Looking for a used 14-16ft fishing boat. High prices???

[jax408]

Ive been looking around my local craigslist for a fishing boat that will strictly be used in the fresh water delta. I see some old 80s welded aluminum boats that looks restored or well kept for up north of $3000... Are these at all normal pricing?

I want something for calm water fishing and thatll last me another 10 years without major repairs.

My budget is no more than 4000.

Here are some examples:

16' Aluminum Side Console Fishing Boat - 35hp

Rare 15 Gregor welded aluminum fishing boat w 25hp, sell or trade

15' GREGOR ALUMINUM 40 HP MERC

Are these fairly priced? Which one should I check out if any.

Thanks

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Looking for a used 14-16ft fishing boat. High prices???

Price varies by location and season.

Some parts of the country have much cheaper boat prices than others.

You can get a better deal on a boat in late fall and winter than in the spring or summer in most parts of the country. The best time to buy is just before or after Christmas when people need/want money for the holidays.

The best way to see if prices are fair is to shop around and watch internet listings in your area regularly (daily).

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Looking for a used 14-16ft fishing boat. High prices???

+1. Prices vary greatly with location and time of year. Based on your screen name are you in Jacksonville, FL? If so, the prices you quoted are about right (i.e. $3k for a good, all-welded aluminum boat with motor and trailer). Of course, that's peanuts compared to the +$30k flats boats guys buy and sell down here too. Generally speaking, your best deals are going to come from cold places in the middle of winter, not here in FL where there is no off season and everything gets rode hard and put up wet, so to speak. As jig said, the key to getting a good deal is persistence. Be patient and check your local listings regularly. Eventually, you'll see something you like, at which point you need to be ready to pounce because chances are if you like, so does someone else.

 

[jax408]

Re: Looking for a used 14-16ft fishing boat. High prices???

Thanks for the advice.

Im located in San Jose, CA . Bay Area I suppose. I want to buy locally.

Does any of those boats look worthy for what it is?

 

[Watermann]

Re: Looking for a used 14-16ft fishing boat. High prices???

I'm liking that Sea Nymph for 3k, lots of goodies with it too although a bit under powered with a 35 in my opinion. It's serviceable with the 35 but a 50 would make it a perfect boat.

 

[jax408]

Re: Looking for a used 14-16ft fishing boat. High prices???

I wont need the speed. Im going to see that boat tomorrow.

 

[jax408]

Re: Looking for a used 14-16ft fishing boat. High prices???

Anymore input?

 

[loose rivet]

Re: Looking for a used 14-16ft fishing boat. High prices???

I'm on the opposite coast here in NJ but those prices are par for the course unless you find a desperate seller.
I figure the value of a boat by what it would be separately if I had to put that package together myself.
Around here a good 9.9 to 25hp two stroke will bring upwards of $750, a trailer will bring $450 to a grand, depending on whether its painted or galvanized and type of bunks its got. Roller trailers bring a premium. I just sold a 30 year old full roller for a 16' boat for $1200 cash. The boat depends on condition, time of year, type of hull, and size. 16' aluminum boats sell well here, you would be hard pressed to find a good hull under $2500. Welded hulls bring even more. I just looked at a few older Duranautic boats here and the cheapest I've found so far for just a hull is $3000, and that was for a mid 70's model.
Boats don't depreciate like a car, so long as the cost of new boats keeps climbing, it'll always be easy to sell a used one for good money. Most people simply spend what they can afford, they will buy the most boat for their buck, and most often that means buying used not new. I priced a brand new 16' boat, motor, and trailer and the best price I found for a bare bones tiller boat with bench seats and no floor was over $8500, so I can see why a used one would bring at least half of that if not more.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Looking for a used 14-16ft fishing boat. High prices???

The reason small aluminum boats hold their value is there isn't really much to go wrong with them with age, either structurally or cosmetically. The prices for old fiberglas boats vary wildly b/c they are the opposite.

Because of this, they are the type of boat you can buy almost sight unseen; there will be no "sea trial."

