NO seatrial?? Buy it??

[Papa "J"]

1st make sure he has the title & it is his boat to sell.

Originally Posted by Lend-a-Fish

I asked him about a possible seatrial at Lake Mead and he says it is registered in Michigan not Nevada and that he doesnt think he can take it on the water out here.

That's like wanting to test drive a car with a different state plate. He is either full of shit or doesn't know what he is talking about. Either case don't buy it without a seatrial. You want to drive it close to max rpm for at least 10 minutes.

[getoffmyback]

get a survey.....look in the log for surveyors....you might wish you did later

[merlin]

I bought a boat last year from a post on BD. Gave her a very quick sea-trial, the guy seemed trustworthy so I bought her. The guy burned me, the motor and hull had issues. Later, when I called him on it, his response was, "buyer beware". Lesson learned. The boat I just purchased got a long seatrial and I went through everything I could at the dock (battery box, fuel tanks and hose connections, motor, lights, trailer, you get the idea) The guy I bought it from drove from San Bernadino to Huntington Beach so I could do the trial in the ocean - he didn't have anything to hide and it's the right thing to do so why not. I still had to buy on good faith since I didn't have time to have the engine gone over by a mechanic. This time I think I did it right, the boat still needed some things but I had a good handle on what it needed and was able to negotiate a fair price.

I guess it depends on what type of boat and how much. If the price is too good to be true that probably means the price is too good to be true.

IMO - always seatrial and thoroughly inspect the boat. Good luck with it.

[wils]

offer to fill the boat and tow vehicle tanks with fuel and pay for the parking/launching fees. But if the price of the boat is under $4-5K, dont expect the owner to make a special trip to the lake.

short of a trip to the lake.....

Run it on the "muffs" from COLD START. Put it in and out of gear at idle. Check the trolling motor for operation.

Find out when the last "annual service" was performed. This service runs around $200 on the typical size bass boat you were talking about a few months back. adjust that into the price if it hasn't been performed THIS YEAR.

A professional mechanic can give you his opinion of the approximate hours on the motor. If it is a late model, low-hour motor there should be no reason to worry about the lower unit. Check the prop for nicks.

Get on your belly and check the bottom of the hull for excessive beaching/wear.

Eyeball the battery and electrical connections.


Good luck and good bassin'!

[Captain Curt]

I bought Hanna back in '98. She was 14 years old at that time and kept up in top notch condition. Motor looked brand new, (but was the original one), and worked on by the same mechanic since it was new. The boat (all in all), was in excellent condition. I still took her on a sea trial. I have had a lot of experience with boats in my past, but still took a buddy with lots of experience also. Two heads better than one. A boat is a big investment and a whole new way of life........if you haven't had one before. Take all the precautions you can, and enjoy it as much as I have. Remember...it is a love hate relationship.......just like a women, and I'm sure you would take her on a sea trial.

Curtis...........

The boat Hanna.........

[okie man]

i say no test ride , no deal.

[skiffhunter]

One more thing on this topic is that his promise to give you your money back if you're not happy is meaningless. He could back out and you'd have no recourse. Suing would cost money. Two honest people can remember things differently so always have such deals written down in clear simple language

[JiGGZ]

Last sea trial I was to go on we found out ( JUST AS WE WERE LAUNCHING THE BOAT) That the Steering was FUCKED!! If that thing had made it off the trailer I have NO Idea how I was going to get it back on. Had the guy fix it and went out a week later then all was good.


SEA TRIAL even a freakin KAYAK!!!

[angry pirate]

Why not tell the dude you will take the boat and pay him in a week. Then take it out for a sea trial, have it surveyed and make sure it's the boat you want. Then tell him you promise to give the boat back if you don't like it.

[Az.monkey]

Originally Posted by skiffhunter

One more thing on this topic is that his promise to give you your money back if you're not happy is meaningless. He could back out and you'd have no recourse. Suing would cost money. Two honest people can remember things differently so always have such deals written down in clear simple language

And have the written agreement Notarized !

[Lend-a-Fish]

Ok gentlemen (and ladies) thanks to each of your for your advice.

Boat is a 1999 Deep V Tracker aluminum hull Windshied (walkthru) with 125 hp Merc outboard. Has trolling motor and live wells. Has Finder. Comes with trailer. Im going to check it out and if its the one, I will negotiate a price subject to a sea-trial. That way there is only a sea-trial if there is a deposit on a deal. If he wants to take me on a sea-trial today, I will pay for gas and admission. He says it in mint condition, we'll see. I will take your advice and do a very thorough visible inspection. You should see me buy a used car. Oh man, the sellers must think im nuts. I look at every corner and crevice of it. I will do the same for a boat.

As far as the money back thing, it would be written. We all know that without that in writing it means nothing since we all watch the people court. Well I do.

But no sea-trial on a boat I guess would be equivalent to no test drive on a car, which I wouldnt do.

Thanks again guys. I will post back later tonight to let you know how it went.

[Az.monkey]

Good luck Jason, hope it works out well for you, remember, Nortarize that paper work.