I decided, need opinions on the boat, not ebay

[Devious]

Re: YES or NO, need opinions on this BLUE WATER monte carlo, 6 days to decide

Re: YES or NO, need opinions on this BLUE WATER monte carlo, 6 days to decide

i'd step back and look at the big picture here, you say you've looked for info and can find nothing. does this mean it will be harder to find parts for the boat? or someone who knows how to fix it? i'm shopping for a first boat too and i'm going to make sure it isn't an oddball.

 

[bamafutbal]

Re: YES or NO, need opinions on this BLUE WATER monte carlo, 4 days to decide

Re: YES or NO, need opinions on this BLUE WATER monte carlo, 4 days to decide

blue water is still in business, i can't find specs on the older models or this model

 

[bamafutbal]

Re: YES or NO, need opinions on this BLUE WATER monte carlo, 43 hours to decide

Re: YES or NO, need opinions on this BLUE WATER monte carlo, 43 hours to decide

getting close!

 

[tmh]

Re: YES or NO, need opinions on this BLUE WATER monte carlo, 43 hours to decide

Re: YES or NO, need opinions on this BLUE WATER monte carlo, 43 hours to decide

OK, I'm quite experienced with eBay buying and selling and have bought a few big-ticket items on ebay. You do need to be very careful, but the "everyone on ebay is a crook" stuff is just not true. Many big-ticket items are sold there every day with great feedback.

I assume he has a "reserve" price above the $8k starting bid. If you low-ball the bid, say $8k and no one out-bids you he may contactyou even if it didn't meet the reserve he set. Depends on how bad he wants to sell. Or, send him a question and request a phone # to talk with him. Make any bid contingent on seeing the boat before paying - maybe a $300 down payment or whatever.

That boat with that engine, if running well, looks like a nice deal. Only 8 years old, looks well-maintained, etc. Pay no attention to those who say the V8 eats gas - yeah, because you can go fast with it and/or have all the power you need! Go slow and it eats less has - it's a great engine for that boat.

Good luck.

 

[mikey.himself]

Re: YES or NO, need opinions on this BLUE WATER monte carlo, 43 hours to decide

Re: YES or NO, need opinions on this BLUE WATER monte carlo, 43 hours to decide

A guy at my launch bought a boat off Ebay and he said it was the worst mistake he ever made. He had a time with ebay, and the disputes with the seller. He got the shaft. It took $4400.00 to get it on the water. I'm not down with buying something unless i can touch it with my own hands before i buy it, and ebay is just not good for that.

 

[bamafutbal]

Re: YES or NO, need opinions on this BLUE WATER monte carlo, 21 hours to decide

Re: YES or NO, need opinions on this BLUE WATER monte carlo, 21 hours to decide

ok, thanks guys, but don't need ebay advise, only want boat advice, i am down to 3 boats, a 19' tahoe q5 with 4.3 for7-7.5k, 98 4 winns 9 footer for 8k and the blue water boat for 8k. i need advice on these boats. am i buying a entry level/contractor grade, or is it mid level or are these boats upper level, what rating would jd powers or consumer reports rate these boats
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110160239228&sspagename=ADME:X:AAQ:US:11
i want to commit by tomorrow. sold my crf450, my yz250, my sea doo xp with 1050 motor, and my sea doo gtx rfi, i need my toy fix!!!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: YES or NO, need opinions on this BLUE WATER monte carlo, 21 hours to decide

Re: YES or NO, need opinions on this BLUE WATER monte carlo, 21 hours to decide

I don't know why everyone on here goes nuts about buying a boat (or other vehicle) on eBay. These large purchases aren't like buying a clock radio on there wherein once you bid it's yours. It more of a way to connect buyer's and sellers and pre-negotiate a price. With vehicles you usually make a down payment, go and check it out, and if it's not to your liking, walk away. It's that simple. I bought my truck off eBay with no issues and would do it again. You are not locked into the transaction. Heck, even if you were, all you'd have at stake would be your feedback rating so who cares!

 

[sickwilly]

Re: 8 hours to decide, need opinions on the boat, not ebay

Re: 8 hours to decide, need opinions on the boat, not ebay

If I was looking to buy an older 17-20 ft. open bow stern drive (actually, when I just did) I would stay away from any boats that were used in salt water. These are lake boats, and just search markets up from Birmingham to Atlanta, especially around Atlanta, and you can find the same boat with no salt water exposure and they will be sitting on the trailer in the pictures, so you can at least see what the trailer looks like -- since I am assuming you are going to have to travel some miles anyway to get the one in the eBay auction.

I would rather have a 4 year older boat that has no salt water exposure than a 4 year newer boat that had been in salt water at the same price. There is a reason why the salt water boats are cheaper.

Especially if you are having to commit site unseen.

PS: I bought my boat off eBay. It was local. I went to see it and made the guy a nice offer. He wanted more. I walked and got it for my price from him off eBay. All went smoothly.

