Worth the price?

[Firecat1981]

This is my first post, so thanks for having me.

I've been designing and building my own small skiffs for the last few years and I am not thinking about something different. The aquasports have caught my eye and I think I found a decent 175 in my area, but to me it seems like the price is a bit high. I've spoken with the owner and the boat is original, used mostly in freshwater down in Sebring, and is a 1988. He says the wiring for the nav lights and livewell need to be redone, but it runs great and is willing to wet test. He's asking $4750 which for a near 30 year old boat seems like a lot. Is this normal for these boats to hold value like this? Here is the ad:

http://lakeland.craigslist.org/boa/5657240179.html

A few questions come to mind. I know the transom and floor are wood, but any other major issues to look for? I've heard the fuel tank can be an issue, how hard is it to replace? I think it is a striper, is there a difference in the hull between the osprey and striper?

Thanks guys.

[wingtime]

The Striper is just an options package for the Osprey. So it is an Osprey. I can tell you it is missing the seat back cushion and the cooler cushion. Everything was cored with plywood in 1988. Walk on the deck in bare feet to check for soft spots. Also check to make all the hardware mounted thru the deck is tight and properly sealed. Loose unsealed screws is how water gets into the deck core. I think that asking price is a tad high if that is the original motor.

[Firecat1981]

The motor is the original 88hp. I told him I wasn't interested in it to see if he'd come off the price and never heard back.

[wingtime]

I'd go look at it.  Bring some $$$$ with you.  You may be surprised how much less you can get it for.  $3200 would be tops... maybe less..  hard to tell without seeing it..  Thats assuming everything works and the deck and transom are solid and the motor is clean.

[RickK]

Read this http://classicaquasport.com/smf/index.php?topic=10634.0  and take some of the advice with you when you go look at it.

Good luck.

[Firecat1981]

Thanks guys, I may just keep looking. It doesn't seem like he is willing to come off the price. He has refreshed the craigslist ad several times, but after several weeks you think he'd be willing to lower the price. $3200 is a far ride from $4750. I'll keep looking and see what pops up.

[boatnamesue]

It's always tough to accurately price a hull of that age.  One would think the older the hull and/or engine the lower the price.  But that doesn't necessarily apply because the price listed, for example the boat your looking at $4750, is specifically the price for THAT 30 yr hull.  You could find the same year hull and its priced higher or lower.  And this of course is all predicated on the condition of the hull and/or engine.  I have a '76 170 with a '98 115hp yamaha.  I bought it for 6k, which was a steal, and yet the hull is 40 years old.  It was a steal because it had been well maintained.  I wouldn't sell my boat for less than 10k simply because it's in such good condition, which truly makes it a classic.  I'd never find another one so well maintained for 6k.

So the question you've gotta ask yourself is $4750 a fair price for that listing, NOT is $4750 a fair deal for a 30 year old hull.  By the looks of the boat and engine, assuming the engine is in good shape and the transom/deck/stringers are solid, $3200 is a low ball ask.  What you're offering the seller is a 30% reduction from his listed price.  That's a big drop.  Just some food for thought.  And btw, I also found my AS on craigslist.  Keep trolling the site and you never know, you might come across a gem like mine.  I was looking for 8 months before I found it.  Good luck and keep us posted

[RickK]

BNS - That is a great piece of your boat's history and a realistic look of what is out there.  These boats are worth what someone is willing to pay. If it is in a "time capsule" shape you can't apply the "it's 40 years old" purchase strategy. The owner, in this example, is hopefully correct in pricing it the way they did. Checking out the boat/hull in person and using some of the guidance in this thread will help.  http://classicaquasport.com/smf/index.php?topic=12725.0

An "old" in age boat doesn't mean they are worthless (especially an Aquasport).  Try to use a little of the topic above article when you're on the hunt.  If the boat you find passes with flying colors, maybe they are worth the asking price ??

[boatnamesue]

"An "old" in age boat doesn't mean they are worthless (especially an Aquasport)."---

You nailed it Rick. Not a day goes by at the ramp when at least one person reacts to seeing my boat up close.  And they usually ask 2 questions after complimenting on its sweet condition: what year is it and did I rebuild it.  And it's a '76....literally a 40 year old hull lol. 

[RickK]

The hull is pretty for sure - my 170

[boatnamesue]

Here are a few pics of my '76.  All original.

[wingtime]

That boat is an exception.... most of one's I see are not that nice.

[boatnamesue]

You got that right bud.  This is my 1st AS so I only learned of it's rarity until after I purchased.  It was listed on craigslist in a city 4 hours away.  Luckily the previous owner took the time with me over the phone to go over every little detail since I wasn't gonna drive that far just to see it.  Since purchasing I'll troll craigslist every week and have yet to see one of its quality.  Bought it for 6k, though it could have sold for 8k if he didn't need quick cash.  It was just my luck. 

[Firecat1981]

Thanks guys, seems there were a few more posts here that I didn't see. The boat is still for sale and I am toying with checking it out still. one thing I was worried about is some of the 88hp motors didn't have TnT, but the owner says it does and it works perfectly. The boat looks like it's in excellent shape, but we will see.

I looked through the thread on checking out a boat, good stuff. Anymore insight as to if this boat is worth the price? Here is a link to the updated ad. It has a few extra pics, you can see it has a replacement cooler and cushions which I'll likely change back.

http://orlando.craigslist.org/boa/5683885986.html

[wingtime]

I still think that us too much for that boat. If it was that nice it would have sold by now. Go get a look at it and see how you feel.