Pricing a 35' sloop on the hard for 5 years

[rgscpat]

For about five years, a 35' sloop has been sitting on a stand in a far inland location, and for the past year or so I've thought about making an offer on it.

Situation
35' mid-70s (old classic plastic) fiberglass production sloop with relatively new Yanmar 3GM, nominal displacement 11,000-12,000 lbs.

on stand/cradle, no trailer, 150 miles from nearest marina or marine facilities, 800 miles from ocean

(Boat had been slipped in Southern California but owner left dropped it off in the middle of the country thinking he might eventually retire on it in the Caribbean; instead he and his spouse bought a bigger boat. If I bought it, I'd be taking it to the ocean, either back to Cali or Gulf of Mexico.)

My truck could likely tow it to get it to water (2000 year model F450 7.3 diesel fifth-wheel, 18,000+ lb. towing) and a friend has a suitable trailer that could be borrowed (would need to adjust because it has a gooseneck fitting), but loading the boat would need a mobile crane rental for maybe around $1,000.

What I've noticed about the boat that I'd want to change:
gate valves for through-hulls
some of the deck penetrations were not re-done by the previous owner and the deck has been exposed to rain and snow
flimsy bow rail, no bow hardware for anchoring convenience (lacks roller, windlass, etc.)
older electronics, somewhat worn interior
one small suspect area on surface of rudder
running rigging is very likely toast, and running rigging may need checking
some aluminum corrosion at mast step (deck stepped mast) that was just enough to make me nervous
(various other stuff I'd like to add or change here and there)

Positives -- quite a bit of equipment on board, I somewhat know the previous owners and generally respect their habits and competence, steering cables feels good, new engine looks very pretty.

I have learned to do moderate boat work (simple installations, rough fiberglass work, basic maintenance) but really like having someone more experienced help me with critical stuff or things I've never done before. I grew up on the ocean and have basic boating and safety sense and have sailed and owned mostly smaller keelboats, with a few bigger-boat charters, plus plenty of book larnin' and classes.

The thread about looking at a boat on the hard was good, as were SailingDog's general self-survey instructions.

THE QUESTION:

How do I price an offer to account for the uncertainty of buying a boat on the hard, one which cannot readily be launched or inexpensively be visited by a professional surveyor?

I'm thinking it would have to be worth at least 20% less than it would be in or near a slip; i.e. a boat that would sell on the ocean for $25,000 (etc.) might be worth something more like $20,000 or less (etc.) or less in these unusual circumstances.

Possibly, it might work to make an offer that puts some of the purchase price into escrow, contingent on survey within, say, 60 days of buying the boat, but this would make the deal so much more complicated, especially with taking a long time to get the boat to a surveyor, that the owner might want to run away from a complicated deal.

Any thoughts about how to make this safe for the buyer and fair for both parties and not too complicated would be very welcome.

[badsanta]

Although there is cost involved, it would be easier and safer to have it professionally moved. The newer movers can haul almost anything on a stand without lifting it using there split hydraulic trailer. Also it would be easier to hire a survey to come to the boat than the other way around. I would first compare prices of comparable boats to see if it is even worth anything. If the owner bought another boat and has not touched this one in 5 years it may not be worth much. Maybe you could take lots of photos and state the make and year. Even a free boat will cost alot. It is easy to get in over your head. Best of luck

[hellosailor]

Personally?

I'd say you price out the cost of the repairs, first, to get a comparable value on the boat. And if you don't know boatwork intimately, you hire a surveyor, because things like rigging 9runing and standing) are consumables, as are sails, but things like a wet spot in the deck, or deck penetrations not sealed, or a soft spot in a rudder, can mean major repairs after five years of neglect. A rudder for a 30-40' boat can cost $5000 if it is still being made to replace. And repairs? May mean stripping eveyrthing down to the armature and building back up again, just as costly. Either way you need to find a competent shop, unless you can do it.

Gate valves? Typical for that age. Not a price factor against comparables.

So once you figure out how much money (time and labor and yard storage bills and a piece of your insurance for the year) it will cost to put the boat in "typical" condiiton, you compare typical price.

Now deduct the cost of having a professional company come out and haul it to water, and whatever you might save doing that yourself, that's no one's business but yours, since you will be spending your own time doing it.

The whole question is, how careful your inspection is, and whether the owner understands the condition of the boat.

Now you dicker down from, or up to, there, from "other boats sell for" to "who the hell is going to come out here?".

[bljones]

As usual, hellosailor nails it.

[rgscpat]

Thanks! Some of the stuff noted about the boat was work or equipment that I wanted for my peace of mind, comfort, or enjoyment. The deck felt okay but it would be worthwhile to have someone knowledgeable check it since the penetrations for the bow rail and maybe some of the stanchions didn't look so good. One little rough spot on the rudder might have been innocent - or not.

[DesertPirate]

It depends upon what the asking price is and how the boat was maintained over the years on the hard, but remember that a boat that has been on the hard for 5 years will age and deteriorate more than one that is sailed and had basic upkeep. Figure out what the boat is worth to you and then offer accordingly. Maybe the owner would like to see someone show his boat the love and appreciation he couldn't or wouldn't give it. What have you got to lose? The worst thing the seller can say is no.

[chuck53]

Desert, you do realize this is a 7 month old post. The OP probably walked away from this months ago as would most people.

[rgscpat]

Hi, I'm the OP and just happened to stumble back here. The boat is still for sale, probably asking for slightly less than comparable sisterships on the coast, but still a little high in view of the risk factors. The owner is still a couple of thousands of miles away in the Caribbean and has only visited the boat once or twice in five years...
And, I bought a trailerable 33-foot lightweight racer (1983 Hobie 33) just several weeks ago and no doubt my wife would contemplate violence against me if I also bought the Ericson 35.
My next big question will be about mast-up storage for the Hobie 33 in southern California.

[miatapaul]

Originally Posted by rgscpat

Hi, I'm the OP and just happened to stumble back here. The boat is still for sale, probably asking for slightly less than comparable sisterships on the coast, but still a little high in view of the risk factors. The owner is still a couple of thousands of miles away in the Caribbean and has only visited the boat once or twice in five years...
And, I bought a trailerable 33-foot lightweight racer (1983 Hobie 33) just several weeks ago and no doubt my wife would contemplate violence against me if I also bought the Ericson 35.
My next big question will be about mast-up storage for the Hobie 33 in southern California.

Smart move on skipping this boat. I think in another year or two they will be paying someone to hull it away! Only slightly less for a boat that your going to have to spend thousands of dollars on just to get it to the water before even starting work, sounds like a bad deal to me. But the Hobie 33 is an interesting boat, not my cup, but seems cool, good luck.