Difficult survey: no wheel

[Casky]

Hi folks

I've made an offer on a Pearson 37-2. Planning to survey, but have just been informed the owner removed the wheel and is indicating they won't return it for the survey as "the door in the boat wrap is too small".

I'd expect to have the wheel in place to test steering works, play in rudder etc.

Is there an option B? Any helpful suggestions gratefully received!

C

[Pete7]

If you don't see it fitted during the survey, how do you know the wheel exists at all?

Suggest a "produce the wheel for the survey or I will pull out" message.

You might wonder why they took the thing off anyway

[aqfishing]

I would say thank you very much and walk away.

[OldManMirage]

Originally Posted by Casky

Hi folks

I've made an offer on a Pearson 37-2. Planning to survey, but have just been informed the owner removed the wheel and is indicating they won't return it for the survey as "the door in the boat wrap is too small".

I'd expect to have the wheel in place to test steering works, play in rudder etc.

Is there an option B? Any helpful suggestions gratefully received!

C

That does seem rather odd/questionable ? I'm assuming he removed it before shrink wrapping the boat. But if you have a "door" that is human-sized how big is this wheel that it won't fit ?

Seems un-reasonable. Anytime a seller is balking at a simple request, I start questioning what is really going on.

Proceed with caution. I think we'd all like to know what happens, please keep us posted.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Casky.

I suppose you could bring an adjustable pipe wrench, to manipulate the steering.
I too, wonder at the owner's abstinence - and I dislike "mysteries" intensly.

[Casky]

Thanks guys, I tend to agree. I can't conceive of an opening in the wrap thats so tight that a wheel can't fit through.

Very nice boat so I hate to walk away, but it does make me concerned re the real story....

[aqfishing]

Unless the wheel has sentimental value and he does not want it to go. Surely then he would just say so and or replace it. Strange.

[Knotical]

Our wheel is 40” and it wasn’t easy fitting that thing through the shrink wrap door, even diagonally. I had taken it home to wash and condition the leather, also it’s hard to work in the laz with the wheel on so I usually take it off during winter storage.

I do find it unusual at his denial to fit the wheel for survey, however, I wouldn’t let it be the deal breaker (provided there is a wheel lol).

[mvweebles]

Pair of vice grips?

Seriously, oddball sellers don't improve with age. As a matter of fact they are emboldened by a buyer who looks past their behavior and it just gets worse. Politely ask that either the boat be made ready for survey, or let you know when it's available for a proper survey - sounds like next spring when unwrapped. You're a motivated buyer so are hopeful you will have purchased by then but if you're still in the market, happy to revisit a purchase then.

Peter

[Tetepare]

Like Gord said, vice grips or similar.

FYI we’ve been waiting six months after purchase for the broker to produce a very expensive item that was part of the sale. So put the price of a wheel in escrow.

[hpeer]

People are funny critters, never expect them to do anything rational.

The wheel being locked up may be indicative of an incredibly protective owner. Who knows?

You can get an idea of the steering by turning the rudder, you can feel any slop.

But also, the broker should have some skin in this game, no? Put it on him to make it work. Suggest he either get the owners to cough up the wheel or perhaps he borrows a wheel from a different boat. There are tons of old boats sitting in yards, he can arrange to borrow one for the survey. Or maybe something else.

In any case … best of luck …. and please report back on how it goes.

[psk125]

hpeer's idea is great - it doesn't have to be a 50" wheel -- Any wheel that will fit on the hub will let you find out what you want.

[Dogscout]

So you gonna take this thing on a Sea Trial?

[LakeSuperior]

Why bugger up the wheel stem with vice grips or a pipe wrench? The wheel propably won't go back on without filing after you're done. Suggest a crescent wrench worst case or a correct size open end or box end wrench.

[boatpoker]

I'm assuming if the boat is shrink wrapped that it is in a cold climate.
(always nice to have those details).

If my assumption is correct you way wish to take a look at.
Surveying Frozen Boats


On the wheel issue. Take a knife and 40" of shrink wrap adhesive tape.
Problem solved.