Jumping in and buying a boat advice needed

Update on boat search

Currently talking to the owner of this one http://www.boatshop24.co.uk/offshore-cruisers/fairline-targa-30-lux/142229

Boat has changed hands 4 times as far as I can tell. Latest owner got her in 2016. He sent me maintenance receipts from 2008-2009 then 2012-2016. Says the people he bought it off had a their own business were the employed a diesel engineer and they bought parts and he did the servicing.

What should a good service history look like, is there a service book that would be stamped by Volvo normally?

Is there a way of verifying engine hours?
 
No service book as such but I would ideally like to see the receipts/bills for servicing etc for every year since construction and on the basis of no receipt then assume no work.
I would really like to know why the owner is selling so fast especially since so much work has been undertaken in the last year - maybe some mechanic problem lurking
In the last Bill of Sale should state what the boat was last sold for - Also look for full chain of Bill of Sales so in this case there should be 4.
Saying that boat looks in great condition just don't assume the inside of the mechanics is as good.
 
bluetooth said:
No service book as such but I would ideally like to see the receipts/bills for servicing etc for every year since construction and on the basis of no receipt then assume no work.
I would really like to know why the owner is selling so fast especially since so much work has been undertaken in the last year - maybe some mechanic problem lurking
In the last Bill of Sale should state what the boat was last sold for - Also look for full chain of Bill of Sales so in this case there should be 4.
Saying that boat looks in great condition just don't assume the inside of the mechanics is as good.
Click to expand...

Previous bill of sale doesn't have to show the actual sales price, it might just say '£1 and other consideration'. Price could be in the sales contract which might not be disclosed to a subsequent purchaser.
 
moretti said:
Update on boat search

Currently talking to the owner of this one http://www.boatshop24.co.uk/offshore-cruisers/fairline-targa-30-lux/142229

Boat has changed hands 4 times as far as I can tell. Latest owner got her in 2016. He sent me maintenance receipts from 2008-2009 then 2012-2016. Says the people he bought it off had a their own business were the employed a diesel engineer and they bought parts and he did the servicing.

What should a good service history look like, is there a service book that would be stamped by Volvo normally?

Is there a way of verifying engine hours?
Click to expand...

Boats rarely have service history. Quite why I think is a mystery to many of us. Buyers buy and seem to concentrate on the title docs and the seller seem to keep the bills most of the time.

On a 2000 boat if you have most of the bills from 2008 to date with a bit of a gap I would think you are doing well.

Get someone knowledgable to look at it. All you are really seeking to understand is that it has been looked after ( Oliver changes etc) and that at present it has no faults your engineer can determine.

You can go to town on this - oil samples etc - or just accept the view of your engineer and rely on things such as does it overheat, is the old pressure good and does it do the revs / speed it is supposed to do allowing for fouling etc.

Engine hours will be on the tacho unless it has been changed. Others will know if it can be read from the engine electronics - my guess is no given its age.

The hours are low for a 2000 boat. Just like a car does it look like a low houred boat, or does it look well used and dog eared. Not a conclusive point of view but a start. Condition is everything with an older boat. If the pictures are to be believed it looks like a nice tidy boat.

If it has spent time on the river ( Marlow) make sure you put sea anodes in it ( zinc) when you move it to the coast. Also you need to get it up to speed for some 10 minutes at full throttle - and that can be a challenge on the non tidal ( and large bits of the tidal) thames.
 
Last edited:
bluetooth said:
No service book as such but I would ideally like to see the receipts/bills for servicing etc for every year since construction and on the basis of no receipt then assume no work.
I would really like to know why the owner is selling so fast especially since so much work has been undertaken in the last year - maybe some mechanic problem lurking
In the last Bill of Sale should state what the boat was last sold for - Also look for full chain of Bill of Sales so in this case there should be 4.
Saying that boat looks in great condition just don't assume the inside of the mechanics is as good.
Click to expand...

When you are looking to buy a second hand boat and there are few around of what you want I am afraid you cant be too picky about the paperwork. You have to weigh up what there is and look at the actual boat and it components rather than the paperwork. Get your head out of the files and into the real world that is what I always feel
 
moretti said:
Finally convinced myself to stop dreaming about boats and actually jump in and buy one, so looking for some advice on a boat i have seen.

Boat is a 2001 Fairline Targa 30

Totally new to boating so any advice would be appreciated. I live in Northern Ireland, so limited to boats i can view.
Click to expand...

moretti, you have had some great advice already from the experienced Sages within this Forai
As an Old ''Celt' myself (some would spell that another way!) I understand that in Northern Island you have limited access to view boats
Unlike our Southern English bretheren!
Cracking doors and Tardy upholstery as you mention are easily mended as others have posted/ mentioned
'Jumping in and buying a boat' , it's a minefield!
Daunting/ worrying but Dam it is good fun!
I can guarantee your first venture/purchase will not be the First and will not be the perfect choice
Peeps on here will agree with that or be Dammed as liars and cheats (and probably not Celts) and lovers of Soccer!
I digress
Look You (as we say locally) at the general condition of your intended purchase, ie the bits that propel the boat and the ability to move around said vessel and it's usability, IE , can I get forward and deploy an anchor safely etc
Cost wise-- there is No 'Glasses Guide' (like the Motor Trade) for boats and virtually no warrantry compared to other purchases of this kind of outlay
My comments might all sound a bit negative moretti but Welcome to the Dream as you put it
It's bloody Great!
To get back to your question as how much to offer
Remember this
It is still a Buyer's Market IMHO
And Wales, is not too far away, which gives access to other boats in that other Place called England
Be wary of them though
Those English types!
:D:p
 
Again thanks guys,

This is a private sale, no broker. Boat is currently at Bates Wharf Chertsey undergoing polish and antifoul, so out of the water at present I would imagine.

