Beginner Buying Used Question Re. Sea Trials

[SillyGoose]

I’m looking to buy my first boat and due to budget constraints, it’s going to have to be used. I’ve been doing copious amounts of research and the general consensus is that I need a marine surveyor to look at the boat both in the water running and out of the water. I’m also hearing that a sea trial is a must which makes sense because you always test drive a car before buying.

My confusion is: a lot of used boats I’m seeing are out of the water and on a trailer (some not even on a trailer they’re just in storage). And a good amount are being sold by private seller and not a broker. So what is the standard practice here? If the boat is sold by a private seller, is it common to ask them to put it in the water so you can test drive it or do people get annoyed by that and will just sell to someone who doesn’t want a sea trial? If it’s already in the water, is it common to ask them to take it out so you can inspect the hull? Also, who foots the costs associated with either one (at the bare minimum the gas it takes to get the boat to the launch to put it in the water or take it out)?

I’m just not familiar with the actual logistics of this at all and what’s standard practice versus not so I don’t want to approach a seller without knowing what the buyer is usually entitled to/responsible for.

Thanks in advance!

 

[JASinIL2006]

In our area, most boats are trailered and we're an hour's drive away from the nearest navigable rivers. Arranging a water trial therefore would not be a trivial undertaking, and it's often not done. (I'm not saying that's a good thing, it's just they way it is.) If I were selling, I'd be happy to arrange a water trial only as the last part of the sale process; I'd expect a deposit (or earnest money) to be put down, and unless there was some problem with the boat (e.g., engine problems or a leak), that deposit would be non-refundable if the seller decided against the purchase.

Similarly, it's not easy to find a marine surveyor around here and honestly, for smaller boats (like bowriders and runabouts) I'm not sure it's cost effective to pay for a full survey. I would not mind if a buyer wanted to have a marine mechanic look over the boat, though, as long as they paid my gas to trailer the boat to the mechanic. I would not allow anyone to touch it who doesn't know boats; I don't want someone starting the engine without muffs and frying my impeller or causing any other kind of damage.

 

[tpenfield]

Greetings and welcome to iBoats . . .

Many of us have been where you are, in getting into boats and boat ownership.

The 'standard' practice varies a little bit depending on budget. Generally, sellers of boats under $10K may not offer to do much, but it does not hurt to ask. If you are looking in the higher budget range, then it is common practice to have the boat surveyed and a sea trial done (with the surveyor).

You, the buyer, get to foot the bill. So, plan on spending $1,000 or more to have all the inspections, launching/hauling, etc. done.

Marine surveyors don't do much with the engines, so often you want a mechanical inspection of the engine. I have been fortunate in my boat buying to find a surveyor who also is certified in engines or is partnered with a certified mechanic.

It should not make much of a difference in private party vs. brokered sales as to asking/having the inspections, etc. I do find that brokers are easier to deal with, as they will manage the money and may help coordinate the inspections.

Of the 3 powerboats that I have owned over the years, 2 were through a broker and 1 was private party sale. All had survey, engine inspection, sea trail . . . usually all performed on the same day.

Another thing is proof of ownership . . . very important . . . Bill of Sale is not proof of ownership. Generally, you will need the seller's title to the boat or the seller's valid registration, if the state/region does not title boats.

Good luck with it and keep us posted

 

[SillyGoose]

Greetings and welcome to iBoats . . .

Many of us have been where you are, in getting into boats and boat ownership.

The 'standard' practice varies a little bit depending on budget. Generally, sellers of boats under $10K may not offer to do much, but it does not hurt to ask. If you are looking in the higher budget range, then it is common practice to have the boat surveyed and a sea trial done (with the surveyor).

You, the buyer, get to foot the bill. So, plan on spending $1,000 or more to have all the inspections, launching/hauling, etc. done.

Marine surveyors don't do much with the engines, so often you want a mechanical inspection of the engine. I have been fortunate in my boat buying to find a surveyor who also is certified in engines or is partnered with a certified mechanic.

It should not make much of a difference in private party vs. brokered sales as to asking/having the inspections, etc. I do find that brokers are easier to deal with, as they will manage the money and may help coordinate the inspections.

Of the 3 powerboats that I have owned over the years, 2 were through a broker and 1 was private party sale. All had survey, engine inspection, sea trail . . . usually all performed on the same day.

Another thing is proof of ownership . . . very important . . . Bill of Sale is not proof of ownership. Generally, you will need the seller's title to the boat or the seller's valid registration, if the state/region does not title boats.

Good luck with it and keep us posted

Thank you SO much - this was all SUPER super helpful!!!

