Looking to Buy

[Fr. Frank]

...put a deposit on a boat PENDING water test- standard in the industry...

Dixon is right. No broker will seatrial a boat without a substantial deposit. I recently sold my 17' Proline for $3K, and I refused to give rides without a hefty deposit.

Make an offer for the boat after a satisfactory survey, including a deposit of 15-20% of the offered price, that offer being dependent upon a successful seatrial and subject to modification if undisclosed defects or unrealized defects are revealed in the seatrial.

Only upon the realization of undisclosed or unrealized defects should you reduce your offer. If the boat is substantially as represented, ethically you should not reduce your offer after the seatrial. If the boat is truly as represented, and you reduce your offer just 'cuz want to get a lower price, the broker can legally refuse the lower offer and keep the deposit.

That's why you get or do the survey FIRST.