buying a small yacht

[Wansworth]

Agreed to meet the owner to veiw his boat,the price ,without looking at the boat is way too high.for me.Should I have a look and then say are you open to offers or should I say at the very begining the price is too high and walk away if he shows strange facial contortions.The last time I boughta boat(1980) so a bit rust on technique!

 

[Alfie168]

I'd go and look at the boat. It may be nice, it may be rubbish. Either way I'd never make an offer on the spot on first viewing, I'd go away and do some thinking, and maybe look at some other boats too, maybe take some photos..as you forget things quicker than you think. Get a list of what comes with it.

If you decide to make an offer, don't make your maximum offer first, but if/when you get to your limit then say so. If he doesn't accept you have lost nothing, part on good terms and leave the door open for him to come back to you. He may not get another offer, and he may need some thinking time as well to moderate his expectation. You never know.

Good hunting!

Tim

 

[Wansworth]

That seems sound advice.I sold my last two boats in Spain and there was no suveys,trial sails nothing just a cursory look around,I shall certainly want to see the bottom and have a good poke about!

 

[trapezeartist]

If the price is "way too high", wouldn't it be sensible to have some preliminary discussion on price before going to see the boat? That way, if the seller doesn't give you some indication that he is willing to come within your range, you can save yourself the journey. I'm going through similar scenarios myself: I've just come across one seller (I use the word loosely) who is completely inflexible. So with the next boat I will ensure that there is a good chance of us being able to come to an agreement on price before spending a day going to look at it.

It depends to quite an extent on the boat. If the boat is old, you really need to see it before you can have any idea of what you think it's worth. If the boat is fairly new, you can start by assuming that it is in near new condition and then verify that later.

 

[David_Jersey]

Just because you view a boat don't mean you have to make any offer. Can talk around the price, but still not offer.

I think it fair enuf on the day to say you will go off and think about it, and will come back to talk if still interested.

 

[BurnitBlue]

When I was selling my last boat the politest request for a reduction was made by a Dutchman. He simply said. "Yes I am very interested. Is your asking price firm?"

None of that sucking the teeth and shaking the head stuff.

 

[Wansworth]

Thanks for all that,will go and have a look,an afternoon outing to La Coruña!

 

[ReneJK]

When I was selling my last boat the politest request for a reduction was made by a Dutchman. He simply said. "Yes I am very interested. Is your asking price firm?"

None of that sucking the teeth and shaking the head stuff.

Isnt that the usual way of asking ? , I am dutch and this is what I normally ask as well .. different cultures = different questions I guess

 

[DownWest]

Not really, my experience with the Dutch is of plane speaking. No niceties, cut to the deal.
One of the problems with boat sales is it is a 'loved item' with an assumed value. Reality is not too welcome. Used to have this with land values in Iberia. ' My cousin is selling X hectairs by the coast for X money. Therefore my land in the hills is worth the same. Lot of not too flexable dealing there.
A

 

[Wansworth]

Went to see thew boat today had a look,ran the engine poked about and said"are you interested in offers" he "NO",Anyway we parted after a drink in the local bar on good terms,so not a waisted morning and got to have a long conversation about boats in Spanish,which is good as my near neighbours are farmers!

 

[Searush]

Bit late now (sorry) but I might have asked him how he arrived at that price. It sows a seed of doubt without any criticism of boat or vendor.

 

[Wansworth]

Bit late now (sorry) but I might have asked him how he arrived at that price. It sows a seed of doubt without any criticism of boat or vendor.

He had bought the boat last year,done ome work,spent money on the engine and was selling at the price he paid,boats are expensive in Spain,well at least in Galicia as there are so few.Anyway now have better idea of what to expect in way of condition and price,it seems 10000euro for a mab 25 foot long is the norm!!!

 

[Lakesailor]

Just been to look at a West White Potter15.
What a pile of dung.
I asked him on the phone if it was in good condition (It's £1200 with trailer, no outboard)
He said it was and that it had been painted, but well.
The topside were spray painted and it was a good job. The underwater sections still had the muck from the rubbing down on them and the overspray.
The deck and cockpit were handpainted in what looked like road paint on a windy and dusty day. Cleats, pintles, catches, everything was painted. Polypropelyne rope on the keel lifting gear. No pulpit or guard rails. Just a shabby shell on an ilegal trailer.
I didn't even get around to looking at the sails

Some people have no shame.

 

[Wansworth]

well this was not sooo bad! One of the little problems is the photos on internet are small and what in the picture seems to be a nice bit of varnish work or a clean white bulkhead in reality is scruffy, 30/40 year old bots unless real pedigrees at the start dont age well!!

 

[DownWest]

In the 70's a friend answered an ad for a hull in the E and M. Could you send a pic? No but I can sketch it. Friend looks at sketch, assumed the seller had no artistic ability and went to look. The sketch was quite accurate, the hull really was a wierd shape.
A