Jumping in and buying a boat advice needed

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moretti

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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 with Kad32 engines 700 hours on the clock with no lux pack. Boat is owned by Westwood boats in Northern Ireland, so not a private sale and is listed at £59000. Boat is in reasonable condition for year with a few issues like...cockpit upholster starting to show signs of cracking, doors into head and aft cabin a little sticky when opening and closing etc.

Does anyone have any advice on what this boat would normally sell for in the uk, or give a guide on what they would offer?

Also, with not being a private sale, would a warranty be expected?

Totally new to boating so any advice would be appreciated. I live in Northern Ireland, so limited to boats i can view.
 
I assume this is a stock boat that a dealer has taken in PX? In which case some form of warranty should be expected.
£59,950 sounds expensive for a 01 T30 - by way of an example I know of an 06 Sealine SC29 for £68k and that will have newer twins and hardtop etc.

That said Fairlibe Targa models do seem to have a die hard following, I still think the boat without the lux pack and in average condition should be sub £50k, though there is nothing stopping you making an offer
 
Great boats (I had one new). I haven't been following T30 prices so can't advise but you can just compare it to hat else is on the market.

Lack of Lux pack is a bit of a downer as the extra coach-roof windows do let a lot more light into the cabin. I did once consider adding the windows to a non Lux pack boat but there was a concern that the Perspex may not be total flat (I didn't get to the bottom of that one).
 
Thanks Guys, your advice is very much appreciated.

We looked at 3 boats yesterday sealine 2007 Selaine SC29 at 78k... way outside my budget (it was POA). A 2005 Regal Window Express 3060 at £59k...did not feel to be on a par quality wise to the sealine or fairline and not sure if it would have the same residual value as both Sealine and fairline in UK.

We all liked the Fairline and I'm thinking that the die hard UK following will stand me in good stead in years to come. To be honest it seems to have a classic almost timeless look to it, it did not look a 16 year old boat.

I also was thinking sub £50k would be about right and I'm hoping to use the lack of lux pack as a bargaining tool for opening offer.

I'm assuming even though a warranty is provided a survey is still a must?
 
Can't help with the pricing, but the KAD32's are great engines.

Of all the boats i've mulled over for friends, only concerning issue I found with one was an eroding exhaust 'horn' (I think that's the proper term?) - The section between the turbo and the transom. Eroding from under the rubber joint between exhaust and the horn itself. - This can sometimes be hard to spot on some boats so it's definitely worth digging in deep to have a look (sometimes removing the cover of the air box can help with access.

There are of course plenty of other things to look out for which you'll get plenty of advice for.
 
Thanks again guys

I've been reading some of the forum posts on engines and realise the Kad32s are thought to be a fairly good unit.

I'll make an offer subject to survey...allow some room for the inevitable back and forward negotiation process and see if I can get it at my budget, fingers crossed.
 
moretti said:
Thanks again guys

I've been reading some of the forum posts on engines and realise the Kad32s are thought to be a fairly good unit.

I'll make an offer subject to survey...allow some room for the inevitable back and forward negotiation process and see if I can get it at my budget, fingers crossed.
Click to expand...

A Targa 30 with KAD32's is a quick but >35kts on a good day.

When you make the offer, you'll have to sign a memorandum of agreement (a contract of sorts) that confirms the deposit that you'll be paying and the circumstances in which you have to complete the sale or reject the boat. You should ensure that it's clear who pays for the rectification of any faults that are discovered as part of the survey / sea trial. MOA's vary quite a bit in this regard. Also, before making handing over any more, ensure that you get sight of the service history, previous bills of sale and the original VAT invoice.

If in doubt, ask for more help here!
 
Having the original VAT invoice might be yet another sign of a well kept boat i suppose.

There is a targa 30 in the Netherlands with lux pack and only 420 hrs on the engine. been on sale for at least 18months. might be a good fall back boat if i cant get a deal done on the one in northern ireland
 
petem said:
A Targa 30 with KAD32's is a quick but >35kts on a good day.

When you make the offer, you'll have to sign a memorandum of agreement (a contract of sorts) that confirms the deposit that you'll be paying and the circumstances in which you have to complete the sale or reject the boat.
Click to expand...

I've never signed an agreement/contract on 3 boats purchased. I would advise a well presented letter/email stating offer and any questions/info (as above) and subject to a seatrial and engine/hull survey to demonstrate you are a serious purchaser.
 
