Finding a Boat and Having it Surveyed

After keeping an eye on various boat listings, Michael Martin (my broker whom I met at two AGLCA Rendezvous') found a boat that seemed to fit my requirements (late model Ranger 29 Tug with air conditioning, propane stove, and in good condition).   

Everything seemed fine at first, until we realized that the boat had air conditioning, but no generator so the only place the air conditioning could be used was in a marina with shore power!  I almost pulled out, but decided to move ahead since it seemed like a good price and a generator could be added. 

Bluestone was a 2012 Ranger 29 Tug.  The boat was at at a Ranger Tug dealership where she had lived her whole life.  The boat was in pristine condition.  She was owned by an older couple, who had not had much chance to use her due to health issues. They were selling her completely fitted out, including life jackets and even pots and pans, so of which still had their labels on them.

The engine only had 70 hours on her.  This might be a cause for concern, as diesel engines like to work and just having them sitting around is not good.  However, the yard where she was very experienced with Ranger Tugs, the yard owner having been in the business for over 40 years, and all of the required maintenance had been done.  

Bluestone as shown in the broker's listing on Yachtworld

I  had to find my own surveyors (Hull and Engine), which was a challenge from 3,000 miles away. Thankfully, Michael was able to give me some ideas of places to look.  It took some back and forth, but I was able to arrange the date and times (keeping in mind tide schedules) for everything to come together.   I then set up my flights and hotel room.   Some people rely on their broker to attend the survey, but most want to be present as did I.

Michael and I met in Salem, MA aand went out to the boat on Monday morning for the initial inspection.  

At that point she was on shore.  We looked her over, and everything seemed in order and as described in the materials we had seen.  This is not always the case with boats.  My Hull Surveyor had already
been on board to inspect the boat, and had not found any major problems.

The next morning we drove out to Winter Island Yacht Yard and I got my first view of her Bluestone in the water!  There was a sheen 

of ice on the seawater, and we joked about checking out her ice breaking capabilities!

My broker, Michael Martin, from Curtis stokes.  He was very patient with all of my first-time buyer questions.  He was also quite cold!

On board for the sea trial was the Hull Surveyor, the Engine Surveyor, Wagner from Winter Island Yacht Yard (who drove the boat as the owner's representative), Michael Martin, and I.  As you can see in the photo, it was still quite cold!   I wasn't really sure what questions to ask, but my broker Michael knew what to look for and I spent most of the time keeping out of the way and poking into closets and other spaces.   

We did not have much time to do the sea trial, since the tide was falling, but the surveyors felt happy with the what they saw.  After the completion of the survey the boat was taken ashore and the surveyors completed their work on dry land.   I was very glad that I had chartered a Ranger 29 Tug in 2017, so I was already familiar with the layout of the boat.    

I got to spend some time visiting with Peter, the owner of Winter Island Yacht Yard, and we discussed possible work to be done on the boat, if I was to accept her based on the written survey results.  This seemed to be likely since the initial responses of the two surveyors, and Michael, were very positive.