Used cruiser advice appreciated

[JoLin]

Re: Used cruiser advice appreciated

If he isn't sounding the wood/fiberglass, send his butt packing!!!

My surveyor always uses 2 methods- 'tap test' and moisture meter. I agree that a tap test is crucial, but the surveyor should also have the tool(s) to quantify the degree of water infiltration. In the case of my current boat, the transom, stringers, etc. all sounded perfect. A second go-round with the meter showed 'slightly elevated' moisture levels in the transom. In his expert opinion, it wasn't enough to be concerned about, so I'm not.

My .02

 

[rbh]

Re: Used cruiser advice appreciated

My surveyor always uses 2 methods- 'tap test' and moisture meter. I agree that a tap test is crucial, but the surveyor should also have the tool(s) to quantify the degree of water infiltration. In the case of my current boat, the transom, stringers, etc. all sounded perfect. A second go-round with the meter showed 'slightly elevated' moisture levels in the transom. In his expert opinion, it wasn't enough to be concerned about, so I'm not.

My .02

Defenetly the moisture meter is the first line of detection!
And when he or she goes over the vessel and a high/med/low moisture content is shown, its tapping time.

As well the fiberglass may have started to seperate from the plywood, there may be little to no moisture so the only way to detect it is with the sounding technique.

 

[25thmustang]

Re: Used cruiser advice appreciated

Just need to find a boat with no wood in the transom! . Good luck with the search and even though most feel a lot if not the majority of older boats are rotted, I tend to think that's not true.

 

[Quit It]

Re: Used cruiser advice appreciated

Thanks everyone.

I found a few sample surveys on various surveyor websites when I was looking for "the one". I dunno, without any guarantees it ... I've already said what I think

The surveyor's checking the hull for water, don't know if he's backing up the meter with a mallet though.

I hope you guys and galls have a great boating weekend.

 

[Quit It]

Re: Used cruiser advice appreciated

So it's survey time! Anyone want to point out anything I should ask him to check? It's in the afternoon and quite a haul from here, but I'm going to try to make it for some of the inspection.

Thanks

 

[rbh]

Re: Used cruiser advice appreciated

So it's survey time! Anyone want to point out anything I should ask him to check? It's in the afternoon and quite a haul from here, but I'm going to try to make it for some of the inspection.

Thanks

Make sure he or she checks for water intrusion on the roof of the cuddy cabin, hatches and railings ETC let water get in.

Look for the evil black spots, good indicator of dampness.

 

[Quit It]

Re: Used cruiser advice appreciated

Make sure he or she checks for water intrusion on the roof of the cuddy cabin, hatches and railings ETC let water get in.

Look for the evil black spots, good indicator of dampness.

Thank you. I stuck my head everywhere I could and didn't see any waterlines, fading/color changes anywhere so hopefully that means good things.

I'm really wishing the surveyor did mechanical/engine inspections too, but I'll get that handled separately.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Used cruiser advice appreciated

Just reading your thread now . . . You and I are traveling the same path. PM me if you want any specific advice.

I am waiting for the seller to replace the (4) manifolds and then our deal is done.

Find a good surveyor . . . Use the NAMS or SAMS web sites to locate a certified surveyor in your area. Then google and search on some of the forums for various threads were the person's name appears. You will get a general sense of good versus bad.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Used cruiser advice appreciated

Still can't believe you sold that Formula 242 tpenfield.

 

[Quit It]

Re: Used cruiser advice appreciated

Just reading your thread now . . . You and I are traveling the same path. PM me if you want any specific advice.

I am waiting for the seller to replace the (4) manifolds and then our deal is done.

Find a good surveyor . . . Use the NAMS or SAMS web sites to locate a certified surveyor in your area. Then google and search on some of the forums for various threads were the person's name appears. You will get a general sense of good versus bad.

Yup, I've been following your thread as well. It'll be a race to see who gets theirs first

Surveyor has an EE, is a member of SAMS, ABYC member (plastics & electrical), NFPA and a few others and has been doing this for over 20 years. I found his name on a few websites and he was recommended. I dunno how I feel about him, he seems a bit unwilling to walk through things with me. But, this is over email, if I can be there for the inspection I'll see if he's better in person. People's reviews like him, so maybe I'm just being too much of a new/green owner. We'll see when/if I meet him. Worst case, I hire a 2nd inspector, but I don't think it'll be necessary.

Thanks

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Used cruiser advice appreciated

Surveyor has an EE, is a member of SAMS, ABYC member (plastics & electrical), NFPA and a few others and has been doing this for over 20 years. I found his name on a few websites and he was recommended. I dunno how I feel about him, he seems a bit unwilling to walk through things with me. But, this is over email, if I can be there for the inspection I'll see if he's better in person. People's reviews like him, so maybe I'm just being too much of a new/green owner. We'll see when/if I meet him. Worst case, I hire a 2nd inspector, but I don't think it'll be necessary.

