Stephen Trapani wrote:
Frank Maier wrote:
Stephen Trapani wrote:
Okay, after getting advice here, I'm the guy who wouldn't go $8500 for a
'68 Newport 30,' and after seeing the Piver and hearing the warnings,
ran
...snip...
Is this too good to be true?

Stephen,

You seem like a smart guy and you're a fellow Northwesterner, so I
hate to rain on your parade. We get enough of that here as it is.
But...
Remember the old saying, "If it sounds too good to be true, it is."
Obviously I have zero personal knowledge about any of the specifics
you're looking at. It's possible you could get the deal of the
century. IMO, it's more likely you're gonna get an education in
economics.

Do you know about Marina auctions? I mean, there's no one there trying
to cheat you, it's a randomly impounded boat, it could easily be great,
right? The marinas dump these boats to get back their lost moorage
money. Aren't these marina auctions common? Are they the best kept
secret in boating or something? What, my luck I finally stumbled on that
gold mine I've been dreaming of all my life?!!! ;-)

Not specifically, but consider: If the boat is worth $20K, or $15K, or
even $8K, why doesn't the owner sell it himself, pay off his
liens/fees, and pocket at least a little profit? Abandoned vehicles of
any sort are usually in poor condition. But, like I said, it's always
possible that you could wind up with a fabulous deal.

....snip...
insurance, maintenance, repairs, etc.

Again, my nutty idea: If I get the right boat at the right price, like a
neglected, quality boat with some age, that has value, I'll get my money
back from maintenance and repairs won't I? or a good chunk of it?
Meanwhile I can have fun sailing and cruising around the massive
shoreline that is Puget Sound with my family. Even if it needs a few
thousand for a new motor and a few thousand for new sails, I can put my
elbow grease into it, etc, and have it worth more in five years or so,
if I want to move up in boats, or if I want to get out of boats altogether.

My short answer is, "No." Maybe after a lucky deal on a used Swan or a
"collectible" boat or something, but not for a Hunter or most any boat
you're looking at. As always, there could always be a specific
exception and/or I could simply be be wrong. But that's my $.02.

Good luck! Keep us informed of your progress.

Frank