Key things to listen for when buying a used boat

[geeco1]

A couple of years ago, I was interested in buying a boat. The grandfather of one of my kids friends caught wind of this and said that he had a boat to sell. Now don't get me wrong, he is a very nice guy and I don't think that he was intentionally trying to unload a hunk of junk, but here is how this played out. This was a 17 foot Fiberglass Ozark F/S from what I can remember.

It had just been serviced by a local dealer, engine, water pump, etc. I believe that he was asking $2500. All was in good shape. I few weeks went by and I saw him again. He asked if I was still interested. He then proceeded to tell me that it was a good boat. Oh it had some minor things wrong, like a few broken hinges, bad cushions, etc. Hmmmmmm, I thought. Again a week or two goes by, I see him again (keep in mind I have not actually seen the boat). He says... it is a very stable boat.. it even has that plug in the bottom where you can let WATER IN, to help stabilize it (ballast). DING DING DING.. the alarms go off. By this third meeting, he had also lowered the price to around $2000.

So we went from a great boat, w/ fresh service , to a vessel that floats but has several broken items and has been routinely flooded to provide stability.

About a year went by, and I asked him if he had ever sold it. He said that he did, but the buyer brought it back to him because it had several issues. He said that he was just going to get it fixed and keep it himself.

Moral of the story.... pay attention to the details, and there will always be another boat to buy.

 

[Bart Sr.]

Re: Key things to listen for when buying a used boat

Ballast!!!!!!!!

Muaaaahahaha!!!!!

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Key things to listen for when buying a used boat

Yah...there are lots of things to listen to and interpret when buying a boat...

Seller says, "The engine ran great last time I used it."
Translation: It wouldn't start the next time I tried. That's why I'm selling the darned thing.

Seller says: "That angle iron deal is to reinforce the transom."
Translation: That transom was flexing so bad, I had to put that angle iron on it. I'm afraid to use the boat now. That's why I'm selling the darned thing.

Seller says: "That soft spot in the floor? That's always been there. Never gave me any trouble."
Translation: I found out that all the foam under the floor is soaked and the stringers are rotten. That's why I'm selling the darned thing.

Seller says: "Yah...I had that outboard fully checked out by the dealer last fall."
Translation: The dealer told me it was going to cost $1200 to fix it. That's why I'm selling the darned thing.

Seller says: "The boat floats great."
Translation: It leaks like a sieve, but if you keep bailing it, it'll keep floating. I'm tired of bailing the boat. That's why I'm selling the darned thing.

Seller says: "Yah...the outboard runs out real good."
Translation: If you can get it started, it runs out on the lake a ways. Then it quits and you can't get it started again. That's why I'm selling the darned thing.

Seller says: "You won't find a boat like this at this price anywhere."
Translation: I've priced it at twice what these things are selling for. I've got some bills to pay. That's why I'm selling the darned thing.

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Key things to listen for when buying a used boat

Yah...there are lots of things to listen to and interpret when buying a boat...

Seller says, "The engine ran great last time I used it."
Translation: It wouldn't start the next time I tried. That's why I'm selling the darned thing.

Seller says: "That angle iron deal is to reinforce the transom."
Translation: That transom was flexing so bad, I had to put that angle iron on it. I'm afraid to use the boat now. That's why I'm selling the darned thing.

Seller says: "That soft spot in the floor? That's always been there. Never gave me any trouble."
Translation: I found out that all the foam under the floor is soaked and the stringers are rotten. That's why I'm selling the darned thing.

Seller says: "Yah...I had that outboard fully checked out by the dealer last fall."
Translation: The dealer told me it was going to cost $1200 to fix it. That's why I'm selling the darned thing.

Seller says: "The boat floats great."
Translation: It leaks like a sieve, but if you keep bailing it, it'll keep floating. I'm tired of bailing the boat. That's why I'm selling the darned thing.

Seller says: "Yah...the outboard runs out real good."
Translation: If you can get it started, it runs out on the lake a ways. Then it quits and you can't get it started again. That's why I'm selling the darned thing.

Seller says: "You won't find a boat like this at this price anywhere."
Translation: I've priced it at twice what these things are selling for. I've got some bills to pay. That's why I'm selling the darned thing.