 

[mikey.himself]

Re: 8 hours to decide, need opinions on the boat, not ebay

Re: 8 hours to decide, need opinions on the boat, not ebay

Oh, excellent point. Salt water boats! Do those boats & powertrains ever get chewed. I wouldn't buy one myself, I looked at one that suffered from salt water exposure and the outdrives was pitted beyond heck, and the engines were rusted internally.

I dont know anything about the hull manufacturer. Best thing to do is talk with various dealers, and ask them what their personal opinion of a boat manufacturer is. Chances are it will spark a good convo with alot of info, those guys love to talk boats from sun up, to sun down.

Buying locally within range on ebay where you can view before you buy is just fine, but if you can't see it with your own eyes and touch it and test it and then commit to buying it from a few 'good angle' photos, heck... i wouldn't after the stories i've heard. It's not like that clock radio that is shipped to you with a problem with it...you blew $30, throw it away, move on. Not with a $5000-6000 perchase though!

Doesn't seem like a horrible deal but just be warned, when I/O powertrains aren't kept you're in for some serious freaking money spending. I'm sure you know that though from owning seadoos, and bikes though. Good luck

 

[QC]

Re: 8 hours to decide, need opinions on the boat, not ebay

Re: 8 hours to decide, need opinions on the boat, not ebay

Guys, he is going to use it in Saltwater . . . Maybe he should move first.

Nice looking boat as I said before. I would not get hung up on brand. I would want to check the floor etc. If it is molded fiberglass great. If it is wood, I am not so sure I would take a second look. I would prefer closed cooling (freshwater) for salt use, but if they are flushed every use then should be OK. Also, you need to keep a good eye on the manifolds, which will need replacing sooner with saltwater use. Would be decent for Intercoastal. I insist on boats with a 20 degree deadrise for smooth ride. 19 degrees maybe. I'd want to know that spec.

BTW, I bought my son's GTI on eBay sight unseen. Great car. Had the guy take it to a VW dealer for an inspect. Called the dealer myself, talked to the Service Manager. Shipped it from New Jersey. Awesome!!! Like someone wise up there said, eBay is an alternative advertising method. Nothing more.

 

[Zero Balance]

Re: 8 hours to decide, need opinions on the boat, not ebay

Re: 8 hours to decide, need opinions on the boat, not ebay

I don't care where a boat is purchased from. A sea trial is in order before the cash leaves your hand. It's a days work for many years of enjoyment. or on the flip side many years of agrivation and regret. send a message to the seller to contact you if it does not sell. Most of the time they will continue to deal with you after the close of the auction. I am also eyeballing a boat on Ebay and this is how i handled it. I'll wait. If it's meant to be they will be in touch and I'll go from there. That I/O will really suck the cash out of your pocket dragging kids around on a tube or skiing. For that reason I'd opt for an outboard. Nice looking toy though.

 

[salty87]

Re: 8 hours to decide, need opinions on the boat, not ebay

Re: 8 hours to decide, need opinions on the boat, not ebay

it's a buyer's market and the season is ending. what's the need to rush into a boat that you can't inspect?

if your budget is $8k and you're looking at $8k boats, what happens if it needs some work? will your $8k boat sit idle over $1k worth of work? remember B O A T= bust out another $thousand...especially a new to you used boat, with no inspection.

those boats may have had good reputations when new but how they've been cared for since will matter a lot more to your wallet.

 

[sickwilly]

Re: 8 hours to decide, need opinions on the boat, not ebay

Re: 8 hours to decide, need opinions on the boat, not ebay

Guys, he is going to use it in Saltwater . . . Maybe he should move first.

Nice looking boat as I said before. I would not get hung up on brand. I would want to check the floor etc. If it is molded fiberglass great. If it is wood, I am not so sure I would take a second look. I would prefer closed cooling (freshwater) for salt use, but if they are flushed every use then should be OK. Also, you need to keep a good eye on the manifolds, which will need replacing sooner with saltwater use. Would be decent for Intercoastal. I insist on boats with a 20 degree deadrise for smooth ride. 19 degrees maybe. I'd want to know that spec.

The listing said the manifold were already replaced. What else is really corroded on the inside -- although the owner did just spent a heck of a lot on maintenance.

In determining the condition of the boat, where he plans on using it does not matter as much as where it was used.

 

[QC]

Re: 8 hours to decide, need opinions on the boat, not ebay

Re: 8 hours to decide, need opinions on the boat, not ebay

In determining the condition of the boat, where he plans on using it does not matter as much as where it was used.

I understand and agree. It just seemed a little ironic to me. Sorry for the sarcasm

 

[stevens]

Re: 2 hours to decide, need opinions on the boat, not ebay

Re: 2 hours to decide, need opinions on the boat, not ebay

I don't know - unlike many others here, I am less sceptical about buying an unseen boat. I did in fact do so myself just a few weeks ago and it worked out just great.

The boat in question seems nice; it's clean, relatively new and supposedly well maintained. If you like it - and have some financial leeway for fixing/adding whatever may be needed (there's always something), I'd say go for it.

Good luck bidding!

Edit: Congratulations! You got it. Hope you get loads of fun out of it!