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quill · 09-12-2016, 05:40

how does that boat handle in tight quarters?
will it dance around at anchor?
will it back up in a controllable way?
On the wind is the helm excessively heavy?
For me, No sea trial, no deal. And I would arrive at the dock with a full sheet of things to check.

geoleo · 09-12-2016, 06:14

Boat has a 41 year old engine!!!!replacement at least $18000 WHEW

MarkJ · 09-12-2016, 06:19

If I was selling my boat EVERYONE would get a sea trial.

Looking at a boat on the dock, mooring , you get about 10% excitement. But the moment those lines are let go everyone, and I mean everyone feels a bit of excitement

And if in an area where they don't usually do sea trials before the contract then it's a great advantage to do one for anyone

Finally, why not? If you are selling a good boat SHOW them it's a good boat but doing the things boats do best...

Mark

zeehag · 09-12-2016, 06:34

RUN!!!!!!!!!
there are many for sale boats--it is still a buyers market-- run to a different seller.
does not matter how it acts in a slipway. how does it behave in open water.
are the sails in good shape, or will they blow out with first breath of air?
is rigging functional,
is engine smooth, transmission functional underway or will you have to invest mucho dinero making it right?
how long does it all run before overheating and loss of smooth song.
perhaps a less shifty owner would make a better seller.

if no insurance, how is paperwork--is it clear???? much to consider.....

"Boat has a 41 year old engine!!!!replacement at least $18000 WHEW"
incorrect. replacements rebuild are a lot less pricey than that. donot go about scaring folks unnecessarily. i have found engines for less than 400 usd, in good running order. of course if you choose to replace with yanmar, this 18000 is only the beginning. rebuilds of old engine are nowhere near 18000 usd. unless engine is platinum. or gold.

**Pete7** · 09-12-2016, 06:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by zeehag

if no insurance, how is paperwork--is it clear???? much to consider......

No insurance might be the first sign that he doesn't own the boat.

Pete

nautical62 · 09-12-2016, 06:45

I passed on one boat when numerous problems came up during the sea trial, so personally, it would have to be a very unique situation to buy a boat without a sea trial for me.

**a64pilot** · 09-12-2016, 06:57

Could be he started out like Mark said and really tried selling the boat, but eventually got tired of giving free rides to people that had no real interest in buying, but looking is fun.
I've known people who have no real interest in buying a house, yet go to open houses, go test dive cars etc., its an entertaining way to kill a Saturday.
Boat I bought, seller accepted my sort of lowball offer, but the caveat was as is, where is. Which worried me at first, but then I found out that others had tried knocking the price down on every nickel and dime thing found in survey, and he was tired of it, his attitude was buy it or not, just don't waste my time.
However that worried me, and we tore it apart in survey looking for the severe problem I assumed it had to make him act that way, but found nothing really.

However, I would absolutely do a very good survey, and be darn sure I wasn't buying a blister disaster for instance.
Age of the motor is irrelevant as long as its in decent condition and parts are available.

If the pictures of the boat are from this Century, It looks like quite a deal to me, depending of course on intended use, but how much boat can you buy for less than $20K

wyb2 · 09-12-2016, 06:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by markwesti

...What sends a red flag for me is the price.

Surprised more people aren't saying this. Very unlikely you are getting the boat you see in the pictures without hidden problems at that price (unless the west coast market is truly half price the east coast). Now if you figure out what the problems are and understand the cost/effort to fix them, maybe it's still a deal, maybe not.

How do you even access the bilge with that wall-to-wall carpeting?

rwidman · 09-12-2016, 07:20

One reason I used a broker to sell my boat is, he requires a 10% cash deposit before a sea trial. Yes, the buyer would get his deposit back if he didn't go through with the sale, but few folks would put that much cash down just to go for a free boat ride.

The seller in this case may just not want to give people free boat rides or he may be hiding some serious problems with the boat.

I think there are enough boats out there for sale that you could pass on this one and find another.

Tell the seller "No deal without a sea trial." and walk. Tell him to call you if he changes his mind.

Tom Malhiot · 09-12-2016, 08:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickykngo

Thank you for all the inputs. I asked if I can come with a captain to sea trial and he said absolutely not. He doesn't want to waste mine and his time because he priced low already. Should I get a mechanic surveyor or a boat surveyor and what kind of problem can he find in the engine when it's not run in sea trial? Is it a waste of money for a surveyor because it seems fishy? Thanks.

Don't buy it, if he wanted to sell he would want a Surveyor to check it out at your expense. Sounds as if he has a lot to hide.

OS2Dude · 09-12-2016, 08:29

I'd ask the owner about getting an out-of-water survey, which would entail a brief exit from the slip. If he still says absolutely not, I'd be REALLY suspicious of what he does not want you to see/feel/find out.

Capt Phil · 09-12-2016, 08:35

+1,Zee!
When we purchased our last boat, Defever 54, we were on our sea trial and I wanted to run the engines up to max RPM for about 5 minutes under load. The owner had a cow and when I said no deal unless I had seen how the cooling and exhaust systems performed under load at max, he relented and we ran flat out for 4-5 minutes. No smoke and temps were fine so after an oil analysis, we bought her and lived/cruised for about 6 years.
My advice? Don't buy unless you have checked all you can and even then you might get burned! Phil

ramblinrod · 09-12-2016, 08:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickykngo

does it sound fishy that the seller doesn't want any sea trial of his boat the reason he said it's not insure. He's gonna just turn on the engine and shift it into gears without leaving the slip. How am I going to know the boat is seaworthy or not. Any tip to look out for?
Here's the link to the boat for sale.
37' Talisman 1975 41 with pulpit ...Must See Blue Water SailBoat!

Based on the photos, it's a beaut and priced well.

Put in a written offer conditional on satisfactory marine survey with 10% refundable deposit.

Even if the engine and sails are shot, that could be a good deal if the hull and decks are sound. If I lived nearby, I'd be all over that.