help buying a bullet
 

I am in need of some advise and guidance from some seasoned pros. Just last week I flew out to TX to view a 31 plat bullet from oso classifies named fit for a king at Gulf Coast in Seabrook. The meeting went well, very professional visit and fun test drive-little problem with charging system but vessel ran well. Boat is a little rough but I believe a little bit elbow grease and I may have a boat to be proud of. I have given a deposit and have the funds ready to forward. The boat owner that I spoke with appeared to be a gentleman and I am pleased with his response.
The questions I have is:
-does anyone know of this vessel and the history-it had turbos now it has 502 mags
-how does one buy a $50k boat and insure it gets delivered from TX to California without getting an ulcer waiting for the rig.
-are there any precautions that I should take in finalizing this deal and moving forward.

Any help-suggestions would be appreciated.

Re: help buying a bullet
 

survey said?

Re: help buying a bullet
 

Sales mgr at GCB stated no survey needed-looked pretty clean-bildge and hull clean-took chance-should I demand survey?

Re: help buying a bullet
 

that boat has been for sale for a while. Get a Survey on the boat. Will be the best money you will ever spend !!!! (good or bad)

Re: help buying a bullet
 

survey on that boat will be under $500. ask here on the board for a reputable surveyor in the area.

Re: help buying a bullet
 

YES!! Best $ you'll spend. Giving the salesman the benefit of the doubt here....does he have a copy of a recent survey for you or is he hoping you don't know any better?

Re: help buying a bullet
 

Survey Survey Survey and be there when YOUR transport company picks it up and pay the final monies... do not leave until the thing is out the door.

Find your own Survey guyalso I'm sure someone here can help you just post in the General Forum.

I'm sure the guys at National Marine where nice guys also...

Re: help buying a bullet
 

I bought a boat in NY (going to VA) and it ended up taking a month to get it :eek: . Good luck and listen to the survey advise.

Re: help buying a bullet
 

I agree survey, Most insurance companies will not insure a late model boat with out one. At least in Ohio. you might want to check with them before you set up transportation.

Re: help buying a bullet
 

http://www.offshoreonly.com/esvon/page-3422.html

Oh my!!! - he may as well told you theres no need to start the motors - no sea trial necessary, ...There is no such thing as a 15 year old boat thay does not require a survey, just ask your insurance agent.Its mandatory for a policy so do it now and skip the possible surprises. Good luck.

btw, how fast during the trial?? did it crack 70mph?

Re: help buying a bullet
 

Right at 70 no more no less

Re: help buying a bullet
 

all great advise and thanks...any suggestions to surveyers in Seabrook Clear Lake ARea of Tx to recommend?

Re: help buying a bullet
 

not to be a pessimist, I'd ask the dealer who they recommend and make him the one you avoid. Anyone they have a relationship with would be suspect, especially since you from way out of state. If they have a faorite - theres a reason.

good luck

Re: help buying a bullet
 

What year? Tranporter to have insurance. Survey...yes. Sea trail..... yes.

Re: help buying a bullet
 

Its a 1990 bullet with stepped hull. 502/415 mags repowered in 99. Vessel is listed here in OSO.

Re: help buying a bullet
 

DO NOT buy a boat without a survey. That is too much money to spend to risk all of the problems that can be hidden (moisture, stress cracks, broken stringers, etc...). It will be the best $500 (give or take) you ever spend. There are plenty of people that spend a couple G's on survey's before they find the right boat. Better to spend $2,000 on survey's for the right boat than thousands of dollars and countless hours fixing someone's problem. Any salesman who tells you not to get a survey on a 15 year old boat is one I would watch out for.

Good luck!!! A bullet is a GREAT boat. just make sure you buy the right one :)

Re: help buying a bullet
 

Looks nice I'm not sue what you mean by stepeed hull? Notch? Survey runs 10 to 12 dollars per foot not including compression check here?

Re: help buying a bullet
 

It has a notch or pad in the stern of the keel, it is my understanding that only the later Bullets had this notch/pad. Also, does anyone know when did they stopped making the bullet. I read somewhere that they were introduced in 1988?

Re: help buying a bullet
 

I'm sure that you've heard the others say this already, but I'll post it one more time just in case. :cool: :cool:

DO NOT BUY IT WITHOUT GETTING A SURVEY!!!!

I hear that there is a guy named Ed Cozzi that has great pricing on surveys!!! :D :drink: :D :drink:

Re: help buying a bullet
 

The notch is correct. cb

Re: help buying a bullet
 

I know Victor, he is a friend of a friend. He has only had the boat for a short time. 1 or 2 years. That is all I know about it, sorry.

Re: help buying a bullet
 

I heard he is free !!?? :D :D

SURVEY YES !!!!!!!......NO STEPS or PADS on a Bullet !!!.....Notch.....CBDragon will teach you all you need to know about Bullets

Re: help buying a bullet
 

All great advise and I will follow-have left messages for surveyors and will move forward.

Just joined OSO and the professional community is outstanding and proud to be part of it.
Very greatful for the all the support and guidance.-Thank you

Re: help buying a bullet
 

NO STEPS or PADS on a Bullet !!!.....Notch.....CBDragon will teach you all you need to know about Bullets[/QUOTE]

Questions I always wanted to know the answers to.......but didn't ask....but am looking at an '88 with no notch.....

Did the "Notch" allow a higher x-dimension?
How much did the notch improve the speed?
Any reason why you would / would not buy a "non-notched" bullet?

Clueless in Toledo :chimp:

Re: help buying a bullet
 

as said before
you will need the survey for insurance
so get it now
maybe you can even have the seller split it with you

my 89 Bullet with a notch runs in the high 70's with 2 x 565 hp

Re: help buying a bullet
 

PICTURES!!!! WE NEED PICTURES!!!
I hope you took lots of them when you went to see the boat. Post 'em.

Re: help buying a bullet
 

If he does get a survey, how will that effect the now given deposit if the boat fails the survey?

Re: help buying a bullet
 

is this it?

Re: help buying a bullet
 

That depends on how the purchase agreement was written. If it says "non-refundable" he won't get it back. Usually there is a clause stating that the buyer has to be able to finance the boat, so assuming that the survey were to show a value less than the loan value the buyer would be entitled to his deposit.
In this case the broker may try to get the buyer financed locally, which will bring up the problem of insurance coverage. If the survey shows less than the loan value the insurance company will not insure the boat for more than the survey and the full amount of the loan will not be insured. A bad deal, no matter how you look at it.

Re: help buying a bullet
 

i was interested in this boat when it was for sale ( back in Sept. 2003 ). Pictures that were sent to me showed the boat in ruff shape. Was there any updating since?

Re: help buying a bullet
 

more

Re: help buying a bullet
 

Thats the one that I am surveying this weekend--great pics- yes needs some cosmetics and
yes I am on pins and needles ...learning as we go-hopefully any financial hits will be minimum...

Great help-thanks

Re: help buying a bullet
 

or
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...B%3ASS%3AUS%3A1

Re: help buying a bullet
 

Just out of curiousity, how much are they asking for the boat??

Re: help buying a bullet
 

They were asking 50k when he sent me those pics in sept. 03

Re: help buying a bullet
 

:eek: :eek: That's a little bit high...Don't you think?

Re: help buying a bullet
 

That's why i don't own it, and it's still for sale !!

Re: help buying a bullet
 

Jeez, for not a lot more a guy could have my 38 flat-deck.

Re: help buying a bullet
 

http://www.offshoreonly.com/esvon/page-3422.html

see if this works...is this the boat??? $49,500

Re: help buying a bullet
 

This is the boat-
what would be a realistic price?