GWcpa

I've recently sold my boat and have the fever to buy the next one. I'm debating the pros and cons of buying a new "mid tier" or used "top tier." My Grady experience (and of cult brainwashing ) have led me to look for them, but today I decided to look at what I could get new for about the same money.

While the boat actually appears to be a pretty good value for the money, it was interesting to see the condition of the boat. It was outside and pretty much trashed from lack of care. I found the boat with the companionway hatch open and extremely dirty below. The bilge had about 8 inches or so of water in it.

The helm area and cabin sole was covered in black dirt. The exterior seat cushions have been on since the winter boat show season and looked old.

I don't think I could have sold my 6 year old boat in this condition. How does a dealer expect to sell a new one? Is this pretty typical for some dealers to negect its inventory and expect you to be ok with a clean-up at delivery?



I took some phone cam pics of the mess. The boat is a 27 express.

Bailey Boat

Ive seen the same conditions many times and it doesnt seem to bother them, but it sure bothers ME!!!!!!!!

Greg Manning

Can you imagine having that dealer rig anything??? What a mess and pure laziness.

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Cape Horn 31, Yamaha 350's
Intruder 198, 140 Suzuki

Gmack

Everyday I pass by a boat dealer. There is a new 23' center console with a verado on it that I have always liked. It has been for sale at least six months and sits outside everyday. Is a boat still new after sitting outside in the elements for that long? I sure wouldn't pay full price. The blazing Louisiana sun can't be cood for the canvas and cushions! If I purchase a new boat it will be a semi-custom boat or one the deal will order.

Gary

GWcpa

The most amazing part to me is that this is the (one of if not the) most expensive boats on the lot.

I can understand jon boats being dirty, but this is about a 75K boat.

BW23

It would be difficult to purchase a boat in neglected condition but it would definitely help with price negotiations.

It really needs to be cleaned possibly detailed to examine the overall condition .

Was it a brokered boat ?? or 4 sale by dealer??

boatmike

You should forward these pictures to Sea Pro to see what their reaction is

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2004 Boston Whaler 270 Outrage
Twin 225 Opimax
2006 Coastal Bay 2310 by Action Craft
225 Optimax SW

gf

Oops, my bad!* :sleeping:**I saw that you mentioned*Grady above.

GWcpa

Not a GW, but I didn't say what it is. But it's not hard to see/figure it out.

Grady would yank a dealership in a second if this was a GW.

GWcpa

Oh, and it is a 2005 built in November 2004. Not even a year old, but looks like it is 10.

pirate36

You better believe they would. I can't imagine ever letting a boat look like that, new or used!

Parthery

A long time ago, I worked a summer at an auto dealership in Orlando.* Besides moving cars in and out of the service dept, we would wash every new vehicle on the lot EVERY MORNING.** They had a pickup rigged with a water tank and soap solution and it took two of us about 2 hours to do it.

When I asked, the owner of the dealership indicated to me that he couldn't expect a customer to spend their hard earned $$ in a*place and on a vehicle that was dirty.* What if a prospective customer got their pants dirty, etc?*

Its basic business...if a dealership can't keep their inventory reasonably clean, then I would wonder what kind of shape their service department etc... is in...

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GW 180 Sportsman / 150 Yamaha
"Double Trouble"

Stretch

Grady White monitors their dealer network very closely. One dealer I know of that had been a Grady dealer for many years lost the brand altogether due to one, I repeat ONE, dissatisfied customer who raked them over the coals and caused their Grady dealer rating number to fall below the cutoff point.

kingair

Mabe this is cause for a discount. When I bought my used Trophy it looked really bad. I spent days cleaning it. It was advertised fro 12K and offered 7k, done deal.

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Bruce W

I NEVER "delete" a pic!

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Bruce
Boatless as of 5/14/10

CBAYANGLER

Thats pretty bad,to let a boat rot on the lot. When I was looking for my boat went to several dealers and saw that crap. I found a good dealer who had a big steel building they kept all the new boats in except the floor models. They sell the stored ones first and I guess give discount for the model at the year end Bad business to try to sell a grungy rig . I own a small business with 4 work vans, my guys dont get their paychecks on friday till they wash their van( 5 min). First image can break you quick.

Sea_Dad

It's not rotting, thats just dirt. It does give an indication to the level of concern they have towards their customers though.

HOTSPOT

No way I would buy that rig or buy a rig from that dealer.

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Tightline Rod's

Local dealer here had a Bay Stealth in their show room fully rigged and the Hull was twisted I mean you could see it from half way across the show room it was that bad... I asked the sales man why did they not send it back and he replied ... what's wrong with it?????

I laughed and said if I have to point it out your already lost!!!!!!


John

GWcpa

Good eye Bruce. I was wondering if you had pics of this one. Curious, what month did you take your pics? It obviously hasn't been touched since.

The dirt is one thing, but somebody pull the bilge plug! Who wants a boat that has had the bilge, foam, tanks, etc, soaked for a few months or a year. I'm guessing it got the water in it after any freezing?

This sea pro's hull really looks good to me. The hardware is pretty good, but the cockpit is small and the cabin layout is strange. It is almost as though they spent all the money on the exterior and gave up on the interior layout. Overall though I am impressed with the new models.