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selling a boat re test drives?
Posted on 4/15/15 at 10:18 pm
Posted on 4/15/15 at 10:18 pm
i am selling a 19 ft skeeter fish and ski right now and i am wondering if it is customary to allow a test drive to potential buyers? i have had 1 guy so far as for me to bring it to his mechanic and asked for a test drive. what says the OB?
19
Posted on 4/15/15 at 10:23 pm to gsvar2004
That's a good question. I fully understand going to a mechanic for a compression test. But I don't want every guy who can dial a phone to take my boat out for a joy ride. You can tell when you have a serious buyer. I feel like they deserve a chance to see it float.
Posted on 4/15/15 at 10:24 pm to gsvar2004
I wouldn't buy it without a COLD start and wet test. If they are serious, ask them for some proof of funds and then make time for it
Posted on 4/15/15 at 10:26 pm to gsvar2004
Would you buy a used car with driving it?
If you have nothing to hide and expect full near full asking price I would allow test drive and mechanic inspection.
If you have nothing to hide and expect full near full asking price I would allow test drive and mechanic inspection.
Posted on 4/15/15 at 10:38 pm to gsvar2004
absolutely...noone in their right mind would make that large a purchase without even seeing if it will run...
Just offer to meet the buyer at a local lake and go out with him for a test drive....now, I certainly would not let someone take the boat out without me in the boat as well...
Just offer to meet the buyer at a local lake and go out with him for a test drive....now, I certainly would not let someone take the boat out without me in the boat as well...
Posted on 4/15/15 at 10:40 pm to gsvar2004
Test drive is an absolute must for a buyer. They need to get in and run all the functions of the boat to make sure they aren't getting screwed.
Posted on 4/15/15 at 10:41 pm to gsvar2004
When I sold my bass boat I had 2 test drive it and the eventual buyer just looked it over in a parking lot and bought it.
One guy that test drove it traveled 2 hours, drove it harder than I ever had and honestly scared the frick out of me and then said it was a foot too short for him and low balled me.
a month of phone calls and text asking for pics and dumb questions already answered in the ads I was ready to just keep it
One guy that test drove it traveled 2 hours, drove it harder than I ever had and honestly scared the frick out of me and then said it was a foot too short for him and low balled me.
a month of phone calls and text asking for pics and dumb questions already answered in the ads I was ready to just keep it
Posted on 4/15/15 at 10:51 pm to gsvar2004
Ask for a deposit to see how interested they really are, or if they just want to waste time and boat ride. Most people who are really serious buyers wouldn't have a problem doing that if running the boat is the final factor in buying or not buying depending how it runs.
Posted on 4/16/15 at 12:29 am to gsvar2004
I would allow test drives but not for everyone that comes along kicking tires. It would be the last step before signing the paperwork after a price was agreed upon with the condition that the boat perform properly and check out mechanically.
Posted on 4/16/15 at 6:27 am to lsu mike
quote:
Ask for a deposit
This, make them put a $1,000 or $2,000 deposit beforehand.
Go with him on the test ride. I think it's common place to take it for a test ride these days. Taking it to the mechanic is becoming more common place but make use that mechanic has time to see the boat the week he gets it. I wouldn't want my boat sitting up at a mechanic's shop waiting for an inspection when the weather turns pretty.
Posted on 4/16/15 at 6:43 am to gsvar2004
Great question, and can be argued all day, even on boating sites.
Test drives cost money and time.
Most people agree that the test drive should be a functionality test. The terms should be agreed upon before the test drive, that is, the final $ number, if everything on the boat functions as it's supposed to. I'd tell him that a test drive is fine but he has to prove that he's serious about buying. Deposit, date with his wife, or whatever.
Ask him specifically what he's looking for in the test drive. Then you will know if you're boat should pass his test or not.
Test drives should not be to test out if "this is the right kind of boat" for the buyer. He needs to KNOW this is the right kind of boat by looking at it. You're not a boat dealer, giving free rides to tire kickers.
If he wants a mechanic to look at it, I'd say "That's fine, come up with a plan that suits my schedule and we'll make it happen." If you like the plan, do it and let the buyer pay for it unless there's some value in it for you.
What kinda boat you selling?
Test drives cost money and time.
Most people agree that the test drive should be a functionality test. The terms should be agreed upon before the test drive, that is, the final $ number, if everything on the boat functions as it's supposed to. I'd tell him that a test drive is fine but he has to prove that he's serious about buying. Deposit, date with his wife, or whatever.
Ask him specifically what he's looking for in the test drive. Then you will know if you're boat should pass his test or not.
Test drives should not be to test out if "this is the right kind of boat" for the buyer. He needs to KNOW this is the right kind of boat by looking at it. You're not a boat dealer, giving free rides to tire kickers.
If he wants a mechanic to look at it, I'd say "That's fine, come up with a plan that suits my schedule and we'll make it happen." If you like the plan, do it and let the buyer pay for it unless there's some value in it for you.
What kinda boat you selling?
Posted on 4/16/15 at 7:57 am to gsvar2004
Last two boats i sold there was no test drive involved just cranked em up on the trailer. However on the boat i just purchased back in September we went on about a 30 minute test ride out of Dauphin Island AL. I did have a cashiers check in hand before riding out to AL to look at it though so they new i wasn't tire kicking.
Posted on 4/16/15 at 7:58 am to gsvar2004
The right way to do it is you sign a sale agreement contingent upon successful sea trial. (make them pay a deposit/earnest money of few hundred or whatever). Take them for the ride and if all goes well, its theirs.
Posted on 4/16/15 at 8:01 am to bayoudude
Ive test drove both of my boats. First one I drove 6 hours one way for. The seller knew I was going to buy it as long as it was as promised from conversation and photos. When I sold that one, the new buyer came from about 2.5 hrs away. I had it on my boat lift anyway so a test drive was no big deal.
Posted on 4/16/15 at 8:03 am to Grassy1
It's a 2001 skeeter sl-190 with a 150 vmax and hydraulic steering.
Posted on 4/16/15 at 8:11 am to gsvar2004
Yea as a condition to sale only. I would work out the deal and say condition to a test drive on the lake being successful. Although most can test drive a car without having a deal in place the situation is different as well. No need going through the hassle of dropping it in the water over and over again. Work out all the details and make sure buyer is serious and then let them test drive it to close the deal.
Eta: just saw others gave same advice.
Eta: just saw others gave same advice.
This post was edited on 4/16/15 at 8:14 am
Posted on 4/16/15 at 8:35 am to gsvar2004
Had a guy drive from South Carolina to buy my boat. No wet test per say, but I met him in Hopedale and after I signed all the paperwork we went fishing.
The boat I replaced it with I bought sight unseen out of Marco Island and drove 900 miles to pick it up. Saw the for sale ad after work and was in the car and on my way in less than an hour.
Moral of the story, if someone knows what they want and they are serious, a wet test isn't necessary. I would give one but I would have to have cash in hand first.
The boat I replaced it with I bought sight unseen out of Marco Island and drove 900 miles to pick it up. Saw the for sale ad after work and was in the car and on my way in less than an hour.
Moral of the story, if someone knows what they want and they are serious, a wet test isn't necessary. I would give one but I would have to have cash in hand first.
Posted on 4/16/15 at 8:37 am to gsvar2004
I would let down the lift and take them for a ride. 
Posted on 4/16/15 at 8:43 am to gsvar2004
When I asked my seller for a test drive he looked at me crazy. I'm not buying a boat without seeing how it rides/works. frick that.
Posted on 4/16/15 at 8:44 am to gsvar2004
I've bought and sold 2 used boats. I took both out for a test ride when buying, and went with the guys to test drive mine when selling.
Both guys that test drove mine bought them. I would make sure and go with them.
Both guys that test drove mine bought them. I would make sure and go with them.
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