what is my boat worth

[warrenltamargo]

I have a 1987 aquasport 200,175 hp mariner and trailer.  I am the original owner and have had this boat garage kept. Less than 200 hrs on engine. All original and in "cherry shape". Wondering what I should ask for it if I decide to sell.

[CTsalt12]

Sight unseen, $3-4k?  Ss the engine also 1987?  Any compression numbers?

[scoflaw]

Got any pics? I may be interested. Where is it at ? What number $ did you have in mind ?

[warrenltamargo]

Yes it is the original 1987 engine and trailer that came with the boat has about 200 or less hours on it most of which were in fresh water.  Runs great, no problems.  I am in SE Tennessee.  Don't know how to do pics but I will ask my daughter and put some on here when it warms up a little outside. I added rear and front removable pedestal seats and a bow mounted trolling motor for Bass Fishing set up, other than that everything is original except the front bow rail which I removed for the trolling motor set up.

Hadn't given the price a thought yet as I was hoping to get an idea from the site.  Would have to see the boat and its condition to arrive at a fair and reasonable price I would imagine.

[mshugg]

The online NADA guide lists the average retail at $4,820  and low retail at $4,255.  They say the original list price of boat motor and trailer at $18,755.  I used my Florida zip, so numbers may vary in Tennessee.  Here’s a link if you want to plug in options and add ons:

http://www.nadaguides.com/Boats/Manufacturers

The guide is just a starting point.  They don’t list a price for a pristine boat, so you can expect that your boat is worth more than the 4,820 figure. 

The question is how much more?  The boat is 30 years old and a lot of people are going to be suspicious of a 30 year old motor, even one with only 200 hours. Getting parts could be challenging, and sometimes just sitting is worse for a motor than running it. On the other hand,  Aquasports have a following and the 200 Osprey is one of the most popular models.  Garage kept and mostly fresh water are pluses.  You have many of the same challenges as folks selling rebuilds, functionality it may be like new, but it’s still a thirty year old boat when it comes to value.

With all that said, the value of a boat, or anything for that mater is based on what the buyer and seller agree it’s worth.  You could take two approaches; price it to sell quickly, or wait for special buyer.  For the price to sell maybe price it a couple of thousand dollars over the average retail.  This will appeal to the bargain shopper, and you should sell pretty quickly.  Or, price it for someone who wants an Aquasport Osprey and price it closer to its original list price.  The risk here is that the higher price will reduce traffic and make it harder to sell.  Speaking as someone who is nearly two years into a rebuild, if I had purchased something like you have, I’d be fishing right now instead of sanding, for less money too.

Anyway, I’m not an expert and when it comes to buying and selling, my motto appears to be; buy high, sell low.

[warrenltamargo]

Thanks Mshugg for the info. I understand about the caution in buying something this old.  That is why I would want the person to look at it before anything is done.  If you had bought this one you would be looking at your reflection in the finish as the shine is still there and all the teak is clean and oiled.

As for the Engine, I make it a point to run it every year weather I fish it or not as you are right in that if it sits too long without use it is not good.

[mshugg]

  If you had bought this one you would be looking at your reflection in the finish as the shine is still there and all the teak is clean and oiled.

Both not at the top of my list in importance.  That’s why I’m rebuilding.  I sure am looking forward to seeing pictures though.  A well cared for classic is something to be proud of.

[warrenltamargo]

I know.  It has been my baby for all these years.  That is why I am hesitand about selling it.  (The wife isn't)   Just curious, what is at the top of yours or perhaps somone elses list when it comes to what one might be  looking for in the way of used old boats that I might address?

[mshugg]

In my case, I was looking for a project, so I found a heap of a boat offered bellow low retail.  It was accepted.  Then I sold the motor and pedestal seats to knock the final purchase down further.  I was looking for more of a deep v.  The Osprey is more of a bay boat, so your selling in the bay boat market.

It would be worthwhile to check classifieds for what comparable rebuilds have sold for.  My observation is that the boats that are priced too high stay on the market a long time and usually get lowered in price.  You’ll hear about used boats selling for more than they sold for new, but those are often the Contenders, See Vees and Regulators, not the mid tier boats.

For what it’s worth, there’s a 200 CCP listed in classifieds.  That’s the same boat I’m rebuilding.  It’s listed through Pop Yachts for 25K.  It has a new 2017 outboard and has been babied like yours.  That price wouldn’t scare me away, but it’s been listed since December.

[warrenltamargo]

Thank you again for the info, I will have pics soon.

[wingtime]

Also the time of year you decide to sell it makes a difference.  Selling it at the beginning of the season with the boat all ready to go for the season will bring more $$$$$  Also your location makes a big difference.  In Florida Aquasports are well known and sought after...  but there are also a bunch of them here.

[scoflaw]

So is it a CCP or an Osprey ?

[warrenltamargo]

 Not sure what to call it as at the time I purchased it in 1987 It came with a 200 decal on the side when I picked it up from the dealer.   It has the center console with the hand grab rail/windshield and the seat behind the console is a cooler with a reversible padded back rest.  The front has two long narrow box/lids with a larger fish box/lid in the center.

[Capt. Bob]

Osprey