Putting an offer on a Sealine, how low to go?

[ithet]

When I have made offers I feel it is important to manage the sellers expectations, but not mess them (or their brokers) around. I have bought two boats, both by a process of an initial viewing with my wife lasting about say one hour, where we decided we liked the boat, then a discussion with seller or broker that I would like to now do a full boards up examination but would not waste the sellers time unless they would consider offers closer to "£x". In the case of the private seller it was two weeks before he asked me back. For the other boat the broker called back with a figure closer to mine that the vender was now looking for. Final offers were of course, subject to survey, but I did not fight the vendors over minor issues that these raised.

 

[Neil1300r]

Thanks all for all the thoughts. Have made an offer, I will see where we get to

 

[Irish Rover]

Thanks all for all the thoughts. Have made an offer, I will see where we get to

Best of luck. It's an exciting time, especially first time around.

 

[Hot Property]

Remember, you are buying an engine with a boat attached.....

 

[volvopaul]

All interesting reading especially after a conversation I had today with members of the trade , in my opinion at last it’s becoming a buyers market , the covid days of exaggerated prices are over if you really want to sell your boat .

OP remember the engines are most likely the most expensive area when buying a boat that is of a certain age, you would not believe the cost of Labour and parts and as it is a Sealine I’d guess it has green engines.

 

[Momac]

Remember, you are buying an engine with a boat attached.....

Two engines

 

[Neil1300r]

All interesting reading especially after a conversation I had today with members of the trade , in my opinion at last it’s becoming a buyers market , the covid days of exaggerated prices are over if you really want to sell your boat .

OP remember the engines are most likely the most expensive area when buying a boat that is of a certain age, you would not believe the cost of Labour and parts and as it is a Sealine I’d guess it has green engines.

Buyers have gone away to think about our offer. It's all subject to survey, a specialist VP engineer check, and sea trial, with an engineer (broker going to sort that out). KAD32 x2, so yes green
Oh and thanks for all your advice over the years, everytime I have done a search on re any type of engine I found comments by you going back years. Been researching for at least 6 months. The more I read the more I realised I know nothing about diesels

 

[SC35]

Buyers have gone away to think about our offer. It's all subject to survey, a specialist VP engineer check, and sea trial, with an engineer (broker going to sort that out). KAD32 x2, so yes green
Oh and thanks for all your advice over the years, everytime I have done a search on re any type of engine I found comments by you going back years. Been researching for at least 6 months. The more I read the more I realised I know nothing about diesels

KAD32 are great engines, I ran several of these, they don't throw huge bills at you when a PCU or some other electronic thing fails unexpectedly, although they are not the quietest / smoothest things and a bit of smoke on a cold start is normal.

DP-E outdrives are the more interesting bit.
If regularly serviced, the oil doesn't look like mayonnaise, and healthy / rapid "clonk" sound when shifting into gear, then good.

 

[Seastoke]

All interesting reading especially after a conversation I had today with members of the trade , in my opinion at last it’s becoming a buyers market , the covid days of exaggerated prices are over if you really want to sell your boat .

OP remember the engines are most likely the most expensive area when buying a boat that is of a certain age, you would not believe the cost of Labour and parts and as it is a Sealine I’d guess it has green engines.

Erm don’t you love green.

 

[SC35]

Erm don’t you love green.

I think it's kind of a love / hate thing going on there, given that he spends a lot of time fixing them.

 

[Seastoke]

Neil where will you keep her.

 

[Alicatt]

We looked at one boat in Scotland and could have done a deal there and then for 10% less than asking price, that was Feb 2023, but as my car had just chewed through a wheel bearing as we turned on to the vendors driveway, my mind was not wholly on the boat, I had first refusal but declined to proceed, boat was sold the following week.
In Belgium on a cycle ride my wife spotted a small river boat she liked...
We went 25% lower than the asking price and after a short wait it was accepted, Casper had been on he market most of last summer season, there was allegedly another buyer that was going to take the boat when he got a trailer to take the boat away that day, he was a no show and we got the boat for the price we offered.
It was a very cheap boat as I knew it needed a bit of work which we are doing ourselves, there is a thread on here about it.
This boat has a small green engine and it is 45 years old this year September.

We are in Scotland just now and I am feeling the lack of a boat, wife suggested we should get one here too, but it would not get enough use and taking it back to Belgium is out the question with new rules now in force.

 

[oldgit]

............and not just those oily bits to watch out for
Not long ago a beautiful 42.5 changed hands. Boat really was a Peach, obsessively serviced over 15 years of ownership and nothing bought or used that did not have magic words Volvo Penta on the can/bottle or box.
Weeks of negociations took place regards survey until both seller and buyer were fairly unhappy with the price and deal was struck.
Within six months one of the fuel tanks failed and a gearbox went pop.
Simply the luck of the draw.

 

[Neil1300r]

Neil where will you keep her.

Penton Hook if they ever reply to my online quote request. My brother s boat is parked there, so I'm aware oh how much, just need confirmation on a berth

 

[Seastoke]

Penton Hook if they ever reply to my online quote request. My brother s boat is parked there, so I'm aware oh how much, just need confirmation on a berth

Phone call

 

[jrudge]

I had a boat at Penton Hook.

The upper Thames is nice but limiting. You go one way and then have to come back the same way.

When you have done it a few times the novelty will wear off. The locks make slow progress in the summer or no progress in winter if they are shut for maintenance.

 

[kashurst]

I had a boat at Penton Hook.

The upper Thames is nice but limiting. You go one way and then have to come back the same way.

When you have done it a few times the novelty will wear off. The locks make slow progress in the summer or no progress in winter if they are shut for maintenance.

We all started some where..

 

[jrudge]

True but there has to be a feeling of getting a return on one's considerable investment and the family feeling likewise.

The upper Thames is lovely but once you have done it you have done it !

 

[AndieMac]

Oh and thanks for all your advice over the years, everytime I have done a search on re any type of engine I found comments by you going back years. Been researching for at least 6 months. The more I read the more I realised I know nothing about diesels

VP (Paul) has been very generous with his advice over many years, a clever engineer that has certainly seen all aspects of marine diesel issues. The forum has been lucky to have him contribute.

 

[oldgit]

Penton Hook well located in middle of Thames navigation, lots to explore up stream and down stream merely half day away from Teddington and the big wide world beyond.
Ideal cruising ground to hone your boating and manoeuvring skills without frightening your family to death weatherwise plus lots of other things to interest them rather than yet another day out elsewhere watching the skipper manfully helming his toy, while everyone else hangs on for dear life.
Always loads of things to do not far away and legions of pubs and resturants clustered round virtually every public mooring on the river.
For the really junior crew , playgrounds and other entertainments can be found nearby , usually free.
Penton Hook Yacht Club Home
A well run popular friendly Family Boat club located on site providing food and drink at club prices.
They also organise cruises and trips for those wishing to further their horizons but in company.


Be aware that Thames boaters can and do grumble big time about the lock service offered on the Thames, usually while sitting on their boat waiting for lock keeper to turn up.
Solution.... the locks are easy to operate. DIY.

Thames an ideal place to get started, the only real challenge for the hard of understanding , getting the hang of mooring charges payable on line Having a young person onboard does help.
The Thames Forum