 

[SillyGoose]

In our area, most boats are trailered and we're an hour's drive away from the nearest navigable rivers. Arranging a water trial therefore would not be a trivial undertaking, and it's often not done. (I'm not saying that's a good thing, it's just they way it is.) If I were selling, I'd be happy to arrange a water trial only as the last part of the sale process; I'd expect a deposit (or earnest money) to be put down, and unless there was some problem with the boat (e.g., engine problems or a leak), that deposit would be non-refundable if the seller decided against the purchase.

Similarly, it's not easy to find a marine surveyor around here and honestly, for smaller boats (like bowriders and runabouts) I'm not sure it's cost effective to pay for a full survey. I would not mind if a buyer wanted to have a marine mechanic look over the boat, though, as long as they paid my gas to trailer the boat to the mechanic. I would not allow anyone to touch it who doesn't know boats; I don't want someone starting the engine without muffs and frying my impeller or causing any other kind of damage.

Thank you - great insight!

 

[matt167]

Over a certain value it becomes like buying a house. Inspections, negotiations ect… if you’re getting something cheap. You basically have to assume some risk.

 

[mr 88]

If you get a surveyor make sure they are accredited, many insurance companies will request that before issuing it .

 

[airshot]

Without knowing your budget limits, I can only offer my experiences over 60 years of boat ownership. The boats I have owned and sold over the years have values under 10K, so if you shopping for higher values then things might be different. Whether dealer or private owner one of the first things I ask for is paperwork !! Titles, reciepts for work done, registrations etc. If no paper work then I walk away. I always have a folder with all my paper work for any boat I sell, including all repair reciepts ! I expect to climb in, out, around and thru everything to make a thorough inspection, I expect a buyer to do the same thing ! I expectbto hear it run if buying and I am prepared to run it for a potential buyer.
Depending on what I see or find a sea trial may or not be necessary...if a buyer wants a sea trial, I will agree to it with a deposit...if the boat does what I claim it does then the deposit is mine regardless. If any issues come up that I have not told them about, then a deposit refund is given. With all this said... I do maintain all my stuff very well, I do keep all reciepts, and I am honest in all my sales. It is quite rare that I dont sell to the first buyer to come out and look !! If people want to bargain before ever looking at the boat, I hang up, they are not serious !!
I would recomend you find a friend that knows something about boats and motors to go along, I also reconend you do your research and homework on any boat you have an interest in... Look and look some more, the more you look, the better you will be able to figure out which boat will suit your needs. Realize before you even start....boating is expensive !!, No way around it, probably your most expensive hobby ever !! Boat resale value sucks, I have always bought used, far better value, if you know what to look at. If your looking at boats over 15-20 years old, be very carefull with fiberglass boats as hidden rotting issues are plentifull that you cant see and seriousvtesting is needed to detect. I am a big supporter of aluminum hulls, much less to go wrong, easier to repair, less fuel usage, cheaper insurance etc. But....bottom line it is your boat, your decision, shop wisely...as a new owner, you picked the wrong time of year to buy a boat, more expensive time than fall and with the boating rush, it is easier to get taken by shady people !!! Beware...good luck and keep us posted !!

 

[briangcc]

Another thing to keep in mind is the towing capacity of your vehicle. Don't get all charged up about a 21' fiberglass v8 behemoth on a tandem trailer if all your vehicle will safely tow is a single jetski.

Most published boat weights are dry - no batteries, gas, or gear. Some do not include the weight of the motor. Some do not include the weight of the trailer - this does weigh something and it counts against your towing capacity!

Be realistic in what you can tow. I try to stay within 75% of my towing capacity as I tow in hill country.

 

[BWR1953]

One thing about titles... make sure that any seller has the title in their own name.

There are folks who "flip" boats by purchasing from someone with a valid title, hanging onto it for awhile and then reselling the boat without changing the title or registering it in their own name. They'll advertise the boat as "with title" but unless they can prove that it's in their own name, then it's an "open title" which can be a problem in some jurisdictions.

I even had one guy present me with an unsigned open title with no signature. He wanted me to forge the real owners signature!

I walked.

 

[JASinIL2006]

@airshot makes a great point about the paperwork. If the seller doesn't have that all in hand, walk away. It's not worth wasting your time if they don't have the paperwork.

 

[flashback]

In my state a title is not needed so most folks don't have them and that could be a problem for someone trying to register in a state that does...

 

[JustJason]

I'm a surveyor, send me a PM.

Mod EDIT: Please use PM's for any solicitation of business as per forum rules.

 

[JustJason]

I'm a surveyor, send me a PM.

Mod EDIT: Please use PM's for any solicitation of business as per forum rules.

Actually, I wasn't soliciting. I asked how much money he was talking for the boat so that I could give him some sound advice. But since you assumed I was soliciting, OP can get his sound advice someplace else. Sheesh.