Which boat for next summer?
Discussion
pequod said:
Don't equate the low engine hours with it being unmarked as it could have left and returned to the mooring after an hour or two of motoring and that it is when boats incur a few bumps, particularly in inexperienced hands.
Damage to upholstery and internal woodwork is down to carelessness and whilst annoying, is sometimes inevitable but only you can decide if they are something you can live with or have repaired/replaced.
As a beginner you will be very, very lucky if you don't add a few more scars during your ownership!;)
I realise this. Which is why I don't want to spend a lot....says the man whose budget has doubled in a week.Damage to upholstery and internal woodwork is down to carelessness and whilst annoying, is sometimes inevitable but only you can decide if they are something you can live with or have repaired/replaced.
As a beginner you will be very, very lucky if you don't add a few more scars during your ownership!;)
Louis Balfour said:
The broker said that it is virtually unused, but has sent me snaps (at my request) of any dings, marks or blemished. It has bits and bobs like this:
None of that looks unreasonable. The marine environment is just so much more harsh than what a car experiences.Engine cover just looks like salt crystals or mild abrasion, doubt it's rust (famous last words)
NickCQ said:
None of that looks unreasonable. The marine environment is just so much more harsh than what a car experiences.
Engine cover just looks like salt crystals or mild abrasion, doubt it's rust (famous last words)
To my eye that engine cover looks like it’s had a couple of chips or abrasions and salt has got in. But I don’t know boats.Engine cover just looks like salt crystals or mild abrasion, doubt it's rust (famous last words)
Louis Balfour said:
To my eye that engine cover looks like it’s had a couple of chips or abrasions and salt has got in. But I don’t know boats.
Before handing over £45K, if you're seriously considering this boat, you should get a survey done (see 'marine surveyors'). This includes lifting the boat out and checking all the gubbins underneath, and you can ask him all your questions. A survey is not foolproof but it gives some peace of mind, might give you a bargaining point, and might be needed for insurance (depending on the age of the boat).I looked at a dozen boats before buying my first one; that way you get to see the form, what to look for and what to avoid. But I may have mentioned that before!
i couldn't find your link - how old is that boat?
Louis Balfour said:
To my eye that engine cover looks like it’s had a couple of chips or abrasions and salt has got in. But I don’t know boats.
It's possible - if it bothers you, abrade the affected area, repaint and buy a splash cover.I think the point I was trying to make is that you have to accept that boats lose their cosmetic perfection extremely quickly. You are always fighting against salty air and water and unless you have unlimited time/money you need to pick your battles.
Simpo Two said:
Before handing over £45K, if you're seriously considering this boat, you should get a survey done (see 'marine surveyors'). This includes lifting the boat out and checking all the gubbins underneath, and you can ask him all your questions. A survey is not foolproof but it gives some peace of mind, might give you a bargaining point, and might be needed for insurance (depending on the age of the boat).
I looked at a dozen boats before buying my first one; that way you get to see the form, what to look for and what to avoid. But I may have mentioned that before!
i couldn't find your link - how old is that boat?
2017 with 38 hours.I looked at a dozen boats before buying my first one; that way you get to see the form, what to look for and what to avoid. But I may have mentioned that before!
i couldn't find your link - how old is that boat?
Simpo Two said:
Louis Balfour said:
To my eye that engine cover looks like it’s had a couple of chips or abrasions and salt has got in. But I don’t know boats.
Before handing over £45K, if you're seriously considering this boat, you should get a survey done (see 'marine surveyors'). This includes lifting the boat out and checking all the gubbins underneath, and you can ask him all your questions. A survey is not foolproof but it gives some peace of mind, might give you a bargaining point, and might be needed for insurance (depending on the age of the boat).I looked at a dozen boats before buying my first one; that way you get to see the form, what to look for and what to avoid. But I may have mentioned that before!
i couldn't find your link - how old is that boat?
A survey is a must on a boat like this.
IforB said:
Simpo Two said:
Louis Balfour said:
To my eye that engine cover looks like it’s had a couple of chips or abrasions and salt has got in. But I don’t know boats.
Before handing over £45K, if you're seriously considering this boat, you should get a survey done (see 'marine surveyors'). This includes lifting the boat out and checking all the gubbins underneath, and you can ask him all your questions. A survey is not foolproof but it gives some peace of mind, might give you a bargaining point, and might be needed for insurance (depending on the age of the boat).I looked at a dozen boats before buying my first one; that way you get to see the form, what to look for and what to avoid. But I may have mentioned that before!
i couldn't find your link - how old is that boat?
A survey is a must on a boat like this.
IforB said:
Simpo Two said:
Louis Balfour said:
To my eye that engine cover looks like it’s had a couple of chips or abrasions and salt has got in. But I don’t know boats.
