Check for another boat that is well maintained and running. It will be cheaper in the long run unless you're knowledgable to do all of the work, (even then it probably still would be cheaper), BUT you're not or you wouldn't be asking this question. I'd want to see the engines and gen up and running. Have the boat hauled and check the bottom and running gear. Start making a list with prices to fix everything and add 20% to it.
Has it been running and maintained or just sitting and rotting? IMHO 3 years in the water isn't horrible up north, but it's definitely time for a haul, paint and a dry out period. Bring your moisture meter and hammer handle along with a good surveyor.
If you really want it, look for a surveyor and agree w/above you need to see everything running. A new genny could cost $ 8 to $ 10 K depending on how much work you do yourself. And that w/o any bells & whistles.
Approach it with skepticism and a surveyor and be sure to check the bottom, but I see no red flag due to it being in the water for 3 years if it's up north
Thank you. They keep saying its still winterized and are unable to start engines due to exhaust leaking water and it being winterized
In July??? That's a deal breaker. A survey will not only involve firing up all systems, but putting the boat through its paces out on the water and then being hauled for a bottom check.
NEVER let your excitement get the better of you when buying a boat. First of all they ALL look great in pictures. I've help many buyers check out boats. They all get that "It's so pretty" glassy-eyed look. My job was to tell them why they should walk away. On your own you should approach from my perspective and make the boat sell you.
And a soft floof is a no no right there. Seriously, if you have to come here and ask these questions.... you probably shouldn't get this boat.
Actually he's exactly the type of person who needs to come here. We all have to learn somehow and it's a lot less expensive to do it through someone else's experience. There are no stupid questions because they all seek knowledge. Heck I've got over 60 years on the water and I'm still learning. Right here on YF in fact.
Thank you sincerely! So many hobbies snub new members. I am new to big boats and have some knowledge of boating. I am looking to do it right and safe. I've owned a couple 38 Scarabs in the past and am looking to upgrade to a 46 Post. After heeding the advice of members here I've located another boat. It's in running condition. It's a lot more money but i believe it'll be cheaper over all.
We're all born ignorant. The one thing I can't stress enough is to get a survey and make any offers contingent on a satisfactory survey. Expensive but money well spent. Someone here is sure to have a recommendation for a surveyor near where the boat is. The one thing you miss or overlook could cost you thousands before you take your first cruise. You might have caught another thread where the owner of a Mainship has rotted gasoline fuel tanks. No cheap fix for that. When you look at a 46' Post one thing to be aware of is that many of these were used as charter fishing boats. That's a testament to them, but it also means they got a lot of use and abuse. Another thing I'll suggest is when you check the engine room clip a pic of the boat's documentation numbers and look into its history as much as you can before hiring the surveyor.
And... don't rule out engine surveys with oil samples. They are a great baseline for where the engines stand today and maybe a forecast of where they will be in future hours. It is an additional expense but well worth it in my opinion. Also, they should have a maintenance log and receipts for work done. As a side, the people on this forum are some of the best out there with years of experience applicable to detroit's and Posts.
Welcome to boat shopping and learning how to read red flags. Can’t start because it s Winterized and has an exhaust leak means you have to assume the engines will need a rebuild in any case, before spending money on survey, make sure your offer and contract require a sea trial before survey. This is critical to make sure the boat is even worth surveying. You don’t want to spend $2k in survey and haul out just to find out the engines run hot, don’t reach cruise speed or the boat has a nasty vibration ....
And as I found out, a motor survey will not catch a nut backing off the rocker bridge dropping a valve...stuff happens...be prepared...leave money in the bank so you can handle a major repair...and an oil analysis is an excellent tool!