Help buying a boat 700m away

[pfunk42]

I'm looking into a used boat (through owner) that's about 700m away. I'm in PA, it's in TN. In terms of the make/model/etc I'm satisfied to the point where if I could assume a perfect world (boat in as good as shape as described, assured of honesty of all parties involved) that I'd buy it unseen. However, of course we don't live in such a place and need to cover our bases.

It's a reasonably new (2007) ski/wakeboard type boat and there is a dealer not too far from the seller. I've never really purchased anything of this nature in a private transaction before (and certainly not with this distance between) and am hoping for a little guidance on how to ensure the process is smooth.

- See it myself? It's not completely out of the question for me to fly down there and check out the boat, but due to schedules it is complicated and carries its own costs. Would you be satisfied contacting their local dealer to set up an inspection, and asking the seller to support the trip back/forth to the dealer? I'd be more confident in a more formal inspection than my own since I'm not that experienced.

- Shipping the boat. I don't plan on towing it and was going to look into uship or other shipping options if there are any?

- Payment. I'm not sure of how to work payment in these situations to ensure safety. I understand we probably need (or would at least want) a notarized bill of sale. If I stayed remote, how would this transaction work? (we agree on bill of sale ahead of time, he signs and notarizes and what, faxes me a copy?) and then I pay? How about signing over the title, I'm not sure how that works?

- If staying remote I suppose I'd have him deliver the bill of sale/title/etc along with the shippers delivering the boat? It seems like there's potential for something to go south.

- Or, would you really never consider not traveling to the seller for at least the actual transaction?

I'm trying to see what I can dig up online but feel somewhat in the dark and was just hoping for some advice/feedback.

 

[salty87]

Re: Help buying a boat 700m away

unless you're getting a screaming deal, the transport costs won't be cheap and would prob make it worth your while to buy closer to home. wakeboard boats will be flooding the market with the season ending up there.

i wouldn't buy a boat w/o seeing and riding in it. you may have more money than time though making it worthwhile to stay at home.

 

[JimKW]

Re: Help buying a boat 700m away

I have actually done very similar transactions on cars. My first move would be to get in touch with the business you would use to do the pre-purchase inspection and build somewhat of a report with them. I would make arrangements for them to either pick up the boat or have the owner take the boat to them. Until that part is done I would not think much about how to handle the money transaction. The main thing you want to know is do you want to buy this boat? I have had two circumstances where I did not buy a car based on the inspection. Bummed me out, but I considered it money well spent.

Now if all goes well with the inspection and this is the time to come up with the bottom line price you will pay for the boat. In one case with me the inspection paid for itself because what they found was not deal breaking but gave me leverage in negotiating a better price. Either the current owner pays to fix it, or knock off enough to pay for it and you get it fixed.

My next move would be to go see the boat in this case. I would not really consider any other possibility especially since it?s only 700 miles. Pa to Tn is not that big a deal for me. As a matter of fact I would have the money ready in the way of a Certified check and drive down with the intention of towing it home. I have no idea how much it would cost to ship a boat that far. I?m betting it?s expensive and a very limited number of people to trust doing this.

You must be getting one hell of a deal to even consider doing this!

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Help buying a boat 700m away

Good boats are like single women: There are a lot of them around. (lot of junkers too, no doubt, but that's a different story)

WHY go to all the fuss and bother? Keep looking and eventually one will show up more locally and at an equally good price.

Yeah, I had my eye on a really cheap Glastron in Wisconsin ( I really like older Glastrons). But no, I am not even going to consider it. I know that eventually one will show up for sale here and my life will be so much easier buying it then.

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Help buying a boat 700m away

If you are intent on buying it, and I can understand you doing this if it's the boat you want and the final cost is right, I would have someone local look it over. You don't want to travel the distance or pay a large shipping bill only to be disappointed when you see it. Personally, I would enlist a buddy to ride along, make a weekend out of it, and go get the boat of your dreams.

 

[arks]

Re: Help buying a boat 700m away

5 years ago I found my Silverton. It was 600 miles away in NC.
You asked for advice, so here's mine.
GO LOOK AT IT YOURSELF.

One more time...

Go LOOK AT IT YOURSELF!

Only you can determine what is 'good enough'. Not someone else acting as your agent. I'm sure you don't have money to waste.

In my case, after seeing many dozens (maybe hundreds) of pictures, I decided it was worth investing in a quick trip south.
I arranged to see the boat on a Saturday morning, so I took Friday afternoon off and drove non-stop for 11 hours. Stayed in a local hotel and met the owner at the marina -along with a local surveyor I had contacted. My wife and I were happy with what we saw so I contracted with the surveyor on the spot to proceed with a pre-purchase survey.
Unfortunately for us, the weather conditions were not ideal so we were not able to sea trial the boat that day -but we did run the engines and test all the onboard systems. In the meantime, the surveyor was neck-deep in the engine room looking at everything mechanical.
By afternoon his initial assessment was positive, so we agreed on a purchase price and for the owner to do two things the next week- have the boat hauled for the dry survey, and the owner operate (captain) the boat while the surveyor did his sea trail.
The agreed price was 'pending a satisfactory survey'. I used a paper purchase agreement that I had brought with me. I left a deposit with the owner so he was contracturally obligated to work with me until the deal was done- one way or the other.
We spent a very pleasant evening in NC and left for home Sunday morning.
For me, it was the ONLY way to buy a boat long-distance.


If you're interested, I'll tell you about the negotiations and how I got the boat home.....

 

[pfunk42]

Re: Help buying a boat 700m away

Thanks all for the advice so far. I was pretty sure at some point I was going to end up down there anyway but wanted to hear some stories. I realize it's far and that similar boats can come on the market at a reasonable frequency. It's not a screaming deal (good price though and very low hours for its age) but a combination of exactly what I've been looking for and and a reasonable lack of anything similar much more local for the time I've been browsing around.

arks I appreciate the story and am always interested in anything further (negotiations/etc).

 

[arks]

Re: Help buying a boat 700m away

Well, a proper marine survey should be part of your buying process. It will confirm the actual value of the boat at that time. It's a great tool for buyers and worth the money. Look here: http://www.marinesurvey.org/index2.html
Go to the left side and click 'full roster by location', then 'USA', then 'Tenn' to find a surveyor.
NEVER NEVER use a surveyor recommended by a seller or broker!

As far as transport, I think you'll find it expensive. I might suggest you get some quotes, then go buy a good used trailer and bring it home yourself. It'll probably cost you less- and you get to keep the trailer. If you don't have a proper tow rig, then maybe hire someone you know that has one. Just make sure the boat is insured before moving it!



Here's the rest of MY boat-buying story:
OK, the surveyor did conduct the dry survey and sea trial within a week of our visit. He faxed his recommendations to me so negotiations could proceed. He also snail-mailed the full 60 page survey (with photos and test results).
He had found a number of deficiencies that were deemed 'significant' but not 'critical'. IMO none of them were deal-breakers but all were things that needed attention and could be used as tools for further negotiation.

As mentioned, we had agreed on a price, but the deal was pending a 'satisfactory survey'. After seeing the surveyors report he was willing to adjust the price that was accepable to all. At that point, I revised the written purchase agreement and added details that were discussed orally during our visit, which dealt partly with moving the boat to my area. We had agreed that the seller would provide a licensed Captain to move the boat by water to Norfolk, Va. (roughly halfway home for me).
After securing signatures, I arranged for the title transfer and new Federal Documentation papers. These took a couple weeks but it gave me time to give my employer vacation notice so I could bring her home.

On the arranged day I flew down to NC, the seller picking me up at the airport. We drove to the boat where the Captain was already outfitting her for the trip. We completed all the monetary and legal stuff, then I fueled up and we left Southport NC @ 1PM. We ran about 10 hours and docked for the night. Luckily the weather was not an issue at all.
Day 2 was a long one- we shoved off @ 5AM determined to make Norfolk by dark. Boat ran great and I was able to learn a lot by watching the Captain and taking the helm myself. Lots of bridges and 1 lock slowed our progress, but it was a great experience. We got to Norfolk at 9PM and docked at a pre-arranged marina. The seller picked up his Captain and I brought the boat the rest of the way home without any mechanical problem. The weather, OTOH, turned ugly.... so we had to leave her in Va. for a week until it got better.
it was still a very positive experience.

 

[83Evinrude]

Re: Help buying a boat 700m away

This summer we bought a boat that was 550 miles away from our home.

I talked to the original owner enough to make sure the trip to see it was worth our time. He also sent us close ups of all the blemishes so we would better understand the condition of the boat. Since we have a daughter 400 miles away in the same direction we told ourselves that outside of the extra fuel for the truck it was a trip to see our daughter.

The boat was inspected by me and ran on muffs then we headed for an in-water run. We had agreed on a price if the boat met my expectations and we did end up buying the boat. I would not have bought it without a personal inspection and an in-water test drive.

We are happy with the boat but have since had to replace the gimbal bearing and u-joints to get the boat in top condition. Other than that the boat has been great.

 

[Floatsum]

Re: Help buying a boat 700m away

I've fetched boats too in the lands far off.
I go to look with intent.
Always bring a small tool kit. Trailers seem to be for 3 wrench sizes, so it's small anyways.
A grease gun laoded up.
A home brew clamp on lights for the run home.
Understanding that I'd use their plates for the run home (or bring one).

I'd leave on a Saturday night. Look it over Sunday,,, chew on it over dinner, then go back and finish whatever deal you can. When the deal is done hook it up and drive it to the hotel / motel.
When you drag it home I'd waite until Monday morning.. early. If you should break down you don't want it stuck on the road waiting for a mechanic / parts store to open the next day.
Not paying freight (with the hassels) is well worth bring it back when you come. You're driving back anyways? Go slower and bring it on home.
Enjoy the layover. You saved enough to afford to celebrate.