Before handing over £45K, if you're seriously considering this boat, you should get a survey done (see 'marine surveyors'). This includes lifting the boat out and checking all the gubbins underneath, and you can ask him all your questions. A survey is not foolproof but it gives some peace of mind, might give you a bargaining point, and might be needed for insurance (depending on the age of the boat).I looked at a dozen boats before buying my first one; that way you get to see the form, what to look for and what to avoid. But I may have mentioned that before!
i couldn't find your link - how old is that boat?
A survey is a must on a boat like this.
The cost of the survey is peanuts compared with the potential cost of an unnoticed fault. As you have no past experience of boats, buy your first used one with a survey. If nothing else, it gives you confidence and peace of mind about the boat. Also you may have comeback against the surveyor if he misses something material, whereas the seller is protected by caveat emptor.
Don't get too hung up about cosmetics, but focus on any fault which could make the engine stop (fuel system, impellers, service record, cooling telltale, hydraulic steering etc) or endanger the boat (bilge pump, nav lights, anchor chain condition etc). Also give it a good sea trial after the survey to check everything works as it should when powered up.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of your choice of boat, charter one like it, or better still this boat, for a few hours on water before committing to buy. Nothing like handling the boat live to discover the little details which either make or break the enjoyment. Remember you have the balance of power as buyer up to the moment you agree the purhase contract, and the seller thereafter.
Louis Balfour said:
2017 with 38 hours.
Thanks - and on this machine I can see the photos too.38 hours over 3-4 years if true is incredibly little. I'd ask why he wants to sell it.
The imperfections are minuscule and would certainly not stop me buying it if I wanted it. If you want perfect you'll need to buy a new one. A boat is more like a small house than a car; people don't just sit in it for a bit then get out again, they walk about in it, cook in it, eat in it, sleep in it and go to the bathroom in it...
Only you can decide whether to pounce or not. The only thing missing in your decision-making arsenal IMHO is that you haven't looked at any other boats so have no comparison.
ETA: 'Basically the ad on Yachtmarket appears to use photos of the boat when new'. I wonder why? It costs nothing to take decent photos.
Edited by Simpo Two on Tuesday 27th October 14:46
Louis Balfour said:
pequod said:
Louis Balfour said:
I am looking at it on my phone. It looks like a bare boat, no plotter etc.
Low hours though.
I wonder what it’s story is.
It's got a Garmin plotter, vhf, and the bowthruster, plus other bits and bobs (rod holders!!Low hours though.
I wonder what it’s story is.
) but it's not overly equipped however that's not a bad thing IMO.Worth a call to the Broker to ask what the history is but I imagine it's a genuine boat that has only been lightly used? It might be strange but there are many folk who live aboard their boats in Brighton marina and travel up to town on the train, but seldom use their boat for seagoing trips., but is considered a more cost effective and nicer accommodation alternative to a grotty flat.
Don't forget a survey, just in case it has been grounded or crashed/repaired and a recent engine service although those Yams are pretty bulletproof.
I've messaged the broker.
Edited to add: Do people really use something that small as an overnight stay in Brighton?
Simpo Two said:
Louis Balfour said:
2017 with 38 hours.
Thanks - and on this machine I can see the photos too.38 hours over 3-4 years if true is incredibly little. I'd ask why he wants to sell it.
The imperfections are minuscule and would certainly not stop me buying it if I wanted it. If you want perfect you'll need to buy a new one. A boat is more like a small house than a car; people don't just sit in it for a bit then get out again, they walk about in it, cook in it, eat in it, sleep in it and go to the bathroom in it...
Only you can decide whether to pounce or not. The only thing missing in your decision-making arsenal IMHO is that you haven't looked at any other boats so have no comparison.
ETA: 'Basically the ad on Yachtmarket appears to use photos of the boat when new'. I wonder why? It costs nothing to take decent photos.
Edited by Simpo Two on Tuesday 27th October 14:46
I am in no hurry whatsoever to buy a boat. I've got 6 months before I will get much use from it.
Why would they use snaps of the boat when new? Well, they supplied it new. Perhaps they didn't have access to it to take photos initially. Or it was full of the owner's personal stuff.
But I am quickly realising that boat advertising makes Gumtree appear the paragon of probity, currency and accuracy.
Louis Balfour said:
Simpo Two said:
Louis Balfour said:
2017 with 38 hours.
Thanks - and on this machine I can see the photos too.38 hours over 3-4 years if true is incredibly little. I'd ask why he wants to sell it.
The imperfections are minuscule and would certainly not stop me buying it if I wanted it. If you want perfect you'll need to buy a new one. A boat is more like a small house than a car; people don't just sit in it for a bit then get out again, they walk about in it, cook in it, eat in it, sleep in it and go to the bathroom in it...
