Craigslist not so bad...

[Doernuth]

There are a lot of threads on here slamming on Craigslist ads. I thought I would post a good find on Craigslist.

I responded to this ad:

It's in a 1973 Reinell hard top.21ft I/O.It has a 165 merc engine with new heads last year.Runs great an was well maintained.Got new boat an need to get rid of.Out drive is good.Has leak in one of the hydraulic cylinders .Hydraulic cylinders are two line cylinders.Great parts boat but very usable.Was set up for fishing an plan to part it out or sale as is.

Price $300

When I contacted the seller he was upfront about the leaking cylinder and informed me that the engine coupler was also bad. He also indicated that a trailer was available for $100 more.

I really only wanted the engine so I went and looked at it. This is what I found.











I need the engine, that runs, to replace one of mine that doesn't run. I haven't decided what to do with the rest yet, restore, scrap or sell. Am open to suggestions.

BTW does anyone know how to get housepaint off of gelcoat?

 

[woosterken]

Re: Craigslist not so bad...

try easy off oven cleaner or aircraft stripper (from napa)
if you can hang on to it some one may be looking for a winter project.
that swim deck HAS to be worth the price LOL


woosterken

 

[NYBo]

Re: Craigslist not so bad...

Very nice find!

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Craigslist not so bad...

Nice find.
As to Craigslist, as the saying goes, "Even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then"

 

[Brewman61]

Re: Craigslist not so bad...

Craigslist is what it is. You just have to keep your wits about you.
No doubt there are some good deals, just have to keep an eye out for the frauds. They're pretty easy to spot using Brewmans Rule:

Anyone can easily sell a nice used boat to a boat dealer for cash. They'd pay maybe half the retail value- it's the easiest way sell a boat, but you'd get the least money. If someone is advertising a boat for way less than half it's real value, they're likely a scam. It'd be much easier for the seller to go to a pawn shop or boat dealer, etc..... to get that kinda money.

 

[Doernuth]

Re: Craigslist not so bad...

I agree. The principles of Caveat Emptor always apply. The moral of the story whoever is this. With all the badmouthing of Craigslist on here, there are some good honest people just trying to sell things on there and it is a shame that the scammers have scared off people who need things.

I was lucky enought to find one of those 'good honest people' and get the engine I needed. Cash for title. Simple as that. Avoid anything involving wire transfers, etc.

I just may post anything I don't use from this boat back on Craigslist.

 

[bobmk]

Re: Craigslist not so bad...

Got my 2005 Tracker Pro Guide V-16 off of Craigslist and sold a few things on there as well, including my 2001 Ranger...no problems. You just have to use some common sense to avoid the scammers.

 

[Av8nBill]

Re: Craigslist not so bad...

I bought a 2006 15 h.p. Tohatsu (4 stroke, electric start) off Craigs List this spring that owner claimed he had sitting in the shed since he bought it. He'd been transferred here right after he bought it and had never used it as it was going to be a kicker for an offshore boat. Cash for title. Saved $1000 over new and it checked out just like advertised. You just have to be informed and be willing to walk away if anything doesn't feel right. I had to drive almost two hours to pick it up, so it pays to look at the ads out of the "big city" sometimes. Fewer scammers operating in the sticks, IMHO.