Iceberg Dead Ahead!!!

[RatFish]

I'm in the market for a used boat in the 19' to 21' range. I've seen a boat or two for sale that I want to take a look at but I havn't done so yet. The problem would be starting the engine and a sea trial. Here in NJ and surrounding states, every lake is frozen solid and the rivers and creeks are choked with ice. It's so cold out, I would be concerned about ice on the boat ramp. A sea trail is out of the question. Also, any boat that is not kept in a heated area is winterized. I suspect most owners don't want to fire up their boats till warmer weather arrives. <br /><br />Should I suspend my boat search till the weather warms and the ice melts? I suspect the dead of winter is a good time to negotiate a deal on a used boat. I'd hate to let a good deal get away. Any suggestions?

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Iceberg Dead Ahead!!!

If you can't water test it, wait until you can..

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: Iceberg Dead Ahead!!!

or buy a boat down south and trailer home

 

[neumanns]

Re: Iceberg Dead Ahead!!!

I would have to say go with your gut. It is the time of year someone could take you if they wanted. On the otherhand if you see something that looks legitamiate odds are you will get a better deal on it in mid-january.<br /><br />Look at it this way, is the january savings worth the gamble. I would say it all depends on the individual rig and cercumstances. but it never hurts to look...if nothing else it will get you familiar with the market.

 

[tcube]

Re: Iceberg Dead Ahead!!!

RatFish,<br />I bought my 1990 17' Lowe bass boat in the middle of winter - the first time we saw it, there must have been 3" of snow covering the boat. Was I sucessful? 'bout half 'n half. The boat and trailer are excellent. The motor crapped out at the end of the first season. So, now it is re-engined and doing fine. Point is, I've got a good boat that will last a long time and the snow covered price was very right.<br /><br />Good luck - and, as neumanns said, go with your gut.<br />tcube

 

[PAkev]

Re: Iceberg Dead Ahead!!!

Your concern is legitimate since there are some folks that unfortunately take advantage of unloading a boat and/or motor under these circumstances. However, there are also many gems that are available to a good new owner for a variety of other reasons. When the right one comes along you may consider making a deposit on it with the contingency that you will finalize the deal with complete payment when you get the boat out on the water. Be very specific of what your expectations are while also being realistic since it is a used boat, indicate what conditions would void the purchase agreement if it does not meet those expectations, and what price adjustment(s) would be made if the servicability is not as advertised. This should be in writing and signed by both parties. Someone knowing the boat and/or motor has problems will almost always refuse your terms but someone with nothing to hide may not only understand your concerns to work with you but will probably make sure the boat is in its most servicable condition before it hits the water.

 

[ThomWV]

Re: Iceberg Dead Ahead!!!

Look now, buy in April or May when it might be nippy as hell but still doable on the sea trial.<br /><br />Thom

 

[Knightgang]

Re: Iceberg Dead Ahead!!!

I agree with Pakev. Look, and make a deposit if the seller will agree to that. When I was looking, I turned down a real nice 19' Anna Capri Center Console because that seller would not go out on a sea trial. I was looking for something older, inexpensive and in reletively good shape. I was not buying without a sea trial. Don't get discouraged though, the good ones are out there, and they have the right price when you find the right one.<br /><br />Come back here and ask for commentary on any boat you look at. These guys are happy to give their advice about brands of boats and motors.<br /><br />Knightgang

 

[RatFish]

Re: Iceberg Dead Ahead!!!

I'd like to thank everybody for their suggestions. It makes my decision a little easier. I guess I'll keep looking at boats and if one really seems to be a good deal work out some kind of contingency agreement for a sea trial. If the seller won't go for a contingency and everything looks good (gut feeling), then I'll attempt to negotiate a lower price based on the risk that I may encounter engine and/or outdrive problems. How much of an additional discount should I shoot for? What does everybody think? Sound like a good plan? Is this the talk of a crazy man?<br /><br />Has anybody else bought a used boat in the "off-season" or without a sea trial? I would like to hear about your experience. <br /><br />I really like Ralph's idea about a southern road trip but wifey would shut that down in a hurry! <br /><br />Ratfish

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Iceberg Dead Ahead!!!

