Seller doesn't allow sea trial because the boat is not insure

[valhalla360]

Offer to cover a month's insurance (after he accepts the offer).

[Sailmonkey]

How does he have it in a Marina without insurance?

You don't need insurance to go sailing!!

[senormechanico]

Or offer $10K assuming paperwork and title is clear.

[ErikFinn]

I thought every marina in USA requires an insurance? So if the owner says he doesn't have insurance that is an indication something is definitely not right. I bet the hull has issues under waterline and the owner tries to cover it up by saying no sea trial (and consequently no haul out and inspection of hull below waterline).

If you really like the boat even after you inspect it where she lies (maybe get a knowledgeable friend to help you) I would consider making a low offer, subject to haul out and professional survey. If he declines walk away. I reckon a pro osmosis repair in USA with a barrier coat would be 20k minimum? Not every cheap boat ends up being a good deal. Plenty of boats for sale and its a buyer's market

[Blue Stocking]

Many days I work on insured boats that I STILL wouldn't go to sea on, and un-insured boats I would go to sea on.

[Island Time O25]

Most likely the seller already had someone back out due to unsatisfactory survey so he's trying to avoid that again. Personally not having a sea trial is not a deal breaker as of all the 5 boats I've owned only one turned out to be a dud. But I knew that going in as I needed her to be a "space saver" for a mooring which needed some boat to be on it not to lose the mooring permit and she was literally free and later became a bargaining chip for a needed engine. The other 4 were perfectly seaworthy and none had more issues than I knew of going in and the all were better sailors than I anticipated.

Why do people expect under $15-20K 40+ year old boats to be in Bristol A+ shape is beyond my understanding. Of course it'll have a number of issues and some may even be fatal if, and this "if" is important, if the buyer plans the boat to outlive him or her. Otherwise at say $10-12-15K purchase price it would be a decent enough boat to enjoy for the next 2-3 years/seasons and then to sell if needed for say $5-7-10K. Making the cost of having a decent enough 37 footer less then $2-3K per year. I'm sure one will always be able to find a buyer or two for a 45 year old 37 footer at $5-7K. Just the engine, rigging, all systems, teak, etc. on her are worth that much if parted out on ebay.

Now, if marina costs, haul outs, etc. are too much for the buyer to risk when buying such a boat that's another issue and may be more indicative of the buyers' financial ability to be a boat owner then the risk of boat turning out to be in poor shape. After all if he buys the boat at say $12K and has to dispose of her 6 months later at $3K cost of disposal it is still much smaller loss than buying a Bristol shape boat for $100K and having to sell her asap (for whatever reason) at $80K, less the broker's commission. This is the thinking and the approach IMO that should be applied in this situation.

Now, if one cannot stomach a $15K loss on a boat, any boat, one may not be ready to be a boat owner of any type/age/make/cost of a boat.

[GILow]

I am amazed at the number of people who would buy a boat without a sea trial. I certainly would not. I learn more about a boat from a sea trial than I ever got from a surveyor.

Problems with the interior fitout will quickly reveal themselves as the boat starts to move, doors that spring open, cabinetry that shifts.

The mast and rigging need to be properly loaded up to see and feel movement where it should not be.

The engine needs to be run under load (ok, you can do this at the dock) for long enough for heat dissipation problems to become apparent, but also while the boat is moving over waves to reveal problems with mountings.

Rudder movement under load, steering system lash, stiffness, odd clunks or noises.

No sea trial? I would not touch it unless it was a simple trailer sailor, and even then it would have to be in outstanding condition.

Matt

[Sandibar]

I bought my boat on the hard with a small amount of the purchase price retained until she was splashed and systems checked in the water - no sea trial mind you, just a few minutes in the bay. Also no professional survey. Turned out ok, although I had no sailboat experience.
Is it possible the owner just does not have the skills to move the boat and is therefore reluctant for a sea trial? The interior looks more set up for marina use than actual sailing.

[rickykngo]

Originally Posted by Sandibar

Is it possible the owner just does not have the skills to move the boat and is therefore reluctant for a sea trial? The interior looks more set up for marina use than actual sailing.

I've asked to sea trial with my captain, but the seller responded with a tone that he absolutely don't want it sea trial.

[rickykngo]

Originally Posted by valhalla360

Offer to cover a month's insurance (after he accepts the offer).

Yeah, I'm gonna do that see what he says. But I think someone is coming to see his boat at 4:30 because he mistakenly called me if I'm the guy coming at 4:30. Thanks.

[Sandibar]

Right. I'm not advocating buying without a trial but agree with the points Island Time makes above. Then again, if you think the seller's behavior is suspicious, I'd just drop it and move onward. Plenty of boats around.

[belizesailor]

While I would certainly prefer a sea trial, it would not be a deal breaker for me either, but I would absolutley require an out of the water survey.

Refusing a sea trial is certainly unusual and potentially suspicious. Ask about an out of the water survey...if he balks at that too, then walk.

[geoleo]

Run away.

[LakeSuperior]

Originally Posted by rickykngo

Yeah, I'm gonna do that see what he says. But I think someone is coming to see his boat at 4:30 because he mistakenly called me if I'm the guy coming at 4:30. Thanks.

This one always fools the amateurs. It plays on the missing out on a "deal" part of human nature. Probably stems from cave man days where missing a meal could be fatal.

[a64pilot]

I thought the standard buyers agreement was to pay X amount of dollars upon successful completion of survey and sea trial.
Would you buy a car without being allowed to drive it?

My belief is you have a signed contract with earnest money in escrow and you may well get your survey and sea trial, but in my opinion a survey is way more important than a sea trial