Usually it's the motor that drives the price, and that's where the differences appear. And that's where you need to look the closest, or budget to repower.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Looking for a used 14-16ft fishing boat. High prices???

Another 'regional preference' item. Here you can hardly give a roller trailer away.

I'm on the opposite coast here in NJ but those prices are par for the course unless you find a desperate seller.
I figure the value of a boat by what it would be separately if I had to put that package together myself.
Around here a good 9.9 to 25hp two stroke will bring upwards of $750, a trailer will bring $450 to a grand, depending on whether its painted or galvanized and type of bunks its got. Roller trailers bring a premium. I just sold a 30 year old full roller for a 16' boat for $1200 cash. The boat depends on condition, time of year, type of hull, and size. 16' aluminum boats sell well here, you would be hard pressed to find a good hull under $2500. Welded hulls bring even more. I just looked at a few older Duranautic boats here and the cheapest I've found so far for just a hull is $3000, and that was for a mid 70's model.
Boats don't depreciate like a car, so long as the cost of new boats keeps climbing, it'll always be easy to sell a used one for good money. Most people simply spend what they can afford, they will buy the most boat for their buck, and most often that means buying used not new. I priced a brand new 16' boat, motor, and trailer and the best price I found for a bare bones tiller boat with bench seats and no floor was over $8500, so I can see why a used one would bring at least half of that if not more.

 

[AChotrod]

Re: Looking for a used 14-16ft fishing boat. High prices???

I bought my boat about a month ago. Its a 80 16.5ft Sea Nymph with a 78 Johnson 55 on it. Its riveted so I had to stop a couple small leaks but other than that its been great. It has 4 benches so its not exactly like the ones you posted but could be with a little work. I paid $1200 for it.

 

[AChotrod]

Re: Looking for a used 14-16ft fishing boat. High prices???

Ive been looking today just to see whats out there and in my area $4000 can get you a really nice boat. Including mid 90s Nitros, Trackers and a ton of 14-17 Alum boats. I guess it really does depend where you live.

 

[82rude]

Re: Looking for a used 14-16ft fishing boat. High prices???

AChotrod, where or which state do you live in ?I might just have to do a raid into the states to pick up a 16 foot alum boat sans motor for my etec next year. 60hp.ideally would like a bowrider.as for the op be thankful you don't live in northern Ontario ,boats are considered to be plated with gold and priced accordingly.

 

[AChotrod]

Re: Looking for a used 14-16ft fishing boat. High prices???

I live about 40 miles northwest of Chicago IL in Fox River Grove. Im about 2 minutes from the Fox River & Fox Chain O lakes and less than an hour to Lake Michigan. So there is plenty of water around here but also plenty of people that buy boats and never use them. I noticed when I was up in northern Wisconsin prices were much higher then lower WI and IL.
Wish I had a couple extra bucks to grab this
http://southbend.craigslist.org/boa/4073329387.html

 

[greenbush future]

Re: Looking for a used 14-16ft fishing boat. High prices???

Another 'regional preference' item. Here you can hardly give a roller trailer away.

I agree with you on the roller bunks, they are not wanted in the MI market either. There must be a reason there not wanted?
I have my own personal reasons, just don't need to hijack a already started thread.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Looking for a used 14-16ft fishing boat. High prices???

I agree with you on the roller bunks, they are not wanted in the MI market either. There must be a reason there not wanted?
I have my own personal reasons, just don't need to hijack a already started thread.

bunks can be simpler but require you to sink the trailer and to power load. So rollers are better in salt water if you don't dunk them.

They are also "popular" becuase they are cheaper to make, and thus are cheaper to buy, so boat sellers use them to lower the package cost. The fact that they are more common does not necessarily mean they are better--which is why you see them now around salt water even though boaters who know better would rather not have them.

But even a saltie may just factor in replacement/repair costs. My hunt club dunks a bunk trailer in ocean salt at least 2c a week and it's almost lasted 5 years--and cost $500 when we bought it (used of course).