Buying without viewing?

[PJB]

A little backgound - I live in Dubai and want to buy a small sail boat
only there seem to be very few for sale here.

A 'friend' suggested I buy a secondhand boat in South Africa, approx UKL 2,500
for a 22' 1990 GRP with a fair amount of kit onboard including full sail suit/log/vhf/compass/echosounder/outboard etc
then have it prepared as freight and shipped to Dubai in a sea container -
(another UKL 1,500) all this to be done through a broker on my behalf in S.A.
without ever seeing it....am I mad? should I pursue this further? or wait for
something to come up localy?

appreciate any comments/hints/tips/advise is this to good to be true?

 

[JohnR]

With the current exchange rate SA is a good place to buy - things. Why don't you appoint a SA surveyor to report to you?

 

[Guest]

JohnR has the right idea. Buying sight unseen without a surveyor is something that would definitely make me very uncomfortable.
The prudent and safe thing to do would be to hire the surveyor and have him scope it out and report back and go from there.
Beyond that I can only say "Caveat Emptor".

 

[BrianJ]

Have a look at = www.boatpoint.com.au
Its a site here in OZ that has tons of yachts listed.
You may find something there to ccompare with your SA yacht. But again I would suggest you do as suggested ., find someone to report on her first.
If you need any more help in OZ then e-mail me.
BrianJ