Boat Shopping SUCKS

bajaunderground

bajaunderground

Lieutenant
Joined
Apr 18, 2008
Messages
1,401
Re: Boat Shopping SUCKS

I actually meant to put ..."I know it won't make a..."

Alas, you're probably correct!
 
lncoop

lncoop

Vice Admiral
Joined
Apr 18, 2010
Messages
5,147
Re: Boat Shopping SUCKS

Where in Arkansas is the listing, whipped? Just curious.
 
thumpar

thumpar

Admiral
Joined
Jun 21, 2007
Messages
6,138
Re: Boat Shopping SUCKS

When we started shopping last summer the first boat I contacted the sell on is our current boat. After wait to hear back I gave up hope and started looking at other boats. I found a Mariah in Seattle (4.5 hours on way) and we planned on leaving the next day to get it. Well I couldn't get a hold of the seller the night before. We had talked many times before and he would no longer answer the phone. Come to find out his story was that the boat was owned by his sister and she was in France. He said he had singed titles from her. Too sketchy for me. The only other boat I liked is the Crownline that I couldn't get it contact with. After sending a few more emails I had my wife email him. He finally responded. We looked at it and bought it.

A weeks after buying it we where pulling out at the ramp and a guy asked about the boat. He said he wanted to buy it before use. When he showed up, with cash, to look at it the seller refused and said he had done that to 2 other people. He didn't want to sell it. I must have been at the right spot at the right time.

I think you would be happy with the Crownline. They feel much bigger than they are. The quality is fantastic with them. I was talking with a customer of mine and he said that he has had 3 of them and loves them.
 
P

phillyg

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 26, 2007
Messages
209
Re: Boat Shopping SUCKS

Trust me, it's just as bad for sellers, too.
 
LippCJ7

LippCJ7

Vice Admiral
Joined
Sep 20, 2010
Messages
5,431
Re: Boat Shopping SUCKS

Can't go wrong with a properly maintained Crownline..


But I am Biased LOL....
 
C

crabby captain john

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Aug 6, 2011
Messages
1,823
Re: Boat Shopping SUCKS

I never look on CL for a boat. Tried it and no one takes care of their boat as I expect. I usually sell mine to the 1st person that looks at it from CL or word of mouth. I price them right, have all maintenance records, and let them know I'm not negotiating. I tell them to show up at the marina and when I see cash we can go for a sea trial. Priced right, good condition, sea trial, maintenance records.... never have seen anyone else do that on CL. I have bought many boats, all but 2 were new. The two used boats I bought through a broker.
 
onewhippedpuppy

onewhippedpuppy

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 11, 2012
Messages
163
Re: Boat Shopping SUCKS

crabby captain john said:
I never look on CL for a boat. Tried it and no one takes care of their boat as I expect. I usually sell mine to the 1st person that looks at it from CL or word of mouth. I price them right, have all maintenance records, and let them know I'm not negotiating. I tell them to show up at the marina and when I see cash we can go for a sea trial. Priced right, good condition, sea trial, maintenance records.... never have seen anyone else do that on CL. I have bought many boats, all but 2 were new. The two used boats I bought through a broker.
Click to expand...

You will when I sell my Tahoe Q4 this spring. All paper records in a folder and recorded in Excel by date, about 60 high resolution photos showing everything, and a comprehensive description. I buy, fix up, and resell a lot of cars, using that formula I've never had a buyer feel they were deceived in any way, even out of state buyers who purchased sight unseen.

Oh yeah, and I won't sell my boat when it's not clean. Why in the hell are people too lazy to even dust and vs vacuum the thing before showing it? Then they always say, "it just needs detailed". Ok, then detail the effing thing! Not to mention that the best detailer in the world can't remove fiberglass gouges and torn vinyl, but that's a different topic.....
 
JaSla74

JaSla74

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Oct 14, 2008
Messages
506
Re: Boat Shopping SUCKS

phillyg said:
Trust me, it's just as bad for sellers, too.
Click to expand...

