On Mon, 02 Jan 2006 14:52:02 GMT, "Butch Davis" wrote:

Reggie,

When buying a used boat it is critically important to absolutly know that
the boat is legally owned by the seller and that it is free of any liens.
Some states continue to fail to require boat titles. Alabama is one of
those states.

As you said, the other major risk is hidden defects. New engines and/or
major hull repair would drive the cost well above that of a new boat with a
warranty.

Butch

To overcome the 'title' problem, I financed the boat through the credit union and let
them worry about getting the correct title, etc. Then, after a couple weeks, I paid
off the loan. Total cost to me was about $25, well worth it.

--
John H.

"Divide each difficulty into as many parts as is feasible and necessary to resolve it."
Rene Descartes

JohnH,

Did the credit union warrant that the title was clean and clear? Since you
purchased the boat, and used them to "borrow the money" and they were the
lien holder, I would think it was up to you to provide them with a clean
title, not up to them to provide you with a clean title.

Or do you mean that since the title was clean enough for the Credit Union,
it probably was a clean title?


"JohnH" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 02 Jan 2006 14:52:02 GMT, "Butch Davis"
wrote:

Reggie,

When buying a used boat it is critically important to absolutly know that
the boat is legally owned by the seller and that it is free of any liens.
Some states continue to fail to require boat titles. Alabama is one of
those states.

As you said, the other major risk is hidden defects. New engines and/or
major hull repair would drive the cost well above that of a new boat with
a
warranty.

Butch

To overcome the 'title' problem, I financed the boat through the credit
union and let
them worry about getting the correct title, etc. Then, after a couple
weeks, I paid
off the loan. Total cost to me was about $25, well worth it.

--
John H.

"Divide each difficulty into as many parts as is feasible and necessary to
resolve it."
Rene Descartes

On Mon, 2 Jan 2006 12:23:54 -0500, "Reggie Smithers"
wrote:

JohnH,

Did the credit union warrant that the title was clean and clear? Since you
purchased the boat, and used them to "borrow the money" and they were the
lien holder, I would think it was up to you to provide them with a clean
title, not up to them to provide you with a clean title.

Or do you mean that since the title was clean enough for the Credit Union,
it probably was a clean title?


"JohnH" wrote in message
.. .
On Mon, 02 Jan 2006 14:52:02 GMT, "Butch Davis"
wrote:

Reggie,

When buying a used boat it is critically important to absolutly know that
the boat is legally owned by the seller and that it is free of any liens.
Some states continue to fail to require boat titles. Alabama is one of
those states.

As you said, the other major risk is hidden defects. New engines and/or
major hull repair would drive the cost well above that of a new boat with
a
warranty.

Butch

To overcome the 'title' problem, I financed the boat through the credit
union and let
them worry about getting the correct title, etc. Then, after a couple
weeks, I paid
off the loan. Total cost to me was about $25, well worth it.

--
John H.

"Divide each difficulty into as many parts as is feasible and necessary to
resolve it."
Rene Descartes


The credit union worked with the seller's bank to get the title. The seller still had
a note on the boat which had to be paid off by the credit union.

To answer your second question, I guess I assumed if it was clean enough for the
credit union, it would be clean enough for me. I figured they had some quick and
dirty way to check a title.

How would one go about verifying a clean title?

--
John H.

"Divide each difficulty into as many parts as is feasible and necessary to resolve it."
Rene Descartes

When I have sold or purchased boats in the past, I have written into the
contract that I or the seller would provide a clean title within 3 weeks.
I then paid off the lien holder, copied the seller on the check submitted to
the lien holder and then provided him with a copy of the title. If either
party did not honor the contract, it could be resolved in court.

I have always felt this was sufficient, but if someone's objective was to
screw me and the title was a forgery,( with today's computer is very
possible), they probably could have. Today, I think I would contact the
lien holder directly get the payoff amount, ask for a check to be made
jointly to me and the lien holder and I would mail the check to the lien
holder.




"JohnH" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 2 Jan 2006 12:23:54 -0500, "Reggie Smithers"

wrote:

JohnH,

Did the credit union warrant that the title was clean and clear? Since
you
purchased the boat, and used them to "borrow the money" and they were the
lien holder, I would think it was up to you to provide them with a clean
title, not up to them to provide you with a clean title.

Or do you mean that since the title was clean enough for the Credit Union,
it probably was a clean title?


