Looking to Buy

[Bigshrimpin]

The Broker said no sea trails for the boat because of it's low asking price, and it was 4000 firm.

You think I could change his opinion bigshrimpin?

Probably not . . . I'll bet the motor won't start or doesn't run well and that the trim and tilt is porked. Do yourself a favor and find another boat . . . You already know that broker is full of hot air.

IF you are still hung up on the boat . . . Bring a compression tester and see what the motor tests at . . . take some photos of the wiring and the tilt hoses/motor. Don't make any offer without a decent Sea Trial.

[askipper3]

The office is Located at Manatee marine, he said they compression test all the motors and they all run. We actually used the trim/tilt when we were checking it out, and it worked.

Also he said we were more than welcome to hook it up to a hose and listen to her purr, but we had to go.

He did say the compression #'s were good, but I should get them if we go any further. Also, if he's not budging on the price it will most likely be a no go- unless he can't sell and wants to make a deal.

[Bigshrimpin]

4K on the east coast is not a great deal for a 20sf (condition unknown) with an 1981 v225 (condition unknown) with a Ghetto fuel tank/ leaning post . . . and a broker that won't allow you to sea trial.

Did you look at the hydraulic lines to the single cylinder Ram? What as the condition? Has the spark advance been removed? Is the high speed loop on he stator shot? Is the transom rotten?

Too many unanswered questions to determine a price . . . but even if it was all in good working order $5500 max. Too many things could be wrong that would cost your buddy an additional 5+K on top of the 4K price. Does $9,000+ sound like a good deal to you on that boat?

[askipper3]

Point is much accepted. Yep, it will sit until he wants to make a deal.

[Bigshrimpin]

AK - here's a chart from Land And Sea from 1984?? They made a powerhead dynos and compared lots of outboard powerheads. You can see that the v225 made 225hp . . . and the later fingerported (83+) 200 also made 225. It's great power for motors that weigh only 360lbs.

[Rich]

There are so many better looking 20's available right now, buying that boat from that Donkey would be the stupidest thing to do. There are much better deals around in FL than that. Do yourself a favor and pass..

[eggsuckindog]

I agree you just can't buy a boat that you can't run ---- example ---mine, when we went to water test it started and idled perfect, push throttle get to 2K shut off like you turned the key-more than once. Would start back up like nothing but get to 2K shut off like a key. 1 cylinder down at 85 lbs - fuel pump wire loose, caused shut down at any RPM and back on like you turned the key off and on.
Lots of things won't show up on a hose and don't want your buddy hosed either, we want happy SeaCraft owners

That doesn't mean you don't put a deposit on a boat PENDING water test- standard in the industry or you give boat rides all day.

[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.