advice needed... first time boat buyer

[jzeil]

I'm looking at this boat.
http://norfolk.craigslist.org/boa/2903191907.html

I have no idea if it is a good deal or I'm getting ripped off. I have contacted a few sellers in the past and mentioned the NADA suggested price and been told that the NADA guide is good for cars but junk for boats.

What is the good guide for finding what i should be paying for a boat?

Thanks so much!

 

[southkogs]

Re: advice needed... first time boat buyer

Looks to be in good shape, and you can take a run on it in the water which are two "pluses." It feels a little pricey to me, but I'm not positive on that ... a '98 makes it 14 years old and $11K can buy a lot of boat, y'know?

Do you have a marine mechanic you can hire to go look at it with you?

 

[tpenfield]

Re: advice needed... first time boat buyer

I'm looking at this boat.
http://norfolk.craigslist.org/boa/2903191907.html

I have no idea if it is a good deal or I'm getting ripped off. I have contacted a few sellers in the past and mentioned the NADA suggested price and been told that the NADA guide is good for cars but junk for boats.

What is the good guide for finding what i should be paying for a boat?

Thanks so much!

Most sellers will say NADA is no good if it does not work in their favor . . . In this market, NADA might actually be high. I think $11K for a $5500 boat is too much to pay.

I would look around more and study more boats and prices until you get a better sense of the boats and their values. We can help guide, but you will be making the ultimate decisions.

If you want a different price guide and can afford a little bit of cash, look into BUCvalue.com

UPDATE: $5500 was just a gut feel . . . I just now looked at NADA . . .

 

[rickryder]

Re: advice needed... first time boat buyer

If your a first timer hire a boat surveyor to check it out for you.... 14 years old can have many problems if it wasn't maintained well....