On 21 May 2007 05:14:44 -0700, RogueIT
wrote:


Are boats like cars in the sense that you can get 200,000 miles from a
Toyota but only 150,000 from a Ford or Chevrolet? I don't want to buy
a boat that is getting ready to break down.

That's a good question. It's really a matter of maintenance. If the
owner has maintained the boat and engine(s) properly, they can last a
good long time. High engine hours aren't necessarily a problem if the
engine has been properly maintained.

Is there a "blue book" for boats and where would I find a copy of said
blue book?

NADA has a boat section and you can get a general idea of the
"relative" value of a boat there. This is an odd boat used boat
market - there are a lot of boats in the size you are looking at for
sale both in local markets and national markets.

NADA will give you a relative value - you can expect to pay roughly
15/20% below in this market. A few years ago, it might have been
different getting around the asking price.

Then again, you may stumble into a boat that is exactly what you want
and you will probably pay asking or just below.

If a boat is in the water but for-sale would it be wrong or un-couth
to ask the boat be lifted out of the water for an inspection of the
underside and prop? (and what is this process called by people in the
know...dry dock?)

Absoutely not - it's more than appropriate. It's called a survey and
you need to hire a surveyor to do the inspection for you. A surveyor
will find what's wrong and give you a pretty rock solid idea of it's
relative value.

If the boat is in Dry dock, is it to much to ask to have the boat be
put in the water for a "test drive"?

No, but this can be a tricky deal. Some brokers/owners want a
purchase and sales agreement before dunking the boat for a test run.
Normally, this is part of the survey and while you might pay extra for
it, it's worth it. Some surveyors will also do an engine check for an
extra charge - these types of surveys are very valuable in determining
what you might be willing to pay for the boat.

When you all bought your first boat was there ever a time when you
said "&^%#$^ I wish I had" and what was the mistake you made?

Based on the experience on others (with a couple of exceptions, I've
always bought a major boat purcahse new) there are a lot of things,
but the most common complaint is "I didn't know that was a problem"
which could have been solved by having a survey done.

I had an experience with a 28' Topaz which I was considering
purchasing. I had looked the boat over very closely (spent four hours
looking at this and that) and thought for the money, it was a pretty
good deal. Contacted a surveyor and five minutes into the survey, the
deal was off. He found more problems in five minutes than the boat
was worth.

Survey, survey, survey is the mantra on a used boat sale.

If the boat is trailerable and has a trailer, take it to the surveyor
which will save you a few bucks.

It's worth spending the four/five hundred bucks on a decent survey

Are their common mistakes that are made?

Yes - not having a survey done.

If it's a trailer boat, take it to a dealer (not the dealer you are
purchasing from) and pay for an hours shop time to have the engine and
boat looked over.

Should I avoid one engine over another?

Again, what's the maintenance? In general, any outboard more than ten
years old or so can be problematic in terms of both parts and people
willing to work on them.

Inboards, not so much.

Have marine engines gotten as complicated as car engines?

More so in the case of outboards. Consider that there is more
computing power in my ETEC than was aboard the lunar lander modules.

the boat would be used for day trips mostly.
Looking at used 20-35 ft boat in the Louisville, KY area so intended
use areas would be Ohio river and Kentucky lake.
Budget is 35,000 and according to yachtworld.com there are quite a few
Carvers and a couple Sea Rays, Chris-Crafts, and the odd Crownline and
Bayliner that fall under those criteria.

All good boats but you still need to think survey. What others may
consider a crap boat based on reputation, may just be that hidden gem
that will tickle your fancy.

Rember the mantra - survey, survey, survey.

Well that should get me started...FYI if the boat gets bought I will
be going to the power squadron to take their classes but I hate to
waste my time if a boat isn't in the future.

Take it anyway. You know you are going to buy a boat. :)

One precaution - if you are doing this on a partnership deal with
somebody else, I'd seriously consider not doing that.

98% of joint ownership deals never work out.