Found a great boat really cheap! but...

[nematon785]

There is no title, only lien papers (no problem just take to DMV)?

I can look at the outside, (in the windows also!) but insurance regulations wont allow an inspection aboard the vessel?

It is parked at the commercial/ repair section of the marina, not in a slip?

I will do the transaction with "the dock master"?

The pictures in ad the are of similar boats, not the actual one I will be buying?

It is a great little boat, and he will come down on price dramatically over the phone right now?

It is easier for me to just handle the paperwork at the DMV, no need for him to actually title the boat, and then sell it to me?

Everything can be handled quick and easy with no problems?

I am so excited, I am planning to look at it tomorrow before my next sailing lesson. it is not exactly what I want, but it is so cheap...

[Lizzy Belle]

Originally Posted by nematon785

it is not exactly what I want, but it is so cheap...

Since I'm Dutch I haven't a clue about the paperwork involved in the States, but ...
If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is

I'd never even consider buying a boat I wasn't allowed on or in, and couldn't take out for a test drive.

Aside from that, it's not really what I want, but it's so cheap is the worst reason to buy a boat, IMHO.
The most expensive boat you'll ever own is the one you got for free.
Second most expensive boat you could ever own is the one you bought 'so cheap'.

[jdazey]

You're not giving us much to work with here. I don't want to rain on anyone's parade, but sometimes the worst thing a guy can do is give you a free boat. Be very careful.

[44'cruisingcat]

Originally Posted by Lizzy Belle

Aside from that, it's not really what I want, but it's so cheap is the worst reason to buy a boat, IMHO.

Probably just about the most common one though.

[WindwardPrinces]

Sounds like he doesn't actually have the title. That's probably not good.

I can look at the outside, (in the windows also!) but insurance regulations wont allow an inspection aboard the vessel?

This also seems a bit worrisome.

Tread carefully.

[The Garbone]

Actually it is the most expensive boat in the yard.....

[Lizzy Belle]

Originally Posted by nematon785

The pictures in ad the are of similar boats, not the actual one I will be buying?

Do you have a link to an online ad for this boat?

[Mirage35]

Apologies if you're actually serious - sometimes hard to tell on-line - but this sounds like satire to me.

Are you actually posting a list of warning signals to watch for when buying a boat and you caught a couple of people unaware?

Because if you're serious I think you should be watching for the warning signals.

[nematon785]

I wont even look at the boat.

Votes for satire are right on the money.

However, the guy is for real, and wants me to come look at the boat tomorrow.

I did post for 2 reasons.

1. to bring attention to the actual chain of title and serious nature of proof of ownership of a vessel. Especially at purchase time.

2. possibly to learn from others here about the nature of lien sales, title encumberences and other claims to vessel ownership that can be of consequence.

I am seriously looking for a good sailboat to use coastal around southern california.

I just finished reading a huge thread on another forum related to tow vs salvage, and ironically this boat shows up for sale, and the guy returns my call this morning.

reminds me of used car shopping in LA...

[nematon785]

1970 26' Pearson Ariel Full Keel Bluewater Sailboat

[oldragbaggers]

We had a boat given to us for free once, a Pearson Triton. This guy had "inherited" a marina/boatyard from his father who had passed and wanted to clear out all the abandoned boats in the yard. He knew dad had the paperwork, somewhere, and assured us that as soon as he could locate it he would apply for the title under the abandoned vessel rules and send it to us. We paid $850 to have the boat trucked to our yard and started cleaning it out.

We talked to the guy many times over the first several months and at first he was always happy to take our call assuring us that it was just a matter of sorting through all the old records to find the lease and registration information so he could file the papers. Months turned into years and he stopped taking our calls. Fortunately we had the foresight, or gut instinct, not to actually start the restoration, or spend any money on the boat, just in case. The boat sat in our back yard for seven years. We couldn't sell it or even give it away because we had no paperwork for it. Eventually we stripped everything off of it we could sell and found someone who was willing to haul it away for the value in the lead keel. I'm sure it wasn't t even legal for us to do that but there were no numbers that we could find on the boat so we had no way to track down the previous owner.

Lesson learned. We never looked at another boat that didn't have all the paperwork in order. We did buy another abandoned boat from a marina after that but only after verifying that they had already applied for and received the title.

So glad the post was satirical.

[Lizzy Belle]

Originally Posted by nematon785

Votes for satire are right on the money.

Woohoo, that's a relief!

I was both thinking and hoping it was, but since I seem to have insulted / offended someone (on another forum) simply by asking if a post was serious or not, I am very careful to voice anything like that again

What paperwork is involved with US boats, if I may ask? There's standard papers that proof ownership and you have to transfer it?

We don't have anything like that here, except when ships are under mortgage (obviously).

You can volunteer to register your boat (very helpful when you go cruising ) but for the average 'pleasure vessel', there simply are no documents to proof ownership and there's nothing to transfer.

[rabbi]

Originally Posted by nematon785

There is no title, only lien papers (no problem just take to DMV)?

I can look at the outside, (in the windows also!) but insurance regulations wont allow an inspection aboard the vessel?

It is parked at the commercial/ repair section of the marina, not in a slip?

I will do the transaction with "the dock master"?

The pictures in ad the are of similar boats, not the actual one I will be buying?

It is a great little boat, and he will come down on price dramatically over the phone right now?

It is easier for me to just handle the paperwork at the DMV, no need for him to actually title the boat, and then sell it to me?

Everything can be handled quick and easy with no problems?

I am so excited, I am planning to look at it tomorrow before my next sailing lesson. it is not exactly what I want, but it is so cheap...

The vendor has not paperwork and no keys (thats why you can't get inside).
But everything is quick and easy with no problems. *rofl*

Everything here screams: SCAM!
Even if you buy it for $100 : That is $100 for exactly nothing.
This guy does not have a title so he can't sell it to you and consequently you won't own it.

I would probably go there for the fun if I was too bored and its max 1/2 hour ride. More time and money is better spent on a good dinner with your girl!

[carstenb]

looking at his ad - a new boat like a 26 ft pearson would cost $100k?

which planet is this guy on?

Hope you're truly not serious about this - i'd run screaming away

[Tellie]

4K for a 1970 26' Pearson Ariel doesn't sound cheap to me.
Ones man trash is another mans treasure.



Halden Marine Services | Marine Watermakers, Solar Panels, Wind Generators