What would you pay for this boat?

[ShawnQ]

I am considering buying this boat this upcoming week. I went and looked at it this past weekend, and everything on it was solid as a rock. The floor had no soft spots, the transom was solid, and the boat seemed to be perfect structurally. I was impressed with the overall appearance and quality of the boat for its age, especially considering it was a saltwater boat. The only sign of saltwater was the two small rust stains on the back of the transom where the eyes are for towing a skiier or another boat. Other then that, I saw no rust anywhere.<br /><br />It's a 1991 Baymaster Tunnel V, with a 1990 70hp Johnson VRO, power T/T. It has Hydraulic Trim Tabs, a Poling tower (looks like the used it for cooler storage, good idea!), tach, water PSI gauge, temp gauge, tilt/trim gauge, VHF radio. <br />The trailer is a single axle McClain Galvanized trailer, with working lights, and no rust anywhere, with bearing buddies.<br />The engine great on the water hose, and fired right up. Went into both gears, no problem. Had no rough idle or any excessive noises or smoke. It is clean underneath the cowling, and only has minimal saltwater corrosion on the outside (to be expected for its age).<br /><br />The only thing that didn't seem to work was the navigational lights, which should be a quick fix. There are two good batteries with an on/off switch, and all of the gauges worked.<br /><br />here's a few pics:<br /><br />

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<br /><br />What would something like this be worth? The NADA values the boat at 1620 with no options, and the engine at about $800, which seems low for the package. Add another $500 for the trailer, and you get the package at about $3000. Then, add the trim tabs, gauges, Poling Tower, Cooler/fish box, dual batteries with on/off, etc...and you come to about $3500.<br /><br />The dealer is asking $3500, plus TT&L, which makes the boat a total of $3878 out the door. I think it's a good deal, anyone else?<br /><br />Thanks<br />Shawn

 

[boatingfool]

Re: What would you pay for this boat?

Somebody will always tell you you could have gotten a better deal.<br /><br />It sounds clean and if you walk away with a boat you like and you dont feel you got screwed, then you didnt.

 

[CCrew]

Re: What would you pay for this boat?

That the asking price before or after bartering?. I have an issue with paying full asking price Never hurts to make a lower offer..<br /><br />All in all it sounds like a reasonably fair deal against NADA. Is the dealer giving any warranty? <br /><br />-Roger

 

[KCook]

Re: What would you pay for this boat?

I agree with boatingfool. Very strongly. This price is low enough that you can just go with your gut. (Assuming the motor checks out Ok.) Even if you change your mind and sell it, can't lose much.<br /><br />Kelly Cook

 

[Bob in Calif.]

Re: What would you pay for this boat?

That is kinda' neat!!! I have never seen one of those before. It looks about 16' long. How long is it?<br /><br /> ...Bob in Calif...

 

[sloopy]

Re: What would you pay for this boat?

looks good, 3500 is a great price.<br /><br />Check the hull for rot.

 

[ShawnQ]

Re: What would you pay for this boat?

there is no rot, and the 'non-bartered' price is 3995.00<br /><br />He said he could take $3500, plus TT&L, but that was as low as he could go. It is a consignment boat, so I assume the ACTUAL owner is asking in the $3000-3200 range. The dealer has to make some money off of it..<br /><br />As for the boat, it's 17', has no rot at all, anywhere. It's solid as a rock. There are no abrasions what-so-ever on the underside (I figured there would be a few from being around all the oyster beds, but there are none). Everything is clean and nice for a 12yr old boat. <br /><br />Worst case, I can take my 90hp Nissan and throw it on (which I only paid $400 for, so I would still only have $3900 into it)<br /><br />Thanks for the opinions guys. I should know whether or not I am going to get it sometime this week.<br /><br />Shawn

 

[Old Jarhead]

Re: What would you pay for this boat?

As with any boat purchase a sea trial is a must...<br /><br />Seems like a fair price. If you like the ride, performance and it suits your needs I'd say go for it.

 

[mattttt25]

Re: What would you pay for this boat?

i like using the negotiating trick of,<br /><br />"i really want this boat, but i only have $3500 to spend, total. all my wife will give me. if you can make the price work that i walk out the door spending $3500 total, i'll buy today. if not, i understand, but need to go elsewhere. have a good day...."<br /><br />seems to work for me. good luck.

 

[RJM]

Re: What would you pay for this boat?

Looks like the boat may have had trim problems at one time. Make sure you like the way the boat comes on plane. Trim tabs and a fin on the same boat makes me want to look at that aspect of this boat. Good Luck.

 

[paragod]

Re: What would you pay for this boat?

Looks good to me Trim problem maybe. But trim tabs just a helper to get on plain in shallow water with small hp

 

[cggcpa1]

Re: What would you pay for this boat?

I always test the compression in the engine !!!!Dont use the stern eyes to lift the boat... I had a bow eye on my boat like that when I bought it.. and it broke when I was winching it onto the trailer. Other than that sounds good.... best of luck !!!!

 

[ShawnQ]

Re: What would you pay for this boat?

