Two questions pre-purchase

[bmcminn]

Hello. There's a decent chance I'm about to put money down on a Cutwater C-248. It's a 2022 with really low hours on the outboard. I have a few general questions about the C-248 and etiquette when buying. I currently have a nice 19' fishing boat with a small v-berth and hard top, an older C-Dory. It's great but I want the next level. My kids are still young and I want to give them memories of going from marina to marina and exploring the sound.

1) I've been looking at the C-248 and similar size boats for a few years. Easy enough to trailer and skipper single-handed, big enough to feel relaxed in a little weather and be comfortable for mini-cruises. Pump-out head, table that converts to a small bed in addition to v-berth, full/Alskan bulkhead between cockpit and cabin. Having a galley area is a big bonus. I looked seriously at the Jeanneau 795 and RT25, as well as the Beneteau Antares 7. Suggestions on comparable boats? Anyone have any down-sides to the C248 they want to mention?

2) This boat has been on the dock for a while, algae on the hull. Stated hours on the outboard are 70, no kicker, and tons of fishing gear. Nice down riggers, crab pot davit, rod with electric reel, a bunch more rods, etc. Looks like a super experienced fisherman owns this thing.
2a) Only 70 hours on a 2022 and this person fishes? Broker for the boat is out of state. Seems at least a little questionable... Is it rude for me to ask what's up?
2b) When do I get to ask for a sea trial?
2c) Can I ask them to put it on the trailer that is apparently included in the deal?
2d) Can I ask to pay for a mechanic to do an inspection of the outboard?

I might be doing this in the next few days or maybe wait until next winter. I really appreciate ANY input on this. My parents sailed in NC a bunch, but powerboats in Washington is an entirely different thing. None of my friends do this, so I don't have any wisdom to lean on. So thanks a bunch, because I'm hoping to pass this on to my daughters.

 

[Rode Trip]

I'll explain the normal process. Step one look at the boat, which it sounds like you've done. Make a fair offer based on the assumption that everything on the boat works and functions as it should, unless the broker tells you otherwise. When you sign a purchase and sale agreement and pay a deposit (usually 10%) make sure you have enough time to schedule a survey and time to make a decision after the survey before the date of acceptance (where you lose your deposit if you back out after accepting the vessel). Then hire a surveyor, I'm biased so I recommend you check www.marinesurvey.org for a surveyor near you. They will check everything on the boat and go over the outboard for you. The surveyor will need to see the bottom of the boat, so it will need to be pulled out on the trailer at some point on the day of survey. Other than bottom inspection the rest can be done in the water including the sea trial to check engine performance. If it's got growth on the bottom it needs to be cleaned before the day of survey at the owner's expense. Captaining the boat on the day of survey is the owner/broker's responsibility. Usually your survey report will come back to you in a few days and include a valuation along with everything that was found wrong with the boat. There are always things wrong with the boat. If they are significant and affect the value of the boat, the value that you based your offer on, then you can renegotiate the price at that time and use your survey report to back up your renegotiation.
I wouldn't be concerned with the low hours. People stop using their boats for all kinds of different reasons. Average is 50 hours a year for most boat owners of all types of boats, so it's not really that far below average.

 

[scross]

Also, you may need new tires on the trailer. Especially if the trailer has been sitting in one place for years. Even if they look fine after 3+ years they may be ready to fail. Goodyear Endurance seem to be the most recommended and they are in the $250 range each. May want to have the trailer wheel bearings checked as well.

 

[William Sanborn]

As a buyer i think that any question
about the purchase you have is OK. Personal stuff might be off limites.
Get a qualified survey and they will assist you in making sure the vessel is sound and what the true market is.
And if survey is negative a $500 to ??. Could be money well spent.
Your taking your young family on this adventure so make sure it is a pleasant one and not a bad experience.

 

[William Sanborn]

I'll explain the normal process. Step one look at the boat, which it sounds like you've done. Make a fair offer based on the assumption that everything on the boat works and functions as it should, unless the broker tells you otherwise. When you sign a purchase and sale agreement and pay a deposit (usually 10%) make sure you have enough time to schedule a survey and time to make a decision after the survey before the date of acceptance (where you lose your deposit if you back out after accepting the vessel). Then hire a surveyor, I'm biased so I recommend you check www.marinesurvey.org for a surveyor near you. They will check everything on the boat and go over the outboard for you. The surveyor will need to see the bottom of the boat, so it will need to be pulled out on the trailer at some point on the day of survey. Other than bottom inspection the rest can be done in the water including the sea trial to check engine performance. If it's got growth on the bottom it needs to be cleaned before the day of survey at the owner's expense. Captaining the boat on the day of survey is the owner/broker's responsibility. Usually your survey report will come back to you in a few days and include a valuation along with everything that was found wrong with the boat. There are always things wrong with the boat. If they are significant and affect the value of the boat, the value that you based your offer on, then you can renegotiate the price at that time and use your survey report to back up your renegotiation.
I wouldn't be concerned with the low hours. People stop using their boats for all kinds of different reasons. Average is 50 hours a year for most boat owners of all types of boats, so it's not really that far below average.

Don't recommend survey on trailer, most surveyors want it in slings to avoid issues caused by trailer bunks.

 

[Rode Trip]

Don't recommend survey on trailer, most surveyors want it in slings to avoid issues caused by trailer bunks.

It's certainly easier on the surveyor to inspect a bottom when it's in slings than on a trailer, but at least in my part of the world it's usually not an option, at least not a practical option for trailerable boats. Whether it's bunks or slings or jack stands in a yard, part of the boat is not able to be inspected. The bunks themselves don't cause a problem other than the surveyor has to lay down on the ground and get dirty. With a short haul in the slings costing around $400 and up here in South Florida (and often needing a week or more in advance to schedule) I'll get dirty for my customers.