Found a boat, what do you think? HELP!

[sltintexas]

Re: Found a boat, what do you think? HELP!

I agree on above posters on assuming you will need to do some work on it.

the boat I bought was a 97 and it sat for 2 years. It needed a new battery and the tires shredded to pieces from dry rot and he pulled it out to show me. I rebuilt the carb to get it running well and am going through all the maintenance since I don't know what was done and what wasn't.

Assume battery and tires at the very least. Tires may look good but may come apart on the way home once you get them up to highway speeds.

 

[hostage]

Re: Found a boat, what do you think? HELP!

You can always ask her what her bottom line is, she might go lower than what you think. Every seller normally asks a little bit higher, because people always negotiate. It should be fine if you don't insult her with a low-ball offer. No matter what you ask she will come back with a rebuttal. If you say $7,500, she will say $7,750. So if you say $7,000 or $7,200 she might come back with a good number. The first offer tends to be the best.

Don't get anxious and fall in love with this boat, there are always more that will be posted on craigslist. Worst case if she doesn't accept you offer, right down your name and number w/ the price and tell her if she changes her mind. I bought my house this way, the counter was to high for me so I said ill pass, 4 days later my Realtor got a call they conceded and went with my last offer.

$8,900 is more than I would spend on that boat and since she went that low with out thinking she knows she put it higher than what she would take. She is a private seller not a dealer so she shouldn't be asking that much for that boat.

Hope this helps,

Hostage

P.S. Don't sign/buy until you water test the boat!

 

[hunter0527]

Re: Found a boat, what do you think? HELP!

well after reading all your posts, I am thinking of now asking her for $7k. That is quite a drop from the 8900 she was asking. Not sure if that is lowballing or not? The only reason I seem to be stuck on this boat a little bit is because it is 10 minutes away. I dont have to drive all over gods creation to see or test the boat. Is $7k too low? I guess the only thing she can say is no. If she says no then i'll say $7500 is the max I can offer. we'll see what happens. Thanks for all the replies!!!!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Found a boat, what do you think? HELP!

Perfectly fair and not lowballing. Good luck.

 

[lonesouth]

Re: Found a boat, what do you think? HELP!

just be sure you don't waddle around on the price. My wife slipped and said "85 or 8,600" when she was really set on nothing more than 8,500...cost us an extra $100...

 

[hostage]

Re: Found a boat, what do you think? HELP!

Go for it and let us know if you brought it home with you!

 

[hunter0527]

Re: Found a boat, what do you think? HELP!

Does anyone know if the floor is wood or fiberglass in the 2001 rinker 180? I just called a dealer and they said wood? I thought it was all fiberglass after a certain year? Also the carpet is throughout, not snap in carpet, which is making me think it might be wood now.

Also, it has the 3.0L engine. how many HP is that? if it is 135 all is well, if it has more 136HP+ that adds another $1700 to the price and I am really trying to get some hard numbers together so I dont feel like Im low-balling her.

Any ideas. Thanks!!!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Found a boat, what do you think? HELP!

Just guessing but I'd say it's probably a wood floor and a 135HP motor.

 

[brick75]

Re: Found a boat, what do you think? HELP!

Nope, there's still boat makers using wood floors out there to this day. You should be able to see what it is. Generally fiberglass floors will have snap out carpet which is a dead giveaway. The 3.0's are usually 135hp.

 

[hostage]

Re: Found a boat, what do you think? HELP!

Don't know if this the same boat: http://boats.oodle.com/view/2000-rinker-182-open-bow-18ft-trailer-vests-tube/2056412085-richmond-in/ - $3,800

In any case I think that guy is asking a bit below market value.

Similar boat, newer, and more powerful engine (dealer too): http://boats.iboats.com/2002-rinker-180-bowrider-mercruiser-43-v-6/616999.html - $8,500 (dealer has larger mark up)

http://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/boa/1803729290.html - $6,900

http://burlington.craigslist.org/boa/1801319028.html - $7,499

This was just a simple search in Google and these can give you good ideas of how much they go for, I was actually looking to see if they listed fiberglass floor. I did find that most of them have a 3L w/ a 135hp motor. After doing the search I think she is asking a bit much.

A good way to tell is open the engine cover and look under the deck.

Do a bit more research, don't dive in.

-Hostage

 

[hostage]

Re: Found a boat, what do you think? HELP!

