Survey needed on a 'new' demo boat?

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MCNav

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Looking to purchase a boat that has been used as a demo boat at a couple boat shows this year. It's a 2009 build with 90 hours on the engines (2x Volvo D4 Penta 260HP). The boat looked in immaculate condition to my untrained eye. It still has 1.5 years left from its 2 year warranty on the hull/eletriconics/engines. Boat comes from the shipyard that built it rather than from a private individual or a dealer.

Is there anything in particular I should inspect more thoroughly to avoid surprises? I was considering getting a surveyor but considering the warranty and that the boat comes directly from the shipyard and not from a dealer not sure it's worth spending the cash.
 
you might reason that after 90 hours most of the usual hiccups have been found!
How far are you from the shipyard- re how helpful they are at fixing something small, like a shower pump...
I d test everything myself before going ahead. As you say, the major things i m sure they ll fix.. its the small annoying ones...
 
If you can get a look at the engines just see if they still have green oil filters , that would indicate 1st oil service@ 30 - 50 hours not done , so would warrenty on engines still be valid !!! .I would want written confirmation on that .
 
Heres my opinion, would having a survey done make you feel more at ease of such a big expenditure? If so then do it, if not then don't.

Personally I'd haggle with the seller and see if you can get a another years warranty thrown in.
 
I did just that !

MCNav said:
Looking to purchase a boat that has been used as a demo boat at a couple boat shows this year. It's a 2009 build with 90 hours on the engines (2x Volvo D4 Penta 260HP). The boat looked in immaculate condition to my untrained eye. It still has 1.5 years left from its 2 year warranty on the hull/eletriconics/engines. Boat comes from the shipyard that built it rather than from a private individual or a dealer.

Is there anything in particular I should inspect more thoroughly to avoid surprises? I was considering getting a surveyor but considering the warranty and that the boat comes directly from the shipyard and not from a dealer not sure it's worth spending the cash.
Click to expand...

I bought a boat 1 year old with 70 hours on the clock, with very minor issues. (Fixed myself) the only missing bit was the boat to my knowledge was not serviced! It is easy to check if the anodes or filters have been changed? if the original paint is on the nuts?


Oterwise just check everything around the boat?

Tom
 
Thanks for all the replies. I even had a few surveyors said it would be a 'waste' of money to do a survey on a new boat with warranty from a reputable builder. Anyhow, since the engines are just under 100hrs, the shipyard will have them serviced/oil changed prior to handing over the vessel.
 
I think it actually is 2 years, not 1.5. I calculated 1.5 because the boat was used for 6 months for the boat shows but I guess the warranty starts at the purchase. Will have to double check.
 
MCNav said:
Looking to purchase a boat that has been used as a demo boat at a couple boat shows this year. It's a 2009 build with 90 hours on the engines (2x Volvo D4 Penta 260HP). The boat looked in immaculate condition to my untrained eye. It still has 1.5 years left from its 2 year warranty on the hull/eletriconics/engines. Boat comes from the shipyard that built it rather than from a private individual or a dealer.

Is there anything in particular I should inspect more thoroughly to avoid surprises? I was considering getting a surveyor but considering the warranty and that the boat comes directly from the shipyard and not from a dealer not sure it's worth spending the cash.
Click to expand...

I take it you know for sure that the boat hasn't been accidentally dropped whilst being craned on to the hard and badly repaired or been accidentally flooded or some other catastrophe during it's albeit short life? If you are 100% sure, then don't bother with a survey. If not then spend a few hundred quid on a survey. At the very least, you'll end up being satisfied that you're buying a sound boat and there's a fair possibility that the surveyor will turn up something that saves you far more than the cost of a survey. Apart from anything else, if you are financing the purchase, the finance co may insist on a survey
 
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