Price Questions

Hey guys, new to the forum but not the boating world. I've been looking into getting my own boat now for about a year, mainly open bow but couldn't seem to find one thats reasonably priced (in my are they are all 30-40k or a POS) Then i stumbled upon this.. http://slo.craigslist.org/boa/2897474318.html ...high hours, is it worth the price? Thanks.

Here it is.

In general, a '99 Ski with GT-40 for under $10,000 would be a great deal, but that really is a ton of hours. If the engine has gone 3,500 hours without a rebuild then it's going to need one shortly. Having said that, is it close enough for you to take a look? Is there brackish water in ski locations around San Luis Obispo or would it have definitely run in all fresh?

It's close, well 45 minutes and with gas prices here in california thats a ways! No way it could have been run in anything but fresh, and between me and a few buddies we are pretty mechanically inclined, how much do you think the upholstery would run me? Thanks!

That would be a good to great buy depending on hull condition if your are mechanically inclined. I also bought a boat from a Lake Tahoe Ski school with high engine hours. Most Ski Schools maintain the engine and trans very well as time off the water costs them money. They interiors are normally beat up with all that extra use. Worth having a look at and checking out the hull and gel condition.

Thanks a lot guys, like I said I was looking for ore of a sport style, but around here they are few and far between for a reasonable price, and this boat sounds well cared for.

bhectus wrote: Don't know if it sounds well cared for. Look closely at the pic from the front, the observer seat looks shredded. Looks like a younger guy owned it and probably beat on it pretty good. Over 3k hours??? Whoa, that has to be one of the most I've seen on here.

Agreed, but of course the seat is coming apart with those kind of hours on it. I think it's pretty hard for anyone to put those kind of hours on a boat and not have seams separating.

The owner writes in the ad "Please Please Please Make me an offer. I am asking $8000 but I will consider less if I have to. So let me know what you think it's worth."

So, it's listed at $8,000, I'd show up with $6,500 in my pocket and see what happens. Certainly they will take $7,000 with an ad like that. For that money you can put an interior in plus an engine refresh and have an under $12,000 '99 Ski with GT-40, or just run it as is for a few years.

I don't know, I realize finding a lower hours well cared for Ski for $14,000 or so might be an easier path, but it comes down to what someone can afford to spend on their boat.

Ha, based on those pictures, I would say that boat was anything but "well cared for". But the price somewhat reflects that, so thats ok.

Andy is right that the original skins will run close to $3k on that boat. Add another $1k for install... maybe more. I disagree that you would be able to replace the entire thing locally for $1200. That may be the case in NC, but it sure isnt true here in the northeast (it'd run at least double that). I bet it would cost even more in CA!

So figure $3500-4000 for the interior alone. That means you'll have $11.5-12k in the boat just to get it looking decent. You still have a boat with 3500 hrs on it, and all the mechanical wear associated with that much use.

Ive noticed that relatively new used boats, especially closed bows, dont command much money in CA. I think you can do better unless you can grab this one for <$5k. Just MHO!

Also consider the use- a TSC (97+) Ski Nautique will NOT throw a very good boarding wake, even with a lot of extra ballast. Very round, undefined wake... which is why its such a great slalom boat. If thats what youre looking to do, then Id look at other models. Sport Nautiques, 2001's, or even NWZ SN's will be better boarding boats. Dont be tempted on this one just because of the pricetag!

[QUOTE=TRBenj] Ha, based on those pictures, I would say that boat was anything but "well cared for". But the price somewhat reflects that, so thats ok. <$5k. Just MHO!



Poster child for the acronym "BOAT" Bust out another Thousand!
Unless you can steal this boat I would stay away and run as far as you can.

That's a steal.

Hmmm, guys that know a lot more than me are saying stay away, you probably ought to listen to them, not me ......

First, to Tim's point, I don't think you mentioned what you plan to do with the boat. Do you ski, wakeboard? I look at it that you'd be getting into a really great ski boat at a low price, but if you wakeboard this probably isn't the boat for you regardless of price.

Jody, you say he should stay away unless he can steal it. Would you consider $6,500 a steal? I think I would, depending on just how beat up it is in person.

Anyway, I'll be interested to see what the seller tells you when you call or go take a look.