Would you have this boat surveyed?

[rjsnowden]

Hi All

I found a 98 Chris Craft 19 on craigs list. They are asking 7K. Seller claims all maintenance performed. Says the boat runs like a top. Wondering if this would be worth a survey or not? Plan to have the engine and out drive checked out, but for 7K with a trailer not sure a survey is needed.

http://austin.craigslist.org/boa/3092573226.html


Thanks,
Reg

 

[JoLin]

Re: Would you have this boat surveyed?

Hi, Reg- tough call. No bottom paint, and the bottom's clean, so it hasn't been wet-slipped. If the interior is super-clean, bilge is dry and clean, everything works and shows signs that the owner cared about it, I might be tempted to skip the survey. Not something you'll usually hear from me, but I've bought a few boats.

On the other side of the coin, that survey will cost you about 0.5% of the asking price. How much is your peace of mind worth?

 

[DC20]

Re: Would you have this boat surveyed?

A good water test would tell you a lot. I had water tested a boat that I planned on having surveyed, but after the water test I passed on the boat (lots of problems showed up) so I saved the money on the survey.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Would you have this boat surveyed?

A lot depends on your personal knowledge of boats too, I don't think I would pay for a survey on a boat I could get my hands on, look over personally but I have faith in my personal knowledge and mechanical skills. Question is do you?

 

[Augoose]

Re: Would you have this boat surveyed?

If you know what you are looking for and can go see it without a huge investment, then I'd skip the surveyor and inspect it yourself. I have essentially the same boat ('99 Chris Craft 200 BR) which I bought last March from Florida. I had a surveyor inspect that one just because it was so far to drive if it was toast. Regarding rot, I haven't found any wood at all on mine- all the bolster pads are made with synthetic materials and the deck had no wood beneath the fiberglass either which is a huge plus.

Inspect everywhere you can for rot, pull all access panels, etc, tap around the transom, look for cracks in gelcoat to suggest flexing, do a compression test on the engine, inspect the engine oil for signs of water, check the lower gear unit oil for signs of water and metal flakes, and at the very least do a water test. I wouldn't buy a boat without one.....

 

[Solittle]

Re: Would you have this boat surveyed?

Do not rely on seller claims. Personally verify everything.

While I don't know your market $7,000.00 seems a lot of coin for a 12 year old 19' boat.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Would you have this boat surveyed?

If you opt not to do a survey (I'm with Lipp, I probably wouldn't do one), make sure you at least take it on a water run and if you can get it to a marine mechanic and have them look it over for you.