1984 Jeanneau too Old ?

[eisselhardt]

1984 Jeanneau 40 Sun Fizz. 3 cabin version, never been in charter, 0 hours new deisel, newish sails, new lines, new heads and fittings as of 2007, ambient deisel-fed heating, airconditioning, radar, electronics mostly 2000-era, lots of other updates in the last 8 years of so. Is this a good deal at $82.5K?

[bljones]

It's top of the market, but as described it sounds like a well maintained boat. What do YOU think?

[eisselhardt]

Well, I just offered $77.5K, looking to end up at $80K. I suppose the difference between $80K and $82.5K isn't that much, but somehow the boat feels better at the slightly lower price.

It has been very well maintained and updated.

[bljones]

It's listed at $87K, right?

[eisselhardt]

Actually, it is listed at $89.9K. My broker originally said that he thought it would definitely go at $82.5K. When asked him how realistic it would be to try for $80K, he thought it had a chance, so I began at $77.5K. If it doesn't come in at $80K, I'll have to think hard about pursuing it. There's always another boat....

[bljones]

NEVER ask a broker what he thinks a seller will take. That is like asking a kidnapper how much wiggle room there is in the ransom.
make your offer, check their counter, and offer $79. It's January. The worst that can happen is they say no.

[SaltyMonkey]

What u gonna do with your bennie 381?

[Unicorn Dreams]

After you settle on a price now, wait until after the survey and see what the surveyor values the boat at. Then make another offer at a lower price.

Also VERY IMPORTANT, use your surveyor, not who the broker recommends.

[CarlF]

+1 on not using the broker's surveyor. Even better look for a broker who has surveyed the same type of boat.

But fair warning that some owners, myself included, have little patience for buyers who intend to use the survey for ongoing price negotiation - even if no significant surprises appear in the survey. To me it's a sign that I'm dealing with a jerk and more bad behavior can be expected. I tell the broker to give them back their deposit. It might be different if I HAD to sell, but fortunately I've never been in that situation.



Carl

[eisselhardt]

Thanks guys for all of your terrific comments. My broker gave me a long list of surveyors, and I picked one off of that list. I have made an initial offer on this boat now, and I have an upper price in mind. If the owners don't go for it, well, there is always another boat....

I also appreciate that owners may have short patience with someone trying to nickle and dime them to death after the survey, and having sold many high end items (but not a boat) I am particularly sensitive to this issue. I understand that this is an older boat, and I anticipate having to take care of small issues.

Eric

[Ed_Sail]

Hi Eric,

I have an 86 French boat and love it - it seems to be as well or better built as the newer ones and has a lot more character (more wood below, some teak on deck ... but character = work). The older ones are generally narrower in the stern and loose space as a result. With a new engine and sails and 10 year old electronics you should be ok. One thing to look into is if its been barrier coated - mid 80ies were 'sometimes' prone to osmosis - barrier coating is good prevention - mine is am I'm glad.

How deep is it - could be fun on a river!?

E

[eisselhardt]

Draft is 5.7. The Potomac is relatively shallow outside of the channel, but I really have no choice due to work commuting issues. I anticipate weekend overnights out to the bay....

[GeoPowers]

Originally Posted by eisselhardt

I anticipate weekend overnights out to the bay....

I don't think you'll make it out to the bay from D.C. on a weekend- it is about 100 nm each way... I'm sure there are lots of nice places to explore on the Potomac, though.

Frank

[goboatingnow]

I would second the posts on not using a surveyor to screw the seller around, If theres a genuine issue then a suitable reduction is in order, otherwise youve made the offer and its being accepted. It does not matter what the surveyor "thinks it worth". Otherwise get a survey before you offer.

Dave

[Mimsy]

I think there is a big difference between "nickel and diming" and "adjusting expectations". If the survey says that the boat is in the same condition that the seller thinks it is, well then ad nauseum negotiating would be annoying. If the survey says that the boat is NOT in the condition the seller thinks it is, its time to negotiate a realistic price or walk away.