vze3j5ge wrote in message ...
My husband and I are considering purchase of a used boat - currently out
of the water at our marina. We've spoken to a marine surveyor we might
hire who says that the engine can be tested to some extent on land but
that we really should put the boat in the water and check it out. Seems
reasonable - but my question is one about procedure. Who usually pays
for the marina to put boat in and take it out again in such a case -
buyer or seller?



This thread has sparked some heated discussion (surprise and given
you many opinions.

Here is what I do with my common sense and some (not much) boat
buy/sell experience.

The seller should as honestly as possible show and describe everyhting
thats wrong with the boat while on land, i.e. the boat leaks a gallaon
the hour, it runs fine but the throttle linkage is sticks ... it had
such and such hull damage ..

The motor runs fine/ok/not at all or whatever it does... it burns oil
or gearcase leaks.

Buyer then looks at everyhthing and based on the information from the
seller and his OWN impression makes a decission if this deal for the $
works for him.

To verify the sellers info they go for a sea trail which the seller
pays. The seller will NOT go for a sea trail if someone is not sure
about buying the boat if the boat performs as expected (important).

Such sea trail shouldt cost that much for "a boat" if its small ...
and the clever seller will have this cost worked in the sale price
beforehand

Seller assumes he will take 5 customers for trails and each cost him
$30 for gas&launch so he ups his sale price by $150....

The buyer then buys the boat and is happy he didnt have to pay for the
trail
Seller is happy because he also didnt pay for the trail

If the buyer wants the boat checked by a mechanic or surveyor that
should be fully his own responsiblilty to pay for. Seller has to make
the boat available and accesible for this.

Should the seller have lied which is discovered then its a different
story and the fight is on ...

At the same note: Dont buy boats from people who are openly dishonest
(its up to you to determine that).

This is just my opinion as right or wrong it may be.

Always remember common sense, fairness and honesty and the willigness
to compromise is half the deal. I noticed that people you treat fair
will lateron be willing to help which is worth more than a few $.

A good deal is one that both parties would do again under the same
circumstances knowing what they know after the deal.

I dont know what value boat we are talking about but if its a $30000
boat then IMO its really irrelevant to argue wo pays $50 for a sea
trail.

Matt