eagle57":3885gemk said:
I'm looking at getting back into a 22 ft c-dory and what I'm seeing the prices are much better on the east coast then the West which is where I live (CA) plus more to choose from. So how does one find a surveyor ,a hauler. I'm looking at a 2004 with a 90 with 950 hrs , are these high hrs? The boat looks very clean from the pictures.has anyone here purchased from one coast to the other.Any advice. Thank you. Kevin
There are many more C-Dories on the west coast than in the eastern US, but they are just sold quicker out here, I think.
I don't know how much less the boats out here are, in general, but, yes, the prices are generally less. (Goes for a lot of boats and things in general.)
The cost to have a boat transported will be at least $1 per mile, and can be considerably more. This could add as much as $3000 or more to the total cost. Will there be a real saving?
Buying a boat from somewhere without seeing it yourself can be problematic. I'd certainly have it surveyed by a competent and certified surveyor. Actually, I'd try to fly over to see it myself before closing the deal and having it shipped or renting a truck and hauling it back myself.
If you're not in a great hurry, you might try a different approach. Shop locally, but "lie in wait". If you watch carefully, real bargains do appear, (if you wait long enough), but you'll have to be prepared to move fast which means 1.) being one of the very first to respond, 2.) being ready to travel, and 3.) having cash in hand. This also means knowing what you want and what you don't in a boat.
950 hours in about 1/2 the expected life of most privately owned larger outboards. Commercial operators can get 5000 hours or more from an engine, but that's in everyday use, not with occasional use, which kills outboard motors regardless of the hours logged.
Dr. Bob (Thataway) has bought C-Dories and transported them himself and had them shipped as well. It will be interesting to see what he has to say on this topic.
Good Luck!
Joe. :teeth :thup