Made me laugh.... but certainly the voice of experience....

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Key things to listen for when buying a used boat

"I never flush the motor; the salt water keeps it from freezing."

(true "sales pitch.")

"mechanic told me it would only cost $200 to fix this"

 

[zorak]

Re: Key things to listen for when buying a used boat

In my case i was told all i had to do was fix a small hole in the bottom and she was ready to go in the water. Luckily for me i was already on this forum so i kinda new it needed work as the hull was sagging on the bunks from it's own weight. still never did i know just how much work it would be.Whew! finally done after a year and will be hittin the water as soon as the lower unit seals come in ( provided i don't have any more surprises). maybe someone should post things to tell your wife when she starts gettin mad cause your craigslist "deal" isn't such a good deal.

 

[PiratePast40]

Re: Key things to listen for when buying a used boat

A few more I've heard myself or seen on Craigslist:

"All it needs is a bellows."

"If someone doesn't buy it this weekend at, I'll keep it and fix it myself."

"It just needs a few things and the price will keep going up if I have to fix them before you buy it."

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Key things to listen for when buying a used boat

A few more I've heard myself or seen on Craigslist:

"All it needs is a bellows."

"If someone doesn't buy it this weekend at, I'll keep it and fix it myself."

"It just needs a few things and the price will keep going up if I have to fix them before you buy it."

Yup. Those are common ones, too.

I especially like the second one. My question to the guy is why he didn't fix it before he tried to sell it if it's so easy.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Key things to listen for when buying a used boat

"I never flush the motor; the salt water keeps it from freezing."

(true "sales pitch.")

"mechanic told me it would only cost $200 to fix this"

On the second one, I'd tell the guy: "OK, go get it fixed, and I'll give you the extra $200 after it's done."

 

[mAlton]

Re: Key things to listen for when buying a used boat

Yeah, I never get those. I can't help but to think it is obviously worth more money fixed, so if it really need little to fix it, then just do it and sell it for more. Maybe they are just trying to help you get a good deal

 

[Bill Kilgore]

Re: Key things to listen for when buying a used boat

Yah...there are lots of things to listen to and interpret when buying a boat...

Seller says, "The engine ran great last time I used it."
Translation: It wouldn't start the next time I tried. That's why I'm selling the darned thing.

Seller says: "That angle iron deal is to reinforce the transom."
Translation: That transom was flexing so bad, I had to put that angle iron on it. I'm afraid to use the boat now. That's why I'm selling the darned thing.

Seller says: "That soft spot in the floor? That's always been there. Never gave me any trouble."
Translation: I found out that all the foam under the floor is soaked and the stringers are rotten. That's why I'm selling the darned thing.

Seller says: "Yah...I had that outboard fully checked out by the dealer last fall."
Translation: The dealer told me it was going to cost $1200 to fix it. That's why I'm selling the darned thing.

Seller says: "The boat floats great."
Translation: It leaks like a sieve, but if you keep bailing it, it'll keep floating. I'm tired of bailing the boat. That's why I'm selling the darned thing.

Seller says: "Yah...the outboard runs out real good."
Translation: If you can get it started, it runs out on the lake a ways. Then it quits and you can't get it started again. That's why I'm selling the darned thing.

Seller says: "You won't find a boat like this at this price anywhere."
Translation: I've priced it at twice what these things are selling for. I've got some bills to pay. That's why I'm selling the darned thing.

I must admit I love the translator. It's accuracy is spot on. As a mid spring project you may want to do the following:

Now just write up some code for the translator, make it an Ipod app, use the word "FREE" in the title, charge $69.95 for it, I know my kids will buy it, they buy all kinds of free things.

 

[shockwave538]

Re: Key things to listen for when buying a used boat

use the word "FREE" in the title, charge $69.95 for it, I know my kids will buy it, they buy all kinds of free things.

So true! These are axactly the people that the Craigslisters are hunting for, which is why we're left sorting through the BS.