Right ..but this Vat docs saga only really became a hot topic a few years ago...and with little tax justification. Back in early 2000's I am not sure anyine thought much of it...it was likely to be your original purchase invoice.Did everyone care to pass on that to the next owner?
 
gjgm said:
Right ..but this Vat docs saga only really became a hot topic a few years ago...and with little tax justification. Back in early 2000's I am not sure anyine thought much of it...it was likely to be your original purchase invoice.Did everyone care to pass on that to the next owner?
Click to expand...

Yes, I did. When we bought our boat in 99 the dealer told us to safeguard all of the original documentation that came with the boat, i.e. the original invoice and the builder's certificate. This was all passed on the next owner along with all of the service docs and all invoices.

Saying that, I own houses for which the locations of the deeds is very fuzzy so nobody's perfect!
 
Not looking good for getting this Targa for under £50k. Any suggestions for maximising what I can get from the deal in terms of addons. For example asking for the £50k to include delivery to my local marina which is about 80miles away or a warranty extension.

Any suggestions would be very much appreciated. thanks
 
moretti said:
Not looking good for getting this Targa for under £50k. Any suggestions for maximising what I can get from the deal in terms of addons. For example asking for the £50k to include delivery to my local marina which is about 80miles away or a warranty extension.

Any suggestions would be very much appreciated. thanks
Click to expand...

Well..take a step back is my advice.
Recheck the market and what is out there.
If this was October then as a buyer you might have an edge but this is prime buying time so I wouldn't expect a seller to be offering up bargains.
I don't know what checks you have done so far but most of your liability is the engines and drives so please do not be spending time on a bit of worn carpet.
Personally I am not one who believes there is always another boat right the corner and life is too short to spend months or years getting that bargain but I appreciate we are not all the same.
In the end it is your money...if it feels right then go for it.If you are unsure..well..maybe not ?
 
You are possibly placing yourself in a difficult position due to your concern of a lack of boats to choose from in your locale and that you expect to 'open' negotiations from a position of being a new boater. If the dealer knows or senses this he may just decide you have the rose tinted specs on and will simply wait for you to up the ante.

Rather than an offer perhaps instead just tell the dealer what you would consider the boat to be worth to you, and if they are stuck for a buyer say in a month or so to give you a call.

It would be worth while finding out how much a boat of this size would cost to ship from say the south coast or even Europe, although the weak pound is not your friend for buying in Europe presently.
 
Thanks,. I'm trying to do my homework on prices/condition etc. UK boats seem to list at between 60-69k. This boat is at £59k with some nice features. digital engine controls, bow thruster, raymarine tridata, autopilot and a95 chartplotter. Solid teak deck and original white with blue piping deck upholstery. Vacuflush head etc.

boats in europe list for 50-55k, and possibly between 6-8k shipping. most not the blue hull but white or green.

there is a green one in Jersey for £50k tax not paid.

So the list price of the one close by is around the ball park. I am more interested in what they sell for generally just so i got a fair deal
 
I am just wondering whether you have considered anything other than a T30 . What i have in mind is a Sealine S28; comes with twin KAD 32s and a good reputation. Should be able to pick up a good one for £50kish. Indeed there was a smart 2005 model recently for sale at my local marina in Poole. It soon sold. Asking price was £54,950.
 
Thanks beejay190. I have actually considered targa 28/29, some 29s come with kad 32 engine. but when stacked up against the targa 30, there is no comparison.

Looked through this forum before deciding on targa 30 over the S28 as there was a nice thread comparing both. S28 swim platform seems a bit small and IMHO its not as good looking as the targa but it certainly looks much better inside than the targa. I have the rose tinted specs as superheat6k has pointed out, I thought that was the whole idea of a boat. I probably should be buying another house and renting it out Lol! I'm honestly trying to make my first boat the right boat for me and from reading past threads on this forum the overriding opinion is buy the best and biggest boat you can afford 1st time round.

I also agree with gigm that spending a year or two trying to get a t30 for £46k instead of £50k seems a little absurd. I am more interested in trying to get one with the lux pack/blue hull. There is one in the netherlands with lux pack/blue hull that can be skippered to UK without the need for road transport. Takes 3 hours from their marina to Roompot marina and from there about 5-8hrs across to UK. They have skippers who can do that for me. Once in the UK I can assess the best way to get the targa home to Northern Ireland
 
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