1998 Caravelle 209 BR

[87glastron]

Question, found a REALLY REALLY nice 98 Caravelle 209 BR with the 5.7 in what I would consider immaculate shape, not even counting it's age. Yes it's seriously THAT nice.

A. It's my understanding that Caravelle is out of business, bad idea to get a boat that's no longer supported?
B. it's a dealer so I get some amount of warranty and it has been recently serviced, 10K too much for a boat that's already 14 years old?

Since I know someone will ask, here's where I saw it but have since seen it in person.
http://kansascity.craigslist.org/bod/3137279377.html

Thanks as always...

 

[bunker108]

Re: 1998 Caravelle 209 BR

I am considering a 1999 Caravelle 188 with a Volvo 4.3. Caravelle is back in business from what I understand and I am not too concerned about dealer/manufacturer support in a boat as old as these anyway. $10k seems high to me even if the boat is super clean. I am working on my deal at $4.5k...it is super clean with a two year old engine. The bigger boat with a V8 should be closer to the $7k range I think. But hey, if you are comfortable with the price and like the boat go for it. A buddy of mine, a Cobalt owner, inspected the boat for me and was impressed with the quality of the Caravelle.

 

[Augoose]

Re: 1998 Caravelle 209 BR

Caravelle is back in business I believe after a hurricane wiped them out several years ago. I would look at www.nadaguides.com and enter the info for the boat to see what the numbers are- then search your boat through craigslist and ebay to examine what your boat or similar boats have sold for to see if its a good deal or not. I just bought a 1999 20' chris craft in great shape for $4,500, so IMO $10K is quite a bit but there may be room for negotation.
Just because a boat manufacturer is or isn't out of business shouldn't sway your consideration- if a company who makes components which the boat is made with (such as an OMC outdrive) is out of business (such as OMC) then I'd stay away. The boat you are looking at looks like it has a mercruiser lower unit with a mercruiser engine- you're good to go there.

What kind of warranty is the dealer giving you?

 

[DB Cooper]

Re: 1998 Caravelle 209 BR

I believe Caravelle went bankrupt and closed their doors in 2009, some of their molds were sold to Mariah and the boats lived on as such. Some investors for North Alabama bought the company and have since reopened their doors so to speak. The Interceptor line was split off and branded by itself, no longer Caravelle.

The price is definitely higher than NADA, but for my area that is about what a 21' 1998 boat in really good condition is listed for. The ad states that it is a 300hp motor, that would make it a 350 Magnum MPI (multiport fuel injected). That would be a big plus for me if that is what it really is. Probably is some bargaining room, most people know that a buyer wants to haggle a little.

 

[bunker108]

Re: 1998 Caravelle 209 BR

Did you get it? The posting has been deleted.

 

[87glastron]

Re: 1998 Caravelle 209 BR

It was a consignment. There would be no warranty, however the dealers shop checked it through and gave it a full bill of health. It all checked out. That said I did not buy it, I wont buy another boat without a water test and headed up to look at it and do so on Saturday. Someone was already signing paperwork when I got there.

Hope it works out for them.