Want to buy a Chaparrel 2006 256 SSI and need advise

[mrvideo]

I am in the market to purchase a 2006 Chaparrel 256 SSI. I have owned boats for many years, but always outboards. At the purchase price of these boats, I believe I should hire a Certified Surveyor to look over the boat and engine.

Can anyone recommend someone in the South Jersey Area.

Also, the boat I am looking at is at a dealership. I would like to water test it, but I have a feeling that it is winterized, and will probably out of the question. How do you buy a boat for this amount of $$$ without being able to test ride ? Its like buying a car without test driving ?

Any Feedback would be greatly appreciated.

 

[frantically relaxing]

Re: Want to buy a Chaparrel 2006 256 SSI and need advise

I'm nowhere near NJ so no help with the surveyor!

If the dealer wants to sell you a boat and there's a thawed out lake nearby, they'll likely agree to a water test. To re-winterize would involve (for them) nothing more than draining the water out of the block, a 20 minute job for their mechanics...

We absolutely love our '03 260 SSI, good luck!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Want to buy a Chaparrel 2006 256 SSI and need advise

A dealer will have the ability to do a sea trial.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Want to buy a Chaparrel 2006 256 SSI and need advise

I am in the market to purchase a 2006 Chaparrel 256 SSI. I have owned boats for many years, but always outboards. At the purchase price of these boats, I believe I should hire a Certified Surveyor to look over the boat and engine.

Can anyone recommend someone in the South Jersey Area.

Also, the boat I am looking at is at a dealership. I would like to water test it, but I have a feeling that it is winterized, and will probably out of the question. How do you buy a boat for this amount of $$$ without being able to test ride ? Its like buying a car without test driving ?

Any Feedback would be greatly appreciated.

i bought my first (used) powerboat in south New Jersey (Gifford Marine - Northfield). . . I sea trailed it in mid-February . . . Happened to be a warm day. The marina just winterized it after the survey and engine testing was done. The next day it was 20 degrees and snowing.

So, if there is a decent day in the forecast, you can sneak in a sea trail and survey. It is best to have the surveyor along for he sea trial.

Use the SAMS and/or NAMS web sites to locate a surveyor in the area. I forget who I used, but it was 8 years ago.

 

[Don S]

Re: Want to buy a Chaparrel 2006 256 SSI and need advise

Also, the boat I am looking at is at a dealership. I would like to water test it, but I have a feeling that it is winterized, and will probably out of the question. How do you buy a boat for this amount of $$$ without being able to test ride ? Its like buying a car without test driving ?

The dealers should take you on a test drive if you want, all they have to do is drain the engine after the test run. I wouldn't buy it without a test drive either.

If you plan on financing the boat, talk to your lender about a surveyor. They typically have a list of approved surveyors in their area.
No sense paying for a survey if the bank won't accept it.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Want to buy a Chaparrel 2006 256 SSI and need advise

Chaparrel 256 SSI...

If you buy it, just know that it's spelled Chaparral. (It'll be written on the side of the boat to help you out! )

 

[jkust]

Re: Want to buy a Chaparrel 2006 256 SSI and need advise

If you buy it, just know that it's spelled Chaparral. (It'll be written on the side of the boat to help you out! )

And think he's looking for adviCe. Too many years with autocorrect.

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Want to buy a Chaparrel 2006 256 SSI and need advise

We don't do sea trials in February. We make deals this time of year contingent upon a successful sea trial in the Spring

 

[Toddavid]

Re: Want to buy a Chaparrel 2006 256 SSI and need advise

If you are buying from Cecil Marine in South Jersey (and I highly recommend them), you'll pay about $400 for a sea trial since they are not located on the water.

Re-winterizing costs may be additional, too

However, their reputation is beyond reproach. I think I saw a low hour 256 for sale on their site recently.

 

[jkust]

Re: Want to buy a Chaparrel 2006 256 SSI and need advise

If you are buying from Cecil Marine in South Jersey (and I highly recommend them), you'll pay about $400 for a sea trial since they are not located on the water.

Re-winterizing costs may be additional, too

However, their reputation is beyond reproach. I think I saw a low hour 256 for sale on their site recently.

Agreed, Chap owners all know Cecil and I'm way the heck up in MN.

 

[mrvideo]

Re: Want to buy a Chaparrel 2006 256 SSI and need advise

Can anyone else chime in on the reputation of Cecil Marine. I browsed for reviews, but there were none that I could find.

They quoted me $600.00 to do a sea test, for them to bring it to the water, and empty the water out. Seems a bit steep. Don't most boat dealers selling a boat, to a qualified buyer, with an agreed deal do this service within their sales commission?

