Well I'm not there quite yet. I'm hoping that the survey goes well. The surveyor needs a week to write up the results. Once that is done I can finish the loan application. I've been "pre-approved" by the bank but they have paperwork to push before they cut a check. The owner still has a lien on the boat so I'm not sure how that fits in the process. I also need to secure insurance, title the boat in Maryland, and get new registration stickers. Boat US wants $1000/year for insurance...so I need to shop around. Then I need to drive it down the bay to my marina. It is still cold here so I may have to wait until it warms up a bit. I didn't realize how complicated boat buying could be! The "sea trial" is part of the survey on Saturday...high temp will be like 49 degrees. Hard core boating

Of all the Formula colors , red seems to be the one that fades the worst . On the other hand , they do look good when polished up
I would tend to lean toward the NH boat , but I'm a little closer and would have no problem towing it home myself.
Good luck with your purchase

Typically your bank will issue the owner's bank a check for the balance of his loan, and a check to him for the remainder of the money.

Shop hard for insurance - Boat US always has the highest quotes that I've found. The best is the last place I looked - through your homeowner's or auto insurance company if they offer it. I pay half of what any Marine Insurer wants.

That insurance sounds high to me. Check a thread by Baja Daze about his insurance man. I think he's paying 800 something a year for a 25 Outlaw.

I've found the same thing. Boat US was high for me, but they made up for it with really crappy service when you make a claim..

The survey was done today and then we did a sea trial. I was very impressed with the ride, slices right through a 1 1/2 chop.

But as we were coming back in at WOT, something went "snap" and the motor revved up. Owner pulled back the throttle. Motor runs fine but when put into gear boat doesn't go. A passing boater towed us to a marina nearby. Then we called Tow BoatUS and got towed back to his marina. I wonder what happened. Stern drive was recently rebuilt (I saw the receipt) and this is the first time that the boat has been taken out since the work was done. The search continues...

Drive coupler most likely. Did you smell any burning rubber?

I didn't notice any particular smell. Whatever broke sounded expensive.

And I'm glad I wasn't driving.

Probably the splines in the coupler. They make that noise and no burnt rubber smell. Been there , done that. The shaft is steel and the splines in the coupler are aluminum. Must have good alignment and be kept greased.

Oh, one more thing about this boat. A repair was made to the right rear corner of the boat. Interestingly now there is no hull ID number. Why would someone do that. Owner reports that it was like that when he bought it. hmmm.