kenny chaos
New member
.......asks what questions when buying a boat, maybe sight unseen?
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
The knowing 22CD owner.......
- Thread starter kenny chaos
- Start date
Sight unseen? Yer scarin' me to death! Unless they were almost giving it away, someone I trusted or a surveyor would have to give me an evaluation. I 'Spose if the boat was simple and hasn't been drilled full of holes it would give me some confidence.
Ask when the last time the engine was used, how many hours, maintainance, ect. Inquire about the other systems, leaks, general condition. Determine what gear it comes with. The trailer is a whole other can of worms.
When we were shopping for a C-Dory we found what seemed to be the perfect one. The pictures all looked good and it was loaded. Only close personal inspection revealed the ugly truth. C-Dory had built a good boat but the owner(s) had botched it with shoddy installations. There were sloppy, unsealed mounting holes everywhere. The wiring, and there was a lot, was the worst mess I've ever seen. Not only would It be a nightmare to troubleshoot but it was a fire danger.
Ask when the last time the engine was used, how many hours, maintainance, ect. Inquire about the other systems, leaks, general condition. Determine what gear it comes with. The trailer is a whole other can of worms.
When we were shopping for a C-Dory we found what seemed to be the perfect one. The pictures all looked good and it was loaded. Only close personal inspection revealed the ugly truth. C-Dory had built a good boat but the owner(s) had botched it with shoddy installations. There were sloppy, unsealed mounting holes everywhere. The wiring, and there was a lot, was the worst mess I've ever seen. Not only would It be a nightmare to troubleshoot but it was a fire danger.
The questions I'd ask
1) What year was the hull built?
2) What engine(s) are installed?
3) How many hours on the engines?
4) How were the engines maintained?
5) How many through hull holes (if any), how were they sealed and when were they last re-sealed?
6) How many screw holes into the balsa core? Have you properly fixed those holes with epoxy?
7) Are you willing to have a surveyor look at the boat (buyer to pay cost of surveyor)?
8 ) What damage (if any) to the gelcoat/fiberglass exists?
9) What kind of trailer?
10) When were the trailer brakes last rebuilt (if ever)?
11) When were the bearings last repacked (if ever)?
12) How many batteries and how are they installed?
13) When were the batteries last replaced?
14) When were the impellers on the engines last replaced?
15) Questions about the extras (electronics, fridge, show power, wash down system, lights, charger etc).
16) How and where has the boat been stored?
1) What year was the hull built?
2) What engine(s) are installed?
3) How many hours on the engines?
4) How were the engines maintained?
5) How many through hull holes (if any), how were they sealed and when were they last re-sealed?
6) How many screw holes into the balsa core? Have you properly fixed those holes with epoxy?
7) Are you willing to have a surveyor look at the boat (buyer to pay cost of surveyor)?
8 ) What damage (if any) to the gelcoat/fiberglass exists?
9) What kind of trailer?
10) When were the trailer brakes last rebuilt (if ever)?
11) When were the bearings last repacked (if ever)?
12) How many batteries and how are they installed?
13) When were the batteries last replaced?
14) When were the impellers on the engines last replaced?
15) Questions about the extras (electronics, fridge, show power, wash down system, lights, charger etc).
16) How and where has the boat been stored?
I bought my first C Dory "sight unseen" and have bought several other boats that way...but I saw the boat and did a sea trial in every case before closing the deal. (one exception and that was the C Dory 25, and another boat I bought at Michigan when it was 14 below zero).
I had detailed photos. Roger outlines some excellent questions. You have to think what would be a deal breaker--what the price is, and how much it migh cost to bring the boat up to your standards.
I have always traveled to see the boat. If unwilling to do that, have one of the other knowledgable C Brats look at and sea trial the boat for you or get a marine survey. Unfortunately not all marine surveyors are equal. Try and get one who is known to members or some one you trust. (not the seller or selling dealer--they may give an excellent person--but you want a totally independant opinion.)
My feeling is that the C Dories are farily bullett proof, and even with some minor issues will be good boats. There are a few which have had to be repaired--but in comparison with other boats--that number is very small.
I had detailed photos. Roger outlines some excellent questions. You have to think what would be a deal breaker--what the price is, and how much it migh cost to bring the boat up to your standards.
I have always traveled to see the boat. If unwilling to do that, have one of the other knowledgable C Brats look at and sea trial the boat for you or get a marine survey. Unfortunately not all marine surveyors are equal. Try and get one who is known to members or some one you trust. (not the seller or selling dealer--they may give an excellent person--but you want a totally independant opinion.)
My feeling is that the C Dories are farily bullett proof, and even with some minor issues will be good boats. There are a few which have had to be repaired--but in comparison with other boats--that number is very small.
We bought our TC24 sight unseen, and we still haven't seen it. Cory of Sharp Yacht transport is taking our CD22 to Florida and will return with the tomcat. The only reason we made the purcahse this way was because of the reputation of Marc at Wefing's. All the comments here on C-brats have been positive concerning Marc. We also knew that we wanted a tomcat and the 24 was the only one in our price range. We are anxious to see the boat (hopefully before Christmas) and are confident that we've done the right thing given what we know about C-dories and C-brats.
If we were to buy a boat from someone other than the trusted dealers noted here on C-brats, or one of the well-known C-brats themselves -- and there are some very good boats currently for sale, we would follow the sage advice noted above.
If we were to buy a boat from someone other than the trusted dealers noted here on C-brats, or one of the well-known C-brats themselves -- and there are some very good boats currently for sale, we would follow the sage advice noted above.