Questions to ask owners when potentially purchasing their boat

[mjkinch1]

I have been looking at boats over the last couple of weeks, and started to make a list of questions to ask owners/brokers (Private and Trade), to get some idea of the boat, prior to a visit and proper look. I guess bit like checking out a car before you see it.

So questions I have are;

(Assuming I know the model and year from the advert)

-How many hours
-No of owners from new
-Any warranties still in force
-Last service (although I am not sure how you calculate a major service like a 'cambelt change' equivalent on a car)
-Last taken out of water and checked/antifouled
-Dry or wet stored over Winter
-Ever been used for Charter
-VAT Certificate
-Part1 Registered (not sure that matters much?)
-Any recent survey (I would get a survey done anyway)

Anything else that you would ask?

Thanks

Martyn

 

[tcm]

P1 registry is more expensive than ssr. I wd definitely look at this favourably - an owner who knows how to do it properly rather than a bit of a skinflint but doesn't want to admit as much.

 

[Nick_H]

I assume by that time you already know the age, specification and extras.

 

[powerskipper]

has it had any major repair work done , involving stringer etc.
does it have FULL service history and ownership tracing back to new,
has it been on fresh water or sea water.
check mileage against hours, doe it seem right for age of boat and if not why.
check for any gel coat cracking all over.
that should do for mo. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[oldgit]

Not so much a question,more a feeling.How does the boat + owner relationship "feel" to you.Is he grudgingly giving you the once over to see if he can allow you the priviledge of taking over the responsibility of his pride and joy.Or just looking for someone,anyone,to mug with his floating moneypit.

 

[Freebee]

oh come on don't beat about the bush-ow about "what faults has it got?"

 

[hlb]

Not sure if any of those questions mean a thing. Except maybe the charter thing, but then not many have.

 

[l'escargot]

Why are you selling it?

 

[Medskipper]

1. Who services the engines?
2. When were they last serviced?
3. How old are the batteries?
4. When was the boat last Anti-fouled?
5. How long have the anodes been on the vessel?
6. Has the hull been dried out every year?
7. Has it been epoxied to prevent osmosis?
8. What is the lowest price he will take?

All this of course will be answered with totally biased answers? So GET A SURVEYOR!

Regards Barry

 

[saltydave]

Is it free of any Hire purchase or other outstanding loan agreements or is its value being used as security.
Is he the sole owner !!!!! with the right to sell.

 

[Andrew_Fanner]

>>
1. Who services the engines?
2. When were they last serviced?
3. How old are the batteries?
4. When was the boat last Anti-fouled?
5. How long have the anodes been on the vessel?
6. Has the hull been dried out every year?
7. Has it been epoxied to prevent osmosis?
>>

Good set of questions.

Now some answers you might get... Note that these may not be my answers, but they have a certain practical bent

1. Me. I've done the RYA diesel course, tinkered with my diesel car(s) for years and am not working to an engine manufacturer decreed book time. Indeed, I'm also the one who has to live with the consequences of getting it wrong. As my family cruise with me its an incentive to be careful.
2. Define "service". Parts and consumables are changed or replaced when they need it, not according to a profit driven and corporate compensation risk averse schedule. See above re living with consequences. This model of engine is known to smoke at startup and when doing low revs. The state of belts, oil and water levels, quick look at the impeller etc is done before taking the boat anywhere.
3. Collective age 11 years, that is two domestics at one each and start at 9. Engine starts first time.
4. Before the EU decided that antifouling should not be allowed to kill any marine organisms. So it will last a few years yet. Checked at annual lift.
5. See 2 re "service".
6. No, I like to boat all year round. Batteries get charged up in winter that way. Boat is out for a week or so each year to check and attend to anodes/props and so forth.
7. No. Older boats with better layup are less prone to this issue. See 2 re "service".

 

[duncan]

"please list all insurance claims you have made on the boat's policy"