Only you can decide whether to pounce or not. The only thing missing in your decision-making arsenal IMHO is that you haven't looked at any other boats so have no comparison.
ETA: 'Basically the ad on Yachtmarket appears to use photos of the boat when new'. I wonder why? It costs nothing to take decent photos.
Edited by Simpo Two on Tuesday 27th October 14:46
I am in no hurry whatsoever to buy a boat. I've got 6 months before I will get much use from it.
Why would they use snaps of the boat when new? Well, they supplied it new. Perhaps they didn't have access to it to take photos initially. Or it was full of the owner's personal stuff.
But I am quickly realising that boat advertising makes Gumtree appear the paragon of probity, currency and accuracy.
Isn't it just!
I would always budget for a complete tart up of any boat now, as the difference a proper compound polish and scrub up is amazing. When we bought our last yacht, I had someone jump on it for 2 days before I let the Mrs see it and it made great first impression. It genuinely looked like a new boat to her eyes and got her relationship with it off to a great start.
Louis Balfour said:
Well I've seen two new boats, two secondhand ones and will see a number of secondhand ones tomorrow before viewing the one above.
I am in no hurry whatsoever to buy a boat. I've got 6 months before I will get much use from it.
Why would they use snaps of the boat when new? Well, they supplied it new. Perhaps they didn't have access to it to take photos initially. Or it was full of the owner's personal stuff.
But I am quickly realising that boat advertising makes Gumtree appear the paragon of probity, currency and accuracy.
Welcome to the unique world of boat buying/selling, a sometime frustrating business and one that a new boat buyer, such as yourself, will need to learn which you appear to appreciate!I am in no hurry whatsoever to buy a boat. I've got 6 months before I will get much use from it.
Why would they use snaps of the boat when new? Well, they supplied it new. Perhaps they didn't have access to it to take photos initially. Or it was full of the owner's personal stuff.
But I am quickly realising that boat advertising makes Gumtree appear the paragon of probity, currency and accuracy.
Good that you have seen a few already and are prepared to look at more this week as this will not only give you a better feeling for what your budget will buy but will also gain valuable experience in asking the right questions before travelling up and down the country in a fruitless pursuit. As for photos, it is quite common for the advertisement to contain pictures of the boat taken earlier when she was all shiny and it's a good starting point to ask the broker or vendor for up to date photographs or better still, a video of the boat. Although they will not necessarily show you the worst aspects they should give you a better impression of what you are likely to see in the flesh if and when you decide to view. Many private sellers are unable to do this possibly due to living miles from the boat but I would recommend you avoid buying privately with your limited experience. If a broker won't take new photos or a video I would walk away.
Good luck with the viewings and look forward to an update.
Hope this one is genuine!
A Merry Fisher on EBay.
I know nothing about them (Bayliner owner) but it’s older and the price appears to reflect that.
Might be worth a look.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/JEANNEAU-MERRY-FISHER-6...
A Merry Fisher on EBay.
I know nothing about them (Bayliner owner) but it’s older and the price appears to reflect that.
Might be worth a look.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/JEANNEAU-MERRY-FISHER-6...
Thankyou4calling said:
Hope this one is genuine!
A Merry Fisher on EBay.
I know nothing about them (Bayliner owner) but it’s older and the price appears to reflect that.
Might be worth a look.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/JEANNEAU-MERRY-FISHER-6...
I like your opening gambit! Priced like it's real, but I want something newer.A Merry Fisher on EBay.
I know nothing about them (Bayliner owner) but it’s older and the price appears to reflect that.
Might be worth a look.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/JEANNEAU-MERRY-FISHER-6...
Louis Balfour said:
Well I've seen two new boats, two secondhand ones and will see a number of secondhand ones tomorrow before viewing the one above.
Ah well you didn't say that...Louis Balfour said:
I am in no hurry whatsoever to buy a boat. I've got 6 months before I will get much use from it.
Great, lots of time to research and get ready Louis Balfour said:
Why would they use snaps of the boat when new? Well, they supplied it new. Perhaps they didn't have access to it to take photos initially. Or it was full of the owner's personal stuff.
I consider it misleading or lazy. If they can't be arsed to take some accurate photos, what else can't they be arsed to do?Louis Balfour said:
But I am quickly realising that boat advertising makes Gumtree appear the paragon of probity, currency and accuracy.
Not always, Norfolk Yacht Agency and others are professional. In fact have a look if you haven't already: https://www.nya.co.uk/boats-for-sale/Simpo Two said:
Not always, Norfolk Yacht Agency and others are professional. In fact have a look if you haven't already: https://www.nya.co.uk/boats-for-sale/
No MF for sale I note! Are you suggesting our new boat chum should consider a Broom?Gassing Station | Boats, Planes & Trains | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff