Buying a boat in winter storage

[HeyHoLetsGo]

So I'll be viewing a (my potentially first) boat in about a week. It is in winter storage (some kind of hangar) since the beginning of the month, though, and a test sail won't be possible.

When getting a survey, what can not be checked in such a scenario, what are the risks?

The boat is a well-equipped 28ft Scandinavian full keel sloop from the 70s in supposedly very good condition with an asking price of $16k. I'm pretty sure it will sell before it is back in the water in spring, which is why I would rather not wait until then, should I like it.

[Shrew]

I've bought 2 boats in the middle of winter.

You can do almost an entire survey. What you can't check are:

Engine
Generator
A/C
Pressurized Plumbing
Head
Electric Stove

If you can get some power you can check the AC power. If the batteries are installed, you might be able to test DC devices. I'd want the batteries installed and charged for the survey.

You can test the rest of it during the sea-trial.

On one boat, when it passed the survey, I paid for the boat and held-back about the amount for an engine repower subject to a successful sea trial. That money sat in escrow until the final closing.

On the other boat, I only gave a earnest money deposit. The boat sat until the sea trial. Once the sea trial was done, I closed on the boat and paid the balance.

Make all offers subject to survey and sea-trial.

Don't set a target date on the sea trial or the closing. I've seen issues where the P&S included expiration dates, but the boat was still packed 5 rows deep because of a cold wet spring. If you have too, set it out as far as possible.

[S/V Illusion]

With the exception of our current boat, every previous one was purchased on the hard during winter. Obviously, there are some things a survey can’t define under that circumstance.

Do your due diligence. Ask for all maintenance records. Inquire at the marina where the boat used to be. Ask for a warranty from the PO for everything you can’t verify. And then, set aside a certain amount in escrow until Springtime testing.

Owners don’t want to pay storage cost so you are in control of all purchase pre-conditions.

[GreenWave]

Originally Posted by Shrew

I've bought 2 boats in the middle of winter.

You can do almost an entire survey. What you can't check are:

Engine
Generator
A/C
Pressurized Plumbing
Head
Electric Stove

If you can get some power you can check the AC power. If the batteries are installed, you might be able to test DC devices. I'd want the batteries installed and charged for the survey.



Make all offers subject to survey and sea-trial.

With some creativity and access to certain things you can test the engine (supply it water), the plumbing, head (again fill the bowl with water if it can flush to a holding tank), etc.

[Shrew]

Originally Posted by GreenWave

With some creativity and access to certain things you can test the engine (supply it water), the plumbing, head (again fill the bowl with water if it can flush to a holding tank), etc.

It depends on where the boat is located. In areas with a deep freeze, you're not going to run water through the engine if it's been winterized with propylene glycol. Exterior water in yards that get a hard frost are blown out

Propylene glycol can still freeze, it simply freezes at much lower temperatures than water and it doesn't expand.

I've see full propylene glycol bottles freeze solid in my shed when I lived in New Hampshire. As the owner, you wouldn't be starting my engine in January or February in New England.

[CarlF]

How actively was the boat used last summer? Ask around the boat yard. If the owner cruised (or raced it), then it's likely to be in pretty good shape. If it's been sitting rarely used for years I wouldn't go near it.

When considering a boat purchsase (especially an unusual one like this), I insist on talking to the owner. I'm looking for an owner who is even more anal (if that's possible) than I am with boat maintenence. As a seller I always liked these calls because I wanted to know if the new owner would take good care of "my" boat. I won't sell to someone who doesn't know what they're doing.

I'd still keep a little money in escrow until after launch but I wouldnt' worry.

[HeyHoLetsGo]

Thank you all, sounds like good advice!

Engine - possibly the biggest unknown. It is a Yanmar 2GM20F from the early 90s, hours unknown. Current owner states that during his 15 years ownership, he regularly maintained it, replaced a lot of parts and it worked reliably. But I guess putting 4-5k into escrow for potential issues regarding the motor would be the safe play here.
Generator - doesn't have any
A/C - pretty sure that can be tested and that batteries were not removed
Pressurized plumbing - should not be a big risk (financially) in a small boat, imo
Head - does not have a holding tank and thus could be tested. A holding tank is not required for old boats where I intend to stay. But I will probably install one at some point.
Electric stove - has an alcohol stove

I've talked to the owner on the phone and he seems pretty genuine. Classic boat lover, active in owner's association and sells because he bought basically the same exterior design, just 8ft bigger. He actively sailed the boat every year in the baltic sea, Germany and Denmark, which is where I intend to stay, as well (I am German). Maybe sail to the med after a couple of years and if I can find the time.

Oh, and one more thing: he is selling the boat on his own, without a broker. How to deal with that? I suppose I should get someone experienced to look over a contract?

[Kettlewell]

Personally, on an older less-expensive boat like that I am mainly interested in its structural integrity, which can be surveyed and determined out of the water in the winter. If you are worried about some possible problems, make a lower offer and see what the owner says.

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by HeyHoLetsGo

When getting a survey, what can not be checked in such a scenario, what are the risks?

Surveying Frozen Boats.

[GreenWave]

Originally Posted by Shrew

It depends on where the boat is located. In areas with a deep freeze, you're not going to run water through the engine if it's been winterized with propylene glycol. Exterior water in yards that get a hard frost are blown out

Propylene glycol can still freeze, it simply freezes at much lower temperatures than water and it doesn't expand.

I've see full propylene glycol bottles freeze solid in my shed when I lived in New Hampshire. As the owner, you wouldn't be starting my engine in January or February in New England.

Agree all good points that unfortunately would prevent me from closing a deal. New engines are not cheap and rebuilds are not always successful.

[Reeve21]

I have bought and sold several boats that were hauled for winter storage. You need several days above freezing to determine if there is moisture in deck (and hull if cored). Also an escrow to test the engine under load after launching, as well as the systems (electronics, roller furling are the big ones).