"John H." wrote in message
...

On Thu, 3 Apr 2008 13:27:06 -0700 (PDT), "Robert M. Gary"
wrote:

On Apr 3, 9:29 am, John H. wrote:

Make sure you get a chance to have the boat and engine inspected before
plunking down your money!

Everyone says that as a kind of CYA. However, in truth paying $800 to
inspect a boat that is otherwise pretty new and been maintained (with
documentation) by a well-known shop may not be best bang-for-buck.

-Robert

I might not plunk down $800, but I'd take it to a mechanic and have the
engine looked over. I've a feeling he could get something in the 18' range
checked out for a lot less than $800.


For sure.

If you are not familiar with a boat and it's various systems, a survey can
be well worth it.
When we bought the Navigator it was brand new and had never been
commissioned. We paid cash for it, so a survey for financing was not
required. I still retained a surveyor anyway and spent the day with him
while he went over the boat. He knew a heck of a lot more about it than the
dealer and the time and money was well spent in terms of getting me up to
speed on the boat.

*That* survey didn't cost 800 bucks either and he through in two afternoons
of on the water handling lessons that were very helpful. That was almost 8
years ago, and prices have probably gone up since then, but it was worth it.
I learned a lot.

Eisboch