WoW, I found the one you were looking at. I hate to say, but there is barely any boats forsale in your area. You might have to pay a little more for a boat, since it looks like it might be a sellers market down there. There are about as many boats forsale in your area as posted in the last month on craigslist as there are where I live in a day. (Rochester, NY)

I would check at the nearest largest city to see what dealers have there. They might sell you something close to the cost you would pay on craigslist where you live. You could also check craigslist in one of the largest cities/towns. I had a friend drive 6 hours to buy a $1,500 convertible Saab.

-Hostage

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Found a boat, what do you think? HELP!

That's cuz there isn't much navigable water in his area.

 

[hunter0527]

Re: Found a boat, what do you think? HELP!

Yup the boat looks exactly like them. With that said, and all the options she listed I did the NADA on it and it came to $5200. I am not sure the bank will give me a loan for more than the book on it? I guess this is going to be my bargaining point. Hopefully she understands that the price is much lower than what she thought?! Oh well, Ill keep ya updated. Thanks to all who replied!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Found a boat, what do you think? HELP!

Well I know the bank will go over value but not sure how much.

 

[hostage]

Re: Found a boat, what do you think? HELP!

Again NADA values are pretty much useless when it comes to pricing boats:
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=392679&highlight=nada+hostage

Even cars are not totally accurate when it comes to NADA/BB. Keep in mind when you go car shopping, there are a few hundred less car manufactures so it gives you a better population to pool statics from than boats. The best way to figure out what is worth is try to find similar boats and see how much those costs and compare. Then throw in the variable of how your location effects the price, then you get a good value.

I don't mean to sound condescending at all, but if you need to finance a boat for less than $8,000 is it a good idea for you to get a boat? Boating isn't cheap as it is, depending on how you do it boating cost a lot more/mile than cars do. After you buy the boat, you will still have to register your boat and trailer, pay sales tax to the DMV.

If you trailer a boat then you will have to pay in the long run for added gas milage, wear/tear on vehicle, properly equipping your vehicle for towing (had to pay $800 myeslf), and then ramp launch fees. Then there is storage, marina if you use it.

Gas costs a lot for a boat especially at the Marinas, then there are maintenance: winterizing, bellows, and impeller to say the least.

I am not try to dissuade you from buying a boat, just wanted to make sure you know what you are getting into. Renting is also not to bad of an idea.

I hope this helps, I to just got a boat and had to go through all this trouble, so I kind of sympathize, good luck in any case.

-Hostage

 

[jmarty10]

Re: Found a boat, what do you think? HELP!

The one thing I didnt see here is a marine survey. I would talk to an independent mechanic (not the one she is using) and pay $100 or so to survey the boat. Then you may have a lot of negotiating to do or very little. If very little then let me congratulate you on your new boat.

 

[rainman99]

Re: Found a boat, what do you think? HELP!

Hope water test gos well make up a check list pump, blower, lights ect. anything not working should effect the price. Also you may want to consider seeing if she will put a lower sell price on the title yo save you some tax money. Good luck.

 

[hunter0527]

Re: Found a boat, what do you think? HELP!

well offered her 6500 and she declined. said she called her mechanic and he recommended that she replace a belt. she said she will fix the belt and sell for 8k. without fixing the belt she said 7700. asked her to find out what belt he was referring to. I just think it might be hard to buy a boat for 1500 more than what it books for. Not sure what im gonna do, but sort of took the wind out of my sails. maybe let her sit for a few days/weeks and see what happens. maybe she will reconsider if time goes by and it doesnt sell.

 

[hostage]

Re: Found a boat, what do you think? HELP!

8K still seems a bit high, I would wait a bit and see what else others have to offer or go to a larger city and check out some boats there. You really don't have the selection and they don't have the competition to make them lower the price. I was looking at a 97 Sea Ray for $6,900 from a dealer up here. I deff wouldn't go over $7,500 for an 18ft 3L.

-Hostage

 

[new to fishing]

Re: Found a boat, what do you think? HELP!

If it runs and floats everything else can be fixed as you go...and things will go wrong...you know what they say...BOAT stands for Bring On Another Thousand...lol...price sounds right for what you posted...doesn't matter how many times she had it on the water really...the thing can clunk out on any turn of the key...Take it on the water and you'll know if it's what you want...you may come off the water and pay her on the spot...then again you may also walk away...either way problem solved...good luck