"JohnH" wrote in message
. ..
On Mon, 02 Jan 2006 14:52:02 GMT, "Butch Davis"

wrote:

Reggie,

When buying a used boat it is critically important to absolutly know
that
the boat is legally owned by the seller and that it is free of any
liens.
Some states continue to fail to require boat titles. Alabama is one of
those states.

As you said, the other major risk is hidden defects. New engines and/or
major hull repair would drive the cost well above that of a new boat
with
a
warranty.

Butch

To overcome the 'title' problem, I financed the boat through the credit
union and let
them worry about getting the correct title, etc. Then, after a couple
weeks, I paid
off the loan. Total cost to me was about $25, well worth it.

--
John H.

"Divide each difficulty into as many parts as is feasible and necessary
to
resolve it."
Rene Descartes


The credit union worked with the seller's bank to get the title. The
seller still had
a note on the boat which had to be paid off by the credit union.

To answer your second question, I guess I assumed if it was clean enough
for the
credit union, it would be clean enough for me. I figured they had some
quick and
dirty way to check a title.

How would one go about verifying a clean title?

--
John H.

"Divide each difficulty into as many parts as is feasible and necessary to
resolve it."
Rene Descartes

When buying any used boat it is important to deal with a seller who is up
front and honest about things like engine hours, especially if there is no
hour meter.

It is also important that both the prospective buyer and seller know what a
reasonable price is for the particular boat.

There was another thread with a member claiming to have a boat for sale who
broke all these rules and will therefore have a hard time selling his boat.


"Reggie Smithers" wrote in message
. ..
In a separate thread, there has been a discussion about buying a used
boats. I have purchased both new and used boats, and if I was going to buy
another boat I probably would buy a used boat.

I thought it might be interested if everyone added their thoughts of
buying a used boat vs. a new boat. To get the thread started I have
listed a few ideas. Please add yours.

Advantage of a used boat a

1. The new boats problems (and they all have a few gremlins) have
probably been solved.

2. The boat will probably include many options or accessories that will
be thrown in for free.

3. The other person is taking the big hit for depreciation that incurs as
soon as the boat is taken off the dealers lot. Even if the boat is only 2
years old, you can probably save at least 20% off the cost of the same
boat new.

Any other benefits of a used boat?



The disadvantage of a used boat:

1. There might be hidden problems, that even a survey and mechanic will
not find.

2. You will not have the "new boat smell".

3. If you are going to finance the boat, you interest rates and down
payment might be higher than new.

4. You need to be prepared to spend more time finding a good used boat at
a reasonable price. It is easier to visit a boat show and check out many
new boats in one location.


Any other disadvantages of the used boat?

JimH,
How can anyone know if the seller is being honest with the engine hours if
their is not hour meter?

For that matter, how can someone be sure if the seller is being honest about
the engine hours even if their is an hour meter? Today's cars are set up to
make it very hard to set back the mileage. I don't think there is anything
similar for replacing the hour meter and just running the meter to provide a
reasonable number of engine hours.


" JimH" wrote in message
. ..
When buying any used boat it is important to deal with a seller who is up
front and honest about things like engine hours, especially if there is no
hour meter.

It is also important that both the prospective buyer and seller know what
a reasonable price is for the particular boat.

There was another thread with a member claiming to have a boat for sale
who broke all these rules and will therefore have a hard time selling his
boat.


"Reggie Smithers" wrote in message
. ..
In a separate thread, there has been a discussion about buying a used
boats. I have purchased both new and used boats, and if I was going to
buy another boat I probably would buy a used boat.

I thought it might be interested if everyone added their thoughts of
buying a used boat vs. a new boat. To get the thread started I have
listed a few ideas. Please add yours.

Advantage of a used boat a

1. The new boats problems (and they all have a few gremlins) have
probably been solved.

2. The boat will probably include many options or accessories that will
be thrown in for free.

3. The other person is taking the big hit for depreciation that incurs
as soon as the boat is taken off the dealers lot. Even if the boat is
only 2 years old, you can probably save at least 20% off the cost of the
same boat new.

Any other benefits of a used boat?



The disadvantage of a used boat:

1. There might be hidden problems, that even a survey and mechanic will
not find.

2. You will not have the "new boat smell".

3. If you are going to finance the boat, you interest rates and down
payment might be higher than new.

4. You need to be prepared to spend more time finding a good used boat
at a reasonable price. It is easier to visit a boat show and check out
many new boats in one location.


Any other disadvantages of the used boat?

"Reggie Smithers" wrote in message
...
JimH,
How can anyone know if the seller is being honest with the engine hours if
their is not hour meter?