Ratfish,<br /><br />No good answers, but ask for service records and the mechanic (name) who did the work. Call him and ask opinion or issues he has experienced with the rig in question.<br /><br />Check compression, lower unit oil, engine oil, all the things you would check in the spring. If truely serious have your machanic check over the engine.<br /><br />Fire up all the instrumentation and see that is is functioning correctly. Trim tabs, vhf, bilge pumps etc... You can of course check the trailer and the condition of the deck and transom. Pop the dash and see how things were installed, hacked in or cleanly run. Always check the Trailer lighting, brakes, jack, tires, bearings, rollers or bunks, balance at the tongue, and the overall fit of the boat to the trailer. Were they bought as a package or separately.<br /><br />If you can run it to a car wash or have access to a hose to see if there is a leak anywhere at the deck/hull joint, cabin windows, or hatches. I would also have a screwdriver ready to see how many screws have worked themselves loose without the owner noticing. Check the condition of the bilge, lazy people never clean these areas but they can tell you a ton. Find out how he winterized the gas, full/empty or neither(bad). Run the pressure water system to see if it was properly winterized. Have him produce a copy of the titles so you don't have problems transfering ownership should you decide to purchase. I can usually tell when someone loved a boat vs. someone who owned and used a boat. Find the Love man. <br /><br />Always bring a battery with you to do the testing you want. Helps eliminate excuses. Bring a voltmeter and olmmeter. Ask to see all equipment that will be sold with the boat, life jackets (are the moldy???), lines - are the clean without tears and of high quality, Anchor and rode proper size and setup for the your environment, flare kit does he have one, little things like that..<br /><br />I once bought a boat without sea testing it and I got away with it. The wife was crying like a baby when I drove it away, that boat saw love..<br /><br />If I think of anythng else I will repost. Doing this at work is a bit tough to keep my thoughts straight.<br /><br />Good luck

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Iceberg Dead Ahead!!!

One other idea offer to buy the boat as long as you can put 500-1000 dollars in an escrow account to be paid upon sea trials. If all is well he gets it, if not you use it to repair anything you pre-agree to.<br /><br />Did that with my last boat..

 

[neumanns]

Re: Iceberg Dead Ahead!!!

I bought a boat 2000 miles away sight unseen and came out smelling like a rose. Does this mean I would recomend this road...NO. Would I attempt it again,...All depends. It was a gutwrenching decision but ultimatly decided to do it and got lucky. I did not have the fiddler to pay but I certinally could have. But that was the risk I took.

 

[salty87]

Re: Iceberg Dead Ahead!!!

i've had sellers take me for a sea trial in the winter. if they are really interested in selling and being honest, it shouldn't be too big of an issue. there wasn't any ice on the water or anything, though.<br /><br />if they can't understand your concerns, then move on. they should be willing to work on the trial and maybe take a deposit if they aren't trying to pull something over on you. after all, THEY'RE the ones trying to sell a boat in the winter!<br /><br />this could give you some insight into the seller's motivation and maybe ethics.

 

[rjarreau]

Re: Iceberg Dead Ahead!!!

Man thats sounds rough up there !!!! I live in Baton Rouge , Louisiana man its is nice out here been 75 degrees all week and in 35 years i have never seen no snow pile up. We boat and fish all year. Man i feel for you guys up there. Need to come down here where the weather is nice all year and the best salt water fishing in the world !!!! good luck up there and i hope you defrost. I am going boating in about a hour !!!!!

 

[RatFish]

Re: Iceberg Dead Ahead!!!

