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It's hard to buy a "Yacht"

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by DAVID WEBB, Feb 23, 2025.

  1. DAVID WEBB, Feb 23, 2025
    #1
    DAVID WEBB

    DAVID WEBB New Member

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    I have been looking for about a year for a used liveaboard around 50' or less. There are lots of nice pictures, but when I start asking questions, it seems like some of the people that listed the boats act like it a big problem for them to provide info. I can ask 3 or 4 questions and maybe I get a text back that half answers one of the questions. And that's it. I scheduled to go see a boat recently and got the hull number and ran it. Boat had been on fire and it was not mentioned. Dang! Another one, "Oh yeah the generator doesn't work and one engine needs rebuilt".
    If I find one that I like, I look at as many reviews that I can find on that model. Most mention problems with engines and rot in areas that seem like it would cost a fortune to fix. But they are still running and traveling after 40 years. Do surveyors actually catch the wood rotted areas that are glassed in? I am going to look at a 46' this week. The engine room pictures look great. I haven't seen an engine room that clean and neat in a well used boat in a long time. Hope the rest is good.
    If the Detroit diesel engine hours are low (871) and they haven't been rebuilt ---ever, is that a red flag? Turbo's are newish. I don't know that they have never been rebuilt, just a question.
    It will be used for short trips and live aboard.
    Regards,
    David
  2. ranger58sb, Feb 24, 2025
    #2
    ranger58sb

    ranger58sb Senior member

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    Surveyors catch some things... and miss others... even when in plain sight. And then whatever worked on survey day might break tomorrow. Or on the delivery trip home. You should be planning to be at your marine surveyor's elbow throughout, taking notes, asking questions, etc. Clear that behavior with the surveyor candidate in advance, of course, but it's pretty common.

    You MIGHT be able to find a marine surveyor with experience on a specific boat brand; if so, that'd maybe be a plus.

    In case you don't know, it's also common to have two. One "marine" surveyor for hull and general systems. The other "mechanical" surveyor specifically for engines (and genset, if you work that into the contract). Latter best selected from candidates knowledgeable and experienced in the specific engine brand you're aiming at (e.g., DD).

    You can maybe weed out some sub0standard candidates by stipulating "subject to maintenance records review" in your contract offer. No records, walk. Before bothering with hiring surveyors and paying for haul-out and so forth. That approach could also be overly restrictive, though, so could maybe also weed out some wheat with the chaff.

    -Chris
    Last edited: Feb 24, 2025
    chesapeake46 and JWY like this.
  3. DAVID WEBB, Feb 24, 2025
    #3
    DAVID WEBB

    DAVID WEBB New Member

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    Thanks Chris.. Sounds like good advice.
  4. DOCKMASTER, Feb 24, 2025
    #4
    DOCKMASTER

    DOCKMASTER Senior Member

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    When I shopped for a boat my last go around I would often ask my broker if the pictures posted were even of the same boat. And the seller's brokers will not disclose much, if any, of the bad and ugly. However, if you kiss enough frogs you will find your Prince. There are good boats out there for decent prices. Keep looking until you find yours. And don't be afraid to expand your search area. It isn't that expensive to move a boat quite a distance when you consider how much you are spending.

    Be prepared to spend money on surveys and haul-out on multiple boats if necessary. One of the worst things you can do is not walk away from a troubled boat because you spent some money on surveys and the boat doesn't survey well.
    motoryachtlover, rocdiver and DAVID WEBB like this.
  5. Norseman, Feb 25, 2025
    #5
    Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    This…
    I have kissed a few frogs and spent money on surveys and haul outs only to reject the boats with no regret.
    If there is a next time I will be a bit more careful inspecting and asking for detailed maintenance records before starting the survey process.
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  6. DAVID WEBB, Feb 26, 2025
    #6
    DAVID WEBB

    DAVID WEBB New Member

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    Does anybody have opinions on a 1980 Chris Craft 45 Commander? Was this one of the well built boats? This one is up for sale with 6 outside pictures and none on the inside and no equipment specs. It is cheap though. "Yeah I know, not cheap to own". Anyway, I asked for more pics and have waited all day and nothing so far. I don't know how people expect to sell their boats when they can't bother to generate any interest. Some of the brokers list every nickel and dime that's on the boat. That's what I like to see. O well, back to the first sentence :)
  7. Pascal, Feb 26, 2025
    #7
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Unless the boat is local I wouldn’t bother looking at a boat with minimal pictures and equipment list. Especially pictures of the ER.

    in most cases. I would make an offer subject to a short sea trial before survey so that you don’t waste money surveying a boat which can’t even run or overheats or vibrates or …
  8. chesapeake46, Feb 26, 2025
    #8
    chesapeake46

    chesapeake46 Senior Member

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    45 ft CC Commander was a nice boat but it better have Diesel engines, which would prolly be Detroits.
    Gassers would kill you.
  9. DAVID WEBB, Feb 26, 2025
    #9
    DAVID WEBB

    DAVID WEBB New Member

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    It's local. The guy finally responded and said it was a primo boat and he would send pics. Still waiting. I think this boat has been sold a few times recently and he has put some money in it?? If it's the same boat that I saw in some old internet ads, I won't touch it. Maybe that's not the case but -----. I will definitely get a sea trial, if I get past the pics. Thanks
    David
  10. DAVID WEBB, Feb 26, 2025
    #10
    DAVID WEBB

    DAVID WEBB New Member

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    Thanks,
    It has 871 DD, 325hp
  11. Norseman, Feb 26, 2025
    #11
    Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    2-stroke?

    Never owned or operated one but could hear them a mile away.
    Dinosaurs by now but they have a following I suppose.
  12. boatpoor, Feb 26, 2025
    #12
    boatpoor

    boatpoor Active Member

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    They should run a long time at that horsepower output. The truck version was 318 and was good for a half million miles before needing a top end overhaul.