A maintenance and trip log will help show how well the boat was maintained
and how ofter it was used. One will not be able to know the exact number of
hours but can gestimate it.



For that matter, how can someone be sure if the seller is being honest
about the engine hours even if their is an hour meter?


Again, a maintenance and trip log will validate it. Receipts from
mainteance done on the boat also helps, as does a professional compression
test of the engine(s).


Today's cars are set up to make it very hard to set back the mileage. I
don't think there is anything similar for replacing the hour meter and
just running the meter to provide a reasonable number of engine hours.


True. That is why it is important when purchasing a used boat not to rely
solely on the hour meter.

JimH,

I have never kept a "trip log", is that common for the recreational boaters
in your area?

My maintenance records and receipts from the dealer (except for the first 20
hr. check up and the first 50 hr check up) have not referenced the hour
meter. Since I do most of the normal maintenance on my boat, I always save
the receipts for lube and parts and attach it to a Maintenance Log,
referencing the date the service was performed and the hour meter reading.

Is it common for most marinas and or mechanics to include the hours on the
work order?


" JimH" wrote in message
...

"Reggie Smithers" wrote in message
...
JimH,
How can anyone know if the seller is being honest with the engine hours
if their is not hour meter?


A maintenance and trip log will help show how well the boat was maintained
and how ofter it was used. One will not be able to know the exact number
of hours but can gestimate it.



For that matter, how can someone be sure if the seller is being honest
about the engine hours even if their is an hour meter?


Again, a maintenance and trip log will validate it. Receipts from
mainteance done on the boat also helps, as does a professional compression
test of the engine(s).


Today's cars are set up to make it very hard to set back the mileage. I
don't think there is anything similar for replacing the hour meter and
just running the meter to provide a reasonable number of engine hours.


True. That is why it is important when purchasing a used boat not to rely
solely on the hour meter.

"Reggie Smithers" wrote in message
...
JimH,

I have never kept a "trip log", is that common for the recreational
boaters in your area?

It is for me.



My maintenance records and receipts from the dealer (except for the first
20 hr. check up and the first 50 hr check up) have not referenced the hour
meter. Since I do most of the normal maintenance on my boat, I always
save the receipts for lube and parts and attach it to a Maintenance Log,
referencing the date the service was performed and the hour meter reading.

There you go. That is the best evidence you can present a prospective buyer
on the engine hours and maintenance.



Is it common for most marinas and or mechanics to include the hours on the
work order?



Nope. But you can ask them to or note the hours yourself on the log or
receipt.

"Reggie Smithers" wrote in message
...
JimH,
How can anyone know if the seller is being honest with the engine hours
if
their is not hour meter?

For that matter, how can someone be sure if the seller is being honest
about
the engine hours even if their is an hour meter? Today's cars are set
up to
make it very hard to set back the mileage. I don't think there is
anything
similar for replacing the hour meter and just running the meter to
provide a
reasonable number of engine hours.

One of my hour meters jumped, so that it looks like one engine has 200
more hours than the other.



" JimH" wrote in message
. ..
When buying any used boat it is important to deal with a seller who is
up
front and honest about things like engine hours, especially if there is
no
hour meter.

It is also important that both the prospective buyer and seller know
what
a reasonable price is for the particular boat.

There was another thread with a member claiming to have a boat for sale
who broke all these rules and will therefore have a hard time selling
his
boat.


"Reggie Smithers" wrote in message
. ..
In a separate thread, there has been a discussion about buying a used
boats. I have purchased both new and used boats, and if I was going to
buy another boat I probably would buy a used boat.

I thought it might be interested if everyone added their thoughts of
buying a used boat vs. a new boat. To get the thread started I have
listed a few ideas. Please add yours.

Advantage of a used boat a

1. The new boats problems (and they all have a few gremlins) have
probably been solved.

2. The boat will probably include many options or accessories that
will
be thrown in for free.

3. The other person is taking the big hit for depreciation that
incurs
as soon as the boat is taken off the dealers lot. Even if the boat is
only 2 years old, you can probably save at least 20% off the cost of
the
same boat new.

Any other benefits of a used boat?



The disadvantage of a used boat:

1. There might be hidden problems, that even a survey and mechanic
will
not find.

2. You will not have the "new boat smell".

3. If you are going to finance the boat, you interest rates and down
payment might be higher than new.

4. You need to be prepared to spend more time finding a good used
boat
at a reasonable price. It is easier to visit a boat show and check
out
many new boats in one location.


Any other disadvantages of the used boat?