The unfortunate thing is that there is nothing - and I mean nothing, in better condition, for the same price, through a dealer. I find private sales really risky. Hard to find one where they'd allow me a refundable downpayment until Spring when I can watertest. Cheaper will also mean 4-6 years older, or a boat of equal condition but of lesser brand quality being sold privately. This folks, is the market that I'm in. A lot fewer boats available in this climate.
I talked to the dealer again. The dealer has installed new throttle and control cables, bellows, bearings, u-joints, is storing until May, will de-winterize and do tune-up and run-through at pick-up, provides a 30day warranty (that doesn't start until the end of May) against powertrain and hull failure (i.e. imbalance, leaking). The hull has zero stress fractures - Crownline quality. The only issues I'd have to address, are the ones that I can do from my driveway. Fixing a few gelcoat scratches, cleaning or replacing the carpet, cleaning the canvas. Upholstery is 98% New in my opinion...you have to search really hard in places not visible to find any worn spots (again, Crownline quality).
Dealer says flotation foam under deck is type that doesn't get nearly as saturated as they did 2 or 3 decades ago. I've also found no flotation foam issues reported online for boats past 2000. He guaranteed I wouldn't find rot under floor if I looked and said tell him about it if it's there. Said it's likely natural expansion/contraction that happens in cold climates, even in wood floors in your home....which I do have in my 15yr old house. Also I did get in deep as you saw from the picture and found only solid wood underneath.
The dealer has mechanically serviced and stored the boat for 10yrs, has all the records, and will provide me with them. On top of all of that, they spent an hour patiently talking with me on the phone, letting me go back and comb through the boat...AND - holding the boat for me with a downpayment until pick-up time, so I can finalize the deal in May when they do a run-through. Said if I change my mind, no problem as they have a long list of buyers who just want something in good shape for under $15,000 so he would relist for $12k and right now online, in Ontario, that consists of less than 10 boats. He's not blowing smoke because I actually saw a couple boats already reposted at higher prices coming into the Spring.
Needless to say, I've decided to go ahead with the purchase since my market is what it is - it's good old supply and demand folks!
That all said, this forum is what drove me to the discussion with the dealer and getting the extended time to finalize the sale. Nevertheless, I'm pretty sure that's my boat! Thanks everyone! Happy to keep chatting about any remaining thoughts, and will keep you updated on the deal!
