went to see a boat today, pics, comments please:

None of those things would stop the boat being used. The important bit is have the mechanicals been looked after? I am always wary of stuff polished and cleaned to within an inch (25.4mm) of it's life, time is a scarce resource and if the owner spends all their time doing cosmetics have they looked after the important bits?
 
gordmac said:
None of those things would stop the boat being used. The important bit is have the mechanicals been looked after? I am always wary of stuff polished and cleaned to within an inch (25.4mm) of it's life, time is a scarce resource and if the owner spends all their time doing cosmetics have they looked after the important bits?
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that's a good point - its also far easier to do a bit of polishing that crawl around an engine bay changing anodes etc
 
Boat2016 said:
With all the comments against brokers on here from people who all think they can be the perfect broker I'm surprised that these people haven't set up business as a broker, then once reality hits you may realise what's involved.
Im not a broker and don't intend on being one either but having dealt with a few over the years I get a good picture of what they are up against.
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so what do they do for the 8% they charge advising a client to clean the crap up and make a few repairs might just acheive the owner a few more quid on the boat. seen a few brokers in action in my time.
favourite quote reduce the price! they are salesman sell it, spend time showing potential clients around the boat, explain how the boat works. I have seen a few unlock the boat let the client on whilst having a fag on the pontoon then lock up afterwards when they are off . a little bit of finesse and enthusiasm with clients helps.
Some people its the first purchase for them and buying a boat quite a big thing. Not saying all brokers are the same but just speaking as i find .
 
freddy the frog said:
so what do they do for the 8% they charge advising a client to clean the crap up and make a few repairs might just acheive the owner a few more quid on the boat. seen a few brokers in action in my time.
favourite quote reduce the price! they are salesman sell it, spend time showing potential clients around the boat, explain how the boat works. I have seen a few unlock the boat let the client on whilst having a fag on the pontoon then lock up afterwards when they are off . a little bit of finesse and enthusiasm with clients helps.
Some people its the first purchase for them and buying a boat quite a big thing. Not saying all brokers are the same but just speaking as i find .
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Who pays the rent on the sales office at the marina, the staff to man it 7 days a week, the adds in the boat magazines etc etc, it does niggle me that the average boat owner begrudges others earning a living when they are happy to earn enough to own and run a boat, which I know costs more than the average broker earns, let's be fair. You will get good and bad in any business, let's take for example - car salesmen, estate agents, builders, accountants, the list goes on, if you not happy with brokers then don't use one, I have had good dealings with all that I have used so no complaints. Perhaps you might try being a broker so you can offer that perfect service, I'm sure you will do well and realise what a doddle of a job it is taking 8% from all those boats you will sell.
 
I have seen a few unlock the boat let the client on whilst having a fag on the pontoon then lock up afterwards then they are off .
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Have no problem paying anybroker his/her 40 pieces of silver.
Howver the sooner the broker bu**ers off back to his warm office and his Ipad the better AFAIAC.
Especially when you need to start rummaging around in bilges and peering into the intimate little dark corners of a boat to find out if those pencil anodes in the heat exchangers have been changed in this century
The last thing you need is somebody just out of nappies hovering around :)
 
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oldgit said:
The sooner the broker bu**ers off the better AFAIAC. Especially when you need to start rummaging in bilges and peering into the intimate little dark corners of a boat.
The last thing you need is somebody just out of nappies hovering around :)
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Couldn't agree more, when I'm spending a couple of hours pulling the boat apart I don't need anyone looking over my shoulder hurrying me up, I like to be left alone to look at my leisure, I will then go and find the broker to discuss the next step.
 
If that is the worst of the boat I don't see it as being a major do. Chances are someone stood on the weed strainer getting out the engine bay. Happened to mine. For some unknown (to me) reason and it's a known issue this causes the hose to leak past the jubilee, just re-tighten. The other looks like condensate. This can be an issue, but the installation of vents etc or just keeping a porthole open to air can solve. I'd get a surveyor before buying and he'd advise about structural damage. The boat is dirty, it happens, much better as said to look at the mechanicals. At 20 years old that is where the value of the boat lies almost entirely.
 
I've owned and worked on many boats over the past 20 years. The one thing i would say is that the single biggest issue i always had was not the engine but the boat electrics.

Engines can be fixed at a cost but the electrics can be a nightmare to get to and work on. This may be a simple boat you are looking at but make sure you can get to everything as it all may need replacing. Gaining access to wiring can be the worst thing ever on a boat.
 
Tap base - glass from underneath for strength and use gel coat filler with pigment mixed in on top, to remove any unsightly crack. Tap could likely be cleaned up, assuming it's not physically damaged.

