I Had 3 Hours to Inspect a $6,000 Boat—Then I Bought It

Three hours, a $6,000 price tag, and other buyers waiting. Was buying Bay Lark after inspecting her myself a mistake? In this video, I walk through my initial inspection of Bay Lark, a 1985 Silverton 40 Aft Cabin that I bought for my Great Loop adventure. I explain what impressed me, what needed work, what I couldn’t test, and some problems I discovered after the purchase. Both Volvo Penta diesels started and showed good oil pressure—but with the boat on land, I couldn’t perform a sea trial. From the hull and running gear to the engine room, helm, plumbing, interior, and deck, every area helped shape my decision. I’m not a professional marine surveyor. I brought 35 years of experience in heavy equipment, electrical work, carpentry, and commercial construction. This is an honest account of my own buying decision, not a recommendation to skip a professional survey. Bay Lark’s previous owner spent three years working toward his dream of cruising the Florida Loop. Now I’m picking up where he left off, working toward America’s Great Loop. Would you have taken the gamble—or walked away? Tell me in the comments. Subscribe to A Redneck’s Guide to the Great Loop to follow Bay Lark’s return to cruising, one repair at a time. Planning America’s Great Loop? Follow the complete Bay Lark restoration and Great Loop preparation series:    • Bay Lark: From Boatyard to the Great Loop   Join America’s Great Loop Cruisers’ Association here: https://www.greatloop.org/join-online... Use my Ambassador Code *DENNIS10* to save $10 on your new membership. Disclosure: I may earn a 10% commission when my ambassador code is used. #GreatLoop #BoatSurvey #BoatRestoration