Things to ask when buying a boat out of state

[ZFG]

Hello CF, long time reader, first time posting.

I am boat shopping for cruising sailboats (80s, 40-44 ft, sloop rigged, 100K budget) the East Coast, and I live in the Western US.

Before I get on a plane and fly to look at a boat, I want to have some purchase agreement signed (contingent on inspection and survey of course) and a deposit made so i have some assurance its not getting sold out from under me and I waste my time and money traveling.

What specific things would you inquire about, past the yacht world ad, or additional pictures you would request, or other documentation you would request to get a better, more confident sense of the boat prior to getting a deposit and contract going?

In many cases the yachtworld ads are pretty thorough with plenty of pictures and a good list of equipment, I just dont want to fly across the country and have the bottom covered in blisters or the engine not working, or surprise water damage not visible in the photos.

I searched for the topic but pretty much everything is about sales tax and registration, not the actual process of buying the boat remotely, before going to look at it.

So, if you were trying to vet a boat a few thousand miles away, before going to see it, what would you ask for/inquire about.

I'm particularly interested in this Passport 42 in FL:
https://www.yachtworld.com/yacht/198...rt-42-8872348/

[5BTM]

So you would like the sellers to pay for your flights.
First class or economy?

If I was a seller and got a request like that I would assume a con.

Look for a boat in the western US.

[boatpoker]

Look at the photos here and consider what photos to ask for.
They don't show you this stuff on Yacht World ...
Marine Survey 101, pre-survey inspection

[ZFG]

Originally Posted by 5BTM

So you would like the sellers to pay for your flights.
First class or economy?

If I was a seller and got a request like that I would assume a con.

Look for a boat in the western US.

Did I say I wanted the seller to pay for anything, flights or otherwise? What part of that question indicates it is a con? If I pay a good faith deposit on a boat because i'm flying in from out of state and dont want to show up for it to be gone how is that a con?

What would be your approach to this situation then?

[Stingo]

Get a pre-purchase survey done.

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by ZFG

Did I say I wanted the seller to pay for anything, flights or otherwise? What part of that question indicates it is a con? If I pay a good faith deposit on a boat because i'm flying in from out of state and dont want to show up for it to be gone how is that a con?

What would be your approach to this situation then?

Not to worry. some are not worth responding to.

[ZFG]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

Look at the photos here and consider what photos to ask for.
They don't show you this stuff on Yacht World ...
Marine Survey 101, pre-survey inspection

I have read through that page numerous times and plan to do that pre survey myself on any boat I look at. For the passport I've asked for additional pictures of deck level standing rigging, the age of the rigging, the mast base and the bilges, as well as pictures of through hulls and over all condition.

I could attempt to negotiate a price now and pay a deposit, then jump on a plane to fly there and begin the survey process, i'm just trying to figure out what I dont know to ask when going about the purchase process in that order.

Originally Posted by Stingo

Get a pre-purchase survey done.

I plan on it, but i would like to look at the boat in person and do the pre survey before paying an actual surveyor a few thousand dollars to do theirs. Unless the community thinks that's an unrealistic process


Thanks

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by ZFG

I have read through that page numerous times and plan to do that pre survey myself on any boat I look at. For the passport I've asked for additional pictures of deck level standing rigging, the age of the rigging, the mast base and the bilges, as well as pictures of through hulls and over all condition.

I could attempt to negotiate a price now and pay a deposit, then jump on a plane to fly there and begin the survey process, i'm just trying to figure out what I dont know to ask when going about the purchase process in that order.

Thanks

Glad my web page was of use.

[neilpride]

I have had 3 boats.
If the deposit is not much, not big deal.

This is what has worked for me, I have never done a pre purchase deposit, the surveyor comes from my side, not the broker's or owner's side, on shore survey and sailing motoring survey, once the faults are found, I negotiate down the price. If he accepts my offer, I sign, if not, I find another one.

[flee27]

IMO you have done/are doing all you can. Words and pictures only tell the story they are wanting to tell. If the boat looks like something you are interested in and passes the initial test, then you must go to the boat. If you look closely and objectively (sometimes hard) there won't be too many unknowns left.

If you are planning on trucking the boat across the country don't under estimate the expense of decommissioning/hauling/recommissioning the boat. This will not be an insignificant percentage of a 100K boat. You could buy a boat closer to home in the 120K-130K+ range and have spent no more money all in.

Good luck with you boat hunting.

Foster

[ZFG]

Originally Posted by flee27

IMO you have done/are doing all you can. Words and pictures only tell the story they are wanting to tell. If the boat looks like something you are interested in and passes the initial test, then you must go to the boat. If you look closely and objectively (sometimes hard) there won't be too many unknowns left.

If you are planning on trucking the boat across the country don't under estimate the expense of decommissioning/hauling/recommissioning the boat. This will not be an insignificant percentage of a 100K boat. You could buy a boat closer to home in the 120K-130K+ range and have spent no more money all in.

Good luck with you boat hunting.

Foster

Thanks for the reply. I'm planning on sailing it on the East Coast/Carib for a few years. There are WAY more boats on the west coast that fit my wants list, but i have accepted that instead of spending the money on trucking, it should go to buying a better boat in the region of use. So decommission/transport is not part of the equation.

[flee27]

Good luck with the boat. Looking at the pictures it definitely has some things to address as all old boats have. But she is beautiful and definitely a boat with a reputation for quality. Hope it all works out.

Foster

[ZFG]

Originally Posted by flee27

Good luck with the boat. Looking at the pictures it definitely has some things to address as all old boats have. But she is beautiful and definitely a boat with a reputation for quality. Hope it all works out.

Foster

Just wondering what things you noticed from the pics that stood out that need to be addressed. The sailors here in CF certainly have a well trained eye for boats and their subtle issues!

[5BTM]

On a $100K budget you are worried about $700 ( price of a round trip from LAX to FLL)

As a seller I would doubt you had the $100K, would ask for a hefty deposit to make sure.

If you like the boat, hop on a plane, take a look and make an offer.

Otherwise, offer full price subject to survey.

[Greatest Lakes]

Don't be afraid to touch and use everything check that everything works as intended. Pay special attention to any wood you see, if you see streaks, that's water ingress, check plywood for delamination too. When you walk through the boat, look for what you would hold on to if the boat was moving around. It's nice to know if it has good handholds or not. Try to operate some seacocks too. All valves should work.