Looking for a used boat...

[ottopilot]

I am starting to look for a used bowrider for my family of five and have a few questions for anyone that has time for a quick answer.

I live in Mississippi, and most of the local used boats are fish-and-ski boats, bass boats, or jonboats (from what I've been able to find). I have searched everywhere I can think of for used boats on the internet. Most of what I've seen advertised is listed by brokers or dealers. Very few are for sale by owner. Am I missing something or maybe looking in the wrong places? Or do most people sell their boats through local classified ads?

Any ideas on a better place to search for the type of boats that I'm looking for?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[colding]

Re: Looking for a used boat...

Craigslist is your best bet for private sellers.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Looking for a used boat...

Don't be scared off by the listings through brokers/dealers. The bigger boats will more typically be through a third party. Sometimes, they can actually be helpful

 

[ottopilot]

Re: Looking for a used boat...

Thanks for the help! I'm thinking about going to look at this boat:

http://www.boats.com/boat-details/Chaparral-220-Ssi/131452041

Any comments, issues, etc, that any of you can see off the bat? It's a very long trip (6+ hours), so I want to make sure I get all of my questions answered before I decide to go, so any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Looking for a used boat...

Seems a bit pricey . . . did you check it against NADA or BUCvalue ?

 

[spoilsofwar]

Re: Looking for a used boat...

Seems a bit pricey . . . did you check it against NADA or BUCvalue ?

Way, way overpriced, regardless of book value (which, by the way, is 19k on the top end). ~$26k for a 9/almost 10 year old model? I dont think so. Offer them around 16k if you really want it... They'll tell you where to go, and you'll be better off for it.

 

[rivermouse]

Re: Looking for a used boat...

Let me get this right. A 10 plus year old boat that has only 90 hours on the engine...???????????? Friend that adds up to only about ONE DAY OF USE EACH YEAR,,,,,,,This would have to be proven beyond any shadow of a doubt.....How could it be proven....27k and the boat is 11 years old..............no way

 

[ottopilot]

Re: Looking for a used boat...

I am new to the stern drive game. How many hours would be considered "reasonable" use per year? I really have no concept of what to consider below average, average, or above average. I noticed that the same dealer had a 2007 Chaparral 210 SSi with what they claim is 25 hours on it. That seems WAY too low even to me.

Thanks for the advice. It is a HUGE help!

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Looking for a used boat...

50 hours per year would be typical use. . . 25 hours per year is low use.

The thing about boats, is that you would have concern in either direction; too high or too low.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Looking for a used boat...

<deleted>

 

[ottopilot]

Re: Looking for a used boat...

I called about this ad: http://stlouis.craigslist.org/boa/2934333547.html and a few questions came up that I thought would be good idea to submit to the masses for opinions.

First, the seller mentioned that he hasn't used the boat much in the past couple of years (I don't really know how much that means), and it is still winterized right now. He allowed the registration to run out, so does that mean that I wouldn't be able to do a lake test? I have no problems with doing any cosmetic "spruce up" to the gel coat (cleaning, wax, etc.) as long as it's in decent condition.

Second, he mentioned that it hasn't been stored under a roof (just a boat cover) for those two years. The trailer tires are original, and as such, will probably need replacement. Any other concerns about a trailer as a result: bearings, brakes, etc.?

I don't think I'm interested in buying a boat that I can't test on the water, but if I hire a surveyor, would he be able to check the important items on the motor using just a hose setup?

I'm pretty sure I could buy the boat for considerably less than the asking price, but is it even worth looking into? Or is this a boat that I should run from?

I hope I don't come across as an idiot for even looking at this ad.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Jfair]

Re: Looking for a used boat...

before you buy tell them you want it checked out by a dealer.. they can check lower unit,do compression check on all cylinders,and give you a good over all check opinion on the boat. It will cost a few bucks but if seller really wants it gone he should agree with it.

 

[ottopilot]

Re: Looking for a used boat...

Thanks for the advise!

I called the seller again and explained that I am not interested if I can't take out the boat for a sea trial. As such, he seemed willing to do what had to be done to get it on the water.

Also, I spoke with a marine surveyor and plan on hiring him to look over the boat and run it through its paces. Does anyone know if they normally look over the trailer or just the boat itself? If we are able to do a sea trial and decide to buy, we will have about 8 hours of driving to get back home. If the surveyor doesn't look over the trailer, would a boat dealer/mechanic be the best place to take it for a check?

 

[truckermatt]

Re: Looking for a used boat...

are you ready to spend 20k on a boat? Is this your first boat?

I take out 5-7 people in my 19 foot open bow and we have enough room and power, spend only 6k 3 years ago

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Looking for a used boat...

I called about this ad: http://stlouis.craigslist.org/boa/2934333547.html and a few questions came up that I thought would be good idea to submit to the masses for opinions.

First, the seller mentioned that he hasn't used the boat much in the past couple of years (I don't really know how much that means), and it is still winterized right now. He allowed the registration to run out, so does that mean that I wouldn't be able to do a lake test? I have no problems with doing any cosmetic "spruce up" to the gel coat (cleaning, wax, etc.) as long as it's in decent condition.

Second, he mentioned that it hasn't been stored under a roof (just a boat cover) for those two years. The trailer tires are original, and as such, will probably need replacement. Any other concerns about a trailer as a result: bearings, brakes, etc.?

I don't think I'm interested in buying a boat that I can't test on the water, but if I hire a surveyor, would he be able to check the important items on the motor using just a hose setup?

I'm pretty sure I could buy the boat for considerably less than the asking price, but is it even worth looking into? Or is this a boat that I should run from?

I hope I don't come across as an idiot for even looking at this ad.

Thanks for the help.

I always say that there is a reason for everything. . . so the issues that are of concern, there is a reason for them. The seller is inviting low ball offers due to the fact that the boat is not ready to go for a test run on the water. A surveyor would not be able to test it on the water either. Only the owner can re-register it and such.

The other question would be why the boat has not been used much over the past few years. Sometimes it is a life situation and other times it is an issue with the boat.

The other thing is that the boat is still winterized. . . putting the burden on a prospective buyer to be the first to start it up. The other question related to this would be when was it winterized? Sometimes boats sit through an entire season or 2 in a 'winterized' state. It gets back to the "too little use" issue.

The price is in the ball park, based on NADA, assuming you go about $2K for the trailer.

So, bottom line is that the seller is presenting you (or any buyer) with a set of risks and unknowns while at the same time is presenting a price that would be worthy of a low risk. My advice is to go see the boat as a fact finding tour and take it from there.