First boat - looking at a 1986 searay monaco vs 2001 Bayliner 1952

[Ghurty]

I am looking into buying my first boat. It will be for use in the local bay. While I dont need a speedboat, I want one that feels like it will be moving a bit.
I see listed a 1986 Searay monaco with a trailer. The pictures look like it is in decent condition (of course I would try to get someone to look at it).

They are asking for $3400 for the boat and trailer, is that a fair price?

Thank you

 

[tpenfield]

You can use NADAguides.com for a price reference point as well as ads for same similar boats. NADA is not always the best price reference, so if you want to get an additional reference point and don't mind paying a small monthly fee (while you are searching), then you could take out a subscription to BUCvalu.com.

It would be hard for anyone to give an opinion on fair price, since we have no visual or detail information about the boat.

Also, you could probably put your entire boat search into a single thread rather than starting a new topic for each boat.

 

[Rick Stephens]

Very tough to answer the question 'is it worth what they are asking' without detailed inspection.

What kills boat value: *water damaged transom, *water damaged stringers, *water damaged floor, *sun or otherwise damaged upholstery, *mechanical issues with power train.

Pretty much in that order. Mechinical problems are fairly easy to define and repair. And a good long pre-purchase cruise will answer the question if there is mechanical issue. Upholstery is also easily defined and hard to hide. Both mechanical and upholstery problems are potentially expensive, but they are hard to hide if the buyer does due diligence. Rotten wood is tons harder to see and potentially more $$ to fix than value of the end results.

Almost everyone gets bit with the rotted stringers and transom on older boats. They didn't make boats to last year after year unless the owners kept them pristine dry. And that owner is rare. So most older boats have rot. And rot takes a ton of work to fix.

If you want a boat, don't be afraid to keep on looking. The good ones are out there. Inspect the transom wood and the stringer/motor mount wood carefully before even considering purchase. I don't care how good the boat looks, if it is rotten then it is going to take time and money to fix.

The #1 rule in buying boats - there will ALWAYS be another one at least as good quality and price as the one you are looking at. Don't get in a hurry. Not to say don't be ready when your boat comes up for sale. Just know that there will be another one and don't let a seller bum rush you into a deal.

 

[Ghurty]

THank you. Sorry for creating a new thread, my thread title was the brand of the boat, so I created a new one (and I did it again).

While you cant tell everything via pictures annd I need to get a pro to see it in person, but between these two, assuming they are in decent condition, which would be better for me?
1986 Sear Monaco https://southjersey.craigslist.org/boa/6195813680.html
or
2001 Bayliner 1952 https://jerseyshore.craigslist.org/boa/d/sea-ray-monaco-boat-trailer/6223435074.html

Thank you

 

[tpenfield]

I also think the best thing is to go look at a bunch of boats. Things tend to look good in pictures, and pictures only show so much. Nothing can beat a first hand inspection, and you will learn something every time. So, go look at a bunch and then if there is one that you really like after having see a bunch, go for that one or others like it.

 

[Ghurty]

I agree that I should look at each boat and find one I really like. My first concern is to be doing my homework, and find out which ones there is no point in me looking at (too expensvie or to big of a chance of falling apart).

My first goal is to narrow down the age.

With the two boats, I posted above, there is a 15 year difference between the two, but they are basically the same price. The older one has a bigger engine, and was in the water as of this year. The younger one while 15 years younger has a smaller engine and has been out of the water for 4 years.

So for example, by these 2 boats, which would be a better way to focus on?

Thank you

 

[tpenfield]

The Bayliner hurts my eyes to look at it. . . But the Sea Ray looks dated. A 1986 boat could be a rot bucket. . . a 2001 boat is probably in better condition, but not necessarily . . . What else is there to look at?

​The problem is - you are looking at the bottom of the price range for boats, so just about everything is suspect. There is no magic formula that can be applied to used boats, it is very subjective, and while folks can tell you what to look for and to look out for, you will have to ultimately decide so the more boats you actually visit/inspect the better off you will be to make the ultimate decision.

​Can you stretch the budget a bit, say up into the $6-8K range? It would open up more possibilities

 

[tpenfield]

Just another comment about the age of boats . . .

​Boats with a wooden structure tend to start showing signs of high moisture & rot at about 15 years. Low-end boats may have trouble at 10 years, while high-end boats may go 20 years without signs of trouble.

​About 12-15 years ago, some boat companies started using better materials to avoid rot. Some actually switched to synthetic materials instead of wood. Those boats still can suffer from saturated foam that eventually needs repair, but they tend to hold up better.

So, in many regards, newer is better, but it will take you out of your budget range pretty quickly.

 

[tpenfield]

http://jerseyshore.craigslist.org/bo...216027441.html

​:noidea:

​Sorry for the multiple posts . . .

Of course the price seems way low, so could be a consignment scam . . . :noidea: