Needing advice on Boat trade.

[jstrow]

So I have a 1974 CJ5 that I am wanting to trade for a boat, preferably a pontoon boat. I have set my value of approx. 2500 for trade purposes.

I had a couple contact me that they are interested in a trade, and let me come look at their pontoon boat.

Its a 1990 bass buggy 18. all the carpet has been pulled along with all the interior minus the console. So its pretty much just a platform with railings sitting on the 'toons. It has a 50 hp merc that he says will run good and I asked if he could put it on the water so I can actually witness that the boat will perform.

the floor seems a little bouncy, but not rotted, and they used some rustoleum roll on decking stuff that's kind of like rhinolining. Either way that cracked at every joint of plywood on the floor. It does come with an older trolling motor of which I did not recognize and it didn't have any stickers, with the footpedal control.

the pontoons look good and have no holes or dents in them, and the motor seems to be in good shape as long as it will perform on the water. the guy is asking 2800 for it. sorry I don't have any pictures, it does have the bimini top and it looked to have some frayed edges without even putting it up.

if I could get some guidance I would really appreciate it. I have till this weekend to get my research done and figure out what I should do.

I got the jeep about a month ago and the wife doesn't seem to have any interest in it, but I know if we got the boat it would get used quite a bit.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Well IF both of you are exaggerating the value of your item as is common w craigslist trade adds then maybe but IMHO he has a $1200 boat.

 

[jstrow]

Kevin,
It was after much much much research that I decided to list my jeep at that price. Joined 2 forums and posted many pictures with the most accurate info I could on my Jeep and from what literally every person on those forums said. 2500 is a steal for it. There are lots of people who have bought rougher shape jeeps that don't run for well over my asking price.

I printed off the NADA guide for that gentlemans boat and it is saying that in poor retail it would go for 1900.

I wouldn't even class it as poor because it has no interior to be in poor condition, and while I didn't fall through the floor, it certainly didn't seem as strong as it should. I am 250 lbs so maybe it is a normal amount of give. I grew up with salesman and I HATE the over inflation of prices and the over exaggerated claims of what things are worth.

So I do believe that my offer to him will be my jeep for his boat and $1000. It seems extremely fair to me and if he doesn't feel like it we can always go our separate ways.

Am I wrong?

 

[smokeonthewater]

I agree w you... IF you really like the boat and are interested in fixing up a toon.... Make sure to do a compression test on the motor and test run it in the water.

 

[UncleWillie]

If you just sell the jeep outright, and take the other $5000 it is going to take to get the Toon seaworthy,
and just buy a $7500 ready to go Toon; you might actually get on the water this year.

 

[jstrow]

The way it sits now, all it would take is a few lawn chairs. I like projects, and would be something my son and I could do together.
put a few post seats in it for this summer and use it, pull it in the shop this winter and have something to do.

But that's only as long as the guy who has it realizes that even though he put 2800 into it total from what he says, that it doesn't make it worth that much. Just makes it easier to sell if he can document all that.

 

[southkogs]

Welcome aboard jstrow:

$1,500 for the boat (jeep - $1,000 cash) seems okay for that boat. I don't mind a pontoon without all of the trimmings (used to have one that was pretty much just deck, rails and cans), but I think for $2,500 outright you might find a slightly nicer one (maybe not though).

IMHO - do a little more huntin' on CL, and stretch your lookin' out an hour or two drive. You may find that selling the Jeep and buyin' the 'toon will get you a little more boat for the money.

 

[muskyfins]

I'm with southkogs. It never seems to work out on trades. Sell the Jeep outright and buy a boat outright. From your own comments, you might be able to get a little more than $2500 for the Jeep and pick up a boat for a little less, leaving some money for gas and insurance.

I know how bad it feels right now, but a month from now with your new boat, you'll look back on this and be glad you didn't make the trade.

 

[UncleWillie]

I am thinking more on the line that if the wife did not want to be seen in a 40 year old Jeep,
she is not going to be getting very excited to be seen in a 25 year old, stripped to the bones, pontoon boat, with re-purposed lawn chairs screwed to the deck.

There are also standards to met if people are to be in these seats at any speed over 5mph. (ABYC Class A)
Most Fishing seats are not rated for occupancy above 5mph. (ABYC Class B)
The Helm seat must be ABYC Class A/Driver and be able to withstand a 150# load from any direction.

If you intend on taking it on any water that is patrolled, you might find that they take issue with your safety features.
If you value the family, consider what might happen if you cross a wake at speed and seats and occupants are suddenly all rolling across the deck heading for the rails.
Let's be safe out there!

 

[fishrdan]

Boat fix-up-stuff isn't cheap, so I would keep looking. That boat is pretty much worth what it would sell for when fixed up, minus what it's going to cost to fix it up....

 

[smokeonthewater]

All good points BUT also don't be terrified either.... It's EASY to build a simple plywood seat box and either top it as a bench or with simple $39 fishing seats and be perfectly safe and legal.

 

[southkogs]

^^^ Yeah, Smoke's right. I'm not against that either - just for clarity - I actually liked having a boat where we could simply move deck chairs around to "suit the cruise." I'm just thinking the pricing is on the edge for what I'm hearing.

 

[jstrow]

I really appreciate all your guys input. I do have another boat that I am working on, its a '66 mirro covered hull 14'. Its got a '73 18hp rude on it and she is leery of having the kids on such a small boat that always seems to feel like it will roll in the water if I move wrong.... biggest guy in the boat makes the boat rock just by the turn of my head it seems. We talked quite a bit and she seemed to like the idea of a pontoon, and if this guy will deal she really likes to see me put stuff together with my own touch. I have spent many hours building anything from cabinets, dressers, counters, to houses, decks, and all manner of handcrafted things.

I'm not set into hurrying into a project for the wrong price. The jeep will always be up for sale as I work on it and I will periodically adjust the price accordingly with the improvements made upon it. shoot I bought the thing for 1k a month ago and after seeing resto'd jeeps selling for upwards of 10k, I really don't mind putting money into that because I know I can get it back. But die hard Jeep fanatics are getting fewer and further between. Figure worst case scenario I can work on it for about a year and go down to Moab for their big jeep jamboree and sell it in a heartbeat.

The biggest reason for the Jeep not being copasetic with our situation is it really isn't a family affair. And my wife doesn't want the kids in it, which I fully understand in most circumstances. So naturally a decent sized boat fits the bill. We love fishing and cruising, camping by the lake, and just spending quality time together that isn't influenced by electronics.

I will keep you guys posted, I figure if the guy will trade the boat and 1k, it would be enough to cover new decking and the materials to put some seats together since the labor will be free ;-D

 

[jstrow]

And BTW, how does a guy rank up on this site? I see quite a few people on here with some very high ranks. Is it time or responses? do people get graded by their responses?

 

[WIMUSKY]

The ranks go by how many posts they made...... There's a chart around here somewhere......

 

[muskyfins]

Link below.

http://forums.iboats.com/forum/engi...questions-faq/282692-forum-rank-by-post-count

 

[lncoop]

I agree that boat isn't worth anywhere near $2800 and that your best bet will most likely be selling the jeep outright and buying a boat (not that one). I also suggest looking at bigger boats. By the time you have the four of you plus camping stuff, etc. aboard an eighteen foot barge will feel cramped. Not sure about your neck of the woods, but in mine $2k to $3k will buy an old but perfectly useable 24 footer with 50 to 85 horseys. That's what you need IMO. Happy hunting!