Looking to buy a Chaparral 204 SSi

[badrano]

Here is my update to my boat hunting....

I made the 4 hr trip to see the 2005 204 SSi in Lake Anna VA. I was pleased to see that the pictures on boat trader were 95% true to the actual condition of the boat. We went out on the lake and I was glad the rep did what I was hoping he would....got out of the no wake zone and he hit full throttle...not sure if it was a true WOT, but we were up to 40+mph in no time (3 adults and 2 kids on the boat). RPM's were over 4000 but not quite to 4500-4600 where I believe that is the redline for the 5.0 TKS. Boat does have a 4 blade prop. Other all a very smooth ride and quiet, no obvious weird noises to my unprofessional ears.

After we got back, me and wife took our time to look over everything. We found some issues, nothing earth shattering, but I'll be asking a couple questions in the other forum areas. I still have a surveyor coming next week.

The sticking point I have is that the owner is being a little bit of a pain in the rear as far as price. He is asking $16,500 and I initially offered $15,400...I chose the higher end of the surveyor's range because of the really good condition. My surveyor sent me a range of 14,200 to 15,800 based on the boat trader listing and this info came from a brokerage site that lists actual sale prices of 204 SSi's. The NADA guides show 15600-17700. So the initial offer was rejected, no surprise, but the broker indicated that the owner may be hard set on the $16500...no surprise there and they talked about the owners "parameters" and suggested to us $16000 so maybe that's in the owners "parameters". I don't necessarily have a problem with that but I know the cardinal rule is don't pay asking price.

Any thoughts, suggestions? From everything I've seen in my search, I do not want to walk away from this one.

 

[SkiGuy1980]

Here is my update to my boat hunting....

So the initial offer was rejected, no surprise, but the broker indicated that the owner may be hard set on the $16500...no surprise there and they talked about the owners "parameters" and suggested to us $16000 so maybe that's in the owners "parameters". I don't necessarily have a problem with that but I know the cardinal rule is don't pay asking price.

Any thoughts, suggestions? From everything I've seen in my search, I do not want to walk away from this one.

It's nearing the end of the season so you'd think the price would be more negotiable... however... If you don't want to walk away, don't. You could try another lowball... or try his 16K figure. I don't think I'd let principle or $600 stand in the way if the boat was everything I'd been looking for. Just my thoughts...

 

[tpenfield]

Don't spend the money on the survey until the price is set.

 

[SkiGuy1980]

Yeah Ted... I missed that he hadn't already had the survey done.

 

[badrano]

Don't spend the money on the survey until the price is set.

That's funny because I hear two schools of thought on this. They thought it was odd I was trying to make a contingent offer before having the survey done, while others have said to have the survey done first then make an offer once the results are in. The results could give documented ammunition for a lower price.

Honestly, I think I would be surprised if the survey came back with a deal breaker, but he's the professional, I'm not.

 

[SkiGuy1980]

For what its worth I didn't get a survey on any of the 3 used boats I've purchased. I did do a good look through on each... a running sea trial on 2 of them to verify how they ran, planed, and handled. I know I'll hear about the need for compression tests and such and I could have missed a costly issue, but I figured any problems would arise during the lake trial. If I'd had a survey done it would have been after I'd agreed on price... similar to how I've handled home inspections (price agreed, inspection done, rework price based on inspection findings).

 

[tpenfield]

That's funny because I hear two schools of thought on this. They thought it was odd I was trying to make a contingent offer before having the survey done, while others have said to have the survey done first then make an offer once the results are in. The results could give documented ammunition for a lower price.

Honestly, I think I would be surprised if the survey came back with a deal breaker, but he's the professional, I'm not.

I'm just thinking . . . what if you spend the $$$ on the survey and cannot come to terms on the price. Your survey $$$ is out the window.

 

[southkogs]

I've never had a survey done on a boat, so go with Ted's recommendation there. But I will say, if you're confident in the boat. And you really like the boat. I wouldn't lose it over a few hundred bucks. Overpaying a little bit for a well cared for boat that really fits your family isn't preferable, but it's better than getting a deal on a boat you don't like as much, aren't confident in or that isn't in as good of shape.

 

[SkiGuy1980]

I agree with southkogs... When I was looking last year I found a beautiful Chap SSi (also happened to be an '05 with captains choice that I covet)... but I kept looking due to price (less than a thousand). Would have saved a lot of time had I made the jump. There's always another boat to look at... but finding a true gem is tough. Just sayin don't let a few hundred bucks hold you back.

