Decision points on a used family boat

[jkust]

Re: Decision points on a used family boat

I'll lend one insight... I don't know how many boaters I have known and talked with over the years, a few hundred certainly. Not once, ever have I had one say, "Gee, I wish I had a smaller engine".

Second insight... Just because the throttle is there doesn't mean you have to use all of it. (Your a better man than me though if you can keep out of it. )

Truer words have never been spoken. The same reason all my cars have the V8 option and I wished i'd held out for the the v8 in the boat. Can't count the times I wanted more speed in the boat.

 

[WaterDR]

Re: Decision points on a used family boat

Not sure if this would help, but a close friend a few years ago spent $3500 on an 18 footer Bayliner. Its a 96 if I recall and was in really nice shape. It has a 125 Force, but the mtor checked out good and parts are a lot easier to find than he thought. Compression is good and he put a new water pump in it just for giggles. He had it buffed, did some interior work, and re-painted the blue exterior. The boat looks brand new and has way less than 6K in it.

 

[16victor]

Re: Decision points on a used family boat

Thanks for the continued advice.

My wife has agreed to raise the budget. We are still looking at single axle, 19' but will consider 21' at the very largest. V6 Merc and Merc outdrive (will have research Volvo-Penta some more, Merc seems the easy choice though). The outboard was nixed by momma in favor of a swim platform. Possibly up to $9k, we've seem some boats in the 1999 - 2001 range that fit the bill, trouble is they're at dealers and I'm possibly going to pay their marked up price. Nice thing is I start seeing glass decks and nicer seating options.

As far as lesser priced boats needing work, my capabilities are there to repair almost anything but time and a willing wife are not.

Went to the boat show over the weekend and the used market is tight. Time is on our side, though...the right boat is more important for us than an exceptional deal that could take many months to land in our laps.

Thanks again,

Ron

 

[16victor]

Re: Decision points on a used family boat

removed duplicate post

 

[Alwhite00]

Re: Decision points on a used family boat

The bigger budget will definately open up some more options, Looks like you know what you want, Just need to find it. I wouldn't write off the dealers just yet, If they have the boat you want it would be worth the markup and you might even get some sort of warranty.

LK

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Decision points on a used family boat

Thanks for the continued advice.

My wife has agreed to raise the budget. We are still looking at single axle, 19' but will consider 21' at the very largest. V6 Merc and Merc outdrive (will have research Volvo-Penta some more, Merc seems the easy choice though). The outboard was nixed by momma in favor of a swim platform. Possibly up to $9k, we've seem some boats in the 1999 - 2001 range that fit the bill, trouble is they're at dealers and I'm possibly going to pay their marked up price. Nice thing is I start seeing glass decks and nicer seating options.

As far as lesser priced boats needing work, my capabilities are there to repair almost anything but time and a willing wife are not.

Went to the boat show over the weekend and the used market is tight. Time is on our side, though...the right boat is more important for us than an exceptional deal that could take many months to land in our laps.

Thanks again,

Ron

Hi Ron: yes, a slightly bigger budget will open some opportunities. Keep in mind that many boats at 'dealers' may be 'brokerage' boats, so they will not be doing the price 'mark-up' thing necessarily, since they do not own the boat. A boat that was taken in on a trade-in, will more likely have some 'mark-up' to it.

Regardless, use the pricing guides to get a reference point. (NADA & BUCvalue). Although you still have some time to shop and decide, once the weather breaks, watch out.

 

[sickwilly]

Re: Decision points on a used family boat

Our used market clearly seems better than yours. Expand your search a little to Kentucky, Nashville, and Knoxville. Heck, most of the boats you would be looking at are made in the greater Knoxville area. Also, there is a dealer over in Indiana that used to sell Stingrays that everyone who interacted with raved about. Google Portside marine in Indiana and see if he has any used boats in your range. Tell him a former Stingray forum member recommended him.

 

[jkust]

Re: Decision points on a used family boat

I'll just mention at least here in MN where everyone has a bowrider or a fishing boat and we have more lakes than you could boat on in a lifetime; in the spring there is a short window where everyone privately lists their boats, they get scooped up and mostly stragglers remain throughout the season. Stragglers being the overpriced ones that didn't sell or folks selling late. Getting in on that window provides a lot of choices. This past season however, I saw more nice, good value bowriders than ever before throughout the season. I'll also mention that while i'm a 3.0 4cylinder I/O basher, I grew up with a bowrider equipped with an 85hp outboard. We almost never wanted for more power, and it could pull anybody up including three skiers at once and would hit low 40's. Back in the 80's that was a nice boat. My point is a 3.0 was heads and shoulders above that 85hp we had and would have been a huge improvement. Everything is relative.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Decision points on a used family boat

Be willing to look in other areas of the country. My brother drove from California to Texas to buy his 26' Formula. The boat was 4 years old and he paid $40K for a boat that originally sold for close to $95K

 

[dvtran]

Re: Decision points on a used family boat

Stay as far away from Canada as you can when buying a boat. These guys up here will take you to the cleaners. And ask for your first born.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Decision points on a used family boat

Be willing to look in other areas of the country. My brother drove from California to Texas to buy his 26' Formula.

:thumb:


At times, I think California is 'Formula depleted' . . .

If you narrow things down to 1 or even 2 boats (in terms of brand/model), then you definitely have to search a wide area . . . (which is what I have done with the past 2 boats).

