aussie wrote:
Just about to buy Bertram 35, 1980 build but presents in great
condition....any "gotcha's" or info would be a real help as its our first
big boat .
thanks for all feedback

Make any offer "subject to survey"...and hire the best surveyor you can
find...Do not accept a seller's survey, and avoid surveyors recommended
by the broker or seller....and make sure you ask for a full pre-purchase
survey, not just the cursory "condition and value" survey that will be
required by your lender and/or insurance carrier for a boat that old.

Lenders and insurance companies are only interested in knowing whether
the boat is worth what they're risking and whether any condition exists
that might cost THEM money...they don't care whether the boat has any
problems that will cost YOU money. And the seller only wants to swap
your his boat for your money...so he's hoping you won't find any hidden
problems till after you own it. A full pre-purchase survey covers every
inch of the boat--structural, wiring, plumbing...all the systems except
engines and generators. And the best surveyors are aware of known issues
of various makes/models/years, as well as the CG and other safety
standards. An offer "subject to survey" gives you the option of backing
out of the deal altogether without penalty if the survey reveals any
serious problems...or renegotiating the price or insisting that the
seller correct any problems at his expense as a condition of sale. Don't
even THINK of buying a boat on any other terms. And be there during the
survey...'cuz you'll learn more about your boat from the surveyor in one
day than you could learn on your own in a year.

Peggie
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Peggie Hall
Specializing in marine sanitation since 1987
Author "Get Rid of Boat Odors - A Guide To Marine Sanitation Systems and
Other Sources of Aggravation and Odor"
http://www.seaworthy.com/html/get_ri...oat_odors.html