Good advice POINTER. Common sense and a good inspection are imperative. I will use your post as part of my check list. Thank you. I agree with you, people that pay attention to detail usually take good care of their possessions. How do you set up an escrow account for possible repairs? <br /><br />neumanns, sounds like you and POINTER made out ok with your boats. I'll bet everybody isn't so lucky. It may not be luck, rather a good informed judgment call. <br /><br />salty87, I will definitely bring up the sea trial issue. If conditions don't permit, then I will try to either do it when the weather warms up or set up some kind of escrow account.<br /><br />rjarreau, the winter can be cruel in NJ! I always look forward to the spring thaw. It has been so cold this past week when the temp hits the mid 30's it actually feels spring like. When I retire, I think it will be in a warm climate.<br /><br />I'd like to thank everybody for their advice. It really does help! Thanks again.

 

[imported_Mike_M2]

Re: Iceberg Dead Ahead!!!

I bought my boat the first week of January last year. It was COLD!! Fortunately, the boat was alreadt wet, kept at Baltimores inner harbor area. We seatrialed and all was fine, but it's fully enclosed so it wasn't that bad. I also sold my old boat to the same guy that i bought my new one from. It was just too cold for a run in it. He took it home without even hearing it run, but i knew there was no problem with it. Or so i thought. 2 weeks later, he found a leak in the gas tank which i knew nothing about. It cost him about $400, i felt bad and sent him half. <br />Point being, whether the seller is gonna rip you off or not, he may not know there's a problem either that you may find if it wasn't so cold.

 

[mattttt25]

Re: Iceberg Dead Ahead!!!

everything you read and everyone you talk to will say a sea trial prior to buying a boat is a must. i agree with the general statement.<br /><br />but.... i drove 330 miles to buy my boat. i did a lot of research prior to the trip and spoke daily with the seller. he sent numerous pictures and answered all hundred of my questions. when i got to the boat, i spent about an hour looking it over. we ran the engine on muffs. unfortunately, a sea trial was out of the question- nearest body of water was another 100 miles away. the condition of the boat and sincerity of the seller sold me. everything turned out fine.<br /><br />i recognize i took a chance. i don't think i would buy without at least running the engine. but i would probably pass on the sea trial again if the situation were the same.<br /><br />good luck-

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Iceberg Dead Ahead!!!

Ratfish,<br /><br />Couple of questions, do you own a really cool ford bronco set up for surf fishing?<br /><br />In order to set up an escrow you only need to open an account that requires both signatures to remove the money. Type up an agreement as to what the escrow was to cover, (ex. any and all engine repair and hull structural members not to include scratches or ripped upholstry etc.) Place money in the account and wait till spring and set a time for the inspection to be completed.<br /><br />I did this for a boat I sold to a friend in winter. I gave them a good deal but because they were a friend I wanted to cover my integrity. Had no problem..

 

[RatFish]

Re: Iceberg Dead Ahead!!!

Mike_M2, Sounds like you did ok with the sale/purchase of your boat. You're a "stand up" guy for splitting the cost of the gas tank repair with the guy that bought your boat. It proves to me that there are still good people in the world.<br /><br />mattttt25, Even though you didn't do a test drive, you still did your homework and a thorough inspection. If the seller pays attention to the details and seems sincere they probably are not trying to hide anything. If a person is giving me a bad impression, I probably would not consider buying their boat without a thorough sea trial and/or escrow account.<br /><br />POINTER94, I don't own a Ford Bronco. I used to do some surf fishing at the New Jersey Shore a few years ago but I have not done so lately. Thanks for the information regarding setting up an escrow account. Seems pretty easy and makes good sense if purchasing a boat that you don't get a chance to sea trial. The seller has to realize that "they" are trying to sell a boat in the dead of winter and any educated buyer will want to make sure they are getting what they are paying for.<br /><br />I'd like to thank everyone that participated in this discussion. I have learned from your experiences and received some good sound advice. Thanks again.