 

[jkust]

Re: Decision points on a used family boat

I wouldn't be afraid to search nationwide if I were you. My last 4 cars I've bought from nationwide searches a bit different than a boat but I would do the same for a boat. In the process I discovered MN has some of the highest prices for cars in the nation...with the southern states being far cheaper and areas like Michigan, Ohio and Indiana costing substantially less as well. When I boat shopped and was shopping new boats when I bought my sig boat way back when, even the southern new boat dealers identical boats were thousands less than here in MN...beyond just shippinc cost differences. The boat dealers refused to price match for identical set ups. Point I suppose is although we have a gazillion boats for sale given our number of lakes, there is huge demand bumping prices up. Regional pricing differences are much bigger than you might expect.

 

[Toddavid]

Re: Decision points on a used family boat

I concur. When I bought my boat, I found its price was about 25% less in the SE US vs local to me (NE US). I spent 5% of that 25% price difference to get it surveyed on my behalf, and 10% of that 25% price difference to get it hauled up here by a licensed and bonded hauler, leaving a 21.25% price savings in my pocket.

When I asked the surveyors down there why boats seemed to be priced so much cheaper than up here, they said the economy really took a pounding, and local unemployment rates were much higher than national averages, significantly reducing boat buying demand.

Bottom line: what you'll spend by buying long distance can be more than made up by what you save.

 

[16victor]

Re: Decision points on a used family boat

OK - thanks for the above notes. Looking relatively local is a wife-mandated decision.

I have found a boat that checks all the boxes on our spec list. It's a 1999 model, below 300 hours. Got detailed pics from the seller; it photos very well. Pop went and had a cursory look-see but didn't remove the canvas. He said the hull, transom, trailer all looked great. This boat was garaged its entire life until fall when it was put up for sale and sat outside (level, bow not raised). There are some quarter-sized holes in the canvas and I'm sure some water came in. I'll see it Saturday for a check out and startup (on this note, I went back to the boat show and got some fantastic advice from a local boat repair shop owner).

Price seems to be a little below market partially due to a motivated seller.

Let's assume that the interior, floor, and wood superstructure were OK before it sat outside (covered but with some holes in the canvas, no bows to shed the water). Given the above, in Southern Ohio weather, what permanent damage might have happened since fall?

BTW seller will repair/replace canvas, and I'm bringing a tarp, shop-vac, dessicant, etc. to the visit to clean it up in case we strike a deal. It'll stay put until a final approval (on-water test) is done when it warms up; a few weeks out probably.

Thanks in advance,

Ron

 

[Alwhite00]

Re: Decision points on a used family boat

What kind of boat is it?

LK

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Decision points on a used family boat

sitting out for a few months getting 'some' rain from holes in the cover is not much of a problem. When you have a detailed look, see if there is any water trapped in forward compartments, and if it has frozen, etc.

 

[16victor]

Re: Decision points on a used family boat

Will do. Bought a Costco inspection camera because...well...I saved my allowance and wanted one anyway...and I figured it'd help me look it over.

Boat is a Stingray. If I think it's a keeper I'll link to some pics and impose on y'all for feedback again. While it's not fun being told something's a bad deal, it's a whole lot more fun than finding out later

 

[tazrig]

Re: Decision points on a used family boat

 

[Hai Nhi]

Re: Decision points on a used family boat

But most importantly of all waiting to find "your" boat will make your wife happy which in turn will make you happy.

Hahaha. My wife told me last week that, why don't I wait till end of the year to buy it. I was like ... uhmmm it was "end of the year just ... a month ago." She didn't say anything back.

 

[16victor]

Re: Decision points on a used family boat

OK...final update:
Both boats are Stingray 200LS:

Boat Number 1: 1999
Good:
230 hours (!!!)
Perfect Bimini top.
Interior nearly perfect - no wear or tears.

So-So:
Exterior was very good except for a deep gouge in the prow and some damage from where someone tried to screw in a new horn near the pilot's seat - the screws were too long and pimpled the gelcoat from the inside (grr).
Hazy gelcoat and paint (side decal), needs a thorough wash, polish, and wax.
Single axle trailer, at least one light needed replacing and some rust started to form on beam under stern.

Bad:
Bow and cockpit covers have holes letting rain and snow melt inside all winter long (supposed to have been stored inside prior to this year, and I believe it)
Not prepared for sale at all.
Carpet was soaked when we showed up for the visit. Mold or mildew had started to form in one area on the upholstery.
Volt meter inoperative
No owner history, no doc, no anchor, anchor light, no support poles for the canvas.
Blower needed replacing.

But man, 230 hours and a really really nice interior. Options of note: transom tilt switch.

Boat started and ran on muffs just fine. Carbureted 4.3L with Al prop. Transom passed the flex and tap tests.


Boat number 2: 2001

Good:
Sold by family moving to a larger boat (someone to discuss it's history with).
Bow and cockpit cover in good condition.
4.3 Merc w/ EFI (!!!)
Fiberglass deck with snap-in carpet (!!!)
Locally maintained, I have the mechanic's name and number.
Original Stingray bag with all owner's manuals and records of maintenance from first owner.
Fishfinder
Depth Gauge
Galvanized double axle trailer with swing away tongue
Gimbal bearing and bellows replaced 2 years ago
SS prop installed and Al prop included.

So-So:
760 hours
Normal dings and scrapes from a lot of family use but nothing alarming; one chip that pierced the gelcoat.
Interior had some wear so some pieces of upholstery could use repair but not necessary.

Bad:
Speedo inoperative (records show this existed almost since original purchase)
Kill switch had been broken and has been wired around

Boat 2 was $1500 less than boat 1, plus I don't have to deal with interstate title transfers. It ran like a dream on a lake test Sunday (brrr).

Guess which one I picked? We pay the balance Wednesday and get titles.