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Want to buy a Chaparrel 2006 256 SSI and need advise

Can anyone else chime in on the reputation of Cecil Marine. I browsed for reviews, but there were none that I could find.

They quoted me $600.00 to do a sea test, for them to bring it to the water, and empty the water out. Seems a bit steep. Don't most boat dealers selling a boat, to a qualified buyer, with an agreed deal do this service within their sales commission?

Yes, when I bought my boat through Gifford Marine (they were the brokers), they prepped for sea trial and put the boat away at no cost to me. The only thing that I had to pay for beyond the cost of the survey was to have the boat re-winterized, as they would normally not have to do that.

generally in a sales agreement contract it is the seller's responsibility to present the boat for sea trial and survey. Is this boat being sold as a brokerage boat, or does Cecil actually own the boat? (I.e., they took it on a trade-in). Either way, it should not make a difference, they should be bearing the cost to present the boat for sea trial and survey.

do you have the boat under agreement/contract at this point? If not, then they would probably want you to pay the costs. . .

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Want to buy a Chaparrel 2006 256 SSI and need advise

Is this the boat. . . Seems to be listed as a brokerage boat.

Cecil Marine (Williamstown, NJ)

 

[Toddavid]

Re: Want to buy a Chaparrel 2006 256 SSI and need advise

Can anyone else chime in on the reputation of Cecil Marine. I browsed for reviews, but there were none that I could find.

They quoted me $600.00 to do a sea test, for them to bring it to the water, and empty the water out. Seems a bit steep. Don't most boat dealers selling a boat, to a qualified buyer, with an agreed deal do this service within their sales commission?

Remember that their dealership is not located on the water, so there is definite cost to them to prepare, launch, and retrieve a boat for sea trial. Despite their handicap, they have gained immense positive following in the Chap owners world. Search here:


Boat Talk - Chaparral Boats Owners Club

 

[jkust]

Re: Want to buy a Chaparrel 2006 256 SSI and need advise

Remember that their dealership is not located on the water, so there is definite cost to them to prepare, launch, and retrieve a boat for sea trial. Despite their handicap, they have gained immense positive following in the Chap owners world. Search here:


Boat Talk - Chaparral Boats Owners Club

When you need a part for your Chap...you call Cecils. I'd struggle to buy a boat in the winter even contingent on a spring trial.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Want to buy a Chaparrel 2006 256 SSI and need advise

NADA on this boat is about $34k . . . So, if they are asking $41k . . Might be a bit high . . .

 

[jkust]

Re: Want to buy a Chaparrel 2006 256 SSI and need advise

NADA on this boat is about $34k . . . So, if they are asking $41k . . Might be a bit high . . .

Especially in the off season, in this poor economy.

 

[Toddavid]

Re: Want to buy a Chaparrel 2006 256 SSI and need advise

Low hour 256 SSI with big block and arch is a hot commodity, though I agree price seems a tad high, especially without trailer and primarily salt water use. But it's brokered, so the owner is technically setting the price. Bet there is some wiggle room now, maybe not so much when spring hits in a month.

 

[mrvideo]

Re: Want to buy a Chaparrel 2006 256 SSI and need advise

Thanks for the Replies,
That is the correct boat. The boat is on consignment, they are brokering the boat. From looking at the Nada pricing, I think you didn't put in a few options.
Suggested
List Price Low
Retail Average
Retail
Base Price $57,403 $28,900 $33,050
Engine 351-400 HP (5.7L - 8.1L ##) $4,485 $4,485
Options: (edit options)
Bimini Top $300 $340
Bow Cover $265 $300
Cockpit Cover $320 $365
Wake-Board Tower $1,040 $1,180
Depth Sounder $160 $180
Stereo - AM/FM/CD player w/4 speakers $310 $355
Docking Lights $340 $385
Batteries - Dual w/Switch $165 $185
Vacuum Flush Head - w/Holding Tank & Pump Out $1,270 $1,440
TOTAL PRICE: $57,403 $37,555 $42,265
I am experienced with Nada pricing, but these are the options, plus a few other things..
From looking at the boat, It was pressure washed, and is in need of bottom paint. The rear stereo controls are not functional, and one of the zippers on the Bimini top is no good. Since the batteries were not installed, and has a power opener, I was unable to view the engine compartment. Otherwise, the boat appears in good condition, with 111 hours. (another thing that Nada didn't take in consideration).

Does that affect your opinion about the retail pricing ?

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Want to buy a Chaparrel 2006 256 SSI and need advise

It is a matter of what you are willing to pay, if you are looking to pay a certain price or feel that you need to in order to get the boat.

nada tends to run a bit high in the early years of depreciation versus the market and then runs a bit low in the later years . . . . Like after about 12 years or so . . . So, maybe check it against BUC value as a comparison.