He is ASKING 20,500 which in my book means he is ready to take 20,000 and you say your ready to go as high as 19,500 so your not far off in what he wants and what you will pay. I would simply offer him 19,000 and be ready to walk away[ or negoiate to 19,500 at that point,going up from 19 to 19,250 then 19,5] Tell him your looking hard at boats and if changes his mind and your still without a boat to have him call you and he has a deal. Odds are he will call,there are a ****load of boats for sale between Erie/Finger Lakes/Syracuse/Buffalo/Rochester/Chatauqua/Watertown all within 2 hours of your location and let him know that as well.......The boat was listed two months ago,THAT is in your favor,he hasn't been able to sell it and the summer is dwindling away. Also the list is probably not what he paid for it,dont know to many people that pay full list. The boat is not from NY the reg numbers start with MS not sure if thats Mississippi or Mass. you may want to make sure it was fresh water run only if from a ocean state.