Looking for good deals on boats. North West corner of US.

[mylesm260]

I live in the south west corner of British columbia Canada.
I'm looking for a boat, and I'm wondering which markets in the US within driving distance is going to have the best deals.

I'm basically wondering where in 1000 miles of washington is a lake community that may be hard hit by the recession and have boats for sale at a good deal.

I'm looking for a newer stern-driven V8 bowrider w/ wakeboard tower.

If I knew which areas have an abudance of 1-8 year old boats meeting that description that have been used only in fresh water, I'd know which craigslist to look in.


Thanks,
Myles

 

[salmonee]

Re: Looking for good deals on boats. North West corner of US.

You won't find it in Washington. I've been watching the market for a year and haven't seen much boat deals, even in a recession. I guess, that's why there are so many boats on craigslist. Don't get me wrong, there are some "average" priced boats, but those are usually go fast. These average boats are close to NADA retail. I call up a guy just last week less than 12 hours post on a rig that I thought would work for me. I make an appt to see the rig on weekend. Guy emails me 4 hours later that someone bought the thing without a test ride! I was like WTF. This happened twice to me and I have cash! So now I'm back to looking.

EDIT: BTW, I look EVERYDAY! I'm obsessed with trying to find my first boat before summer gets here.

 

[Wee Hooker]

Re: Looking for good deals on boats. North West corner of US.

Some SMOKEING deals around Mn,MI,WS,etc lately though! More than a few have had ME tempted! You might consider taking the wife on a nice romantic "driving vacation"

 

[superpop]

Re: Looking for good deals on boats. North West corner of US.

Portland seems to have been hit pretty hard by the recession. Lots of nice boats down there right now. Before I picked up my 2006 Chaparral I had an accepted offer on another Chaparral 204 SSi that was in pristine shape for 22K. It was a repo and the bank just wanted to get rid of it. No tower but you could add that for a grand later. It had the 5.0 MPI Volvo drive and it rode perfectly. Did not have the carpet or any documentation but it only had 45 hours on it when I test drove it a few weeks ago. I think it is still there. I would guess you could pick it up for around 22K. Let me know if you want more info on it. I ended up buying a 2006 Chaparral down there with 40 hours on it and totally loaded, belonged to a musician who just did not use it much and when he moved he just dropped it off and said sell it. left everything, life vests, knee boards, ropes, you name it. It has the tower and all the options and I picked that one up for about the same price. How much are you looking to spend?

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Looking for good deals on boats. North West corner of US.

Washington hasn't been hit as hard...yet, it shouldn't take long and you'll see the deals. Oregon has though, so the deals may be better there right now. I shop on craigslist frequently and since I travel to Oregon every couple of weeks I always check that area too. What I find is the prices can differ a great deal on the same items even over such a short distance.

 

[curling_coach]

Re: Looking for good deals on boats. North West corner of US.

I have been looking also for about 3-4 months and have wondered where the good deals are. A lot of boats come up from the mid to eastern US, Great Lakes area and the Southern US but being from Alberta Canada just cannot pack up and head to Georgia or Florida to pick up a boat.
Personally, like salmonee, I have been on the internet everyday. Iboats, ebay, Kijiji, boat trader, dealers you name it I have been on it. Currently I am talking to a Glastron dealer (Recreation Station) out of Spearfish, South Dakota. Oops am I allowed to promote here? Shawn is a great guy and if you contact him let him know that Wayne from Calgary recommended you. I don't know exactly what you are looking for as far as type, brand, length, motor size etc. but he might be a new place for you to take a looksee.
Good luck in your search.

 

[grego]

Re: Looking for good deals on boats. North West corner of US.

Have a friend in detriot Mi. He says "if you want 4-wheelers,snowmobiles,boats,campers " you need to look at the "detriot news" paper "online"or order newspaper. He said that people,would NOT! only sell cheap,but would help with shipping. I guess when you go from $45,000 a year and up, to $0 and about to lose your house, You need to sell toys. He said if he had more money,he would buy everything he could and try to sell in other states. He said he saw a $7,000 or $8,000 dollar john deere gater in a yard for $2,500. one man's lose,is another man's gain.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Looking for good deals on boats. North West corner of US.

that the plunge the southwest coast of Florida. you find excellent boats, little use, retirees buy them, then they loose their charm.