Boat survey

[archenemy]

I have been eyeing a boat at lake Norman nc but not sure I want to make the 12 hour round trip to find out its in poor condition.

I'm looking for a reliable person that is relatively close to the boat to check it out for me and take some photos.

I looked into boat surveyors in the area and not only are they $300 plus I don't want to spend that kind of money until I know more about the boat.

Advice or leads would be greatly appreciated !

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[seajay]

My advice would be to take the time and go look at it yourself. Have a boat mechanic lined up in advance so if it passes your visual expectations and a test ride you can have the motor checked over and tested if need be.

I say this because of personal experience . 7 years ago when I was looking at selling my skiff and buying a 24 ft bay boat ,I found one just like I wanted in Jacksonville Fla. I looked at pictures and talked with the broker several times and was assured the boat was in excellent condition. I told them if I was driving all that way to check it out I was lining up a boat mechanic to check out the motor and they didn't have a problem with it. They assured me I would be pleased . I talked with a local mechanic that agreed to meet me over where the boat was located the morning I would be looking at it . I told him I would call after I checked it out and let him know if I would be needing him to check it over. I took a Friday off and drove the LONG drive from lynchburg to Jacksonville with a certified check expecting to be towing my boat back the next day. Stayed in a hotel and was over there as soon as the place opened up Saturday morning. I will say I was totally disappointed .One persons idea of great condition is different than another's. They had not even cleaned the boat up. It looked like it was parked under a tree for 6 months, the wiring was a nightmare on the boat and trailer , tandom trailer would probably not have made it back without problems, etc , etc , etc. I told the broker his pictures and description were very misleading and I would not give him half of what he was asking for it. I was in and off his lot in 30 minutes. Called the mechanic when I left and told him I would not be needing his services but would be passing his location in 30 minutes and would stop by with intentions of giving him some cash for his offering of service. He said no need for that and was sorry I had made the trip.

I ended up making another trip a few months later to charleston and purchased the boat I have now. That was a much better experience and I have been very pleased.

I don't know how much you are looking at investing in this boat but do yourself a favor and check it out yourself first before you decide anything . Good luck!

[archenemy]

Thanks for the advice seajay. I ended up getting a pre-purchase inspection done for $150. It would have cost me more in fuel let alone time @ 12 hours roundtrip. The other factor was the trailer. The pics I received said enough. I wasnt going to take that trailer no matter what.

After lot of back and forth and scouring the market I decided (I think) to move forward with this purchase. Its a 2007 sea fox 245 bay fisher with a 250 Suzuki 4 stroke with 225 hours and factory compression on all 6.

It boils down to fuel, layout, space, and looks in that order.

If anyone on this board feels this marriage should not happen please speak now or.... U know the rest

I'm coming off of the parker experience as It was towed away today by its new owner so I won't be expecting the same from the sea fox.

Opinions are welcome !


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[Brian]

Is there a livewell/seat on the front of the console? A console without the built in seat and instead a spot for a cooler or SBT in front is highly desirable for live bait fishing.

[archenemy]

Yep but it really limits my choices in my price range. I will have it removed if necessary.

[seajay]

Sounds like a deal on that survey. I checked out the ad and pics on the boat. Looks like it has been taken care of and low hours on the motor. Not a bad price either . I don't think the seat in front of the console is gonna be a big deal depending on the size of the bait tank. I have been fishing with the same style console for seven years with no problems . Now if I was guiding that might be a issue. Good luck with the purchase ! I think once you rig it your way it's gonna be a sweet striper fishing machine !