 

[badrano]

Thank you everyone for the advice. I guess when you're spending 15k or so, what's another couple of hundred. Unfortunately I've already signed on the dotted line for the surveyor. I tend to sometimes go overboard (no pun intended) on being cautious on big purchases. But, at least I'm getting another set of professional eyes on the boat.

The fact that the broker suggested 16k may be an insight in to the seller's "parameters".

If all goes to plan, this boat will be in my driveway next weekend.

 

[badrano]

Well, I've gone and done it now....bought me a boat :bounce:

The surveyor came and did his thing. He caught a couple of things but nothing major. His summary said it was well maintained and in above-average condition.
The plan is to head down Saturday and be home in time for Labor day....we will get to join all the other boats for the last official weekend of summer. If my work doesn't get in the way, should have a few more weekends to enjoy it before the winter.

 

[badrano]

Oops...ignore...started to post the same thing twice

 

[SkiGuy1980]

Awesome! Congratulations!

 

[jkust]

Congrats, I never see a 2000's chap in anything but above average condition on my lake. They are always pristine. What were the little things that the survey caught?

 

[badrano]

He caught everything I caught when I looked over the boat. In addition to that, the exhaust bellows is starting to show signs of cracks in the valleys. No comments against the other bellows. The manifold temps were running about 15 degs above spec and he mentioned that maybe the impeller needs to be replaced to get better water flow. There's nothing in the maintenance records from the owner about impeller replacement unless it was done as part of each winterization.
Also, the oil press/over temp/lube oil alarm was inoperative.

The only thing I need to do Saturday is take the trailer to the shop (luckily there is a Load Rite dealer 15 min away and open on Sat) to check the one wheel since I think it has a little too much play. Hopefully its just the bearing nut isn't as tight as it should be. Since I have a 4 hr drive up I-95, I'm not taking any chances.

 

[jkust]

He caught everything I caught when I looked over the boat. In addition to that, the exhaust bellows is starting to show signs of cracks in the valleys. No comments against the other bellows. The manifold temps were running about 15 degs above spec and he mentioned that maybe the impeller needs to be replaced to get better water flow. There's nothing in the maintenance records from the owner about impeller replacement unless it was done as part of each winterization.
Also, the oil press/over temp/lube oil alarm was inoperative.

The only thing I need to do Saturday is take the trailer to the shop (luckily there is a Load Rite dealer 15 min away and open on Sat) to check the one wheel since I think it has a little too much play. Hopefully its just the bearing nut isn't as tight as it should be. Since I have a 4 hr drive up I-95, I'm not taking any chances.

I'm always surprised by how many people don't replace the impeller at the proper interval. On that alarm, when you turn the key, there is no beep at all?

 

[badrano]

There is no alarm when the key is turned ON but engine not running. I've done some research and posted in one of the other forums. I have a good idea of what I need to do to troubleshoot it.

A friend of mine bought a sail boat last year. He was having some cooling issues on his engine and when he pulled the cover on the impeller housing, the 6 vane impeller was actually 1.5 vanes....all the others had broken off.

 

[jkust]

There is no alarm when the key is turned ON but engine not running. I've done some research and posted in one of the other forums. I have a good idea of what I need to do to troubleshoot it.

A friend of mine bought a sail boat last year. He was having some cooling issues on his engine and when he pulled the cover on the impeller housing, the 6 vane impeller was actually 1.5 vanes....all the others had broken off.

When I bought my current boat, the guy was great about keeping it up so it looked new but he pulled out a receipt showing me that the impeller was replaced like 7 seasons back and used that as a selling point. He just had no idea. First thing I did was change the impeller. In my state though, summer is so short, you can sometimes have dumb luck and operate with an old impeller that still cools fine.

 

[badrano]

The new toy is home. I'm kicking myself wishing I had noticed the state of the trailer tires before I settled on price...nice case of dry rot on the side walls....not sure how I missed that and even the surveyor missed it.

I had already scheduled to take the trailer to the local trailer place for a quick inspection before I made the 4 hr ride home...everything checked out except for the tires. To what ever angel that was looking over me yesterday, thank you for the trailer place having 4 tires in stock otherwise I would have had to make a third trip and leave the boat there.

So, the first big expenditure occurred hours after taking possession....oh well....let the hole in the wallet grow bigger

I understood that the boat was sold "as is" but dry rotting tires is a safety issue and I'm glad I noticed it.

And to the non-working buzzer....damn you the person who cut the purple wire on the buzzer!

 

[tpenfield]

Unless there are pictures, it didn't happen

Congratulations :thumb: