Advice please on buying a second hand boat

[Billy Blue]

I am seriously thinking about making an offer through a broker on a second hand motor boat, Channel Islands 22 (18 years old). It is ashore at present and I would of course make an offer subject to results of survey, etc. However, since it is ashore I have of course not carried out any sea trial. If I were to buy it, I don't necessarily want to put it in the water straight away due to the time of the year although I could as I am intending to keep it in a marina. I would however want to move it from where it currently is and put it in the water at its new base. Is there any way I protect myself with regard to the purchase in case something showed up that wasn't picked up in the survey? How do people normally deal with this situation?

 

[jhr]

Unless you're buying direct from an Agency (i.e. they own the boat, rather than acting for its owner) and they've offered some kind of warranty (unlikely in a boat of that age, I'd say) then the only rule that applies is caveat emptor.

I suppose you could suggest to the vendor that you retain a proportion of the payment in escrow until a defined date, when you would have had a chance to sea trial her, but I think you'd probably be deafened by his/her laughter as they tried to reply to you.

Your best insurance is to have a thorough survey done by a reputable surveyor but even that won't give you a 100% guarantee, as you obviously realise. I think perhaps you need to be a bit more realistic about the degree of reassurance you can expect when you're buying an old boat - though if you're going to get an oldie, a C.I. 22 is an excellent place to start, imho.

 

[oldsaltoz]

I am seriously thinking about making an offer through a broker on a second hand motor boat, Channel Islands 22 (18 years old). It is ashore at present and I would of course make an offer subject to results of survey, etc. However, since it is ashore I have of course not carried out any sea trial. If I were to buy it, I don't necessarily want to put it in the water straight away due to the time of the year although I could as I am intending to keep it in a marina. I would however want to move it from where it currently is and put it in the water at its new base. Is there any way I protect myself with regard to the purchase in case something showed up that wasn't picked up in the survey? How do people normally deal with this situation?

You will need to set 3 conditions:
1, A full survey out of the water, structural and design checks (any alterations) also general condition and any repairs or items needing repair.

2, Engine/s to be checked by a marine mechanic to include compression test, oil sample analysis from engine and gearbox, drive train and exhaust checks, general condition and work required in the near future report.

3. Sale subject to sea trials, use every bit of equipment on board to make sure it all works well.

Any problems found in the above reports can be costed or quotes obtained and negotiate a reduction in total price.

Now for the real world stuff:
Look, there must be hundreds of older power boats that fit this description, a boat that is over 20 years old may well have it's original engine and gearbox, parts can be a problem or very expensive. Expect the internals not to smell too fresh or even look very nice at that age.

She may have had or has structural problems, 20 years ago they used timber ribs glassed over with standard resins, they will have rotted if not replaced in many cases and replacing them is a huge expense.

My advice would be if you must buy an older boat, look at lots of them, and I mean lots. I was looking at 3 or four boats most weekends for four years before I purchased my last boat. It came onto the market 2 days before I stepped on board.

As soon as you have your first boat you have all the time in the world to look for your next one, never stop looking, there are some good ones out there but you have to keep looking.

Hope this helps.

Avagoodweekend......

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[icepatrol]

older boat

def agree with the above post regarding survey but would also add if this boat is a good distance from where you will want her berthed then the owner should have no objection to delivering her or have someone deliver her (sail her) for you.
that way you get her to be well run, any problems might well then show during her voyage.
with hindsight wish we had done the same.
if you really like the boat and all the above is in order forget about age etc. if she has been well looked after i bet a wooden boat will still be sailing long after some of the plasic models have gone. ps. we have had both wood and plastic models.
there are soome great deals to be had on older mo boats at present, just make sure she has a good record, there are a lot of rubbish out there also.
after all that you can sit back and think of all the jobs that you wanna do on her.
good luck

 

[David_Jersey]

CI 22

Very popular around here - albeit in recent years their spot in the market place seems to have been taken by the smaller Beneteau style "Peche Promenade" i/b & o/b.

A mate has had one for a few years (first boat), I would say design & construction about as fundamentally bullet proof as you can get. and IMO cracking seaboats, if a bit bouncey for my tastes (but I've got a sailing boat )..........downsides? they are old (albeit yours at 18 is a youngster!) and a simple cosmetic refurb will cost you a fair bit of time & money - but at least physically it is pretty much WYSIWYG.

The key (and the value / potential bills) on these boats is the mechanicals, nothing wrong with the original installation apart from age. and previous owners. With any boat that age you have to presume that at least 1 owner was a donut on the maintanence front Me mates CI22 is 28 years old with the original 140hp engine and whilst it is not quite like Trigger's broom (original apart from the handle & brush ) every year seems to require "something" on the engine - but he is less relaxed / fussier than many..........

I would definately not buy without a full seatrial of the engine (and that everything else works when afloat) including that the steering does not have too much slop in it as otherwise you will be steering like Jenson Button around Monaco......small rudder, short and widish boat means she requires driver input anyway. If you have not been on one before I would get a Marine Surveyor who has - so he knows what is normal. that's in addition to a Marine Engineer for the engine.

If you spend the money on splashing her in and a seatrial for a Surveyor & Engineer it won't be cheap - but if it saves you from buying major mechanical problems it will be money well spent. You won't get much fixed for the same money.

Not trying to scare you off - IMO a decent boat - but like any older boat need to go in with eyes wide open. After all, their is a reason why older boats are cheaper to buy, tend to be more expensive to maintain and somtimes (often?) this maintanence is defferred. onto the next owner

 

[Nick_H]

Most offers are made not only subject to survey, but also to sea trial. The downside is that the lift in and out for sea trial is at the buyers expense, so if you do find a problem and choose not to proceed, you've wasted some money. If the boat is out of the water, have the survey done first, then only proceed to sea trial if everything looks good. Also, if the seller's broker is linked to the yard where the boat is kept, try and negotiate a discount on the launch and recovery fees, on the basis that they stand to gain on commission if you buy the boat.

 

[longjohnsilver]

Great little boat, I had one for 9 years and used it several times a week, all the year round. A good friend of mine has just bought one and he's delighted with his (in fact he almost bought my old boat which I'd sold about 10 years ago).

All good advice above re survey, although there's not a huge amount to look for, but only if you know what you're doing. Otherwise get a surveyor in and definitely arrange for a sea trial. If you're like the boat and all is ok then consider leaving it in the water to avoid extra craneage costs.

I'm a big fan of the CI boats, after my 22 I had a 32 for almost 10 years. If you want any more info send me a PM (private message) with your phone number.

 

[Billy Blue]

Many thanks for all the advice which has been very useful. As a result of the advice, I have decided to change tack slightly and take a high risk/lower risk strategy. High risk - Persuade the wife I should spend more money... Lower risk - Get a newer boat.
If I survive, I will be back!
By the way, the broker had suggested sea trialling it on arrival at its destination and witholding money with them till then.