what is with sellers?

[Bene505]

I spent a ton of money surveying a Beneteau 423 in Annapolis, only to find out that the boat had sunk at the slip at some prior time. There was moulding around the floor to hide the "line" where the water had discolored the bulkheads.

[davidpm]

Originally Posted by Bene505

I spent a ton of money surveying a Beneteau 423 in Annapolis, only to find out that the boat had sunk at the slip at some prior time. There was moulding around the floor to hide the "line" where the water had discolored the bulkheads.

Thats a great story. How did you find out about the sinking? Moulding?

[freddyray]

finally put an ad on the local Craigslist describing what I was looking for. A couple of days later a guy who had just sailed a Siren down from Minneapolis to St Louis replied ready to sell. We met agreed on a deal and now it is mine all mine. Well mine and my wife's

[nightowle]

good things come to those that wait! Glad you got what you were hoping for.

Fair winds always!

[robtriangle]

My experience was similar a couple months back, including an owner withdrawing a boat from market the day before my planned visit that required an airplane ticket and hotel room. Also asked an agent 5 or 6 specific questions, got answers, went to look at the boat and 3 of the answers given were incorrect and misleading.

[Ken05]

My recent boat shopping was very educational, about 3/4 of the brokers just want to move the boat at the highest price possible without disclosing any problems. I was looking for a sound older boat that sails well for under 10k. A high percentage of boats sitting in the broker yards had soft decks, soggy bulkheads, blown out sails and were full of black mold or mildew. Or some obscure engine that parts for are now unavailable. Dumpster bait. The one that were sound usually were slugs on the water. I could not believe the absolute junk people are trying to unload. Maybe they got taken a few years back and are trying to recoup their losses on someone else.
Anyway I ended up with a 74 Mull Ranger 26 in decent shape and very fair price. She sails nice! Points high, planes well downwind, cooks on a reach. just a great boat.
After this experience I think I am almost qualified to be a marine surveyor.
My advise to any buyer would be to get a boat that has a known history and good reviews, otherwise you will be the one stuck trying to unload junk no one wants.

[hellosailor]

"about 3/4 of the brokers just want to move the boat at the highest price possible without disclosing any problems"
Remember, Ken, that the normal broker is what is called a "Seller's Broker" or seller's agent, and it is his legal responsibility to get the highest price he can. And by doing so, he gets himself the highest commission, so he is doubly motivated to stay ignorant and ask for more money.
There are a few, rare few, brokers that have reps for being honest and not wasting the buyer's time, but they are the exception to the rule. That's just the way it is, the broker is not your friend, he is your opponent in a zero-sum business game.