Weird sale deal- what should I do?

[DreaminFred]

OK Captains-

I've had my boat for sale on sailboatlistings.com for a good price for a couple weeks, lots of calls, several folk have looked at the boat, one is serious and putting together a purchase and sale offer.

Now the weird part.  This old guy called me a couple weeks ago about the boat and bent my ear for an hour about a variety of things not many of which pertained to buying a boat.  I figured it was an old guy with not a lot of folk to talk to so, OK.  This morning he calls (early) and says he wants to buy the boat.  He wants to know how to send the money.  Full price.  The boats on jackstands and  I have my foot in a cast so I can't go get the boat into the water.  I tell him we can finish the deal Labor Day.  He says he wants to do it now- can't I have someone at the marina get it into the water and ready to go?  Hmm, I guess so ...

I few minutes later I get a call from his bank.  Really, I checked the bank and the employee's name- real bank, real employee, real phone number.

I've sold a lot of stuff in my years, some for a lot more money than this, but this is weird.  I'm picturing this guy (I think he's 80) buying my boat, gunning the engine and going out in a blaze of glory.  What should I do?  How should I make it a clean break so there would be no blowback on me if he did something crazy or harmful after buying the boat?

Scratching my head.

And

Dreamin

Fred

[jpendoley]

Fred,
I have heard of lots of scams out there related to boat purchases. The worst I heard is you go to the bank to get the money-get it and get robbed on the way home. A broker weeds that stuff out, but you do pay a commission. Not saying he's not legit, but I think you are wise to be skeptical. 
Jim

[SVJourney]

OK Captain

I've sold a lot of stuff in my years, some for a lot more money than this, but this is weird.  I'm picturing this guy (I think he's 80) buying my boat, gunning the engine and going out in a blaze of glory.  What should I do?  How should I make it a clean break so there would be no blowback on me if he did something crazy or harmful after buying the boat?

Do titles and transfers and go to whatever dept does titles in your state immed after to record the sale?  Here in Oregon boat titles are done by a broker for $60 to do the paperwork.

[Jordan]

In Florida and Colorado, the top 1/3 of your title stays with you when you sell it. You send that into whatever government institution handles titles in your area (DMV or Department of Revenue). That top piece of paper is what removes your responsibility until the purchasing party registers the boat. If you are legitimately concerned about it, definitely check your local laws.

As it relates to Florida:
Extremely Important
Protect Yourself by Filing Form HSMV 82050
Florida law requires sellers to file form HSMV 82050. Filing this form with a motor vehicle service center will remove the seller's registration from the vehicle and help the seller avoid any civil liability for the operation of the motor vehicle after the sale. Once filed, it becomes the buyers's responsibility to apply for the title and registration before he/she can legally operate the motor vehicle. If the buyer fails to do this, and the seller does NOT file form HSMV 82050, the seller can be held liable for actions associated with the motor vehicle, even if they no longer own the vehicle. The form also documents the sale and is the legal receipt. Keep copies of the bill of sale (FLHSMV recommends having it notarized), certificate of title or other type of transaction document showing it was sold.

[DreaminFred]

Thanks, Jordan.

[SVJourney]

Or just sell the boat to me.  
Seriously, there are people like me here who have their eyes open for boats.  Previous owner, looking for another one this winter or late Fall.  If you could post your add URL I would love to look at it as well as know what you sold it for if the crazy dude works out.  It would help us a bunch to understand the market.

[DreaminFred]

https://www.sailboatlistings.com/view/87058

[Jordan]

Damn, and I was thinking I got me a great deal. Joy looks good! And that's a hell of a deal. For my own selfish reasons, is be cool if you sold it to journey. Then they would have to come here and I could pick some brains. And then that would be 3 365s in the water around here. Lol.

[SVJourney]

https://www.sailboatlistings.com/view/87058

Hey Fred,
Looks like exactly what we are looking for.  And being at Indiantown is perfect as well.  Let me know if you need a buyer.  We weren't going to buy till after current boat sold in the PNW, but looks like I could make an exception.  Direct email at wayne_seitz at msn dot com or SVJourney365 at gmail

Wayne & Dana