Barge Pole time?

steve62

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I bought my present boat five years ago. She had been sitting in a marina unused for four years due to the previous owner's ill health. The engine started and ran on our first visit to view the boat (but maybe the broker ran it the day before to check). After survey and a minor repair we put the sails on and took her on a 170 mile delivery trip. We had a few problems with the engine cooling system but we sailed most of the way. We've now done all the maintenance and updating that we expected and have a great boat. And because she hadn't sold the owner had dropped his asking price by 25% just before we went to see her.
Mine was the same. Spun the engine first to make sure the oil pressure was ok then she fired on the first try. Biggest problem I had was the full blown beard she was sporting and the reduction in speed until I got her home and pressure washed her.
 

Iain C

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With the exception of the genoa, the boat looks remarkably clean, I wish mine was that good! I would expect significantly more "green" to be visible if she'd not been scrubbed or antifouled in some way. My boat has only been lifted out of the water once briefly since I bought her in 2018...however she has been dried out on my club scrubbing grid and antifouled numerous times. Who is to say that the owner didn't just make the very short trip to the scrubbing grid at Bosham or Itchenor and do it there as a DIY job between tides?

If the engine was serviced with fresh oil in 2017 and then laid up with a brimmed diesel tank and fuel set then that's no biggie at all in my opinion. My previous boat sat in a yard for over 10 years due the previous owner's ill health. The engine started with no problem at all, and was then utterly reliable in the 9 years I had the boat, and somewhat incredibly all this was on the same engine battery, which I never changed!

Admittedly there's not many pictures but that looks like a tidy boat from what I can see!
 

[165264]

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Sorry Chaps/Chapesses, it's all off anyway. I went to look at a Beneteau 343 in Lymington today. It was OK, as far as I could see, but when I got home Mrs Saliva (who hates boats much of the time, unless they are c 30,000 + tons OR, if smaller, bathed by warm waters), has been doing the passive/aggressive thing and looking as happy as an imam being asked to eat partly cooked pigs' entrails off a wire brush. (Male readers may be familiar with the look?) So when I foolishly asked what was up, she said that it would be much better to wait until next spring. (To be fair, a view that I have seen expressed on fora here because of the possible recession.) So, to keep the peace, I have cancelled the three boat viewings for next week.
I did say to her "What do you mean by spring" and she said "February/March time. "OK", I said, "and if you turn out to be wrong and boats are DEARER, you won't complain?" "No" she said. I thought it unwise to ask for it in writing, but, assuming I am fit and well, it will be on the Google Calendar for 1st Feb 2021. I doubt she will be happy. Sorry to have wasted your time.
 

xyachtdave

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If she's really not that into the boat buying experience, forget it or get a new partner.

When the reality of boat ownership strikes, bad weather, maintenance, marina fees, other family commitments when the weather is good...your new boat could easily become one that hasn't been lifted in 3 years and people are discussing on here....

Charter somewhere hot!
 

Baggywrinkle

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Possible, but when I asked about seeing it today the broker said that I couldn't as the owner was there.

Could be that the owner is busy removing his personal belongings and is up to his elbows in cleaning equipment, busy de-cluttering the interior - might be the reason there are no interior shots yet .... who knows?

A healthy dose of scepticism is always helpful when buying something, but don't overdo it .... there are just as many valid reasons as nefarious ones for a refused viewing at short notice - as suggested, asking the broker why would be a good idea. Don't talk yourself out of the deal before you've had a look and have more facts to hand.

Get a date, go have a look, if necessary take someone knowledgeable and independent with you and make your mind up after you've seen the boat. That's what I'd do .... it's pointless speculating and trying to second guess the seller or brokers motivation or tactics before having met them face to face and asked all the pertinent questions. Good boats do get sold by off-putting sellers and incompetent brokers.


EDIT: Cancel all the above and go looking for a new partner .... but seriously, you need her on board for this or you might need to change your search criteria. You might find yourself looking for a suitable long-term live-aboard that you can sail single-handed.
 
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[165264]

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If she's really not that into the boat buying experience, forget it or get a new partner.

When the reality of boat ownership strikes, bad weather, maintenance, marina fees, other family commitments when the weather is good...your new boat could easily become one that hasn't been lifted in 3 years and people are discussing on here....

Charter somewhere hot!
You're correct, of course, but at 63 the best new partner would be Deliveroo.
 

[165264]

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Could be that the owner is busy removing his personal belongings and is up to his elbows in cleaning equipment, busy de-cluttering the interior - might be the reason there are no interior shots yet .... who knows?

A healthy dose of scepticism is always helpful when buying something, but don't overdo it .... there are just as many valid reasons as nefarious ones for a refused viewing at short notice - as suggested, asking the broker why would be a good idea. Don't talk yourself out of the deal before you've had a look and have more facts to hand.

Get a date, go have a look, if necessary take someone knowledgeable and independent with you and make your mind up after you've seen the boat. That's what I'd do .... it's pointless speculating and trying to second guess the seller or brokers motivation or tactics before having met them face to face and asked all the pertinent questions. Good boats do get sold by off-putting sellers and incompetent brokers.


EDIT: Cancel all the above and go looking for a new partner .... but seriously, you need her on board for this or you might need to change your search criteria. You might find yourself looking for a suitable long-term live-aboard that you can sail single-handed.

Trouble is, she's got PMT. "Permanent Menopausal Tension".
 
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