Re: Funny "TLC needed" boat ads on Craigslist.
1975 Mark Twain TriHull - $650 (Salina)
Date: 2010-10-21, 7:07AM CDT
Reply to:
sale-ggjme-2017497146@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]
We bought it for $1500 from the Sean & Steve Petersen in Lincoln County. WE GOT RIPPED OFF!
He told us it was water ready. THEY LIED TO OUR FACES!!
We spent $100 on life vests, stern light, new plug and recovered the motor cover.
We took it to the lake only to pull it back out. It was not water ready, It took on too much water and wouldn't go into gear.
We spent $160 on a new cable and trust washer for prop.
I have receipts to show what we have put into it. $1500 + $160 + $100.
We tried to take them to court, we wasted more money ( they got an attorney).
We do not have the knowledge, time or money to rebuild this boat.
It has a 165 HP straight 6 Mercruiser, 18 foot with trailer, Inboard outboard, new seats. It looks good, but its a project boat.
The transom is soft, needs to be rebuilt. Steve Petersen told us he rebuilt the engine, A mechanic said they swapped out some parts but didn't even use new gaskets.
I was told the compression in all the cylinders is different I don't know what that means. It won't idle. The boat takes on water if you are just sitting, but does have a bilge pump. The floor is just plywood sprayed with some rough surface, don't know what they covered up.
Was told the outside hull is in excellent shape and if someone spent the money to fix it it would be an excellent solid old boat. We don't have the money.
.
785-819-4118
It didn't sound to me like that's a dealer that sold that?
But who buys a $1500 boat and really expects it to be 100% ready to run? That thing is old. I also didn't know that a boat should come with life vests. I personally just toss any old used vests in any boats I buy just to know that they're in perfect, clean condition.
If they were looking for a boat that needs no work, then why wouldn't they check things out for themselves? A rotted transom isn't hard to find, especially in a boat like that.
Just buy looking at that ad, I see it's sitting on a nice looking tandem trailer, worth at least $800 around here, then the seats, hull, and lower unit have value, so I don't see where they got ripped off. I've sold boats in need of far more for a lot more money as parts boats.
If they wanted a perfect boat, the dealer has plenty of them, just shell out the cash.
I had a guy here looking at a used V6 outboard I have for sale, it runs fine, has a new water pump and new plugs, it came off a rotted boat I bought for the trailer. I get people asking if I'd guarantee that the motor won't blow up or need any work once they start using it. I simply say if you want a warranty, go to the dealer, shell out $8500 or so and you'll get a warranty. For $1899, it's a running motor with good compression, no warranty.
I had one guy persist on the subject of wanting me to personally guarantee that the motor will be fine for the next few seasons. My reply was that for an addition $1899, I'd include a money back guarantee for one year, but the purchase price of the warranty is not refundable. He went away.
