Re: Looking to buy first boat
foxhuntr:
as drrpm indicated, $1,500 was the allowance for getting the valve job done and the actual cost turned out to be right about that. The cost of the engine/drive survey was $400 and that included "outdrive-off" survey: the mechanic actually pulled the drive, did an inspection checking all the bellows, ujoints, etc., lubed shaft, gimbal bearing, reinstalled with new seal kit, checked the outdrive oil condition, pulled/lubed the props, did a compression check, etc. Here in Southern Cal. a hull survey runs an additional $10-12 per foot. Yes, you are spending some money up front to have a pro do a checkout of the major systems. Before buying the 270 Sundancer, we were looking at a 260 Sundancer which the mechanical survey turned up about $3k in work to do along with some other potential high dollar item so when we asked the seller for an allowance, he declined so we walked away. Turns out that was a great decision as the 270 turned out to be a much nicer boat and in better condition. Any good boat broker (at least in So Cal) will always recommend a mechanical and hull survey as a protection for the buyer unless you have the skills to do it yourself.
Mark
