BUYING A USED BOAT

[El and Bill]

Buying a used boat is not the same as buying a used car. We thought sharing a few ideas might be useful for those looking for a used C-Dory.

When you buy a 1999 used car, you usually are buying a 1999 car body, 1999 engine, transmission, axles and wiring. Engines are serviced and tires replaced, but most everything is fundamentally 1999.

However, when you buy a 1999 used C-Dory, you are buying a 1999 boat, but C-Dory hulls are well built and sound. Check the hull for any major damage and perhaps look for insurance records to demonstrate any claims. Then look at any repairs if damaged.

The engines, however, might not be 1999. If they have been replaced with new 2005 engines, then you have a sound-hull 2005 boat with newer engines, transmissions, etc.

Boats, by definition, live on water. Corrosion is a fact of life. Steering, wiring and engines are vulnerable and must be upgraded or replaced as needed. Trouble comes when they are not replaced. We just had our boat serviced, and our steering wires replaced. The Honda master mechanic said he had seen a dozen mechanic steering cables that needed replacing already this year. So check to be sure, on a used boat, that steering and wiring are in good condition.

Then, most folks buying a C-Dory relish the ease of trailering the boat to new areas for cruising. The boat moves on a trailer, so a used boat requires a good serviceable trailer – if it is a 1999 boat it might come with a 1999 trailer. BUT, if it comes with a newer trailer, that certainly will give you a more trustworthy trailering experience.

So, if looking at used boats – don’t simply look at the year and the price. Those unfamiliar with powerboats might confuse buying a used boat with their experience in buying a used car. Look at the age and maintenance record of the engines and look at the age and condition of the trailer – they may not be the age of the boat.

 

[B~C]

good topic, I'm going to put forh some propaganda because we'll be selling our boat someday when the right ugly tomcat comes up for sale.

If a person just shops for a specific age range they're missing the boat...harrrr...harrr

There is a world of difference between a 99 vintage boat that has been on a trailer, under cover, lightly used and well cared fore verses a newer vessel that has been left in a slip and neglected.

 

[T.R. Bauer]

Ken,

You are right. My boat has been to Alaska Mining and Diving to repair things I couldn't tackle myself, or didn't have time to, and there were people that thought it was a new boat. The sales department was really interested in it. And for good reason. The finish is still beautiful and shines like it did 20 years ago. There are no scratches, no corrosion, and everything is as it should be. If I ever sell my boat, which I doubt I will, it will bring top dollar.

Like you said, and I attribute the condition of my boat to this, if you keep it under cover (inside the heated shop at my house), and continually keep it in tip top shape, these boats will last a long, long time. In fact, by storing in the shop, I have found that keeping the finish in near perfect condition very easy and requires only a wax job in the spring/fall.

When buying a boat, I would buy the one that was stored inside a climate controlled building over one that was stored outside. Even in the interior fares better as there is no UV slowly deteriorating the finishes, seats, and electronics. For me, buying any boat the lives in the slip is out of the question....

 

[thataway]

A few comments:

I prefer to buy a used boat. There have been some improvements made in the C Dories thru the years--and some years boats have seemed to be better than others.

I also survey boats--but not professionally.

What I see is that very few boats are properly prepared for sale. The boat should be cleaned and waxed. The engines started, serviced, and all proper maintenance documented. If the engines have 1500 hours on them--then state 1500 hours, not a lower number. On the other hand, a newer engine may have been run hard, and put away wet--and not as good as an older engine which has low hours and has been meticioulsly cared for. Just because an engine is newer--for example 2005, this does not mean that the rest of the boat is up to 2005 standards. Electronics, and other systems may not have been upgraded. If there are newer electronics, and other systems, then the boat is certainly worth more. If there is a steering problem get it fixed before a person comes to look at your boat.

Yes, there may be some corrosion--but good maintenance keeps that to a minimum, and if it occurs should be addressed immediately not let to go. If the steering does not work--get it fixed before showing the boat.

Interior of the boat. Go thru it and clean all of the interior. Get rid of any mold or mildew. Make the boat smell nice. Be sure that all surfaces are clean and any major dings are repaired.

If you don't do this, then there are several consequences. First it is harder to sell the boat at your asking price. Second--often people travel from great distances to see your boat--thinking that it is in good condition--and there is disappointment that it is not as represented.

A good, clean C Dory, at the right price should sell fairly quickly. C Dories still hold their prices better than most other boats of the same age.

There is an art to selling any used boat--and it takes staging as well as advertising to make sure that you attract the right buyer. There can be many things which put off a sale. For example how the boat is financed, and how easy it may be to get the title. If a loan has to be paid off, this makes some folks leery.