Locker floor - more glass mat repair. Not a biggy.

Engine salt water leak - likely lip seal on raw water pump or leaking from lid of strainer. If lip seal, they are not hard to recondition either with parts from Mr Volvo or by sourcing correct (stainless steel sealing spring) and bearings from a bearing factors. If strainer, check if seal needs replacing on lid.

Alternator - you can buy from Volvo, but they are generally Valeo parts. If Volvo, could be up to 300 quid, if sourced by part number you could get a Valeo or aftermarket for 100-200 quid.

Toilet - not sure what make it is, but it's probably better than a Jabsco crap bog. You could try and source a kit and repair, or chuck it out and replace with Jabsco which everyone else has - around 150 quid.

Corrosion on switches - looks fairly standard. WD40 for now - consider replacing with a switch/fuse panel that looks more up to date. Probably not essential if they all work.


If these were the only items, I wouldn't be put off if the price was right and I wanted the boat. Dragoon is 37 years old, so I know how quickly old boats can deteriorate without TLC.

Cheers
 
dragoon said:
Tap base - glass from underneath for strength and use gel coat filler with pigment mixed in on top, to remove any unsightly crack. Tap could likely be cleaned up, assuming it's not physically damaged.

Locker floor - more glass mat repair. Not a biggy.

Engine salt water leak - likely lip seal on raw water pump or leaking from lid of strainer. If lip seal, they are not hard to recondition either with parts from Mr Volvo or by sourcing correct (stainless steel sealing spring) and bearings from a bearing factors. If strainer, check if seal needs replacing on lid.

Alternator - you can buy from Volvo, but they are generally Valeo parts. If Volvo, could be up to 300 quid, if sourced by part number you could get a Valeo or aftermarket for 100-200 quid.

Toilet - not sure what make it is, but it's probably better than a Jabsco crap bog. You could try and source a kit and repair, or chuck it out and replace with Jabsco which everyone else has - around 150 quid.

Corrosion on switches - looks fairly standard. WD40 for now - consider replacing with a switch/fuse panel that looks more up to date. Probably not essential if they all work.


If these were the only items, I wouldn't be put off if the price was right and I wanted the boat. Dragoon is 37 years old, so I know how quickly old boats can deteriorate without TLC.

Cheers
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tnx, the loo is still made, holland, and they do kits

will be taking her for a sea trial in about two weeks time
 
ashtead said:
I also think brokers tend generally to do a good job but like estate agents the level of commitment and pro activity varies. If faced with the disposal of the vessel outlined in the OP pictures I can see how the broker might be underwhelmed by rhe sellers commitment however we don't know circumstances of sale and location of vessel to seller so the broker might be taking on knowing the seller is infirm etc. This might be a desperate seller where a large reduction on a speculative basis yields results and maybe the broker is targeting such a section of buyers for its marketing i.e. Those who want a distressed case . Good brokers should also be informed on vessel and as they have access to broker databases so on balance good brokers have advantages however I think some would benefit from from CPD and do at times seem rather casual as to timings etc.
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Brokers do vary ! Our last boat had a light blue hull and her upholstery was vinyl, not crushed mouse. She was built in 1983 and vinyl was not as unacceptable as it is now. The first broker spent 6 months trying to sell her and ages trying to get us to change the upholstery (which was in very good condition tho not to everyone's taste - it had the advantage that soggy oilies and the depredations of kids had had no effect at all) and to accept a low offer so that the prospective owner could have her sprayed a different colour. The second broker simply said that the upholstery wouldn't have been in nearly such good condition if it were crushed mouse and sold the boat within 6 weeks for a good price.
 
in good nick can fetch 40-45k

the one i saw was up for 37, offer taken at 34 subject to sea trial and survey

came to the conclusion that bringing her up to scratch would take 8k +
so even though it can be used as it is, it would not be worth my time and effort
with hindsight, IF the pics from the brokers had been more informative i would not have travelled to the boat
but then ofcourse it is the job of the broker to get viewers, so only to be expected, and you never know what folk buy

would i be intersted in the same for less still, no, too much UV damage on the fabric, and possibly gell coat issues later
would i be disappointed if the boat sold and i missed out, no

i have just pulled out, shall let you all have some more pics once i have found a better one :)
 
Simon
Given what has been revealed by photos I am not surprised you were disappointed by condition. It seems to me the broker was not entirely open in failing to provide photos before you travelled if you requested these however if you didn't I would not have expected voluntary admission as to its dire state of preparation. I trust you will find something soon to make up for the time wasted in your search.
 
more pics i took, i was aware of a faded hull, that imo was not a major issue:

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