A New (used) Boat!

[Threemuch]

Hey fellow IFishers-
I am looking at buying a 1986 21' Bayliner Trophy Hardtop with the Alaska Bulkhead. The teak is a little rough, and the deck has quite a few cracks, and the blue sides are quite faded. Other than that the boat looks good. It has a 225 Hp Volvo FWC.

One of my main concerns is how solid the aluminum fuel tank is. Anything else I should be on the lookout for? Does anyone else have any experience with this model?

[Pilar]

Can you take it out for a trip or a ride? That might answer some questions. Hey Krystalflash doesn't this sound alot like your boat 'Double Gaynor'?

Picking a boat is a weighty decision. Good luck Kurt.

[Master Baiter]

Please excuse my ignorance, what is "surveying" with respect to a boat? What does it entail? Is it a third party contracted service?

Thanks,

MB

[Pilar]

A survey is an inspection by an impartial, certified boat guy. They assign value for insurance purposes and certify boats for sea worthiness. They also act as claims adjusters for insurance claims.

The inspection costs about $100 and is money well spent. The guy will find all of the things you really need to know about before you buy anything that floats.

Break Out Another Thousand

[Master Baiter]

Thanks Pilar!

[Threemuch]

Yep, I will make sure to get a sea (or at least river) trial and have a surveyor look at the boat. If any of you guys are ever looking for a surveyor, look here:

http://www.marinesurvey.org/or.html

[bait boy]

If you're really serious about this boat get it surveyed. I think that the small amount now will save lots of heartache later. especially when it has to go into the shop for the fifth time for some thing the owner "never knew about".

After seeing what Capin' Dan has gone through on his boat he would have been better off buying a new boat. and he thought he had a deal that he couldn't refuse. 2 outdrives and one motor later it all works.

Check out all of the things that you noted . how cracked is the deck? is it just the gel coat? is the flooring solid glass or is it cored ? the coring if it gets wet constantly will rot. Check the wiring system is it a total nightmare? does everything work? have you taken it for a drive? do you want to do the restoration on the wood? see if you can get maintenance records for the motor? Check the bilge pumps.

Thats just some of the things that I found by going to that website on marine surveying that someone sent out the other day.
http://www.yachtsurvey.com/

[Thumper]

Good advice from Rick. Never, ever buy a glass boat without having it surveyed.