 

[Wefings]

Bill and El , thanks for this thread .
Being the persistent and dedicated C-Brat/Dealer that I am , I'd like to mention that it is still possible and even satisfying for some folks to buy a new boat with full [and extended motor]warranties.The Triton/C Dory boats are A1 quality , there are a few dealers that seriously support their product and their customers [ I think more to come], and we have seen some uptick in all our other brands [from fishing and catamarans to R.Tugs]and are anxiously awaiting a few C dory buyers. Interestingly I have seen a few used C Dorys that were close enough to what we can sell a new one for that I am semi baffled , perhaps a perception that the boats have had an astronomical price increase , or some other unknown cootie is deterring folks from at least inquiring about new product .We are always interested in used /consignment inventory , but some new product sales would bolster the brand [Triton/C Dory] and get boats into boat shows [dealers often do this] to create new enthusiasts, justify some advertising dollars and current materials, and let the world know we have a particularly great boat here ! Then C-Dorys stay popular and stay valuable and we all win.
Just a few thoughts after personally delivering another used C Dory today.
Marc

 

[starcrafttom]

I learned a few thing when I sold my 22. First is that banks have no idea how to price or appraise a boat. So that can be a good thing if you are ready for it. Before they even open the Nada book of stupid pricing have a survey done and in your hand. I was able to sell my boat and buy another one based solely on having a appraisal for the price that I wanted to show the bank the true price of my boats.

Second is that buyers are flakes. whether from the c-brats, a blog I had going for the boat , craigslist or other forms of advertisement half never showed after calling to say they where on the way. Two came to look and spent a hour looking only to tell me they were not ready to buy for at least a year??/ I left work to go show the boat both times, complete waste of my time. Several looked me in the eye and offered me less then half the asking price. One of those got mad and threatened to swing at me if I did not take his offer ( and laughing at him) But its like the circus. You will have a good time at the circus if you are ready for the circus, but if you are looking forward to the opera and walk into the circus you will have a bad time. Selling is the same way. expect to get lied to , messed with, time wasted, and in the end sell your boat.

 

[hardee]

Some folks like the smell of new fiberglass. Others of us are not as handy as some, so the well fitted, used boat with the upgrades already in are a good way to go. That fits for me personally. On the new boats, it sounds like there are things that should be done that the factory is still not doing, unless things have changed recently. Particularly the aft hatch covers, or lazarettes, that was brought up in another thread recently. After much urging from this site and many owners, as recently as George's "Kerri On" they are still installing the smaller, and not for horizontal application covers. Wonder why, and is there anything the dealers can do to help rectify that? And then I saw where Marc mentioned they had a C-Dory built for the SBS, but it didn't show up there. Wonder what happened there? As a very satisfied owner of a 22 Cruiser, I would like to support both the factory and the dealers, and think it is wise to do so. I am also realistic enough to know that there are folks who for one reason or another will not be getting into C-Dorydom via a new boat. There are both kinds of buyers out there, and a need for both boats. Understanding that any sale is going to take multiple contacts is one part of the sale, and the other is knowing that a relationship with a dealer is, unless you are going to do everything on your boat yourself, a very good idea.

This is a good thread, with good info here. Surly to be helpful to those many lookers, and even more so to the serious buyers.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

 

[JamesTXSD]

"Like the circus..." That's good, Tom - made me chuckle!

So, the next time someone calls our C-Dory "a cute little boat", maybe we should have a bunch of clowns climb out of it? (New sales technique) 8)

People equate buying/selling boats with cars because most folks have at least some experience with buying/selling cars. From my perspective, it's more like buying/selling an airplane: the price is more dependent on how it has been maintained, the engine hours and condition, and equipment, rather than the year it was manufactured. The market is smaller and there are brokers/dealers to help match up the right boat for your needs, or you can go it alone. A thorough survey (or annual inspection for an aircraft) can be part of the buying/selling.

Most folks looking for a C-Dory are not just looking for "a boat"... these are purposefully designed boats. Sample the owners here and I would bet that most of them had already decided on a C-Dory before they bought their particular boat. Oh, sure, there is the "a 22 or a 25?", "single or twins?", "fishing or cruising?", and all the other questions we see regularly... but most of us came here specifically looking for, or to find out more about, C-Dorys.

New or used, there isn't anything else like 'em.

 

[ghone]

I have had 2 new c dorys in 3 years. My first on was a result of my late wife's remark, "I don't want a Used one...I want a brand new one in a box"!! So we got our 19 new and outfitted it the way we wanted. After Brenda passed, I got a new 22 and have outfitted it just the way I wanted. It goes along with how I have always bought real estate or anything else. Buy high sell low. Oh well. In the case of the c dory, I feel it supports International relations for me to order a boat from a Canadian dealer from a US builder. Spread the money around. It's the right thing to do. Fun too. Nothing quite like opening up the box and pulling out a brand new C dory!!! But new or used they are exceptional little boats. :thup George

 

[c-ness]

I've sold two c-dorys....both through well-known c-dory brokers. They took a fraction of the sale price but the reduction in stress was worth it to me. I'm sure that the buyers were also assured by the fact that the boat was being sold by known brokers with solid reputations.