Boat's been sitting around at a semi local dealership Need help

MacPointMan

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 15, 2010
Messages
114
Re: Boat's been sitting around at a semi local dealership Need help

First off, anyone who looks down on you for owning a Bayliner, especially one that you aren't making payments on, is someone that you probably don't want to associate with. Buy the boat that is right for you. Buy the boat the meets your needs. Buy the boat that you like. Most importantly Buy the boat that fits your budget and that you can afford.

Resale value on Bayliners is not great but a boat in good shape with a good motor and drive, a boat that has been well cared for with good vinyl, floors, gauges and such even if it is 20+ years old will go for $3,000 - $5,000 in my area.

I did not buy my boat for resale value I did not buy it as an investment as far as money is concerned. I bought my boat as an investment in my family. If It gives me 5 good years I will be happy. By then I should have saved enough money to buy a newer boat maybe even a used 2010 Bayliner. I also have my heart set on one day owning a Regal. We will see what my needs are when the time comes.

Bottom line and I don't care what anyone says. a Well cared for and maintained Bayliner is a good boat. Bayliners have gotten many people into boating who otherwise would not have been able to due to how much new top end boats cost.

Bayliner makes a great entry level boat. You have to take care of them just like an entry level car or any other boat for that matter. If you do that a Bayliner will last you a very long time and give you and your family Years of trouble free use. I have been around well cared for and maintained Bayliners my entire life because they are such affordable boats.

But then again I am a Boating Newbie and what do I know.

MacPointMan
 

DuckHunterJon

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Apr 19, 2010
Messages
1,082
Re: Boat's been sitting around at a semi local dealership Need help

Excellent post MacPointMan. I agree wholeheartedly - buy what makes you happy, not what makes others happy. I'd rather have a well cared for bayliner than an beat up "high quality" boat anyday.

As for the price, that's up to you and the dealer, but as others have said - you have the leverage this time of the year. Good luck and post back WHEN you get done with the maiden voyage!
 

tmh

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Aug 16, 2006
Messages
1,136
Re: Boat's been sitting around at a semi local dealership Need help

Of course, resale value DOES matter if you plan to upgrade or sell for anothe rreason down the line. IF a somewhat higher quality built boat - brand S holds it's value much better then brand B and you plan to own it for 3-5 years then maybe your cost to own brand S may be very little more than Brand B over the same period of time... in some cases less. It comes down to your specific situation.

However, I totally agree with the folks who say Bayliner has allowed MANY families to get into boating at a reasonable cost. What's wrong with that? Nothing, in my book. Cobalt would sell less high end boats if Bayliner hadn't gotten the owner hooked on boating BEFORE he/she/they could even consider affording a Cobalt! It's hard to "try out boating" for the cost of a $60k Cobalt 22 foot bowrider!

I own a 1985 Mark Twain 19' bowrider. We keep it in VG shape, it has original vinyl in excellent shape and we rarely see another Mark Twain on the water. I'm proud of how we keep it up, NOT how much it cost! It is 100% perfect for our family and I doubt we'll ever sell it. I'd rather give it away to a family member/relative/close friend than get $2500 for a GREAT boat (IMO) that me and the kids spent 100's of hours working on over the years.

Boat snobs are exactly the type of people I want nothing to do with. They are also often the type of people in debt up to their eyeballs and getting their 100% financed house forclosed on when their is a hicup in the economy. Good for them - their nice new boat is now out there as a desperate to sell used boat someone can pick up for a steal! Oh...also, they rarely actually USE their expensive boat.
 

Purecarnagge

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 6, 2010
Messages
125
Re: Boat's been sitting around at a semi local dealership Need help

Bottom line is thats an affordable boat that the spouse can tan on the sundeck and we could hold 6-7 people in that thing easily. The motor is more than enough for what I would need. Not many boats like that around here... tons of bayliners on our lake, so i don't care if someone thinks there 60k boat is better than mine. I just want something to get out on the water with.
 

mtrainTurbo

Seaman
Joined
Oct 7, 2004
Messages
74
Re: Boat's been sitting around at a semi local dealership Need help

I know the used boat market well, and I especially know Bayliners. You are getting some good advice, and some rotten advice.

The NADA price may or may not include a trailer, but it SHOULD - trailers were standard on 2050 Capris (and indeed ALL Bayliner Capris since 1984), therefore it should be included in the valuation. $5,000 is about maxed out for this boat. You can easilly buy a 2000+ 2050 around here in Chicago for around $8,000, and if they balk at the $5,000 price, you can remind them of that.

