Craigslist Synonymous W/POS???

[OnTheWaterNow]

Re: Craigslist Synonymous W/POS???

There is nothing wrong with CL. Got my boat from there got a 2001 ford explorer got this laptop Im using right now. love them all. just put boat away use it 4-5 times a week for two years now. Drive explorer everyday one year now. Use laptop 6-8 hours a day for 1 year no problems. between the three I saved thousands and love and use them daily. Got to shop and realy talk with people.there is junk out there everywhere. if its junk dont buy it.(That explorer I got is super clean I gave 3,600 for it seen same truck on dealer lot for 5,000-5,500) oh yeah wit more miles than mine.

 

[Numlaar]

Re: Craigslist Synonymous W/POS???

I am sure people can find good deals on CL, but I have to think that because its "free" you get people who are more apt at wanting to get rid of junk, because their only investment is a little time to snap a photo and type it up...

They really have nothing to lose...

So yes, I think you will have more junk on CL than elsewhere, but the problem these days is where to look?

I still check the newspaper classifieds... to me if the person is willing to take the time and expense to invest in an ad, that at least shows they may have something more worthwhile to sell...

But again, with all boats, its buyer beware, and make sure you inspect whatever you intend to purchase thoroughly.

 

[rlb2252]

Re: Craigslist Synonymous W/POS???

i have to ask.....is this post a sequel to "burden of ownership"? how many boats have you gone and looked at total, so far? i mean really looked at, like climbed in, looked around, started it up? im just trying to see where you are coming from here.

Sequel? No. Not sure I know what you mean?

But most of my posts are founded on a search for knowledge regarding the purchase and ownership of my first boat. Among other things, I hope that is what this sight is for.

I regularly scour the CL ads looking for the right boat for me.

I had a deposit on one 22 foot Sea Ray thus far. Found it on CL. Seemed like a nice boat. At the last minute, the deal didn't happen. The exact details are a subject for another post. But suffice it to say that one of the reasons the deal fell apart had to do with me having second thoughts.

How many boats have I looked at?

Let's see: I've actually done sea trials on just three boats. Less thorough walk-around inspections, I'd guess at a dozen or more.

I've traveled 120 miles one way to look at one. About 60 one way to look at another.

If there's a common theme to some of my posts--and perhaps it trickles through somewhere below the surface--it's that I'm still ambivalent about this potential purchase.

I'm a very analytical personality--maybe a bit anal--examining both the positive and the negative of subjects I know little about.

I'm hungry for knowledge. Feed me.

Thanks in advance, Redone, for any tidbits of wisdom you might throw my way.

 

[rlb2252]

Re: Craigslist Synonymous W/POS???

The fact that CL ads are FREE and require no investment whatsoever by the seller leads to there being many more ads for crappy boats (or any other type of merchandise) on CL than there are in other media that require the seller to pay for the ad. You just have to weed through them.

Seems that people are more likely to try to sell junk when it doesn't cost them anything to try. They won't risk $25 or so to put an ad in the paper or Boattrader because they know they'll just be throwing their money away. Imagine that.

That is a very reasonable argument against CL. I don't disagree.

As others have already said, buyer beware, on CL, at the swap meet, at a boat you see on the side of a road with a for sale sign, when buying one from a relative, a fishing buddy.

JUST BEWARE.

 

[redone4x4]

Re: Craigslist Synonymous W/POS???

I understand, i was just wondering. I guess its not my business, but if you are looking at newer boats I would have a hard time coughing up $10k or more for something im not sure about also. There are a ton of decent boats out there for around $4-5000 it seems lately.

i dont have much room to talk, i bought mine 5 years ago for $1500 and have easily dumped $2000 into it since then. but its been great fun for me, my buddy, my daughter that helps work on it, and then we all take it out and enjoy it. its self rewarding for us.

 

[pmat1]

Re: Craigslist Synonymous W/POS???

I got my boat on craigslist... even though it didnt look near as good as it did in the pics it floated and ran and the price was right

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: Craigslist Synonymous W/POS???

I'm a very analytical personality--maybe a bit anal--examining both the positive and the negative of subjects I know little about.

I'm hungry for knowledge.

Some times you just got to get out there and do it!! won't know if your sitting down, Get out there and check it out!!

 

[skargo]

Re: Craigslist Synonymous W/POS???

I think he's saying the same as you.

I agree now, I was wrong!

 

[ShaneCarroll]

Re: Craigslist Synonymous W/POS???

It doesn't matter if you buy a boat brand new, there are problems big or small with any boat purchase. Granted, new boats have warranties for things like that. I'm not saying get one with a glaring issue, but I don't think I've ever heard of a scenario where someone bought a used boat, and has never had a problem with it. I would be tempted to call that a fib, if they said so. You're gonna sink money into any boat purchase, however, the rewards outweigh the down time. I bought my boat six months ago, and it was down for a while due to lack of maintenance from the previous owner, and the fact I couldn't afford a mechanic, and had about two hours a week to work on it. But when that boat's running, man, it is DEFINITELY worth it. The biggest things you wanna check for is a solid deck and transom, and look at the bellows to make sure they're in good condition. I did not know to check on the bellows, as this was my first boat purchase and boy, it bit me hard. When you do a sea trial, listen to the engine, even someone who is not mechanically inclined should be able to hear if something doesn't sound right. Trust me, boating is an expensive, yet very satisfying hobby. By the way, the word boat is an acronym, it stands for Break Out Another Thousand. (I would give credit to the fellow iboater who has this in their signature, however, the name slips my mind right now.)

