Charlie Morgan wrote:
On Tue, 12 Sep 2006 06:32:01 -0400, "Scout"
wrote:

It looks like the deal on my Seaward is dead. Two significant occurrences took place.

1. The small issue: The current owner informed me that he was keeping the anchor, docking lines, and bumpers because he needs them for his "next boat." It just seemed petty. I drove 8 hours to look at the boat, and felt that that would have been a good time to let me know which things I was inspecting weren't staying. More of a tell-tale, but no real big deal. However, when someone is handing you a check for your asking price of nearly $50K, is it then prudent to let the buyer know that you didn't mean to imply that the necessary hardware stays with the boat?

2. The big issue: the current owner wants me to pay off his loan on the boat and wait 2 weeks for the bank to clear the lien and produce the title. I'm not big on finance but it didn't feel right to be in limbo for 2 weeks. Can I sail the boat? Get it insured? Since I am essentially giving the current owner cash, I feel very vulnerable. I think he is an honest guy but too much can happen in two weeks, and I don't have the time or financial and legal expertise to make it work comfortably for me. I know it can be done, but the physical miles between us and the small details will surely become a burden.

Major bummer. Back to the Google Board! ****!

Scout

Sorry to hear that Scout. I think you should go check out the Seaward
message board at Trailersailor.com immediately, as the seller has
taken the case public there, and hasn't exactly represented your side
of the story accurately.

CWM
Thanks Charlie,
Very interesting reading. The responders seem to feel I am somehow
planning something illegal or immoral by handing over cash (certified
check from Wachovia) and expecting a title. I also note that the seller
fails to explain that none of these things (the lien, and the items he
is keeping) were mentioned to me during the inspection, only later,
after I had made the deposit and wanted to arrange a swap date. I
believe the seller is an honest guy, as I am, but we are both
know-nothings with the legal stuff. In spite of his honest intentions,
if he messes up I don't want to pay for the mistake. I'd rather pay a
broker's fee, as I did with my last purchase, so everything is above
board and lega. It's fine to take the sell-it-yourself approach, but
the seller should be prepared to do it correctly, which begins with a
total and honest disclosure to the prospective buyer. I still believe
he means well, but we are both dabbling in an area where professional
help may be called for. Even if I felt safe with the deal, how many
times should I have to make the 8 hour drive to close this deal?
Scout