X2. For the last 5 years I've bought & sold all my vehicles & boats on CL along with countless other items. It can be rough on both sides, however as others have mentioned patience is the key. If you hold out long enough you'll find the right boat. Also, pictures are not worth a 1000 words on CL.
 
coolbri70

coolbri70

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Oct 6, 2011
Messages
1,554
Re: Boat Shopping SUCKS

I am not trying to buy a boat, but can't stop shopping for one:facepalm:. I CL constantly, in fact if I'm not here on iboats looking at other peoples boats or at work its boat trader, fleabay, or fbglsics, unless in on the lake or river:twitch:
 
H

h2odick

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 11, 2012
Messages
194
Re: Boat Shopping SUCKS

onewhippedpuppy said:
In a perfect world: 1995+, 22'-25', mid to high line brand, strong preference for snap in carpet and walk through transom, very clean and well maintained, low $20k range.
Click to expand...

Not sure in your area, but out here that's no problem. I bought my current boat (sig) for half that. Even came with an extra set/pair of F6 duo props (i had to hold back the big grin/smile when the owner told me there were spares under the seat that were included)
Only thing I had to really do was put new batteries in it, and service the trailer hubs/bearings/brakes.
Although, I did all the usuals of course - oil, fuel/water filter, cap, plugs, wires, manifolds, risers, impeller, bellows, gear oil, audio system, wax, polish..

Edit: Damn! all this talk about boat shopping.. now I'm looking.. and have become overwhelmed with 2 foot itis! :lol::der:
 
Last edited:
thumpar

thumpar

Admiral
Joined
Jun 21, 2007
Messages
6,138
Re: Boat Shopping SUCKS

Don't forget beam. Even 6" can give you much more room inside. I see a lot that are 8'. The 8'6" is a big difference in room and ride.
 
onewhippedpuppy

onewhippedpuppy

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 11, 2012
Messages
163
Re: Boat Shopping SUCKS

h2odick said:
Not sure in your area, but out here that's no problem. I bought my current boat (sig) for half that. Even came with an extra set/pair of F6 duo props (i had to hold back the big grin/smile when the owner told me there were spares under the seat that were included)
Only thing I had to really do was put new batteries in it, and service the trailer hubs/bearings/brakes.
Although, I did all the usuals of course - oil, fuel/water filter, cap, plugs, wires, manifolds, risers, impeller, bellows, gear oil, audio system, wax, polish..

Edit: Damn! all this talk about boat shopping.. now I'm looking.. and have become overwhelmed with 2 foot itis! :lol::der:
Click to expand...

I wouldn't hesitate to get a nice boat from the 1990s. But that whole "nice" thing seems to be an issue.

thumpar said:
Don't forget beam. Even 6" can give you much more room inside. I see a lot that are 8'. The 8'6" is a big difference in room and ride.
Click to expand...

Yup, the 20' Crownline 216 that we like has a 8'6" beam. Probably why it feels bigger than a 20'.
 
redneck joe

redneck joe

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 18, 2009
Messages
11,451
Re: Boat Shopping SUCKS

you know that is interesting; you almost never hear (see) anyone talking about beam when looking for boats. It's all about the length.

Our last two (big) boats had bigger than average beam and it sure spoiled us. The 25' had a 9' 6" and the 34' had a 12' 11".
 
coolbri70

coolbri70

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Oct 6, 2011
Messages
1,554
Re: Boat Shopping SUCKS

if you get something with larger than 8'6" beam it's considered a wide load and requires permit to tow, my bayliner 2655 was 9'6" and I had to hire the marina to move it for me
 
redneck joe

redneck joe

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 18, 2009
Messages
11,451
Re: Boat Shopping SUCKS

I hauled our 2550 from MO to TN then up and down the highway here a few times never had anyone stop me. I remember the first time I saw a trooper coming up behind me I thought that was going to be it but he just passed.
 
P

pullin

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Sep 19, 2012
Messages
103
Re: Boat Shopping SUCKS

I went thru the Craigslist hell a few years ago. Here's my thread on translating CL claims to reality. :)

After months of looking, and about 1500 miles traveled, I bought my neighbor's boat.
 
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