Boat purchase

Joined
Oct 18, 2025
Messages
63
We are visiting a boat we'd like to purchase. We've been searching for this particular boat all fall, winter and spring. We are going to inspect the boat and sea trial this weekend. My question for the group is, the boat is in the water now. Who pays to lift the boat out for the hull inspection and structural survey. I understand that I pay for the mechanical and structural survey. Also, all of the members of this group have been great, wish me luck.
 

Mc Tool

Lieutenant
Joined
Aug 7, 2024
Messages
1,398
If it was my boat for sale and it's in the water , you're paying for everything. I've bought a few boats and that's the standard .
That sucks , I would think the seller should make the boat available for inspection ....like not in the water , everything else would be on the buyer ....otherwise I would keep looking
 

redneck joe

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 18, 2009
Messages
15,034
pay for it unless it fails a specify thing, structurally.

And to be frank, respectfully - if a few hundred bucks is an issue then owning a boat isn't for you.

As my dad call is 'its all life overhead costs'
 

mr 88

Commander
Joined
Nov 3, 2010
Messages
2,282
That sucks , I would think the seller should make the boat available for inspection ....like not in the water , everything else would be on the buyer ....otherwise I would keep looking
Most people want a test ride on the water . 95% of the survey can be done in the water . If it passes that and YOU want it pulled out for the land survey , YOU are paying to have my boat pulled and put back in . YOU are paying for the survey , which in many cases is needed for insurance. I may have other people lined up to look at the boat and they want a test ride on the water as well .I'm not paying to have my boat pulled and dunked 2 or 3 times. Of course if it's on a trailer , thats a different story . And if I, the owner , has a survey done for you , I'm talking to the surveyor first and it'll be someone I know . Would you trust that survey?
 
Joined
Oct 18, 2025
Messages
63
I suppose there are trolls in every online group. It's not that I cannot afford to have the boat hauled. I wanted to know what is common. I guess I should have asked AI.
 
Joined
Oct 18, 2025
Messages
63
Most people want a test ride on the water . 95% of the survey can be done in the water . If it passes that and YOU want it pulled out for the land survey , YOU are paying to have my boat pulled and put back in . YOU are paying for the survey , which in many cases is needed for insurance. I may have other people lined up to look at the boat and they want a test ride on the water as well .I'm not paying to have my boat pulled and dunked 2 or 3 times. Of course if it's on a trailer , thats a different story . And if I, the owner , has a survey done for you , I'm talking to the surveyor first and it'll be someone I know . Would you trust that survey?
Thank you. Makes sense.
 

redneck joe

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 18, 2009
Messages
15,034
I suppose there are trolls in every online group. It's not that I cannot afford to have the boat hauled. I wanted to know what is common. I guess I should have asked AI
If you are referring to me, did not mean to 'troll' you.
We get many people here that go in way over their head way early that live to regret it and it is incumbent upon us to to reply to your posts with our observations and experience. Thats why you post here in an open discussion forum. Didn't call you an idiot or anything, just noting that boats are expensive and as a new member we are unsure of your experience with the cost structure.

I've been here for 17 years or so now so everyone knows i'm an idiots and respond appropriately.

Be well

:)
 
Last edited:

DeepCMark58A

Captain
Joined
Aug 17, 2015
Messages
3,205
Owner offers a test drive anything above that is on the buyer. Up to you what you want to risk but like others offered a survey done on the water will suffice. A good surveyor will see the signs of issues with the hull from the inside.
 
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