Nautorius
Well-Known Member
We have all seen it,
A boat that an owner has fallen out of love with or has run out of money and has to sell....just abandoned.
Went to look at one yesterday, a 2001 Cranchi up for a lower quartile price on the Med market. The Broker had warned me it needed a lift out, A/F leg and engine service (to be sure) and a polish up but said it was a great boat.
Well, everything about it screemed 'keep well clear'. Firstly the boats covers were not on, and clearly had not been used. Just a Bimini was up and was wrecked as a result. No Tonneau on (and clearly never used), no Seat covers used (though there) no dash cover used...instead some old cloth. The Seats were very grimmy, the dash board looked 30 years old and the rubber on the main set of switches had melted! OK, I could look past that but the front Sun pads had been left out for years and were runined, all of the lockers packed full of his gear (old fishing kit etc) so could not even get in Lazarrete to look at Batteries, water maker, A/c unit etc. He had not dropped off keys to open up the Tender garage so could not properly check the engines. Through the 'service hatch' I saw a grimy bay with rust on the engines but could not look closer. Fridge in Cockpit still filthy with old stuff in it, it just felt unloved! Inside smelt sweaty and was very dirty, again all lockers and fridge full and smelling. Even dirty washing up in bowl (now more like fungus). /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif Under all seats were bits of food and bilges had seen a toilet overflow I think....a little smelly.
The boat was unloved and abandoned! The outside had not seen a good clean or polish in at least 18 months and was chalky white on a Blue faded hull which had gouging damage, the promised service history was missing and the growth around the hull showed it had not moved in a very long time! I had no engine keys so could not try the systems and start engines so no idea if A/C worked, GPS, etc!
Now the owner has to sell. He lives in Spain, has a business in trouble and is a resident. Boat could get hit for Mat tax anytime soon and boat been up with Various Brokers for 8 months. He fell out with last Broker because he refused to prepare the boat.
Now I can see past all of the Grime and dirt and untidiness. I know a few €k on a great Valet will sort that out. I know that new covers and Pads can be factored in etc....but SWMBO not impressed...and seeing a boat in that condition meant that I did not trust what he had done to the engines and outdrives.
In the current climate it would have to be tip top...and although at a fair price if in good condition...I reckon it needed €12k off to cover putting things right! That does not factor in Risk of major problems or hassle money as boat will be out of service for a few weeks.
So he is not getting my money at any price, lots more for sale will just travel further.
If the owner was back in UK I may understand...but he lived 20 mins away.
Rant over, money still in bank, PITA!
But the sun is shinning and there are lots more boats for sale. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
A boat that an owner has fallen out of love with or has run out of money and has to sell....just abandoned.
Went to look at one yesterday, a 2001 Cranchi up for a lower quartile price on the Med market. The Broker had warned me it needed a lift out, A/F leg and engine service (to be sure) and a polish up but said it was a great boat.
Well, everything about it screemed 'keep well clear'. Firstly the boats covers were not on, and clearly had not been used. Just a Bimini was up and was wrecked as a result. No Tonneau on (and clearly never used), no Seat covers used (though there) no dash cover used...instead some old cloth. The Seats were very grimmy, the dash board looked 30 years old and the rubber on the main set of switches had melted! OK, I could look past that but the front Sun pads had been left out for years and were runined, all of the lockers packed full of his gear (old fishing kit etc) so could not even get in Lazarrete to look at Batteries, water maker, A/c unit etc. He had not dropped off keys to open up the Tender garage so could not properly check the engines. Through the 'service hatch' I saw a grimy bay with rust on the engines but could not look closer. Fridge in Cockpit still filthy with old stuff in it, it just felt unloved! Inside smelt sweaty and was very dirty, again all lockers and fridge full and smelling. Even dirty washing up in bowl (now more like fungus). /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif Under all seats were bits of food and bilges had seen a toilet overflow I think....a little smelly.
The boat was unloved and abandoned! The outside had not seen a good clean or polish in at least 18 months and was chalky white on a Blue faded hull which had gouging damage, the promised service history was missing and the growth around the hull showed it had not moved in a very long time! I had no engine keys so could not try the systems and start engines so no idea if A/C worked, GPS, etc!
Now the owner has to sell. He lives in Spain, has a business in trouble and is a resident. Boat could get hit for Mat tax anytime soon and boat been up with Various Brokers for 8 months. He fell out with last Broker because he refused to prepare the boat.
Now I can see past all of the Grime and dirt and untidiness. I know a few €k on a great Valet will sort that out. I know that new covers and Pads can be factored in etc....but SWMBO not impressed...and seeing a boat in that condition meant that I did not trust what he had done to the engines and outdrives.
In the current climate it would have to be tip top...and although at a fair price if in good condition...I reckon it needed €12k off to cover putting things right! That does not factor in Risk of major problems or hassle money as boat will be out of service for a few weeks.
So he is not getting my money at any price, lots more for sale will just travel further.
If the owner was back in UK I may understand...but he lived 20 mins away.
Rant over, money still in bank, PITA!
But the sun is shinning and there are lots more boats for sale. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
