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Random Quote: Fighting for peace is like screwing for virginity.
I sold my 99 Cape Horn 17 and have been looking new used boats. What I have found so far is a bunch of junk. Granted I don't have a fortune to spend, less than 20,000, I have found that other peoples definition of "Clean", "Excellent Condition", "Good Shape", and event looked at one that said "Perfect Condition" is not even close to what I would call any of these. I like to take care of my stuff, not compulsivly, but at least make sure things are clean. I fell like taking pictures of my old boat with me when boat shopping and saying "No this picture is the definition of a clean boat, your boat would be clean if you had taken time to wash it after coming off the water". Just wanted to see what some of the rest of you have experienced when looking at used boats.
Thanks, Cory
Used boat hunting sucks. It is really DEPRESSING. I looked at used boats for years and never could get all I wanted with my limited budget when I was younger. You just have to settle or broaden your search. Maybe stop looking in just your area but start looking on line. Have you searched the forum BOATS FOR SALE SECTION? How about www.boattrader.com I think it is
I've looked online and have traveled several hours to look at several boats. As to what I'm looking at: Cape Horn 21, Hydra Sports (Vector)20-21, Grady White 20-22 and the like. My problem is I don't want some one elses junk. If the money was there I'd buy new, guess I'll have to keep sifting threw the trash untill I find my diamond in the rough.
I noticing the same thing... made an offer on a "Low Hour" boat that was in perfect condition. Offer was accepted and drove three hours to view the boat and seal the deal..... P.O.S. The search light on the hard top was literly ripped off the hard top!
Not even washed.... fish lockers full of leaves and water....
Still looking..... I increased my price range to include boats that 1 or 2 years old with hopes of finding something nice.
Good luck
Tim
I feel your pain........every boat is "good as new, low hours, better than new, meticulous owner, etc" . No truth in advertising! The only "truth" I have found is that owners of high quality, top tier boats have true "meticulous, excessive" owners, for the most part. Buy quality used, and the owner will tell you every negative up-front! Good luck.
Geesh...it goes to show you how important it is to have a proper fitting trailer - that trailer is just killing that hull.
1/2 off.......that's obviously the guys half. Her half is only selling for a dollar.
I went through the same thing when I bought my boat. I looked at one described as, ". . . needs upholstery.". The boat looked like it had been dropped by a helicopter. If you are on good terms with a local boat shop you can ask them to be on the lookout for a boat that suits you. Boat dealers interact a lot and tend to be a bit more honest with each other. I ended up buying my boat through the internet. I'm in central South Carolina and the boat was in south Florida. I spoke with the owner and told him I would have the boat surveyed before I would travel all the way down there. He was quite honest with me and the survey didn't reveal anything he hadn't already told me about. There were no serious problems. I travelled to Florida, sea trialed the boat, paid him, and pulled it home. I don't know if the boats in Florida are better or if I just got lucky. At any rate a survey is a must (mine cost $300.00 and included compression check, electronics check, estimate of fair market value, etc.). Telling the owner the boat will be surveyed also lets him/her know he is not likely to be able to hide problems and brings a little more honesty to the experience. A survey is also good for obtaining financing and insurance.
I myself love to shop my family does not. While it is very frustrating you have to understand most brokers are liars, so don't believe what they tell you. Don't get discouraged you will have to look at a lot of boats but you will find the right one. I drove seven hours last thanksgiving to orange beach to look at a 38 ocean broker swore no hurricane damage, when I got there no broker took me a day to track him down he wouldn"t meet me at the boat, you know why it had a hole punched in the side of it from piling . Why do they lie who knows if I could have found that one it would not have been a pretty site. decided to look at a luhrs 40 on the way home it was in ft. walton followed a broker about 40 mins get to the boat it's a POS and he forgets to bring the keys I could go on with this all day . Be patient you will find something there are still a few honest people out there who take care of there stuff
I've shopped for and purchased 4 boats in the last 5 years.
Each time I started by looking at used boats, all described as perfect or as new condition, found that most of the boats were a POS, not cared for at all. Dirty, corroded electricals, seized up trailer brakes, the list goes on & on.
Each time I had to purchase new just to meet my standards. Glad I did each time as I don't like to deal with other persons problems.
__________________ Thousands on the boat.
Hundreds on equipment.
Time away from the wife, priceless!
I think what you have to realize is, most people that are selling their boats are doing so because of some problem. Either the boat is in failing condition, not performing as expected, or personnal finacial problems making the boat to expensive to keep.
How many times have we read threads right here on this forum, telling of members of this forum selling problematic boats, maybe even some times to unsuspecting buyers.
__________________ Cape Horn 17, Yamaha F115
with
Elmo the Boat Dog
Given the price range you mentioned in your first post (i.e. under 20,000) and the boats you mentioned in your 2nd post (i.e. Cape Horn 21, Hydra Sports (Vector)20-21, Grady White 20-22), I would expect that you are going to encounter some boats that are not in the best condition. The deal your looking for is probably out there somewhere, but your probably going to have to be patient and look hard in order to find it.
__________________ Grady White SeaFarer 226 w/Yamaha F225 - SOLD
I guess I am different...I look for Good Old Hulls, ( Schwenke built Makos, Potter Seacrafts) and build from the ground up. That way I know I have a solid hull, then I put the rest on there so I know what I have. I have just found "Newused" boats just don't have the galss in them and the ride just doesn't match..I guess thats why a 150 HP now pushes the 24 ft boats around. But hey...Its just a matter of preference and what you are looking for
Watch the classifieds here. Folks seem to describe more honestly here than you would get from a dealer...
You might also consider a want to buy ad in the tht classifieds. Friend of mine did that when he was looking for a fairly specific go-fast boat. He ended up getting an awsome deal from a guy that just decided to get out of his boat after reading the wtb ad..
Maybe you need to re-evaluate...if I'm looking at a used boat that is mechanically sound but cosmetically dirty, I see a huge opportunity. Do you want a "turn-key" rig or are you willing to put a little sweat equity into the deal.
I've bought 3 used boats in the last 18 months...all 3 required some investment beyond the financial one on my part. I have no problem bringing home a dirty boat...I know that I made a great deal...and when I am done with it, it will be exactly what I want.
I guess I am different...I look for Good Old Hulls,
You beat me to it... For Years, I looked at endless "newer better used boats". I had a decent price range & I found a bunch of questionable boats. My solution was to look for an older cheaper boat with a solid rep. Why not?? You could drop 50k on a newer used boat& break down tomorrow, or you could do the same for 10k.
I ended up with a 26' John Allmand that was my marina owners boat. Shed kept, 100 hours on a new engine/tranny, AC, Reefer, & a all systems were 100%. Plus, the hull is built like a tank. A real wave smasher.
All for 6k. You just gotta look & newer is not always better.
Why by a 23 CC for 30K when you can find a 28 Berty for the same price?
Disappointed when looking at used boats. 
IGFA Certified Observer
who knows if I could have found that one it would not have been a pretty site. decided to look at a luhrs 40 on the way home it was in ft. walton followed a broker about 40 mins get to the boat it's a POS and he forgets to bring the keys 
I could go on with this all day . Be patient you will find something there are still a few honest people out there 
