Making an offer on a boat

Yes the strategy you stick with needs to be a good strategy. I’ve had many conversations with unrealistic buyers that start by saying “Look, if you really actually eventually want to buy a boat you need to...”

Agree. I'm less concerned about getting the absolute best price because it's fluid. Rather I'm just trying to determine what's typical in this situation. Getting 5, 6 or 7% off doesn't make a big difference, but getting 6% off when the norm is 12-15% does.

There are SO many factors beyond your or anyone's control that you simply can't put a percentage on it, there is no norm. Demand for that model (new or dated), the manufacturers capacity and orders at that time, the dealers financial mood, the time of the year (end of the financial year etc.) and on and on. I've generally seen that the deals at Boat Shows are indeed pretty darn good with sometimes all sorts of additional things thrown in like extended engine warranties etc.

I've seen a lot of situations where a customer put down a healthy deposit, builder had the hull and machinery finished and buyer walked away for financial reasons and the manufacturer wants it finished and gone (and somebody paying for it). Generally above 50', nobody is stocking spec boats (too many options), everything is orders, but orders take 6-24 months to complete, buyers situation changes in that time. etc. etc.. Some builders do/have built hulls on spec to cut down on lead time when they get an order and for some reason they just don't get an order on that size/model so they're more apt to make an order happen (price/etc.).

This.../\/\/\...

Not quiet.
The boat was ok, just a bit sloppy here and there and I am just ****..
Most other folks would not have noticed some of the stuff, but my surveor is the most picky in Fort Lauderdale and I am the most **** buyer. Bad combo for the dealer and the factory.
Details on request, but not a big boat, 27’ power catamaran, as in Glacier Bay, then World Cat.
The dealer did a great job trying to fix it all, no complaints.

How are you enjoying Galeon? How the boat holding up?

Took delivery on the 17th of June. Been out 3 times so far. Boat is seaworthy for sure. Went from Hillsboro Inlet to Haulover Inlet (approx. 27 nm) in 4' seas on the 27th. Received one or two sprays on top due to winds but otherwise a very solid ride. As for features, we are loving the beach mode where the beam opens to 20' when the sides are down. Makes for a very entertaining boat.

I installed a few maintenance devices to reduce overall maintenance - CleanAHull and ElectroSea. I'll update folks on how they pan out after a few months with them.

On the down side, there have been a few warranty issues which we all hate, but MarineMax has been extremely responsive in addressing and fixing these issues. Overall I am very happy with my purchase so far.

"On the down side, there have been a few warranty issues which we all hate"
-What was the warranty issues ?

Be very careful going out Hillsboro Inlet, it has had a lot of shoaling the last few years and you need to hug the green markers all of the way out until the sea buoy.

Radio amp went - already replaced
AC on second day out started blowing hot air - MarineMax at boat on a Sunday morning - fixed - system just had to be reset
Anchor breaker tripping when deploying anchor - being checked into
Grill - relocated to aft deck instead of fly bridge wasn't working - all fixed
Ship to shore power converter - went bad - replaced in 24 hours after diagnosed

All annoying and somewhat embarrassing but in the end you pay nothing except the aggravation of it all. Tell who had ever purchased a new boat and never had an issue. It seems the bogger the boa and the more systems the more can go wrong.

I purchased a used Formula years ago and had it surveyed. Yet the surveyor missed the engine headers and I ended up paying the price. I said if I ever purchased another used boat I would hire a mechanic for the engines and a surveyor for the rest of the vessel. In the end I went new and all is covered under warranty except for normal wear and tear stuff and a few exceptions.

Thank you Capt J. You are correct!!! The Captain who took me on the sea trial informed me of that in January.

Thanks for the repair update. Sounds like typical new boat stuff. yes, as you know always get a manufacture of engines survey.

-Sounds like you didn't survey your Galeon? If not you may want to consider at a minimal a hull survey. There are VOIDS that should be fixed under warranty. Also for anyone following this thread, on a big boat buy, I would get 2 surveys, a captain survey and sea trail, and engine survey before purchase. Some might even consider a prop survey too. Just my 2 cents for what it s worth.

What is a "Captain Survey" or a "Prop Survey"? I get a primary survey which is hull and equipment by a professional surveyor, not a captain, and an engine survey.

Purchased quite a few new boats without issues, all surveyed prior to acceptance, all by quality builders or, when smaller boats, reputable dealers. I don't buy the all new boats must have issues theory.

What I mean is I would have an experienced Captain thats has done some long haul transfer etc, go on the seatrial with the surveyor during the seatrial and/or hire the captain to seatrial the boat with you. I found that A captain with many hours under their wing can pick up on many things related to the boat.

What I mean by a prop survey if it’s a used boat, I would have props pulled and bring to prop shop for evaluation.

Also, thank you for your insight on new boats and not having issues!

Nobody will agree to sending the props out. It means blocking the boat at the yard, removing and re-installing the props, etc. etc.......you either have a vibration or not, are either getting proper rpms or not, and that's that.

A prop survey? I've done hundreds of boat deals and I've never run across this. What's the scenario when hauled for survey and a Buyer wants the props removed and sent out to a prop shop? When do the props come back? What does the yard do with the boat in the meantime? Is it left on the hard? Is it launched without props and towed? Can you elaborate?

The only time props need to be sent out is when there is a performance or vibration problem in which case the running gear in it's entirety gets re inspected - and this usually goes on for days beyond a typical survey.

All good valid points. It would be a challenge. It’s nice to know pitch and if any work has been done. If it’s not able to be done for all the points you mention, I would try to look for Prop stamps, but I believe they are behind the nut.

Okay you are going to spend a couple grand to see if the props are ok? Makes no sense unless you have vibrbation.