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Saturday we got our formal offer accepted on the boat we want. Everyones happy!
This morning I get a call from the owner and he informs me that somehow last night the boat got caught on the pier and was partially sunk for a couple of hours It has been seaTowed to the drydock and is now up on the hard.
I have not been able to look at it yet, and am wondering at this point if I even want to!
Just returned to the office today from a vacation and did not plan on taking a trip to NC this afternoon.
According to the owner the bottom of the CAT 3208 and Tranny were in the water. I am told that the CAT guys are flushing the motor and transmittion and going over her. Boat yard is telling the current owner that it will be ready to go tomorrow afternoon.
Guess I'll be heading to NC soon and determine if I want to renegotiate this deal or proceed to run.
More than likely will be running!!
Wife just called and is very upset. Just my luck - get the wife all excited about our 'new' boat and the dam thing sinks at the dock!!
I believe this is what they refer to as a zero star day....
Coulda been worse, coulda happened after you already bought it!
The Cat people are pretty good at getting em going again, that said, things like electricals will never be the same again (read reliable in the longer term) once submerged - so it depends on how deep the engine went and whether the alternator went under...and what else besides the sump and tranny went under.
One of course has to ask - how the boat got caught "under the pier" to be raised with the tide and tipped low enough in one stern quarter to tip her below waterline?.
What other cosmetic damage to gunnels transom etc occurred?
Mightn't be a real biggee - but you'd want to know a lot more details from those who saw what really happened is my best guess..
I'd hang onto the settlement cheque until you get to the bottom of it.
Ohh yeah - make sure they change out the sacrificial anodes INSIDE the tranny - they are usually only good for about 150 - hours, and sitting underwater for 8 or more hours in saltwater with all those dissimilar metals around wouldn't have increased their life expectancy any!
Trouty - "One of course has to ask - how the boat got caught "under the pier" to be raised with the tide and tipped low enough in one stern quarter to tip her below waterline?. "
Thats basically is the short version of what I was told.
I have a friend with a couple of boats down, no doubt I'll be hearing the entire story very soon.
Hunterson - Thanks for the offer. I have been able to track down Bob Eldridge in Carolina Beach. He is only a few miles from the boat and will be seeing it later today.
Barry,
Get down there or get somebody else down there in a hurry, BEFORE they clean it up. This way you have a good idea of what really occured rather than relying on the "the cat's bottom got wet ....". You may find out that is true, the bottom did get wet, but you may also find out that the TOP of the cat ALSO got wet!! Man I hope not.
That really sucks dude, I feel for ya!! Good luck and I hope only the cat's ass got wet!!
Barry- Say it ain't so! That really sucks! I know how much you said your wife was eager to get the boat too!
I would definitely make haste to get a true idea of the damage NOW and definitely not later. It would also help to see if you can interview the catain of the towing company that pulled her around. They always take pictures of the unusual stuff... just in case. Might be well worth the peace of mind if you had to pay for a set.
Also find out if there are any unbiased witnesses like other boatyard occupants, patrons etc. that can give you accounts.
Man, oh, man that hurts!
__________________
There are two theories to arguing with women. Neither one works.
The Seller must be considering suicide. Finally gets his boat sold so he can get a new ride and what happens, the old boat sinks before he can get the deal closed. Life sucks for both of those guys (seller/buyer).
I've always been one that believes that things happen for a reason........this may be happening because this is not the right boat for you.......the right hull maybe, but not the right boat.* I know you are going to go over this boat with a fine toothed comb........as well you should for the magnitude of the investment.* This may have been a simple accident of timing.......but then again it may not.* You may have already looked into getting a pro surveyor in on your deal.......I think it would be very helpful to your peace of mind given this event.
Good luck to you.......I hope all turns out in your best interest.
Went to have a hard look at the boat. We have walked away from this particular deal. Lets just say that more than this cats ass got wet. Someone might be ok with it, but I am not. I don't think the owner has quite got a handle on what has just happened to the value of his boat.
Sorry to hear that Barry. Let us know what your looking for and maybe we can find a better one for ya!! I know you said when I saw you it was some kind of Downeaster, how big....?
And, send me the guys email and phone number, I wouldn't mind buying an old sunken Down Easter REAL cheap in a few months after he DOES realise what his vessel isn't worth anymore!!
Usually it takes an owner many, many months to come to the conclusion that their boat is worth nowheres near what they think it is. And in many cases some idiot with more cash than brains will eventually come along to buy it if the owner holds out long enough.
Very sorry to hear about what happened - but glad that you got to see the damage first-hand before finalizing the buy!
It would ALWAYS be in the back of your mind while out on the boat and THAT'S not what enjoying a boat is about! Too much money invested, and MORE importantly - the SAFETY issues that may or may NOT be obvious!
There's too many GOOD boats out there looking for owners to be "iffy" about buying one that has had questionable damage!
Good luck on the other one and keep us posted - still PLENTY of summer and fishin' weather left!
Good news / Very bad news 
It has been seaTowed to the drydock and is now up on the hard. 
photob
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