So to sum up my next steps given that history on the boat is not too bad.

I will view boat on Monday. If all goes well I will make a firm offer subject to 3 or 4 conditions

1. Boat and engines are surveyed including an oil sample. Do you guys have recommendations for two guys or companies that can do this?
2. Boat has to undergo an "on the water" trial that achieves WOT for 10-20mins, with surveyor and Volvo engineer on board. I'm happy to pay for fuel but where on the Thames is WOT possible?
3. Issues found by 1 &2 above must be rectified by seller.
4. A memorandum of understanding is drawn up based on the above.

Is this the right approach?
 
moretti said:
Again thanks guys,


2. Boat has to undergo an "on the water" trial that achieves WOT for 10-20mins, with surveyor and Volvo engineer on board. I'm happy to pay for fuel but where on the Thames is WOT possible?
Click to expand...

You're not going to achieve this on the Thames. You should rely on oil samples plus get a decent Volvo engineer on the survey with you. I agree with others, it sounds like there is quite a lot of paperwork to evidence decent maintenance. Boat looks good too!
 
moretti said:
Again thanks guys,

This is a private sale, no broker. Boat is currently at Bates Wharf Chertsey undergoing polish and antifoul, so out of the water at present I would imagine.

So to sum up my next steps given that history on the boat is not too bad.

I will view boat on Monday. If all goes well I will make a firm offer subject to 3 or 4 conditions

1. Boat and engines are surveyed including an oil sample. Do you guys have recommendations for two guys or companies that can do this?
2. Boat has to undergo an "on the water" trial that achieves WOT for 10-20mins, with surveyor and Volvo engineer on board. I'm happy to pay for fuel but where on the Thames is WOT possible?
3. Issues found by 1 &2 above must be rectified by seller.
4. A memorandum of understanding is drawn up based on the above.

Is this the right approach?
Click to expand...


There was a thread on a decent sea trail on the Thames a while ago. It is a pain and requires the cooperation of the vendor.

It is in my view essential. If it does not make full throttle you need to find out why and you need to check it does not overheat. Find out later and it's your problem.

He summary I think was that you pay for the fuel and the owner takes the boat to a suitable location
 
Back again.

Targa 30 on the Thames was not in the greatest of condition so it was a no go.

I have had an offer accepted on a brokerage Targa 30. My son and I will be poking and prodding it this Wednesday to see if all systems work.

What is it we need to poke and prod at is the question?
And what do I need to see in the sale and purchase agreement...is there anything that's a must to have in there from a buyers side?
 
moretti said:
Back again.

Targa 30 on the Thames was not in the greatest of condition so it was a no go.

I have had an offer accepted on a brokerage Targa 30. My son and I will be poking and prodding it this Wednesday to see if all systems work.

What is it we need to poke and prod at is the question?
And what do I need to see in the sale and purchase agreement...is there anything that's a must to have in there from a buyers side?
Click to expand...

It is all about the engines. If they are bad the boat is bad
and osmosis

Unless you are a good mechanic you need an expert to look over and test the engines. As much as this is a pain and indeed a cost it is essential certainly on a trin engine larger boat
 
just tatty in general. door to cupboards hanging off hinges. side windows in cockpit badly scratched etc. all fixable. but it had no heating, no bow thruster, no electric marine toilet. needed a new camper cover and teak on bathing platform would have needed redone. so needed money spending on it.
 
moretti said:
Back again.

Targa 30 on the Thames was not in the greatest of condition so it was a no go.

I have had an offer accepted on a brokerage Targa 30. My son and I will be poking and prodding it this Wednesday to see if all systems work.

What is it we need to poke and prod at is the question?
And what do I need to see in the sale and purchase agreement...is there anything that's a must to have in there from a buyers side?
Click to expand...
Brokers' don't like it, but adding a clause that states you can cancel the purchase if for any reason during your survey and searches it reveals something you are not happy with, without obligation to offer further explanation, or negotiation.

Also that the contract is binding that the seller MUST produce the documents supporting the title that were offered during the negotiations, and ideally you should see sight of these. If the documents do not appear at completion then you have a right to refuse, or renegotiate the price.

Remember you are the buyer, and any contract terms can be varied. Just write it in and include it when you sign up. This gives the broker / seller a choice as to whether they proceed with you or not. If they have accepted your price and you have the deposit ready they will be quite flexible, but best to make your terms clear from the outset.

However, it is right that you should reimburse any reasonable costs a seller may incur in the sales process should it fall through, less any benefit the seller may gain, e.g. blasting off the bottom is a benefit for the seller if you do not buy.

If you see any other clauses you do not like then strike them out before you sign. Nothing in these contracts has to be rigid, they just want you to think they are rigid. We negotiate terms all the time in my business and subject to the project scope and value we will adjust our flexibility to the terms we are being offered. Why should boat sale / purchase contracts be any different ?
 
My son and I are just back from boat. It poured down today but both of us are happy with her. Nick Vass and VolvoPaul all set for survey and sea trial next Thursday. So now looking transportation by lorry and probably advice on how to prepare her for her journey by road. So advice on good transportation company and logistics is more than welcome
 
 
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