 

[badkins50]

Re: Key things to listen for when buying a used boat

After my first experience, I've come to the conclusion not to listen to anything they tell you no matter who they are. Listen to it run no matter what and complete all service unless you are looking for a project.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Key things to listen for when buying a used boat

I went to look at a 17' McKee Craft bow rider about a two years ago, it was advertised as "Rock solid boat, needs motor" on CL.
This was in December, I went to see the boat, the first thing I noticed was that the thing was uncovered, and that the motor cover was somewhat distorted. When I looked further I found that the crank had broken, and had taken the upper portion of the block with it, and was now leaning on the port side of the engine cover.
Either way, I knew by the ad the motor was junk, so onto the boat, the seller gave very little sales pitch other than to point out the new fish finder, (10 years old or more but he bought it new in the box at some fleamarket), the radio was an old 23 channel CB, and the floor felt solid but the carpet had ice crystals on it.
One thing I noticed was the tandem axle trailer, which looked as if all four leaf springs were collapsed. I asked the guy how much it weighed and how well it towed, his reply was that it was a really heavy boat and he always borrowed a truck from work to tow it. (He apparently drove an 3/4 ton Dodge but that was not heavy enough). A further look showed that the entire hull was full of water and the plug was in the boat. When I pointed that out to the guy, his response was that it was impossible since it's got an automatic bilge pump and two batteries. I then asked him to show me the two bilge pumps. (Doing so would have meant a few hours of chipping ice).
Needless to say I walked away, but that boat still sits in the same place, only now jacked way up in the bow with the plug out. A buddy told me he stopped for the entertainment value and was told that he was drying out the hull. The floor had all but collapsed, the transom was cracked, and the lower unit was sunk into the dirt about a foot with the transom bowed inward as the boat was trying to slide off the trailer against the now anchored motor. He has a for sale sign on it of double what he was asking back when I looked at it two years ago.
I guess his ad wasn't lying back then, if by Rock Solid Boat he meant a frozen solid 19' long brick of ice, and there's no doubt it needed a motor.

 

[Av8nBill]

Re: Key things to listen for when buying a used boat

Seller says "she's been sitting for awhile so it'll just need a shot a WD40 to start right up"

Translation: The rings are shot and she'll start on the muffs but never start with it in the water.

Been there, done that, got the T-shirt.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Key things to listen for when buying a used boat

Yah...there are lots of things to listen to and interpret when buying a boat...
Seller says, "The engine ran great last time I used it."
Translation: It wouldn't start the next time I tried. That's why I'm selling the darned thing.

Seller says: "That angle iron deal is to reinforce the transom."
Translation: That transom was flexing so bad, I had to put that angle iron on it. I'm afraid to use the boat now. That's why I'm selling the darned thing.

Seller says: "That soft spot in the floor? That's always been there. Never gave me any trouble."
Translation: I found out that all the foam under the floor is soaked and the stringers are rotten. That's why I'm selling the darned thing.

Seller says: "Yah...I had that outboard fully checked out by the dealer last fall."
Translation: The dealer told me it was going to cost $1200 to fix it. That's why I'm selling the darned thing.

Seller says: "The boat floats great."
Translation: It leaks like a sieve, but if you keep bailing it, it'll keep floating. I'm tired of bailing the boat. That's why I'm selling the darned thing.

Seller says: "Yah...the outboard runs out real good."
Translation: If you can get it started, it runs out on the lake a ways. Then it quits and you can't get it started again. That's why I'm selling the darned thing.

Seller says: "You won't find a boat like this at this price anywhere."
Translation: I've priced it at twice what these things are selling for. I've got some bills to pay. That's why I'm selling the darned thing.

Nice Summary

 

[Dabbler_E]

Re: Key things to listen for when buying a used boat

A couple more for CATransplant's list (on a consistent theme):

Seller says: "Heck, the trailer alone's worth the price. That's a stout trailer."
Translation: The stout trailer is currently serving as a trash hauler. That's why I'm selling the darned thing.

Seller says: "That's a high-dollar trolling motor on there. I can't take less than $XXX for the rig."
Translation: Try as I might I can't seem to take anybody's money for this rig, above OR below $XXX.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Key things to listen for when buying a used boat

When someone tells me they can't take any less than $XXX for something, I just say, "OK. I guess you like it a lot. I wouldn't want to stop you from keeping it."

I figure that sometime after I leave, they'll figure out what I meant.

