Re: need opinions on value?
hey guys, good to have yalls advice, im in the process of buying a boat from my girlfriends dad to upgrade from my current bowfishing boat, its an '84 16' bass tracker pro-16. the boat is in great shape, but the trailer needs a few repairs, (small spots to be cleaned or possibly replaced and needs new carpet on runners, new winch and wheel bearings) and the 45hp mercury has a few problems, it wont run faster than like 10 mph which i feel like could be somethin real simple but i havent actually ran it or looked at it personally. and the wiring is in dire need of replacing. i bluebooked it at around 1100 so i offered him 1200 and he said he is lookin for closer to 2000!!! thats a big negotiating gap for a broke college kid! so do yall think im offerin too little or is he askin too much?
Let's be objective here:
1. buying a boat from a friend, a relative, an inlaw, a girlfriend's father (getting progressively worse here) is usually a bad idea, especially if the boat already has problems.
2.Trailer needs work--not a big deal but a couple $100's, and time off the water.
3. Boat needs work (electrical) which may be a few bucks, and time off the water, and PITA work.
4. Motor has unknown problems with serious effects. Time off the water to get it fixed. As people here guess what it could be, you see it could be one (or more) of 100 things--spun prop ($100 to fix) carbs, who knows what else. But you are starting with a broken down 27 year old motor. I'd say never buy one unless you are financially able to replace it tomorrow.
5. bluebook on a 27 year old boat is meaningless--but at least it worked in your favor.
6. You are a broke college kid. Nothing wrong with that; I used to be one* until I grew into a broke college graduate and on to a broke adult. But the purchase price is a down payment; you won't be operating that boat unless you have several $100 more available NOW to spend (priced insurance lately? Taxes and registration? Storage?)
7. Your seller isn't interested in working with you or doing favors based on the relationship. (Don't let him finance you!). Since he has unrealistic expectations, the two of you will never be happy with the deal--even if you gave him his price. Let him try to sell it, and if he gets his price, good for him; if not, let him come back to you. But be nice; tell him his boat is way too nice for you in your situation.
8. There are lots of other $1,200 basic hull/trailer/outboards out there that would be great for a college student. Go for a basic jon boat. They are everywhere.
*"I used to worry about things like that;
I used to worry about rich and skinny,
Before I got poor and fat."
--Little Feat
