Boat Value?

[oldsquaw76]

I have a chance to buy a 96 18' celebrity with a 5.7 v8 (235 hours) plus tubes and skies for 6000. Everything but the interior in the boat is in great condition, there is some cracking inside the boat. I cant run the boat now becasue all of the lakes and rivers here have a foot of ice on them. This is a private seller so i get no guarantee from him other than his word that the boat is "perfect" runnign order. Should i trust him or wait until the weather gets better to buy a boat that i can test run?

 

[eaglejim]

Re: Boat Value?

That is a lot of money to put on someones word,I would wait there will be other deals.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Boat Value?

You could take it to a marine and have it checked, they know what to look for.

I don't like the "cracking inside the boat" though and anyhow with things like they are the boat will probably still be there in the spring and the seller will be even more motivated.

I have learned when I get a hinky feeling there is usually a reason, it is easier to walk now and maybe miss a good boat than to have a giant bobber with skis and tubes in the spring.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Boat Value?

cracking is a BIG red flag.

Buying a boat

1st you need to decide what you want to use it for, fishing, cruising, or water sports.

2nd how many people adults, children you want on board of the average outing.

3rd outboard, inboard-outboard, or inboard power plant.

4th Budget, what you want to pay, and what you are willing to pay, when you find
Exactly what you want.

You can hire a marine surveyor, to inspect the boat, or you can do it yourself.

You are mainly looking for soft spots in the deck, transom, cracks, all signs of a rotten, under frame. You walk all over the deck, that a mallot, or hammer with wooden handle, using handle, tap all over the transom, a shape rap is good solid base, a thud, is questionable base.

The motor should be clean, no spots where the paint is discolored, or pealing from heat, having run hot. (This part for outboard motors Compression should be atleast 100psi, and within 10% of each other,)
Spark on all cylinders, good pee stream, check lower unit for water in oil.

The overall condition of the boat will tell you a lot, as to how it has been maintained.
boat motor combo, A 30 year old may be in better condition, than a 3 year old

 

[tmh]

Re: Boat Value?

So basically, the only thing you can objectively evaluate is how it looks ...... and THAT isn't in vey good shape. I'd pass. At the very least, I'd have a marine mechanic totally check out the engine and drive.

That is a decent boat with great engine for it.

 

[kaferhaus]

Re: Boat Value?

The fact that the interior of the boat is in bad condition should give you a clue as to how this fellow took care of it. If he neglected that I can assure you that he likely neglected the rest of it.

Has the boat been stored outside?... from your desciption it sounds like it has... and with the interior in such bad shape it likely wasn't covered properly for a long time.

This is a bad time to be selling a boat.... and the fact that it's the middle of the winter with no chance to water test the boat I wouldn't even consider it.

Wait until the water thaws out before buying anything other than what you expect to be a major rebuild to begin with and pay accordingly.

Over the years I've bought 2 boats without a water test. I was never happy with either one of them.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Boat Value?

I agree with everyone else, it is just too much of a risk based upon condition.

Come the spring there will most likely be a glut of boats for sale as the economy and rising unemployment force people to sell their boats. You should have your pick of the lot at that time.

 

[oldsquaw76]

Re: Boat Value?

Thanks for the advice fellas, i will pass on it! Something better will come along im sure of it!