As for trailers, they seem to be at a premium around here. the best deal on a trailer usually comes with a boat sitting on it. I saw one the other day on CL. Boat and trailer, $200. The boat was junk. the trailer was a pretty nice one, suitable for an 18-20' boat. Looked OK, too. I thought about it for a minute or two, but my wife'd go ballistic if I dragged another old boat into the driveway.

 

[dave11]

Re: Key things to listen for when buying a used boat

Cat is a master tanslator.

 

[freeisforme]

Re: Key things to listen for when buying a used boat

On the flip side, to give a salesman's point of view, you can under price things and scare people away too.
I listed a decent painted trailer for sale for $400, it needed nothing, has new tires, bearings, springs, bunks, lights and winch and a fresh coat of metalic gray enamel over a sandblasted and primed frame. I sold the boat, the guy didn't want the trailer since he ran in salt water and said that if I'd knock off $100, he has a trailer of his own. To him a trailer had no value, he had gotten the one he had for free with a junk boat and just didn't want the one under the boat. I sold him the boat, kept the trailer and listed it on CL at $400. Mind you this thing looked new. I got only one reply in a week, from one guy that offered $50 for it. I pulled the ad after 2 weeks, relisted it at $1400, and sold it that day for $1150 cash. The buyer didn't even want it for a boat, he unbolted the bow stop and winch and left it in my trash can by the garage before he left. He wanted it to build a motorcycle trailer out of. Go figure.

I looked at a boat the other day, the boat had no motor, no seats, and a 40+ year old trailer that needed new everything but the frame was probably OK as were the tires. The guy kept insisting that he was selling the trailer not the boat, and that the trailer was worth $600+, even though he was only asking $300 for the boat and trailer. I wanted the boat, could care less about the old fenderless trailer it sat on. My response was that he can keep the trailer and I'd get rid of the hull for him, or what ever he though was fair. He was stuck on the $600. He still owns both. I'd go $200 for the hull for a project, not a penny more, and if there was any way not to deal with that trailer, I'd go for it.

I've also got a trailer here that's 4 years old, in mint shape with no miles, it's a galvanized bunk trailer which sat for the past 4 years in a garage with an empty hull on it, which I sold. I listed the trailer, which cost $1550 new, for $800, and got no offers, lowered it to $650, without the electric winch, and got no offers. I listed it at $600, got two offers both under $200. That's just not going to happen. I put it back in storage till someone is willing to pay what it's worth.

The situation I don't get is when you can buy a mint or near new trailer under a complete load of a boat for $200. I bought a 2007 Load Rite full roller single axle trailer with brakes under a 1977 Century with no floors or transom, no motor, and no seats. The boat had been stripped of everything worthwhile except a brand new helm and cable, still new in the box, and two brand new spare wheels and tires. All for $200, from the guy that bought this stuff new only two years prior. He got tired of the project and bought a new boat. The helm and cable was $165 at West Marine, the trailer was $2,319.73 out the door at a local dealer, and the two spare wheels were $150 each at the same time. How someone can put out that kind of cash and turn around and basically give it away 20 months later is beyond me. He probably could have scrapped it all for more at the junkyard. What amazed me even more, it sat on CL for a month with no hits. He had a poor pic, and described the boat as a project boat with near new trailer. I wasn't going to bother looking at it but was in the area and figured I'd check it out. To top all, I had just bought another boat, had it in tow when I looked at that one, so the guy not only sold it to me for $200, he followed me 39 miles home and delivered it as well. I kept the trailer, kept the helm and cable, kept the wheels, which I put on my other trailer, and sold the boat for $200 the next day on CL after having it listed for $500 for 9 hours flat. My thinking was to make a deal in anyway I could to anyone that showed up. The first guy to pull up with a trailer took it for $200. Which made for an instant free trailer and some spare parts.

When I listed that boat, which was rough to say the least, I certainly wasn't going to list it saying what it needed, I made a point of referring to all it's good points. Saying it needed deck repairs and that the transom will soon need attention. If I had listed it as being a "Total wreck, needs everything" I'd have been stuck cutting it up to take to the dump. The bottom line is that "20' Century, Handyman's Special" sounds far better than the blunt facts. Besides, anyone buying a boat with no floor, no transom, no motor, which is sitting behind a garage on some old tires certainly isn't shopping for turn key performance.