Potential Buyer Asking for a "Test Drive"

[Thumbs Up]

I kind of meant it that way ("prude"). I guess what I meant to say was that the people who said no are sissies. It's a $12,000 deal. Show me the money and let's go for a ride!

[thinwater]

I was rather casual in my willingness to give "test rides." However...


a. I made careful judgments as to whether they were serious. Two came with references.
b. At the conclusion there was a deposit and a standard contract. It serves valuable purposes for both the seller and buyer, clarifying responsibilities. Never skip the contract on anything much beyond a dinghy (and still a bill of sale).

[TravelingAussie]

Originally Posted by Uncle G

One could ask for a small amount of money ($50 or £50) to take them out ("to cover expenses" - then it's not a charter) on the understanding that it would be refundable if they buy the boat.
Then, if they are time wasters you won't feel so bad about wasting your time and you save the bother of contracts etc.

Thumbs up to this post. I've never been a seller, only a buyer. But I would never consider investing in a boat without seeing her run under sail and under motor. I would suggest to ask for some $ to "cover expenses" (and your time) that would be deductible from the purchase price in case they go ahead with the sale. Surely the endorphins gained from a quick sail would help the sale?!

[Terra Nova]

Originally Posted by svGenesis

...I would ask for a contract pending inspection and sea trial. ask that the 10% down when finalized, then ask for a reasonable one time deposit ($100-$250) for your time and effort that would be used toward the sale but NOT refundable.

Something along these lines would be reasonable for a private seller acting without the benefit of a broker.

Before any sea trial a purchase agreement is developed. Once a selling price has been agreed upon, a small, non-refundable deposit is exchanged; this is applied to the purchase price if the purchase is completed. On satisfactory completion of that sea trial the remainder of the 10% deposit is exchanged, contingent on a satisfactory survey.

[keepondancin]

Getting $50 or $100 to cover expenses get’s you real near taking people sailing for a fee, and if you don’t have your captain’s license, leaving yourself exposed to potential problems. My boat dealer friend would never take someone for a sail without a reasonable deposit. In your price range, maybe $500-$1000, but you really need to have some sort of offer or binder. I would never just hand someone cash or check without something in writing.

[Fence Man]

A test ride sounds like a good opportunity to negotiate. Maybe study the concept behind Jay Hickman's "The Boat Ride" before leaving the dock? If you are a proper lady or gentleman, please don't google that.

[Tikka]

in Australia there is no sea trials , after purchase instruction sail only
that's my 35 years expirience purchasing 4 sailboat

[captlloyd]

Originally Posted by mocha

I can easily raise the sails at the dock, contingent on light or no wind -
when we ran the engine - we put her in gear,

he could easily see the dock lines strain, and the prop wash --
and then inspected the cutlass bearing, no leaks

So here is what I would do; tell the prospective buyer that you have confidence in the boat. Tell him if he wants to do a 1 1/2 hr test he will need a $200 non refundable deposit to cover your time and expenses. If he buys the boat the deposit will come off of the purchase price.

[mocha]

that is a GREAT idea!
Best solution I've seen so far,
that will be Plan B
already sent him an email outlining 3 choices on how we will proceed with a "test drive", see what happens,
Thanks,

[Cadence]

We are speaking of a 15K deal. If the seller after their 2.5 hour inspection feels they are earnest, not tire kickers, take them for a sail. Only he can judge that. Asking things like wanting to see their bank account is insane and insulting.
Hell, he may make a sale and some friends that will take him sailing.

[Djarraluda]

Originally Posted by Tikka

in Australia there is no sea trials , after purchase instruction sail only
that's my 35 years expirience purchasing 4 sailboat

I disagree there.
In Australia, it is normal to inspect, agree a base price "subject to survey and test sail" then you pay 10% despite before you get the 3 surveyors along (as you wish. Hull, Rig and Mechanics). After the survey, take the surveyors for the test sail. Then they give the survey reports and you negotiate with the seller any adjustments to the agreed price, for the issues you could not tell previously.
My current boat, the mast track slides were all shot and we could not raise the main, so I added replacement of those to the list - and so on.
Both my Australian boats have been bought that way, in NSW and in Queensland.
Roger

[ozsailer]

Originally Posted by Tikka

in Australia there is no sea trials , after purchase instruction sail only
that's my 35 years expirience purchasing 4 sailboat

I am not sure where you are from Tikka but I have never found this. In all the vessels we have purchased every one was conidtional on a satisfactory sea trial. No sea trial no purchase.
In regards to the original thread I can state we had one couple on a boat we were selling and I was convinced they were going to put an offer on the boat. The way they talked had me convinced top the point I rang my wife and commented to this effect. In the end they thanked me for my time but said they had purchased another boat and just wanted to see how mine was set up. Lesson learned.


Greg H
Lagoon 440

[Jim Cate]

A supporting anecdote: years ago when I sold my Yankee 30 in the SF By area, I told prospective buyers that if they wanted a sea trial prior to survey there would be a non refundable 100 dollar deposit, and that we would do a thorough evaluation: hoist all sails, reef, tack, gybe, anchor and anything else they wanted. This discouraged a few folks, but when a serious buyer came along, he jumped at the offer... and the boat sold itself, at the asking price. Those were 1983 dollars and a 35,000 dollar boat.

Seems like the same approach would work today.

Jim

[stnick]

Get a contract together sale contingent on sale out Get at least 1K Ernest money ! Maybe let him take the boat out of the water on his dime and have his survayor look at it !
My survayor went sailing with the new morgan and I it passed and i said YES .
Nothing wrong with a proper expert as guidence.

[jmschmidt]

A sea trial is not unusual. Neither is a survey if insurance is an issue.