Is it OK to ask for opinions on specific boats for sale ?

Cheeky Monkey · 14 September 2010, 15:20

Don't know if its the done thing or not, and realise that there is only so much you can tell from an ad .....

What's got me thinking is seeing a thread on here about a former charter boat being sold (elsewhere) with a description which may have been somewhat economical with the truth

Is it OK to post links on here to stuff thats for sale on ebay for example and ask if anyone knows the boat or can see any obvious good / bad points ? I realise that the seller might be on here of course !

I'm in danger of falling into the 'buy the first one you see' trap !

I've put a post in the 'Wanted' forum looking for a SR 4.7 but realise that this might not materialise, so am looking at SR 4s too at the moment and there are a couple that I'd be interested in views on

Cheers

chewy · 14 September 2010, 16:22

Fill your boots mate, no harm in asking about RIBs for sale, get the the links stuck on.

Hightower · 14 September 2010, 16:23

Well there is no harm in posting links to RIB ads IMHO. There is only so much info you can take from an Ad and my recommendation would be to view a few and have a poke and fiddle. You'll soon learn what to look for, so resist the temptation in going for the first RIB you come across. I missed a loverly RIB because I didn't realize it was a bargain, and found out some 2 months later what I let slip though my hands. But better that, than buy a lemon.

Cheeky Monkey · 14 September 2010, 16:51

Here we go then - pics at the bottom, and ebay links below

Here's the first one - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/4M-AVON-SEARID...-/220665667543

Seller seems genuine and friendly, boat has central console so as much open deck space as possible (useful if I want dive kit onboard), has bits of kit which will get me going, has VHF and GPS so I might even know where I am and get rescued if not .... 40hp seems enough for this size boat, and it will all fit in my garage too. Wondering about something like this as a 'just get going' solution. Is not having electric start a big issue ?

No 2 - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/avon-searider-...-/150491261391

Seems simple, console again, grab rail, A frame, needs more kitting out, slightly bigger engine. Presumably reserve is below £2,000 somewhere. I'm suspicious of the metal plate on the transom, or is that normal ?

"No 3, what's your name and where are you from ?" Its http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Avon-Searider-...-/270633888992 from Liverpool (I'm an exiled scouser

)

This is the type with the ordinary seats. I'm guessing it'd be pretty easy to take the back ones out to leave some room for kit. Possibly better for my 8 yr old than a jockey seat type. Looks to have been either looked after or done up. Seller again seems friendly and helpful. Engine more powerful. All looks very tidy and well looked after - looks like a drive away solution with everything there. No idea what the reserve is though.

I know from my various beach buggy purchases that it takes a while to know what you're looking at and that sometimes its whats NOT said, not what is that matters. Some stuff is easier to resell too I guess.

I need to learn to spot a potential good one, so that I can then go and have a look, but I need to avoid wasting time and diesel travelling to look at obvious lemons too if possible ! I'm self employed so time is money

So ......

any comments, thoughts, pointers gratefully received

Since I've learned how to do photos, here's one of my current toy too