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: Craigslist Synonymous W/POS???

It doesn't matter if you buy a boat brand new, there are problems big or small with any boat purchase. Granted, new boats have warranties for things like that. I'm not saying get one with a glaring issue, but I don't think I've ever heard of a scenario where someone bought a used boat, and has never had a problem with it. I would be tempted to call that a fib, if they said so. You're gonna sink money into any boat purchase, however, the rewards outweigh the down time. I bought my boat six months ago, and it was down for a while due to lack of maintenance from the previous owner, and the fact I couldn't afford a mechanic, and had about two hours a week to work on it. But when that boat's running, man, it is DEFINITELY worth it. The biggest things you wanna check for is a solid deck and transom, and look at the bellows to make sure they're in good condition. I did not know to check on the bellows, as this was my first boat purchase and boy, it bit me hard. When you do a sea trial, listen to the engine, even someone who is not mechanically inclined should be able to hear if something doesn't sound right. Trust me, boating is an expensive, yet very satisfying hobby. By the way, the word boat is an acronym, it stands for Break Out Another Thousand. (I would give credit to the fellow iboater who has this in their signature, however, the name slips my mind right now.)

Well said brother!

 

[Lion hunter]

Re: Craigslist Synonymous W/POS???

Look through the classifieds or boat trader. The fact is they are not as popular as they once were. There's very little in the way of cars and boats in the classifieds anymore. Where else can you reach your local audience with a lengthy description and pictures for free? I love CL as a seller and a buyer. And yes there is alot of junk on there. But there is alot of quality stuff as well just like with any advertising medium.

 

[rlb2252]

Re: Craigslist Synonymous W/POS???

And if not CL, what?

I've heard some knock CL but I've yet to hear a comparable, valid alternative.

Give me the name of one and I'd be overjoyed to scour it.

Maybe I should start another thread titled, "I found my boat on ______". You fill in the blank.

In fact, I think I will!!!!

 

[Y-Guy]

Re: Craigslist Synonymous W/POS???

In my local paper that has been 1 boat listed used, yet daily 15-25 boats on CL. The local Nickle paper has some, many I also see on CL. CL has killed the newspaper classified ads which at one time milked the consumer, they are fighting now to stay relevant.

For all of my searching CL is just one avenue, iBoats, Boat trader and others also have their place, I tend not to find the older "junk" boats or the project boats listed on them and they can be filtered out. But I those ads don't change or update as often as CL. I can check those sites once a week, CL though I check daily.

The good thing is you have a choice with CL, and the ability to find boats in your region without paying a dime.

 

[marine4003]

Re: Craigslist Synonymous W/POS???

And if not CL, what?

I've heard some knock CL but I've yet to hear a comparable, valid alternative.

Give me the name of one and I'd be overjoyed to scour it.

Maybe I should start another thread titled, "I found my boat on ______". You fill in the blank.

In fact, I think I will!!!!

Try the BOATS FOR SALE banner at the top of this page, theres some good deals,you can search for new & used,aside from that e-bay,due to its being more detailed than CL,It seems to vary alot region to region, for the listings in Myrtle Beach SC,Its a bad garage sale...But Wilmington,NC just 60 miles up the road,the boats are nicer with realistic prices.The times are tough,and folks are grasping at anything to get some cash, Haggling is good

 

[KurtG]

Re: Craigslist Synonymous W/POS???

I think the boats on ebay are junkier than those on craigslist. If you don't ask the appropriate questions, one gets caught in the auction agreement; whereas, on CL the deal is not done ahead of time until you've hada better chance to inspect the boat.

 

[hshift]

Re: Craigslist Synonymous W/POS???

Craigslist is great, I just bought a 94 Jeep Cherokee for towing my 93 Sunbird to the lake. While I had to look at a lot of terrible vehicles before I found the one I bought, CL is the only place where you can find PRIVATE owners. Boat Trader and Auto Trader are 99% dealer ads, and the dwindling amount of newspaper ads are mostly dealer ads as well. The EBAY Motors site is becoming like Auto/Boat Trader as well, IMHO. I don't want to be seen as bashing dealers, its just that my budgets are usually low (I'M CHEAP), and I can get a lot better deal on a vehicle that needs work that I am able to do, instead of a vehicle which a dealership spent $$$ to fix and then passes that cost (plus mark up) to the buyer.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Craigslist Synonymous W/POS???

being intentionally vague.....

I think someone here is beginning to sound a lot like a certain someone else on here and really needs to just read this http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=300510 which was originally directed at that other certain someone. That other certain someone has since bought a boat (though he hasn't posted any pics or complete info on it for whatever reason). Many will know what I'm talking about

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: Craigslist Synonymous W/POS???

I am wondering when CL will not be free. That seems like a cash cow that is just un-tapped. Just sayin.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Craigslist Synonymous W/POS???

They make their money from apartment listings in major cities.

 

[jonesg]

Re: Craigslist Synonymous W/POS???

My boat came from CL.

I got it for free, but it needed alot of work to get it where she is now.

BUT, I knew that before getting into it.

I made a picture/ video of rebuilding it. Here is a link.

http://www.4shared.com/file/122755283/a64be221/JesseRae-_Boat.html

The preview on the site is crappy quality, and gets cut short.

If you hit the blue download button, then watch on windows media player or the like, it is MUCH better. Site is patrolled by Kapersky AV.

awesome job, post it on the resto forum, you got talent, a forklift doesn't hurt either. Are you a mechanic?