Rob,
Thanks for your advice.

There are posters here I never see because they are in my ****-can
file. Others I read all the time, like you and Doug. I laugh a lot and
skim much of the trolling, but recognize that both you and Doug offer
much to this group. So - what I concluded was that the Seaward is a
superior boat, as you've stated, and I want one! However, upon close
inspection, I also noted some of the things that Doug was referring to.
For example, I noted that the supports for the shrouds, which are made
of very heavy stainless hardware, pass through the cabin via a hole
that appears to just be hacked through the fiberglass, and then
caulked. As a water tight cabin, that doesn't cut it. And as a result
of what appears to be an after-thought, the boat shows evidence of some
major leaks in the cabin, which travelled around, as water leaks do. I
also noted that the Captain's seat across the stern is an arch-shaped
piece of reinforced fiberglass, and it has been broken in two places.
The current owner is much lighter than I, so in the back of my mind I
was fabricating a new, hinged seat. I can deal with these issues, but
my point is that both you and Doug are making truthful and accurate
statements and I took both sets of advice to the inspection with me. It
was very helpful and I thank you both!

I'm also considering a new boat, although when I contacted Seaward to
ask for warranty information on the 2004, their agent wrote back to me
"don't take offense, but you didn't buy the Seaward from us, and we
don't have gobs of time to bring you up to speed on it. - if you have
questions, the seller will have to answer them." That's some factory
support, huh? That one statement made me feel like I wouldn't rush to
give them new business - it's the kind of off-handed remark that just
may have cost them a
$90K sale. For that kind of cash, Precision will build me a 28 model.

Back to the used boat: even though we're talking a fair sum of cash,
the current owner and I kept it rather informal and on a gentleman's
level. However, I realized as we came closer to making the transaction,
that all protection was in the current owner's favor. His bank (loan)
is taking care of their asses but I have no one but myself to cover me.
Hand me a title and I'll hand over the cash is what I had in mind. I
feel as though I'd need to hire an advisor to make this work now.

The lines and fenders are more of an indicator to me than a real
problem. Hell, I threw in life preservers, spare parts, grills, and
every other nicety I could in order to sweeten the deal when I sold.
This didn't kill the deal by itself, but it gave me a reference point
regarding the owner's mindset.
I know there are plenty of nice boats out there for a guy with cash and
a desire to sail, so I'm walking away unless the current owner calls
and fixes things. If it were me, I'd get a bridge loan, and with title
in hand, I'd make a deal.
Thanks again Rob
Scout

Capt. Rob wrote:
Scout, that's a drag. The Seaward was a boat I suggested to you, while
Doug bashed it. I was wondering why you decided Doug's comments had no
bearing on the purchase attempt.
For what it's worth, I work with several surveyors, 2 are sailboat
specialists (pretty much all they do) and all agree the Seaward is one
of the better built small cruising boats. We've had a few come through
here for work and they are damn solid.
Sorry it's not working out, but I think if you talk things over a bit,
you can save the deal. The owner keeping fenders and lines is not the
end of the world. The other aspects of the deal can be worked out
assuming you are certain his paperwork is real and not some sort of
scam. Every now and again someone sells a boat that isn't theirs.


RB
35s5
NY