Need help buying boat..PLEASE

[snagnever]

I’ve finally decided to buy a new to me boat (used boat)<br />Anywhere from 1-4 years old.<br />I can’t seem to find any information on boat prices. Except NADA, which in Colorado doesn’t seem to mean anything. <br />This is definitely not like buying a car.<br /><br />Here is what I’m considering:<br />I’m looking at a 2001 Sylvan Adventurer w/ a 2003 Johnson 90 HP.<br />The dealer said it was sold new in 2003 and just traded back in.<br />It has a 6 HP kicker on it as well. The dealer said he could take that off to lower the price some. (Not sure I want the kicker taken off yet)<br /><br />2002 Tracker Pro18V w/ a Mercury (904ST) 90 HP four stroke motor. <br /><br />How does one determine a fair price for a boat?<br />Is there any way of knowing what an older boat sold for new?<br />What about depreciation?<br />Trade in?<br /><br />Can someone give me some pointers?<br /><br />THANK YOU!!!

 

[KCook]

Re: Need help buying boat..PLEASE

I know a lot of folks do their own survey of the online listings such as www.BoatTrader.com . Main problem with this approach is that you are likely to find a wide range of prices. Here is another thread on used boat values - NADA ????? <br /><br />Kelly Cook

 

[rogerwa]

Re: Need help buying boat..PLEASE

I have found that getting to know the local market is the best way to assess value. NADA was always very low for what I was looking at.<br /><br />Start with boattraderlonline.com and then go out and look some. I thik you get an idea about the prices when you see what is offered in your area..<br /><br />I don't think this is the same as shopping for a car as you don't have the volume in given models and there is little tracking of prices.

 

[snagnever]

Re: Need help buying boat..PLEASE

Thank you KCook & rogerwa.

 

[pine island fred]

Re: Need help buying boat..PLEASE

Take your time. Look around. Depreciation from new boat values is tremendous. If you are paying cash you are in good shape as most people dont have the money. After awhile, motavited sellers realize that and are reasonable on what they expect to sell there boat for. I have nothing agains boat dealers however some remind me of used car salesman. fred

 

[salty87]

Re: Need help buying boat..PLEASE

the car market is so enormous compared to boats that comparisons aren't very good. there's a much larger number of boat manufacturers and some don't stay in business very long. boats are also subject to harsher environments and owner care is a bigger issue. so no, this is not car buying...especially for the first timer.<br /><br />look, look, look. decide what type of boat(s) you want and look at as many as you can. you especially don't want to buy the first few boats you're looking at unless you're familiar with all of the issues to look for. get some practice inspecting boats before you buy one.<br /><br />it's commonly said that a boat is worth what someone is willing to pay for it. so depreciation is going to depend on how badly the boat was taken care of. some aren't worth a thing after 5 years, some look as good as new at 5 years.<br /><br />compare used prices to new boats, doesn't really matter how bad the guy before you got bent over. check what your money can buy you today.

 

[KCook]

Re: Need help buying boat..PLEASE

I agree with salty87. Used boats are well worth while. But it will be some time before you know everything to look for. So if at all possible start out with a friend who is an experienced boater. More fun with a buddy along anyhoo.<br /><br />Kelly

 

[Straightup]

Re: Need help buying boat..PLEASE

The posts already given are excellent.<br /><br />I bought my brother in laws boat last winter. I knew I was going to buy it so I watched every similar boat that sold on ebay for over half a year. You do this by watching the item and then you automatically see completed auctions. salty87 is so right on when he says that after 5 years a boat can be junk or like new. From what I've seen, few are like new. Most boats went pretty cheap over the winter. Things are going just a tad higher now that it is spring. <br /><br />A lot of the nice boats (as new as the one you are looking at) don't sell due to the reserve price. People must think they can get more locally. <br /><br />Anyway, I got the idea of checking stuff on ebay from a reel collector. My Grandfather left me an antic fishing kit and I was curious of the value. The reel collector told me to check completed auctions on ebay. <br /><br />Jeff

 

[snagnever]

Re: Need help buying boat..PLEASE

Thanks for all the great Information!<br />I will keep looking and looking. <br />It's not a car and I'm not walking.<br /><br />Thanks again everybody!