New - Old Pontoon Purchase

[jrzeekid]

Considering purchasing 2003 Crest II DL with a Merc75hp 2 stroke (368 hours)- boat is in very good to excellent condition, took it out on the lake and it runs good, tandem axle painted trailer, bimini in great shape, no mooring cover, I've looked at NADA value but wondering what true market value is this down-turned economy.

 

[lncoop]

Re: New - Old Pontoon Purchase

Welcome aboard kid. Crest makes a nice barge, but NADA isn't really much help when it comes to used boats. It's really all about comps, which means geography is a significant factor. Poke around in CL, here http://boats.iboats.com/, regional classifieds, and any other places you can find that have comparable rigs for sale in your corner of the world, which I gather is Joisy given your username. Also, you didn't give us the size, but with a 75 I'll assume it's in the 22' to 24' range. If so, I'd expect to see it go for twelve to fourteen grand around here, but again, that's in Arkansas. Pretty sure you're not. Keep us posted.

 

[jrzeekid]

Re: New - Old Pontoon Purchase

Thanks Incoop - ahhh my screen-name is deceiving .. I'm actually in SC.. and yu are correct at boat length - it's a 22ft. I've scoured the internet, local classifieds etc. and cannot find comparible boats for sale out there in cyberspace - still looking though. You're info on prices in your market area is much appreciated. On the fence on this one...

 

[lncoop]

Re: New - Old Pontoon Purchase

What are they asking?

 

[jrzeekid]

Re: New - Old Pontoon Purchase

I think I could possibly get it for close to $9000. I would have to purchase a cover at around $400 I suppose and it's got some mildew staining on the seats but the cushions are in great shape otherwise (original).. I could live with the mildew stains for a little while before I would entertain recovering the seats. Other than that, not beat up at all, very clean. I'm just a little hesitant as winter is approaching and used boat inventories may improve. Your thoughts?

 

[Knightrider2]

Re: New - Old Pontoon Purchase

I think I could possibly get it for close to $9000. I would have to purchase a cover at around $400 I suppose and it's got some mildew staining on the seats but the cushions are in great shape otherwise (original).. I could live with the mildew stains for a little while before I would entertain recovering the seats. Other than that, not beat up at all, very clean. I'm just a little hesitant as winter is approaching and used boat inventories may improve. Your thoughts?

If you feel you can wait until Winter, then you should wait. You can find much better deals when the season is over and the Holidays are nearing. The market generally is flooded with recreational vehicles and it is a buyers market.

 

[lncoop]

Re: New - Old Pontoon Purchase

Nine Gs? That's a great price. Let's talk about what to look for to be sure it's not a floating headache.

 

[jrzeekid]

Re: New - Old Pontoon Purchase

Nine Gs? That's a great price. Let's talk about what to look for to be sure it's not a floating headache.[/QUOTE

This boat belongs to a neighbor of mine, older person driven it's entire life. The toons don't have a single dent, carept is great, decking underneath looks brand new. The boat was never left in the water. No dings on the prop, no rust visible anywhere. Compared to my old Bowrider it looks brand new . I took it out on the lake the other day and she cranked right up and ran great. What else should I look at? Thanks so much for taking the time to hash thru this decision with me..much appreciated!

 

[lncoop]

Re: New - Old Pontoon Purchase

Why are you sitting there typing? Go buy it before I do! Here's a thread that covers some of the things to look at, but it sounds like everything important checks out. Let us know.
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=430030&highlight=pontoon

 

[jrzeekid]

Re: New - Old Pontoon Purchase

Why are you sitting there typing? Go buy it before I do! Here's a thread that covers some of the things to look at, but it sounds like everything important checks out. Let us know.
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=430030&highlight=pontoon

Thanks Incoop .. LOL..I'm still typing.. I might just pull the trigger this evening..thanks for all the input..have a great day & a great holiday weekend!

 

[5150abf]

Re: New - Old Pontoon Purchase

That does sound like a very decent price and you have the added benefit of knowing who owned it and how it was cared for.

 

[lakegeorge]

Re: New - Old Pontoon Purchase

I agree with above, Buy it. That's a great price and Crest is a great Pontoon.

 

[papasage]

Re: New - Old Pontoon Purchase

sounds like a good price . as faras the mildue stains there is no way i have found to git rid of that . even pure clorox will not move them . even if you recover them it wilnot be long the stayine will be back.unles you keep it civered and dry well after use befor storing . clean with a good non oilbase detergent . never put a oil base chemickle on it . not even ARMERALL OR SUCH . that is onley a sunblocker and will cause the vinal to become hard in time .

 

[lncoop]

Re: New - Old Pontoon Purchase

Actually, I've had good luck with Magic Erasers. Used them to get rid of some mildew about this time last year and it hasn't returned.

 

[RandyJ]

Re: New - Old Pontoon Purchase

Let me put it this way. I had a 1990 24 ft fiberglass pontoon boat with a 90 hp Force. I disliked it so bad that I felt guilty selling or trading it off. There were problems with the motor which I very openly described to prospective buyers. It had a trailer which was not a quality trailer. I purchased it from a friend 5 years ago for $2,200. I didn't do much to it and even then I thought I got ripped off. For a pontoon it was a fair price but just not a good pontoon. I ran it on craigslist for $3500 and was offered $2500 CASH sight unseen. The "lucky" guy who took it off my hands drove over 200 miles to trade me a 4 wheeler which is well worth over $4500... and books for $5500. I neither wanted nor needed the 4 wheeler but it was a deal I couldn't refuse and the guy wanted the toon more than I wanted to keep it. That was at the beginning of the summer. If I tried to sell it now I'd be very happy to get the $2500. However, a nicer, newer aluminum toon would easily set me back as much as $10k used and like everything else, depends on amenities and how clean it is. $20k pontoons are common around here on this lake where there are a lot of professional people. Below the dam, on the river I can pick up old toons running for $1500 - $2000 any day. The one I have now is an 18 ft with 16 ft deck, cost me $1,000 with a sweet running 50 hp yamaha. I had to re-deck it and part of the fence is missing but even after 2 weeks of hard work refurbishing it is great for fishing and cruising with 2-4 people. I refurbish boats and pontoons from time to time. One I will be doing soon is going to require about $2,000 in labor and probably $3k-$4k in furniture, cables, and a new top... In the end they'll probably drop $6k or more just in repairs and still have maybe a $7k pontoon boat. If you can get a really nice one that runs great and looks new for $9k then it's probably a very good deal no matter what time of year it is.