Additionaly, stuff like depth finders and stereos were standard on this model (its a high zoot SS model with sport interior group and a big V8) so those shouldn't be included in NADA either. The only "extras" I would account for is if it has FULL canvas, AND a canvas cover. The standard bimini top/convertible top thing won't count, as that came with it too.

Don't listen to ANYONE who badmouths Bayliners and resale value. They are full of, well, you know.

First off, a boat is not an extension of your genetalia. Its a platform in which to have fun. The guy in the $60,000 boat can make fun of you all he wants - you're doing the same thing he is, having the same fun as he is, only you're not making boat payments. That makes HIM the idiot, not you.

For resale, Bayliners are cheaper used, because they are cheaper new. They sell for less because they weren't as expensive when they were new. If you buy the RIGHT Bayliner (good options, bigger engine, well cared for) I promise you it will hold its value. I bought a 2000 1850 Capri brand new for $14,000, and sold it 5 years later for $10,000. I had full records, it had just been detailed, and I told him it was turn key as it sat.

I then turned around and bought a mint 1986 2450 Ciera for $5500 (from "the bad years", but Volvo powered), and sold it 3 years later for $7200. DOwn under $10,000, condition does most of the talking, and if you have the world's cleanest Bayliner, you will get more for it than a same-year but average condition Sea Ray. Guaranteed. The guy who bought my Ciera tried to negotiate with me. I told him if he could find ANY another 24 foot bowrider with a bathroom and a water system in this condition under $10,000, I would give him whatever he wanted to pay for the boat. He wrote me a check right on the spot.

Think logically here for a second. If you get this boat at $5,000, there ain't a whole lot of boats that are cheaper than that in ANY condition. Anything cheaper than $5,000 is going to be smaller, older, less powerful, much worse condition, and in general, won't compete with this. You keep this boat nice, I guarantee you it will not depreciate a cent. If its really in the condition it appears to be, and is rot free, you can easilly turn around in 5 years and sell it for $5,000, and I promise you someone will be tickled to give that to you. I have seen garbage that barely floats advertised for $4500.

If that boat is in the condition it appears to be, AND if you can get it for $5,000 (MAYBE $6,000), then you go buy it, treat it well, maintain it, and enjoy. It won't depreciate at all, it will look great, and give you years of happy memories.

And in the end, isn't that what boating is all about?

Good luck.
 

QC

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 22, 2005
Messages
22,783
Re: Boat's been sitting around at a semi local dealership Need help

Do not pay attention to listing prices on Craig's list. Some are crazy, and some are stupid, and some are both . . .

I'm in the $5000 camp no matter where it is.

The dealer has that listed as a 260, and there was no 260 then. The 5.7L was a carbed 250 and that's probably what it is. Why are you adding in a Stainless prop? Does it have one?

Also, I am also one that believes Bayliners can be fine boats if they are well cared for. Butttttt, that doesn't matter, they don't do well in the resale market for a variety of reasons, including initial price, poor quality reputation (earned or not, it doesn't matter), many entry level owners means many beat up boats, so they take some hits. The point is, that their pricing doesn't hold up, so you shouldn't pay more even if the price hit is unfair.

My .02.
 

wingmastr23

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Oct 26, 2009
Messages
211
Re: Boat's been sitting around at a semi local dealership Need help

I have a 96 - it is in very good shape.....I could sell it in a heartbeat for $5000......I would think that boat is worth $6000 - $6500 based upon condition and the engine size....This is assuming that it is in good shape.

Good Luck
 

atx111

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Oct 13, 2009
Messages
145
Re: Boat's been sitting around at a semi local dealership Need help

Agreed, whatever gets you on the water safely so your family can have fun is all that matters in my book. This is coming from a "boat snob" who just spent alot of dough on a Cobalt 230. That's the boat we wanted and are able to afford. I certainly don't look down people just because they own a more entry level boat, who cares, everyone is just out on the water for fun.
 

Purecarnagge

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 6, 2010
Messages
125
Re: Boat's been sitting around at a semi local dealership Need help

I was trying to find a worst case scenario on why they would be asking for so much money in regards to the previous quotes. Did some lawn work at a new house my mom bought this weekend so I didn't get a chance to look at it. I think I might drive up Thursday.

ps

I still hate the carpet in that thing. Red. Red Carpet?
 
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