upholstery and canvas condition do not show up in photos. I looked at a 380 with CAT's and the starboard motor wouldn't start. That ended any interest in that boat. I agree that there are many dirty boats, and the real gems don't sit very long.

 

[JVM225]

A friend found a boat that was just what he wanted, his wife is a clean freak to say the least. He told the listing broker he would pay $500 up front if the would detail clean the boat, Listed at $450k, particularly the cockpit and cabin so she would feel comfortable. The broker didn't get it done and the boat was dirty and the wife would not let him buy it...

Could not believe all the filthy boats for sale when we were looking...

MM

Not only filthy, but cabins cluttered with junk.

 

[MonacoMike]

Not only filthy, but cabins cluttered with junk.

And dirty swimsuits among other things. LOL

MM

 

[JVM225]

I started out looking for a 380, but ended up with a 410. In my opinion, you have to step on the target boat. Things like upholstery and canvas condition do not show up in photos. I looked at a 380 with CAT's and the starboard motor wouldn't start. That ended any interest in that boat. I agree that there are many dirty boats, and the real gems don't sit very long.

I started looking at the 380’s also, then figuring I was on the borderline of gas vs. diesel I shifted the hunt to 410’s. Smart move because the 410 suits us much better anyway.
Missed the boat an a really nice and super clean 410 early on. Small world, a friend of a friend bought that boat and I was very envious. Worked out in the end though because as it turns out I like the one I got even more.
Very few 380’s with diesels out there and what I saw was ratty.

 

[spikedaddy99]

I put 10% down sight unseen to secure our boat. However, I've known the dealership and sales man for a few years, and know others who have bought from this same guy. Never a bad word said about him. In 1 instance, an owner bought a 50' Cruisers and found out that the transom or stringers were wet (some months after the purchase, missed on survey too). Dealership did all repairs for free, put bought in water, went to return to his slip, and a transmission was broken. Dealer replaced transmission. Without this history, I wouldn't do anything until I saw the boat or had someone close I trusted to at least look the 1st time for me. Mike

 

[EKM]

I've asked the sales person to facetime me and walk around the boat. Close ups of swim platform, looking for cracks and other FG issues, reviewed the engine room and let the broker describe what he/she is seeing, started engines while on facetime, walked the cabin asking questions about finish, etc.

Bought the boat too!