just bought my first boat

rmeador · #1 (**permalink**) 08-24-2010

I first hatched my liveaboard scheme about two years ago. I've been looking for boats since early this spring. Had one false start where the owner and I couldn't agree on a price. I finally found one I really like (I think even more than the other one I put an offer on), put an offer on it, and it was accepted... I just got the signed contract today.

She's a 1979 Gulfstar 37. She appears to be in excellent shape: original gelcoat looks practically new, the teak has been well cared for, new sails, rebuilt engine with 390 hours, new upholstery, all lazarettes/bilge/engine compartment/etc are spotless. Sadly, I don't have any pics (I don't think I'm allowed to re-post the ones from the listing). The survey/sea trial is scheduled for Friday, so hopefully I'll snap a few pics then! I hope the survey goes well, I can't wait to bring her to her (my) new home!

MARC2012 · #2 (**permalink**) 08-24-2010

Congrats and welcome.Had one myself,very pretty.marc

cb32863 · #3 (**permalink**) 08-24-2010

Awesome! Congrats to you but, as you know how things work around here......

Someone was going to do it....

kumgang · #4 (**permalink**) 08-24-2010

Congratulations and enjoy! You'll never regret buddy.

sailingdog · #5 (**permalink**) 08-25-2010

Congrats.

dhays · #6 (**permalink**) 08-25-2010

Congratulations, but keep telling yourself that the signed contract simply allows you to have a survey done. Be hyper critical at this point and use everything the surveyor finds as a renegotiating point.

I hope the survey and sea trial go really well.

oceanscapt · #7 (**permalink**) 08-25-2010

Good year, good size. My first was a '79 Endeavour 37. She'd been loved over by a couple swallowing the hook. Look over the survey carefully and have fun on the sea trial. I don't remember much about my sea trial - I was too busy grinning and thinking of those warm climates, crystal clear waters, and the adventure - other than boat sailed better than I did.

Minnewaska · #8 (**permalink**) 08-26-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhays

.......Be hyper critical at this point and use everything the surveyor finds as a renegotiating point.......

Really? I keep my boat in excellent condition, but I hope no one with that attitude ever makes an offer on her.

Clearly, if there are unidentified problems, you should negotiate to fix them. However, a surveyor is going to tell you that a 30 yr old boat is 30 years old. You shouldn't negotiate what was clearly the condition you saw when you made your offer, only something that was not evident. Further, a good surveyor will recommend maintenance that has nothing to do with a fault. It isn't all for negotiation. For example, I had a surveyor identified a hose going through a hole and recommended chafe protection. Glad he did. No actual chafing at the survey. Wasn't a negotiating point.

Hey, I should go check to see if I ever did that.

Best of luck.

St Anna · #9 (**permalink**) 08-26-2010

Great stuff. COngrats.
A nice boat, built tough. You should have many great times on her. Whats her name - they have personality you know!!

dhays · #10 (**permalink**) 08-27-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minnewaska

Really? I keep my boat in excellent condition, but I hope no one with that attitude ever makes an offer on her.

Clearly, if there are unidentified problems, you should negotiate to fix them. However, a surveyor is going to tell you that a 30 yr old boat is 30 years old. You shouldn't negotiate what was clearly the condition you saw when you made your offer, only something that was not evident. Further, a good surveyor will recommend maintenance that has nothing to do with a fault. It isn't all for negotiation. For example, I had a surveyor identified a hose going through a hole and recommended chafe protection. Glad he did. No actual chafing at the survey. Wasn't a negotiating point.

I don't disagree with you. I overstated it. Put it this way; Systems should be basically sound, or as you expect them to be. For example, if the survey finds real problems in the steering mechanism, such as a very badly frayed cable that is about to part, then that needs to be fixed to make the boat functional. OTOH, if the cable is loose, and needs to be adjusted, then that is good information to have and something to put on your "to-do" list for when you buy the boat.

If the support for a chainplate is rotted, then that needs to be fixed (and the price adjusted accordingly) but if you find that the chainplates need to be resealed, then that is added to your to-do list.

I just bought a bout. It was basically in good shape and very sound. However, there were a number of suggestions on the part of the surveyor that I'll use in my maintenance plan. They didn't affect the price. OTOH, the GPS was found to be not working. As that in an integral part of the navionics, it was replaced as a condition of sale.