Another is this a good deal? thread

[Lodger]

1999 Blue Water 18', 3.0L GM I/O, base model. I haven't spoken to the guy yet so don't know the hours. Asking $8,000 I know the engine is a little week, but we'll be using it primarily as a runabout, not a ton of water sports. Based on that little info, is it worth looking at?

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[dcg9381]

Re: Another is this a good deal? thread

The boat in Seattle?

That boat and motor as a runabout are adequate. As you've mentioned, it's not going to be a solid watersports boat.

I think the price is "OK", not great - but it really depends on the condition of the boat. Kept covered, maintenance receipts, hour meter with low hours on it, I might bite at that price if everything else lines up very well. It's going to be a harder sell than 4.3L powered and better boats.. A hard enough sell to make that price come down, IMHO.

Price it against 17-19 foot runabouts with the 130hp I/O in your area.. That'll be your best gauge.

BUC didn't have much on 1999 models.

 

[Lodger]

Re: Another is this a good deal? thread

I just talked to the guy, it's at a used car lot. He said it's in good shape, with 115 hrs on it (not sure if I believe that). I asked about a test ride and he said he'd run the engine for me with water, but he didn't want to take it off the lot. Any concerns with that?

 

[tommays]

Re: Another is this a good deal? thread

You can't really tell much beyond it starts without an on water run

It is pretty normal to buy a boat with final payment AFTER it passes the Sea Trial

 

[rndn]

Re: Another is this a good deal? thread

Agree, make the deal final on a sea trial with nothing wrong. There is no reason the sales person would mind doing this unless something is wrong. Keep in mind it's possible someone took it to a car lot for trade in because they knew the car people would not be able to check to see if something is majorly wrong. It's also possible they took it there because they needed a car and could not afford both a car and a boat payment. All the more reason to take it for a sea trial.

 

[dcg9381]

Re: Another is this a good deal? thread

Any concerns with that?

Yes. No test ride = no boat buy. Always. Without exception.

Keep looking.. a private party will offer a better deal. Lots of nice boats in the $8k range.

 

[erikgreen]

Re: Another is this a good deal? thread

And you can ignore the used car lot guy saying "it's in good shape". He probably has no more knowledge than you about it.

At the very least you need a sea trial, but for that kind of cash I'd have a marine surveyor look it over. Anything he finds will lower the price, and he may prevent you from making an expensive mistake.

Erik

 

[BF]

Re: Another is this a good deal? thread

buying from a car lot would be my last choice.... at least at a boat dealer, they MAY actually do a proper inspection on it before it is sold. If you are really are interested, in addition to a water trial, ask for the contact info of the owner. If it was a trade, they may let you call them to inquire about maintenance etc.

As said above, first choice (for me) would be a private sale, on a nice garage kept unit bought new by Felix Unger.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Another is this a good deal? thread

some boat dealer are as bad as car dealers. used is buyer beware.

 

[Nandy]

Re: Another is this a good deal? thread

Will you buy a car in the same dealer without taking it for a spin? I think not. Same applies to boats.

 

[Lodger]

Re: Another is this a good deal? thread

Thanks for all of the input, you've got a great board here!