Buying a repaired boat

[AlexKT7]

Sorry if my question sounds too lame, but there is always a first time .. I have been thinking about buying a boat and have across a good option ( in my opinion ) , however the broker advised that this boat (2006 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42ds) had an accident 3 years ago but since has been professionally fixed. What’s your opinion on buying repeared boat? Should I still consider or look for other options ? My main worry is that there could be many similar boats with murky past and some many brokers may not be that honest .

 

[Graham376]

What kind of damage? Could be anything from minor collision to keel ripped off on a rock.

 

[William_H]

In any case it is most likely that it has been repaired ina strong manner such that you may never know it had happened. Seems to me a good chance to press for a better price. It would not put me off. Although of course I can not see the hull to check the repiar. Perhaps a good case for a surveyor. ol'will

 

[tjbrace]

We were faced with this same dilemma when we found our current boat. It had run aground and broken a rib which had then been poorly repaired.
We were made aware of this by the broker, Roland Vergriete of Snip Yachting in Ouistreham, who had had the boat surveyed prior to taking it in part exchange for a new Bavaria. We were persuaded to go and view it even though the proper repairs were pending. When there, I was shown the surveyors report which contained a list of actions and materials to rectify the damage and would render the boat ‘stronger than new’, it was very impressive. We agreed to buy, and the repairs were duly completed. Snip Yachting guaranteed the repairs stating that they would allow local to me boatyards to fix any problems with the repair.
We are about to start our 14 th season with the 38s5 without any probems with the repair. They gave such a great service.

 

[oldharry]

Would you buy a car that has been in a minor shunt, and been repaired? You probably wouldnt even know, if it had been done properly. The same applies here. But with something bigger like a boat, there's definitely a need for an independent expert opinion of the quality of the repair. As tjbrace says, you can end up with something stronger than the original - or not, depending on the extent of the damage, and how carefully it was repaired. The presence of a good IEO report will also be a strong selling point when the time comes.

 

[[70521]]

Bought my current boat after knowing that she had been holed above the water line. Repaired professionally and not a problem.

 

[bedouin]

I would certainly ask for more information on the accident and the repair so you can make a fair assessment.

Repairs to non-structural elements would be fine, but if the repair is structural and you can't get a surveyor to inspect the quality of the fix then might be worth looking for a different boat.

 

[MoodySabre]

I'd ask my insurers as to what they would need to insure this boat at normal rates.

 

[doug748]

I agree with the others hull repairs are fine, if well done and provided the boat was not flooded.

Keel area repairs are different and will be a problem on resale. I might consider it for a boat I intended for very long term ownership, if it was an outstanding bargain, but then again probably not.

 

[Jim@sea]

Ask to see the invoice for the work done.

 

[maby]

The fact that the broker told you voluntarily counts for a lot. We came close to buying a boat some years ago and pulled out after it became apparent that it had suffered damage which the owner was seeking to conceal. They admitted it once it became impossible to hide it, but we then found other defects that were not being declared and we pulled out on the basis that we just didn't know what else was lurking.

 

[steveeasy]

In all fairness I assume its not the brokers responsibility to highlight defects. I would have thought that was the surveyors responsibility. Typically cars that have received damage and been repaired still sell for less and are recorded as damaged. If I was buying a newish boat and it had suffered damage, id still buy it if repaired properly but would expect it to sell for slightly less.

Steveeasy

 

[bedouin]

A sensible broker will disclose any defects that are likely to be picked up on survey - otherwise they will be a bargaining chip to bring the price down.

 

[steveeasy]

A sensible broker will disclose any defects that are likely to be picked up on survey - otherwise they will be a bargaining chip to bring the price down.

Bedouin,
Good point. had not considered it from that angle.
Steveeasy

 

[AlexKT7]

Thank you all for your comments.

Here is the update from the broker: "The boat was berthed alongside a pontoon waiting for a lock opening. A barge came along and ‘hit’ the Jeanneau. No holes or whatsoever. Some woodwork was damaged and several stiff corners on the Jeanneau showed cracks. Woodwork was repaired and (most of) the cracks are repaired. All done by a professional yard and covered by insurance. Some will be done when the weather allows."

I guess this nothing major then? Apart from invoices, what else should I ask for? some paperwork from the insurance company?

regards, Alex

 

[maby]

Thank you all for your comments.

Here is the update from the broker: "The boat was berthed alongside a pontoon waiting for a lock opening. A barge came along and ‘hit’ the Jeanneau. No holes or whatsoever. Some woodwork was damaged and several stiff corners on the Jeanneau showed cracks. Woodwork was repaired and (most of) the cracks are repaired. All done by a professional yard and covered by insurance. Some will be done when the weather allows."

I guess this nothing major then? Apart from invoices, what else should I ask for? some paperwork from the insurance company?

regards, Alex

This seems to imply that the repairs will not be completed before you take ownership. If that is the case, make sure you have a clear commitment from the insurance company that all outstanding work will be fully covered - you don't want to get into a situation in a couple of months time where the yard start on the remaining work, uncover more serious damage than was first identified and the insurance company come back to you telling you that the claim has been settled and finalised and that they will not cover the additional work.

 

[Kukri]

A sensible broker will disclose any defects that are likely to be picked up on survey - otherwise they will be a bargaining chip to bring the price down.

Absolutely right. Indeed some brokers make a point of stating "the hull shows signs of osmosis" in the case of almost every older GRP boat that they list, and for that reason.

 

[Heckler]

Thank you all for your comments.

Here is the update from the broker: "The boat was berthed alongside a pontoon waiting for a lock opening. A barge came along and ‘hit’ the Jeanneau. No holes or whatsoever. Some woodwork was damaged and several stiff corners on the Jeanneau showed cracks. Woodwork was repaired and (most of) the cracks are repaired. All done by a professional yard and covered by insurance. Some will be done when the weather allows."

I guess this nothing major then? Apart from invoices, what else should I ask for? some paperwork from the insurance company?

regards, Alex

There are lots more boats out there. If it had all been done and surveyed since, ok BUT if they are asking full price, walk!

 

[Graham376]

There are lots more boats out there. If it had all been done and surveyed since, ok BUT if they are asking full price, walk!

I would be tempted to walk anyway, don't like the bit about "several stiff corners showing cracks". Sounds like the boat was squashed and there may be other hidden damage which comes to light later.

 

[pvb]

Here is the update from the broker: "The boat was berthed alongside a pontoon waiting for a lock opening. A barge came along and ‘hit’ the Jeanneau. No holes or whatsoever. Some woodwork was damaged and several stiff corners on the Jeanneau showed cracks. Woodwork was repaired and (most of) the cracks are repaired. All done by a professional yard and covered by insurance. Some will be done when the weather allows."

I guess this nothing major then?

Well, the woodwork would be internal woodwork, so there must have been a fairly serious deflection of the hull. The cracks are not just cosmetic problems; they may be evidence of further underlying damage. It's notoriously difficult to get into the structure of a modern boat to carry out repairs thoroughly, so I'd be wanting to wait until the repairs are finished and have been certified by a surveyor as being satisfactory.

However, if you buy the boat you'll have to declare the damage in the future if a potential buyer asks, and this could make it difficult to resell.

As there are loads of Jeanneaus around, I'd be tempted to walk away and find another one.