Moving from a Catamaran to a trawler

[The Brockerts]

My wife and I are moving from weekends on a 34 foot catamaran to full time on a Trawler(motor yacht). It will be used 90% of the time in the ICW chasing cool weather.
I've owned boats for 45+ years so rebuild carbs, fixing shaft packings, replacing manfolds are common stuff. Diesel skills are ok, glow plugs, fuel pumps, electrical skills solid, etc.

I used the Gemini Catamaran list for years and now look forward to a new set of online experts and adding value where I can.



So here goes....


Made on offer on a 1997 48 foot Jefferson. Offered 125k on an asking price of 137K. Owner countered with 130K. Said no thank you and walked away. Owner re-counters at 120K ???? Have you ever seen that before ? What am I missing?



A survey was done about 6 weeks ago and I'll get a copy of it but don't believe anything significant will be on it.



It's a 2 owner 1997 Jefferson 48 that has the engines replaced with Volvo a few year back and these engines have about 330 hours . A volvo mechanic did the engine survey, and exhaust clamp and a small leak on the external oil filter housing were noted. The oil housing issue is supposedly a know issues/defect. It will need to be fixed


Any where to find a boat fax like a car fax? To many things seem out of the normal.



I'll be doing a haul out and my own survey but any questions I would be considering before doing that


Thanks in advanced and looking forward to working on this list with youall


Joe & Susan Brockert

 

[DavidM]

Yes, your price negotiation isn't all that unusual. The seller hadn't come to grips with reality when he rejected your $125K offer and after you walked had a change of heart and thought he needed to sweeten your offer to get you back. It worked and 120/137 is within the typical contract price vs asking price normal range.


By all means do a survey. The one done previously is worth looking at but have you own guy do one. Once you have that in hand then there is often another round of negotiations.


David

 

[Miz Trom]

I'll be doing a haul out and my own survey but any questions I would be considering before doing that


Thanks in advanced and looking forward to working on this list with youall

Joe & Susan:


I would recommend against doing the survey yourselves, unless you are a qualified Marine Surveyor. I am sure someone here can recommend a great surveyor in the Corpus area.


What is "this list" that you refer to at the end of your post?


Cheers,
Mrs. Trombley

 

[GregBrannon]

Welcome and good luck closing on the current prospect, if that's what you want.

Would you mind mentioning why you're moving from a cat (was it a sailboat?) to a trawler? Just curious.

 

[The Brockerts]

I could have said that better, but yes I will be having a licensed surveyor do the survey, rather than just using the one done 6 weeks ago. As for "list", that would be this forum, structurally I look at these forums as "list srvs" of pre modern internet that started in the early 90's. I just still think of forums that way.

 

[The Brockerts]

Would you mind mentioning why you're moving from a cat (was it a sailboat?) to a trawler?

Yes the cat was a sailboat.
Several reasons
I've sailing for more than 50 years, Time to change as I approach 70,
Price per sq foot of living space is much cheaper
Life should be easier with 800hp doing the work
Cover more coastal(ICW) distance easier