Thanks

When I bought my Formula 242, the surveyor was a bit grumpy about certain things, but overall did a decent job checking out the boat. I would not expect a surveyor to spend too much time educating a buyer or a new boater. They will just want to do their thing and move on.

The surveyor that I hired for this boat (F-330SS) was real easy to work with . . . we talked about various boats as he went through his inspection . . . and his 28 page report was right to the point and did not have hardly any boiler plate text that you sometimes see in a surveyor's report

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Used cruiser advice appreciated

So it's survey time! Anyone want to point out anything I should ask him to check? It's in the afternoon and quite a haul from here, but I'm going to try to make it for some of the inspection.

Thanks

Let us know how things look once you get the report.

I always 'shadow' the surveyor, because I like to see first hand what is going on. Plus, as they find issues, they will tend to explain them a bit, so you are not hearing about it for the first time when you read the report.

BTW - the report should be fairly comprehensive and will outline 'everything' that should to be done to the boat. Much of it is for your reference as the future owner. Few items, if any, will be show stoppers or things that you would want the seller to take care of.

 

[Quit It]

Re: Used cruiser advice appreciated

Manifolds Just a tiny leak but I'm not taking any chances. A few other pretty important things too and I'm waiting to hear back from the seller on my offer. Hopefully he's willing to go into his wiggle room because I'm done. Oh, and the engine (Volvo 7.4) is missing at lower (around cruise) but the boat gets on plan, hits the target RPM and target top speed (5,000 & 40MPH) so the mechanic doesn't think the cylinders have been affected.

Per the surveyor the hull is dry The gel coat dings aren't a big deal - though they should be repaired.

So now the waiting game. I guess we'll see what happens but fall is here so new-used boats are popping up.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Used cruiser advice appreciated

Just wondering how things are proceeding with the purchase negotiations ?

 

[Quit It]

Re: Used cruiser advice appreciated

Deal is D O N E! I'm just waiting for my trailer to be built/delivered so I can pick her up.

Thanks to everyone for the advice

 

[OrangeTJ]

Re: Used cruiser advice appreciated

Deal is D O N E! I'm just waiting for my trailer to be built/delivered so I can pick her up.

Thanks to everyone for the advice

Congrats on the boat! I can't comment on any of the boat stuff as I have no experience with cruisers, but I am a bit concerned about your towing situation. How much does this boat weigh plus a trailer, with a full load of gas and gear? How much does your family weigh as well as your vehicle, as configured? What will the tongue weight of your trailer be with a fully loaded boat? With all of that in mind, what is the Gross Combined Weight Rating of your particular Armada (not the "tow rating")? What is the payload capacity of the Armada (need to know this to understand how the tongue weight of the trailer will impact your carrying capacity)? Tow rating as the manufacturers advertise it is usually based on a vehicle with minimal options, a full tank of gas a 150 pound driver. Any optional equipment or passengers and cargo in the vehicle has to be deducted from the "tow rating" (and obviously the available payload capacity). I know you've already bought the boat and if you already have a lot of heavy towing experience then you can obviously disregard this, but take it very easy on the towing. I know the Armada has a very stout engine, but towing something like a 26 foot boat safely is about more than power.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Used cruiser advice appreciated

I wouldn't be too concerned on the weight. While I don't know the model/year of cruiser he bought, most of the Monterrey boats appear to be around 6K lbs all-in with typical gear less in the 27' and under lengths. Add a 1,000lbs trailer, and you've got 7K lbs to tow. The Nissan Armada appears to have a max tow rating of 9,100 lbs (properly equipped), so that leaves almost 2K lbs for passengers and cargo in the vehicle. It's still a lot of weight, so it will be a bear to tow anyway.

 

[Quit It]

Re: Used cruiser advice appreciated

I'll be sure to post how it handles at 120

Spent the afternoon on the boat with my oldest Unfortunately the boat was in storage at the time but it was a great lunch

 

[mj05]

Re: Used cruiser advice appreciated

Congratulations!! I've been going through your thread becuse I'll "need" a boat sometime soon, too. Man, that was a great back-and-forth between you and JoLin! He (they) always seem to be pretty sharp and willing to share info

 

[Quit It]

Re: Used cruiser advice appreciated

Congratulations!! I've been going through your thread becuse I'll "need" a boat sometime soon, too. Man, that was a great back-and-forth between you and JoLin! He (they) always seem to be pretty sharp and willing to share info

I appreciate everyone's help, no doubt about it. Now the questions are really important because I have the boat

Eh, I'll ask here. I couldn't figure out where the all-around/running light mounts but I did find the stalk. Anyone? I know, hard to say unless you own the same boat.

How do you cover a cruiser with a front railing? Does the cover manufacturer cut the cover for it, or do they expect me to do it Are snaps locations universal so a full cover would use the same snaps (I can't imagine they are )?

What's the point of having an icebox? - there's a cooler & fridge. A 2nd fridge would be nice though.

And, here's another picture