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I’m looking for some real-world advice on buying a used boat. Specifically, I’m looking for advice on buying online, as I’m not finding the type of boat I want locally. So, my question to all of you is – How do I know when I’m getting a good deal as opposed to the seller hiding a boat’s flaws and trying to get over on me? I understand that you can hire a boat surveyor, but I only want to spend the money on a survey after I’m sure that I have found a boat that I want to jump at. I also don’t want to invest a ton of time into looking at a boat that ends up being a complete dud. I read a bit about it online but haven’t found any tangible advice that really makes sense. Is there any merit in researching specific boat models and manufacturers, and analyzing how they hold up over time? Maybe I would be able to find flaws that pop up consistently across the boat market with a specific model. What process have you used that ended successfully, and why? Alternatively, has anyone had any bad experiences that they would like to share? Bottom line, I want to manage this process without wasting my time and getting taken advantage of.
Hi Patrick, welcome to the #BoatLife forum. Thanks for joining us!
Buying a boat online can be a tricky endeavor, but there are certain things you can do to approach the process in a way that lets you navigate the process successfully.
One of the first things you need to consider is “where” you’ll be buying your boat online. You have several options. When buying a used boat, you can buy from a private seller, through a dealership, or an online broker. Regardless of which outlet you choose, you’ll want to do some things before, during, and after the purchase. All of this information can be found on the #BoatLife “Boat Buying Guide” here: https://www.hashtagboatlife.com/buy-boat-for-sale/ – although I’ll outline everything briefly in my response.
– Boat Inspection: From the hull to the electric systems, you want to be sure that there isn’t something hidden that will end up costing you big money after your purchase.
– Checking the boat for Incumbrance and Liens: This step safeguards you from potential financial loss or repossession issues.
– Complete a legal sales contract: Ensure that all terms and conditions are stated clearly in the contract, and have the contract looked at by a lawyer before completing it.
You can certainly look into brands and models of boats to check for general reviews, but remember that each boat will have its own issues and flaws when buying used. Boat surveys are a great way to navigate this, and you can arrange them before or after a purchase. While this may add to initial costs, it’s important to ensure you don’t run into bigger issues after you buy the boat.
Check out the guide that I linked to above to better understand the whole process, and don’t hesitate to reach out with more questions. I hope this helps!
All the best, cheers!
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