Buying used boats from outside area

[oliviernh]

Thanks to all the replies. I had pretty much decided that if I were to go forward I would definitely fly out to see for myself. And an expert to inspect would be a no brainer. I was struggling with the shipping and even who or how to go about it. I looked on a USHIP website and it gave me an estimate of $1,600 to ship. I could drive out and back for less but it would take me quite a bit of time to get out and back. For anyone who shipped did you go through a marina or a separate shipping company?

[codeman671]

I have bought many outside of New England, some surveyed and some not. Been burned a few times on mechanical issues on non-surveyed boats. Being the son of a marine surveyor I should know better!

I had a whaler that came out of Florida, the boat looked great but the steering tube was almost rusted straight through. Basically ended up repowering the boat, it wasn't worth fixing. Still ended up selling it later on here (with the newer motor) and got out of it relatively unscathed.

My Sonic was a turd. Cosmetically had more damage than depicted, and even though it came with handfuls of receipts for work done it was all shoddy and the boat never ran right. I put a ton of money into it and dumped it the same season. From the time the hauler hooked on at Lake Havasu the problems started. This was my worst experience.

One Monterey I was trying to buy out of NY was a total mess, glad I spent the survey money on that one. Another one in Texas was a nice clean boat, but the survey gave me the ammo I needed to get the dealer down a bit and take care of the small stuff up front.

As far as shipping, I always use Uship. Overall good experiences. A few have been wingnuts, but overall no major issues. One RV I sold and shipped out via Uship was damaged upon arrival at the buyers home, the driver bottomed it out in a ditch literally at the time of delivery.

Don't be afraid to buy out of area, just do your due diligence.

[TiltonBB]

Originally Posted by oliviernh

Thanks to all the replies. I had pretty much decided that if I were to go forward I would definitely fly out to see for myself. And an expert to inspect would be a no brainer. I was struggling with the shipping and even who or how to go about it. I looked on a USHIP website and it gave me an estimate of $1,600 to ship. I could drive out and back for less but it would take me quite a bit of time to get out and back. For anyone who shipped did you go through a marina or a separate shipping company?

I know some people have recommended U Ship but I have always used Miles Marine. Good local people who do good work at a fair price. I have heard horror stories about break downs and no insurance with U Ship as well as stories about the transport truck being impounded (with the boat) and held for four months. I am not willing to take that chance to save a few bucks.

I have use Miles Marine for a lot of things over the years and I have always been satisfied. In June 2016 I had them bring a boat from Sarasota, Florida to the lake. Once again, good work at a fair price. When the boat got to NH they did a great job compounding the boat and restoring the finish. There is a reason why all of the local marinas use them. No disappointments.