I have to agree with the seller. If you give a deposit you take away any chance of him selling the boat before spring. You control the boat. If you back out he missed other chances to sell it. Being up here in the north makes it kind of a bad deal for both parties. You have to gamble that the boat is what he says it is or gamble that it doesn't sell before you can run it. Good luck with finding what you are looking for, I'm sure something will work out.