Was bitten by a boating bug this past July 4th when I saw how much fun
boaters were having tied up together on the Barnegat Bay in New Jersey
partying and watching the fireworks.

I went into my usual frenzy of intense research on the subject that is
typical for me when I get an idea into my head and learned as much
about boating as I could in subsequent 3 weeks.

Bottom line:
I found a boat I like.
It's a 2001 Chris Craft 262 (26 ft) deck boat.
Dealer asking $37,000. I offered 29. Settled on 33.
I made the offer subject to a satisfactory boat survey and sea trial. I
hired an independant boat surveyor ($545) who spent several hours going
over the boat from stem to stern, and accompanied me on the sea trial.

Survey findings:
Structurally sound boat that is valued at closer to 38K according to my
surveyor's reference book. Some relatively minor problems as noted
below.


Problems found by surveyor:

1.needs new fuel pump.

2.auto bilge pump activator non-functional. Manuel is ok.

3.navigation lights not working.

4.horn sound is off.

5.one speaker (out of four) is not working.

I told the dealer:

Completion of the sale is contingent upon repair of all noted items and
a second sea trial after such repairs completed.

Dealer is agreeable to this.

Boat seems good.

Of note: I discovered in my research that Chris Craft was sold to a
Brittish company in 2001. The model I am contracting on is
discontinued, I believe. The dealer I am contracting from is
discontinuing his relationship with Chris Craft as he says they are
pricing themselves out of the local market.

Questions: Anyone have any advice regarding this particular boat?
Have I covered all the bases as far as negotiations with
the dealer and surveyor?

Any input will be greatly appreciated.

John

"John Matone" wrote in message
oups.com...
Was bitten by a boating bug this past July 4th when I saw how much fun
boaters were having tied up together on the Barnegat Bay in New Jersey
partying and watching the fireworks.

I went into my usual frenzy of intense research on the subject that is
typical for me when I get an idea into my head and learned as much
about boating as I could in subsequent 3 weeks.

Bottom line:
I found a boat I like.
It's a 2001 Chris Craft 262 (26 ft) deck boat.
Dealer asking $37,000. I offered 29. Settled on 33.
I made the offer subject to a satisfactory boat survey and sea trial. I
hired an independant boat surveyor ($545) who spent several hours going
over the boat from stem to stern, and accompanied me on the sea trial.

Survey findings:
Structurally sound boat that is valued at closer to 38K according to my
surveyor's reference book. Some relatively minor problems as noted
below.


Problems found by surveyor:

1.needs new fuel pump.

2.auto bilge pump activator non-functional. Manuel is ok.

3.navigation lights not working.

4.horn sound is off.

5.one speaker (out of four) is not working.

I told the dealer:

Completion of the sale is contingent upon repair of all noted items and
a second sea trial after such repairs completed.

Dealer is agreeable to this.

Boat seems good.

Of note: I discovered in my research that Chris Craft was sold to a
Brittish company in 2001. The model I am contracting on is
discontinued, I believe. The dealer I am contracting from is
discontinuing his relationship with Chris Craft as he says they are
pricing themselves out of the local market.

Questions: Anyone have any advice regarding this particular boat?
Have I covered all the bases as far as negotiations with
the dealer and surveyor?

Any input will be greatly appreciated.

John


Nice job John. The only other thing I would suggest you do is have a
mechanic complete a compression test of all engine cylinders.

You should also take a boating safety class such as Power Squadron.

I hope things work out for you. Sounds like a nice boat.

Thanks, Jim. Will do.

John, a 26 foot boat is a fairly big first boat. Do yourself a favor,
find a friend who is an experianced boater and ask him to come with you
on several trips, to "teach you the ropes". Have them teach you how to
dock the boat (with wind and tide), pull up to a gas dock and
navigation. The Power Squadron is a good idea, but they won't teach you
how to handle a boat. Boating is a lot of fun, but hitting someone
elses boat while attempting to dock, while everyone is watching, or
being towed back after running hard aground, can take all the fun out
of it. Don't underestimate it, operating a boat is nothing like driving
a car.

Oh my! Hate to tell you this but what you listed as problems are major
flaws! A burnt out light bulb can cost major bucks to replace correctly and
a bilge pump is something only a certified bilgeologist should attempt...
Major bucks!! and a FUEL PUMP?!? Oh My God!!!! Please, let me take this one
off your hands before you are in TOO DEEP!

I agree with other posters, Great deal but DON'T GO OUT WITHOUT TRAINING!!!
A few courses on the weekends and going out with an experienced boater (you
buy the beer when you get back ashore).


--
Capt. Matt Johnson
Naples, Fl
www.fl-ecotours.com



"John Matone" wrote in message
oups.com...
Was bitten by a boating bug this past July 4th when I saw how much fun
boaters were having tied up together on the Barnegat Bay in New Jersey
partying and watching the fireworks.

I went into my usual frenzy of intense research on the subject that is
typical for me when I get an idea into my head and learned as much
about boating as I could in subsequent 3 weeks.

Bottom line:
I found a boat I like.
It's a 2001 Chris Craft 262 (26 ft) deck boat.
Dealer asking $37,000. I offered 29. Settled on 33.
I made the offer subject to a satisfactory boat survey and sea trial. I
hired an independant boat surveyor ($545) who spent several hours going
over the boat from stem to stern, and accompanied me on the sea trial.

Survey findings:
Structurally sound boat that is valued at closer to 38K according to my
surveyor's reference book. Some relatively minor problems as noted
below.


Problems found by surveyor:

1.needs new fuel pump.

2.auto bilge pump activator non-functional. Manuel is ok.

3.navigation lights not working.

4.horn sound is off.

5.one speaker (out of four) is not working.

I told the dealer:

Completion of the sale is contingent upon repair of all noted items and
a second sea trial after such repairs completed.

Dealer is agreeable to this.

Boat seems good.

Of note: I discovered in my research that Chris Craft was sold to a
Brittish company in 2001. The model I am contracting on is
discontinued, I believe. The dealer I am contracting from is
discontinuing his relationship with Chris Craft as he says they are
pricing themselves out of the local market.

Questions: Anyone have any advice regarding this particular boat?
Have I covered all the bases as far as negotiations with
the dealer and surveyor?

Any input will be greatly appreciated.

John

Ah, you had me going for just a second there, Capt. Matt.