$5k for a Tanzer26 with a 2015 9.9hp outboard, new
paint, and the
interior is "possibly" in fantastic shape according to the seller. And a promise of a buy back next year (Get that one in writing). Sounds a bit too good to be true.
Question though: In an isolated inlet with no lift/haulout capabilities....how did the seller apply new
bottom paint? Hmmm...
(Edit: The boat is in an Inlet. Inlets have outlets that lead to somewhere else....possibly with lift/haulout capabilities?)
As you have powerboating experience, you should be able to do a self-survey on the interior
hull of the boat and the boat's systems yourself.
Sails and
rigging might be a different story but not overly complicated on this size of boat...do some
research on your own. I agree with others here..skip the survey.
I recently purchased my Hunter27 online. Photos looked great, seller provided
maintenance records, informed me of problems that he was seeing. Price started at $6500 but was reduced to $5500 in order to purchase a set of used sails. As I live overseas and won't return to the States for 7-months, I had a survey done. Survey, plus launching and haulout
fees came to around $720. That's a large percentage of the purchase price, don't you think? For me it was worth it, no major issues with the boat found, but by being overseas I paid to have an unbiased professional set of eyes inspect the boat. If you can go see the boat yourself and make your own assessment, a survey is not worth the cost IMHO.
Personally, I'd go look at the boat and jump on it as soon as possible. Sail it, enjoy it, do some
maintenance, and then next year (when the seller's tour season starts again and he needs boats) decide whether or not you want to keep the boat. If not, take a hit on the price and sell back to the PO and move on to another boat. (But get that buy back deal on paper first!)