'57 Lonestar Malibu - What is value?

[scottcannon]

I will be selling our original, unrestored (survivor) 1957 Lonestar Malibu 14' aluminum boat with the original 35hp Johnson Golden Javelin outboard motor that has been in my family since purchased new. It has never been in salt water, used only on lakes in the West Texas, New Mexico area and has been stored in a boat house or garage its entire life. Before my dad passed away, he suggested I sell it for $10,000. If this is not reasonable, can someone on this forum give me an idea what it is worth? Thanks!

 

[H20Rat]

Re: '57 Lonestar Malibu - What is value?

First of all, cool boat! But... there isn't that much market for a classic boat like that, especially when the new owner doesn't have any emotional attachment to it. Boats aren't cars, this isn't a barn-find '69 shelby mustang with 8000 original miles.

I'd say price it like any other 1957 metal boat with a 35 on the back and add maybe 50% to it. Couple thousand ($2000-$3000) at best? You MIGHT get a bite on it, or nothing. Could be vastly wrong though, so I'm curious what others have to say. Lastly, are those current pics? Noticed the 2006 sticker on it. A lot can happen to boat in 8 years, and as I buyer, that sticker would make me nervous.

 

[scottcannon]

Re: '57 Lonestar Malibu - What is value?

Thanks for the reply! The photos were taken this past weekend. The 2006 sticker was the last time it was registered.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: '57 Lonestar Malibu - What is value?

Thanks for the reply! The photos were taken this past weekend. The 2006 sticker was the last time it was registered.

I'd peel that sticker off entirely! So I'm assuming the motor hasn't probably ran since 2006 then?

 

[scottcannon]

Re: '57 Lonestar Malibu - What is value?

Thanks for the reply! I started it this weekend. It started-up fine, ran for a few seconds at a time, water pump was pumping water. I think it may need a tune-up (fuel system cleaned/adjusted) after being stored for a few years is all.

 

[JimS123]

Re: '57 Lonestar Malibu - What is value?

Our current Depression has greatly reduced the demand for classic boats. With low demand, prices have fallen accordingly. When I finished my restoration in 2006, she was appraised at $10,000. A few months ago one just like her sold for $3800 on EBay.

If it was a ChrisCraft or the like you would get calls. Sorry to say, Lonestars, although a very fine boat, has little collector interest. Yours looks to be in pristime condition.

My first thought was to ask $2000. Most people who would want that type boat would buy it as a "user boat", not a "collector boat". As such, they won't pay a premium. If you get more than $1000 I would be surprised.

With its provenance, if it were mine the value would be priceless and it would remain in the family for as long as I was alive! You could always save it for the Grandkids - just keep it inside.

 

[scottcannon]

Re: '57 Lonestar Malibu - What is value?

Thanks! That's disappointing, but I understand. :blue:

 

[mr 88]

Re: '57 Lonestar Malibu - What is value?

Some of the Lone Star fiberglass boats fetch a pretty penny,yours is not one of them.I agree with JimS that you are probably looking at 2 grand from someone that will use it as a daily driver.The motor is somewhat sought after and your setup does look real sweet but the hull is lacking the character that a collector might be after.Most are looking for something that screams different,like fins/bottom design/weird windshield or something more off beat than what you have.Try posting up over on fiberglassics.com either in the main forum or in the aluminum section and maybe ask about the motor in the Johnson section to see what they go for. Check out the boats at billscars.com if you want to see some unique boats that might fetch what you were hoping for...Why not keep it ? It was Dads boat and you will be kicking yourself in the *** for selling it to someone that has no sentimental attachment to it like you have....IMHO.

 

[Mel Taylor]

Re: '57 Lonestar Malibu - What is value?

Scott, I live here in Las Cruces and my guess would be around the $2,000 to $2,500 dollar range at best, especially with both Elephant Butte and Caballo lakes being so low on water again this year.

BUT, consider this: I paid about twice fair market value for a 1984, 16' Blue Fin aluminum boat last year because it was exactly the boat I had been looking for and I hadn't been able to find another one within reasonable driving distance of Las Cruces. So whether it was worth what I paid for it to anyone else it was worth it to me.

If you can afford to hold that boat and keep it inside so that it stays in the shape it is in now, you might try asking like thirty five hundred, to see if someone turns up who, like me, is looking for just what you have. Then if you haven't sold it by the end of the season (say September) drop the price and keep advertising it on CraigsList through the winter. Chances are you will have it sold by this time next year. Those old Lone Stars still have a good reputation here and they are really good boats. I did notice that the trailer is a little unusual. That would make me a little nervous and I'm not sure whether that would lower the value or not.

BTW, My son is still using the Lone Star King Commander that my dad (of blessed memory) bought new in '57. It is the same boat as yours except it is set up for fishing with bench seats, and doesn't have the windshield, lights, etc. and he has a 1984, 25 horse Johnson on it

 

[greenbush future]

Re: '57 Lonestar Malibu - What is value?

Lone Starts are nice, and your boat is one of the nicer ones I've seen for sure. I snagged one, and am restoring it, I bought it because it was very unique at least to me. Mine came with twin 35's and is around 1960, it's a glass boat. But I have no illusion's that it will ever be worth what I put into it to bring it back from it's beat up condition. It's all there and original, but if I get $2K when it's finished, I think I will be really happy. I bought it because it was unique (twin factory outboards). You can ask what ever ya want, it's worth is really difficult to be put in black and white, because next week someone might pay ya that $10K. Depends how quick you need it gone, if it were mine, I would sit one it or use it.