test "drive"?

If a local Grady dealer doesn't have a brokered 283, go to boatraderonline.com and search for the 283 and find any broker nearby and contact them, that's how he can try out a 283, or any model, to decide that it's the right boat.

Doesn't have to be the Grady dealer.
Most newer boats on line for sale are brokered as a rule. Call and say you are interested in the boat, don't say you want to take boat rides.

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Since salesmen are in the business to sell, it is hard to convince anyone in sales a properly priced and listed, clean well maintained Grady doesn't need a salesman at all, the product sells itself, not the salesman. Of course, the good talker can sell the Brooklyn Bridge, such talent is needed on a bridge sale, wasted on Gradys.

When I sell one day, I'll rip the page out of the boating magazine showing the JD Powers trophyies, frame it, and mount it in the cabin. Will go a lot further than the brokers fee, and it only will cost be 2 bucks for the magazine.

Dealers need to allow buyers to test ride anything with no commitment, for if they sell a boat and the Admiral comes in complaining the motors are too loud and she gets headaches from it, the dealer can't lock the doors on her and has to take the boat back.

As a private seller I tell the buyer flat out, "are you sure you want this boat? Just asking, because nothing personal, but I never want to hear from you again after you haul it away saying you don't like the boat".

I do this as a rule, and after receiving an offer and before countering the offer. What I just said guarantees no such nonsense, and minimizes the time I afford to selling the boat. I'm not interested in shoppers or anyone on the fence, never need to be.

I have found myself in too many occassions with new cars, the salesman ruined my desire.
Damned shame, more cars would have been sold.

I still can't believe any Grady Admiral wants a center console.
Grady CCs in Montauk are nearly extinct, there are more Nixon era Makos out here. The Grady Admirals do it again.
 
If you don't run your boat as a business .....which is 99% of buyers.
Then buying a boat is an emotional decision.

Walking all over it and reading all the write ups in magazines is going to get you interested in a particular boat or model. The next step is justifying it to yourself and or partner that it is a good idea.

The sea trial is an opportunity to show (hopefully) how easily it can be launched , that all the accessories work, and "how to drive the boat" to get the best out of her, and or the admiral.

No one knows your boat better than you. You are the best person to demonstrate it's assetts. Every boat what ever model is unique in how it has been fitted out and why....

I guess all sales techniques will work if they are already sure it's your boat they want. In this market i would have thought a seller needs to go the extra mile to get the extra dollar or else the buyer will find someone who will.
 
You are a salesman doing your thing, private sellers can do more harm than good acting like professionals. Same goes for selling houses.

When I sold my 20 ft 204C walkaround, it was sold in my driveway in 10 minutes. After I set up the ladder, I just stood there and didn't say a thing, answered a few questions. The guy and the Admiral said his buddy advised him the Grady 20 footer is a good boat. I didn't respond.

On pickup day on the weekend, I agreed to launch him on my trailer locally, so he could steam it over to his location. I started the motor and showed him how to work the binnacle, that's it. He steamed of, I said goodby to the ex-honey.

I don't see it as my job to teach him everything about the boat and electronics. If he asked i would have consider.

Time is money! Had to leave to attend to the new 252g honey-do list.
 
"I still can't believe any Grady Admiral wants a"

:) Good posts all - from both sides of the boat.....and entertaining to boot - Bob's quote still has me chuckling "I still can't believe any Grady Admiral wants a center console." lol

We shall see, we shall see...........

Thanks to all your advice, I do have a ride now lined up, so I'll be back to report. For my opinion, I believe you have to have a trial for purchase like this - well, I can at least speak for my family -it is needed if nothing more than to let the admiral give the final blessing!

Until the report comes back, tight lines! :D
 
You do understand I see, you will never hear the end of it, if the Admiral doesn't sign off.
 
Even if it was the 5th time buying X model (new or used) I would still want a sea-trial. You don't know if the motor(s) is working up to it's full capacity without a trail. I even know someone who bought a new boat that was rigged backwards so even new boats can have problems.
 
So it should be OK after you make the deal and put down the non-refundable deposit?
 
I guess I'm really old fashioned but I will not buy anything unless I'm comfortable with the seller and the product. I can't tell you how many cars, pickups, motorcycles, motorhomes, and boats I've walked away from over the years because I wasn't comfortable with the seller, never mind what they were selling.

I've had dealers try to get me to buy vehicles sight unseen, never mind no test drive. Do you remember the drivel a few years back that auto dealerships would disappear and you'd just buy from the internet? Not in this guys lifetime!

I don't mind deposits contingent upon various things, like inspections, test drives, and so on. I've even done a few non-refundable deposits but you can rest assured it was AFTER all the due diligence was done. In other words, as much of the risk as possible has been removed from the venture.

When I bought my Overnighter, I'd been out of boating for 25 years. The guy I bought it from could not have been more supportive or forthcoming. Frankly, I was more comfortable with him than I was the boat since all my prior boating experience was with inboards and I/Os. Neither my wife nor I have had any regrets buying the boat. We love it.

I want a Gulfstream or Sailfish and we've been watching the internet. In order for us to buy, the seller will have to be very forthcoming about the boat and offer a sea trial. Someone with a take it or leave it attitude won't be selling me a boat.
Gary 89 Overnighter
 
I can see you never encountered the guy who sold the Brooklyn Bridge, these guys are that good. AKA MADOFFS, FASTOWS, ETC.

When you do, you will never value nor let the mouthpiece ever again distract you and instead focus 100% your attention on what you are buying.

You have been very fortunate but wouldn't know it until you have been worked over and left high and dry.
 
gw, there is a nice gulfstream for sale by NA2P in the for sale forum. That is a beatifull boat with almost new F150's on it. I have nothing to do with the sale, i just know him and know his boat.
 
BobP - I wish I could say I'd never been taken but I can't. I really try to learn from my (many) mistakes.

NA2P - isn't that NautiGirl?

Capt. Bill - love your boat but it's out of my reach.

Gary 89 Overnighter
 
Here's an example of a seller's actions that put me on edge. Pete (NA2P) has edited every one of his posts except 2 ( the one announcing the boat is for sale and the one where he bought it for 21.5 in July 2005) and replaced whatever he originally posted with a single word - "Yes". Granted, he did this in May, 2009 but I have to wonder why.

I've lusted after that boat since I joined this group and, truth be told, it is the "model" for the Gulfstream I'm looking for. Pete has been a helpful contributor in the past and posted many times about what he was doing to his boat. Maybe because of my attachment to NautiGirl, I feel like something valuable has been lost.

Gary 89 Overnighter
 
I'm probably biased because I have a 283 w/ a pair of 250 4-strokes. That being said, I think it's a great boat. Performance, ride and fishability are outstanding. It does have a couple draw backs. My wife likes to lounge in her deck chair (says it's more comfortble than the rear seat) and there is barely room for it behind the console. The valves for the livewell and raw water are a pain to get too. Other than that, no complaints. Keep in mind that it's a center console so if you want to overnight, it probably isn't your best choice. However, I'd buy another in a heart beat. Hope this helps
 
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