Should I buy it without a sea trial???

[T380Fisher]

Agreed...a sea trial is a must.

I seatrialed my boat in mid-January on the Chesapeake (no ice, but freakin cold!!!...no enclosure) The selling broker made us responsible to re-winterize the engines and genset. A small price to pay considering the expense of buying the boat.

If you are iced in, it is common place to escrow some money contingent on the successful sea trial as you will not be using the boat until it gets launched.

[Questsportfishing]

a survey if you plan on insuring her also and all this can go down at the same time... flip every switch.. run every system and document it for yourself... Seatrial!!!

[billh22]

I'hope to meet everyone thier and show off my new (under construction) Judge 36 Chesapeake is my latest attempt at the perfect boat (for me). I won’t bore you with my past attempts but I can tell you there were many very well equipped both large and small, so here goes. I fish out of Northern New Jersey and wanted the versatility of fishing inshore and offshore with an occasional bay day with the grand kids.

The standard configuration offers a large cockpit and weather protection, (unlike my prior 31 Cc). The forward V berth was also a must for the days where you need 20 minutes to recharge or you get to the boat earlier and have several hours wait for departure. I went with a single 480hp Cummins. It won’t keep up with the triple OB 300’s but it will cruise at 30+ knots burning 1.7 gal hr in anything I would enjoy fishing in, tops out at 34k. Great ride with no spray and very low noise.

Besides the huge in hull 150 gal fish box and 30 gal live well I added a 70 gal stern live well with dual rule 1100 GPH pumps, also insulated for a fish box if needed.

One of the best features is the rear helm. Custom made for tackle and sinker storage it also has full controls for bow thruster, start/stop, autopilot. Equipment includes a Furuno MFD-12 plotter, FV-295 1kw fathometer, 6kw 4’ open array radar along with a SPX-20 Raymarine pilot. A A70D Raymarine combo plotter/fathometer provides for info at the rear helm.

Hope to see you at the show Bill H

[Sea Draggin]

billh,
sounds like a good mix of speed, economy and creature comforts.

If I were closer, I'd ask for a ride myself

[gradyfish265]

Every dealer out there will be willing to offer a sea trial. Every boat I have bought or have looked at with friends who have bought, the dealer has always been willing to put in the contract deal pending sea trial. You HAVE to sea trial a boat before buying these days because there are so many different ride styles, you have to enjoy what your buying to spend money, especially now with the economy. If the dealer will not do so, I would not buy from them, that means they are not confident in their product. If they were they would not think twice. Another alternative which I've seen is dealers contacting owners in the area who might be willing to let you run their boat, but being it is the off season for many, there might not be a boat available to jump on.

As far as that particular boat goes, it is a good boat for the price and I've heard nothing but good things about them from owners. I have never run one but have been on them at docks and boat shows and have heard input from owners who were very happy with them.

Would you buy a car without driving it?...likely not unless you needed a car that day. I doubt you need the boat today, if they will not let you sea trial it, wait for one in stock, or find a dealer in another state with one who will let you run one and deal with them if needed.

[captjohn22]

I am very close to buying a new 24 capehorn, but I cant get a sea trial, I have heard some great things about the ride on here. But im not sure about buying the boat without getting on her myself..........I need some input, are they that good where I dont need a sea trial. Its a new boat so I know the systems are fine, its not like buying an older boat......Just not sure what to do.

I have gone through two new boat and five used boat buys. All systems do not always work on on new boats when delivered so you must look at it as a survayer would. Check every thing. Every light, pump, windshild wiper, EVERYTHING. It is much easer to get things fixed before the money changes hands.
A sea trial on a less than perfect day is a must. Up sea, down and across sea and drifting in a beam sea. Call me if you wish, I have stories I don't want to print here, but do not buy any boat without a sea trial. I do not sign the papers until I have sea trialed .

[jawz12]

let me give ya my 2 cents...

terry,"dreaminnewjersey",has a deal working with a pretty reputable guy-as in the boat dealer,it's a new boat,not a brokerage...
think about this for a second...
boat is readied for launching,engines are ran,dewinterized,water systems are dewinterized,and the boat is launched...after the boat is launched and ran,the boat will then need to be compltley winterized again...who is responsible for this,can't charge the buyer-remember,it's a new boat here...here's more,the dealers in our area,nj,for the most part are closed,read that as service personell are usually "layed off" this time of year...all things to think about...
all things to think about huh ??

my feelings are simple,if it was a used brokerage boat,no way !!! it's a new,as in new boat,under warranty,and sold by a very reputable dealer,meaning,if you like the boat,buy it,have an agreement,stating,any problems will be addressed,if needed...

and yeah,i've seen new boats with serious problems,i realize it means nothing being new...

just my 2 cents...