Buying boat, survey question

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VTBoater

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Hi,
We settled on a price today for a 1995 Mainship 31 foot sedan bridge with marine power 454's, 300 hours. The seller feels like we are getting such a good deal, he does not want to pay for a sea trial. I agreed in principle today for this, thinking we could run the engines where it is. I talked to an experienced surveyor today in WI and he said that is not possible, you can't run them inside on blocks. He seemed to think it was okay to buy it with just the survey. I'm concerned about engine/trannsmission issues could exist even though no indication there are any. Should I try to get some sort of my expense sea trial worked out? Budget is an issue, but don't want to get stuck with a bigger bill when I get it trucked home.
Thanks.
 
no sea trial, no sale.

simple.

A sea trial is going to cost the seller a few gallons of fuel and an hour of his time, big deal.

If the boat is still on the hard, you would pay the launch/haul out just like for a boat that's in the water you'd pay the survey haul out.

The seller is either incredibly stupid or hiding something.

this is a 14 year old boat! let me repeat that... you are buying a 14 year old boat, and you dont' do that without a sea trial.
 
I agree with Pascal even if you are getting a great deal the sea trial will prove it. Never run a boat with in-boards on the hard, you will wipe the impellers and possibly destroy the motor. I paid for the sea trial and haul out on my boat. Mine was in the water so the sea trial was easy, but I had it hauled so the surveyor could finish his job and check the hull, shafts, rudders, props and bearings not to mention checking the hull for blisters or repaired damage. Please insist on the SeaTrial how much do you think is a great deal for this boat? I have seen them go lately with low hours for $35 to 40k.
Regards Bill
 
One more point 300 hours is low for a 14 year old boat. Letting engines sit and not running them periodically can mean bad seals or possibly internal moisture problems.
 
A bit of an aside, but can't you run the motors if you have water supplied to the sea strainer?

I agree, get the sea trial, lots of things can be found that a survey won't catch.
 
I thought it was customary for the buyer to pay for for the seatrial and survey. Seatrial cost is minimal if the boat is already splashed. If in the water, then the buyer pays to have it hauled for survey. 300 hours is low for engine hours for a 14 year old boat. Mine is 17 years and has less than that. It all depends on how far they traveled when they used it and how long the boating season is. Where I am at the boating season is 4-5 months. If I go out 15 weekends a year, and run it for a 1/2 hour per weekend that amounts to under 10 hours a year.
 
How good is the "deal?" Enough to cover new drive trains? It should not be a big deal to sea trial. It is spring here, so unless the owner isn't planing to splash it this year it should not be a big deal. You could offer something like no rejection of the deal unless something major is discovered, ie; engine/trans issues. This protects the seller from some open ended, potentially unreasonable claim which kills the deal. Good luck.
 
The seller is normally responsible to cover the cost of a sea trial which includes having the boat in the water, ready to run with fuel and a captain. The buyer is responsible to pay all costs associated with survey including having the boat hauled if its in the water. The cost of a sea trial is nominal unless the boat is on the hard and the buyer still owes the marina money (the boat won't get splashed until the bills are paid) or if the buyer knows there are some issues with the boat that would prevent it from performing once in the water. If you really want this boat and think your deal is that good offer to pay for the fuel and to supply your own captain. If the seller still balks, walk because there is something else going on that the seller is not sharing.... or he's just stupid as pascal suggested.
 
In this case the boat is inside a storage shed a 1/2 mile away from the water, and the seller does not want to incur any costs to do a sea trial. I am going to make phone calls this morning to see if I can get a sea trial done at my expense and get the seller to accept somthing similar in terms to what is stated above.
The deal is good, 66 percent of asking price, certainly not good enough to cover major issues.
Thanks for the advice and will keep you posted.
 
"The deal is good, 66 percent of asking price,"

66% of $200,000.00 is $132,000.00.......Doesn't sound like such a good deal to me.

The point is that although 66% of an asking price may seem like a good deal.....and it probably is but that's only if the asking price was fair to begin with.
 
Market values are about 35% off right now. When you take that into consideration, theres alot of great deals out there!
 
I really don't understand 'market value'. If $100k boats are selling at 35% off, that makes them $65k. Doesn't the market value become $65k since that is what they are selling for. I realize that condition and area will affect pricing, but it would be great if the marine dealers would update pricing so those looking to sell or buy would have a much better idea of what the boat is worth.

It seems prices are so inconsistant. I was looking at a 2000 Regal 2960. Yachtworld has asking prices of $68k to $44k. The one I was looking at sold for $36,500 with a generator.
 
Don't get boat fever. Get the sea trial done. If the seller won't comply, WALK AWAY. Lots of great boats out there for sale.
 
Again look around it is not the only 31 SB Mainship. They are very nice boats. I can look on Yachtworld and see what the prices for a 31SB in your area are going for.
Bill
 
There is a 1994 repowered one for sale in Maryland on Yachtworld asking $44k owner wants offers it says, this to me looks like someone needs money fast. Do a search Mainship 31 Sedan Bridge, mid Atlantic states. In your area the cheapest one was $84k. So as you can see there are a wide range of asking prices.
Don't get locked in on one boat locking in on a model and manufacture is ok.
I just checked this model has modern fuel injected motors.
Bill
 
Survey says........

SEATRIAL !

This is your opportunity to get a price adjustnent for any issues that may show up.

RWS
 
Talked to the broker yesterday and told him I wanted to get it sea trialed at my expense. He is going to talk to the owner and get back to me Monday. Did not get a great feeling about it, and will absolutely walk away from it without the sea trial.
This one is fresh water, one owner, and has the 454's which I think is a better choice, boat only tops out at 22ish with the 350's from what I can tell. Those are the things that led me to offer on this one first. We'll see what happens tomorrow.
 
A contract to buy pending a sea trial is a standard practice with larger boats. It saves a lot of hassle for sellers and brokers that are dealing with a lot of (would you take?) If you are serious about the boat make it clear to them. Nobody wants to give boat rides to tire kickers.
 
my understanding of running engines on the hard is it's ok to run them at idle as long as there is ample water supply (usually a big bucket being filled constantly via a garden hose). i don't think it's possible to run engines up to wot on the hard, or feel vibrations at various rpm's as happens when underway. walk away if they won't let you seatrial it. better yet, take your time, shop around and wait until it's in the water. then ask for a seatrial. bet the price is down by then as well.
 
VTBoater, There is alot of good advice here. No one buys a larger boat without a sea-trial is what it all boils down to.

George, You would think it should work that way. Problem is there is book value which is found in many directions. The economic conditions play a big part on whats going on right now. Its realy tuff on those who have to sell anything right now.

Bruce, Great post! As we both know this subject relates well to the findings on your vessel when we surveyed. Load testing is a big part of any survey! Nice to see you on the forum.
 
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