RJM,<br /><br />According to the previous owner, the Trim Tabs were installed to help the boat get on plane with the relatively small 70hp engine. He said that they helped considerably, and if he had 4 people on the boat, he could sit them where he wanted and level the boat out with the trim tabs. A 17' boat is succeptable to being unbalanced easily, I would assume. My 15ft boat is bad enough just from the engine torque. I have to offset it with people and my fishing gear.<br /><br />The guy that has the boat on consignment said that they do a mandatory compression check prior to offering to sell the boat. He also said that I am more then welcome to check it myself, and compare his numbers. I would definitely do this before purchasing.<br /><br />I am still thinking about it...any more opinions?<br /><br />Thanks<br />Shawn<br />As for the

 

[POINTER94]

Re: What would you pay for this boat?

Shaun,<br /><br />Real tough to give a recommondation on a photo, but if you take the money out of the equation, do you want it and does it fit your needs, and are you comfortable it is seaworthiness? <br /><br />To me it looks like a great little fishing boat. And from wisconsin standards 3-4K won't buy you much. Take it for a sea trial, do a good survey, and sleep on it at least one night. If you can afford it, do it, if for whatever reason you have some doubts, walk away.<br /><br />FYI, boat buying should be fun, but it always makes me a little queesy.<br /><br />Best of luck. Doug

 

[ShawnQ]

Re: What would you pay for this boat?

Doug,<br /><br />I definitely wouldn't buy it without a trial in it. It will fill the needs most definitely. 90% of my fishing is in a local lake that is only 3000 acres, the other 10% would be coastal in the bays/flats. It's setup great for both scenarios.<br /><br />My biggest worry is the 70hp pushing a 17ft boat, but it should push it good enough. I never feel comfortable haulin' across a skinny water flat anyways, so the 70hp should be plenty. Worst case, I can put the 70hp on my 15ft boat and put my 90hp on the 17ft boat, and be done with it.<br /><br />I talked to the dealer again today and told him about the few minor things I found wrong with it. One of the lights didn't work, one of the ice chest corners (to tie it down to the sole) was cracked, and a few minor things you would find on a 12 year old boat. I said if he could replace or repair the few small things, and offer a sea trial, as well as let me do a compression test, I would most likely buy it. <br /><br />He said he would look into the small problems and let me know something in the morning because it was 20min until closing.<br /><br />Thanks for the replies, keep 'em coming<br /><br />Shawn

 

[POINTER94]

Re: What would you pay for this boat?

One last thing. If you think the dealer is at his lowest price, stop the price negotiations. You are probably at or near the value of the boat at the 3500 mark. I find in buying larger ticket items that the relationship is worth a bit. If you want a little more, get it in the repairs/updates or life jackets, etc. That last 50 bucks might fill your tank but leaving it on the table may provide you with immeasurable information, support and resources in the future. <br /><br />Who knows in a week or two you may find something catastrophic and by working the seller down to the last penny, you will have lost any ability to work with him later cuz he was cut to the bone. They also resent not making a fair profit. Not all dealers are crooks and knowing a good one can make your future boat purchases far easier and enjoyable.<br /> <br /><br /> Doug

 

[ShawnQ]

Re: What would you pay for this boat?

POINTER,<br /><br />The salesman actually told me right off the bat that the lowest he could go on the boat was $3500, plus TT&L. He said that he had a guy last week come and try to go $3500 out the door, and he had to send him home because they wouldn't make any money. He also gave me the owner's name/number, and told me I was more then welcome to talk to him about any previous maintenance. I called him, and he said he maintainenced the boat regularly, but didn't keep receipts. He also said that he told the dealer that he wanted $3250 out of the boat. Therefore, the dealer was making $250 off of it. I think that is reasonable for storage, detail, and inspection of the boat, and don't mind paying it if I end up getting the boat. If he will repair the lights and a few of the other small things I mentioned, I will most likely purchase it.<br />By the way, I just got an email back from the dealer saying that they wont sell the boat without working nav. lights, and he was going to look into the other small issues.<br /><br />Thanks<br /><br />Shawn

 

[CTD]

Re: What would you pay for this boat?

I think it is priced right, big issue is if you like it. One thing not mentioned is title. Make sure you get clear title to it, if you've talked to the owner its probably an up and up deal and it sounds like you're dealing with a reasonable person.

 

[ShawnQ]

Re: What would you pay for this boat?

Title is clear and clean, and 'in-hand'.<br /><br />The original owner is selling it because he recently went back to college away from home, and hasn't been able to use it. It had been sitting on a lift for a month at his parent's house, and his parents told him it's time to sell it. He claimed that the lift was covered, and I would believe from the interior condition compared to it's age. He said he had his dad fire it up once a week or so, and he said his dad used it every few weeks..so it didn't sit dormant for too long.<br /><br />Shawn

 

[POINTER94]

Re: What would you pay for this boat?

Shaun,<br /><br />See if the original owner had the boat serviced by a mechanic and get his name. Contact mechanic for his feeling about it. If you are real serious or have any reservations, have your own mechanic look it over.<br /><br />Then if all lines up pack it up beer bait and buddies and enjoy.<br /><br />Doug