Found a possible... how does it look to you experts?

[Whitehorse]

This is a foot longer than what we were looking for since we will be keeping it in our driveway, but it looks pretty nice and in good condition. One of the few that isn't underpowered in our price range too:

http://stcloud.craigslist.org/boa/4582732590.html

It has an aluminum deck, which doesn't seem as popular now, does anyone have experience with them?

What do you all think of the price, is it fair?

Another I was looking at was:
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/b ... 34138.html

I don't think it includes a trailer, so they would probably be about the same price in the end if I had to get one separate.

Last possible for now is:
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ank/b ... 24037.html

Older, but still looks to be in good condition.


This boat shopping sure is daunting, but fun!

[drakus]

The first two look nice.

3rd looks a little rough.

I would jump all over the first one if it looks as good as the pics.

[jayw]

I probably don't have to tell you this but be careful buying on Craigslist. Scammers hijack/steal/recycle someone else's legit ads all the time and change the price. Often you will see the same boat listed as available and located in multiple cities on Craigslist. They put in a really low "fire sale, we're depserate" price to get people excited, take a deposit sight-unseen to "hold the boat" (or use some other trick), then make off with the money. And they do it over and over with the same ad. It's also really common with apartments. Scammers take deposits for apartments they don't own. Quite often the scammer is in another country. Never give anyone any money, or refund any "overpayment" as the check (even if it's a money order) is probably fake if they are overpaying.

As for boats and cars be sure the title is clear and legit. Call the state of registration. Sadly the internet is full of scammers.

Just thought I'd add that, on another boating site I read someone new to boating who wanted to buy a boat posted to the forum for opinions on a craigslist boat, saying how great a price it was and they had to act fast to get the deal locked up and wanted advice. It was like $4500 for a $20K used boat. Thankfully they got set straight, who knows how many people have been had by those scams. If it's too good to be true it probably is. That said, I did get the nicest used boat I ever bought off Craigslist once, from an older man in Door Co. Wisconsin.

Usually though, they use fancier boats to get more interest.

[Cowracer]

The tracker is the pick of the 3. Price seems just slightly north of reasonable for a 21' with a 90 . Offer them a grand less and see if they bite. Aluminum floor is not preferred, but should not be a deal breaker.


Tim

[pond tuuunes]

The first one seems really nice, but I dont know much about the alluminum floor. JT

[Whitehorse]

Haven't heard back from the Crestliner yet.

The Sun Tracker guy did email me back and said someone might be coming to look at it this weekend. From what I've seen other pontoons selling for in the area, I'm not sure I could get the price too much lower without losing it.

Thanks for the replies.

[OK Toon]

Don't mention a lower price when you haven't even seen the boat yet. We bought ours from a Craigs list ad. We met the seller at the lake to take it for a test ride. Before the ride I looked it all over then while we were out for the ride, that's when I offered a lower price -- which thankfully, he accepted.

I agree, the SunTracker looks like a better boat of the 3. But don't jump at the first one you see. We looked for several months (although we started earlier in the season).

[Bamaman]

You should come to an agreement on price, but tell the guy you really want a qualified marine mechanic to look at the engine.

Paying an hour for a mechanic to look it over would be the best money you'll ever spend. He should run the motor. And he should do a compression/leakdown test. The lower unit should be drained--looking for water intrusion. And the lower unit should be vacuum and pressure tested to make sure the seals are good.

A set of lower unit seals would cost about $300. If the lower unit's bad, a used replacement will cost well over $1K.

And if you end up buying a boat with a trailer, step 1 is to disassemble the hubs, clean and inspect the bearings. You don't want any unpleasant surprises. Unit #1 has a good trailer. and they're worth good money by themselves.

[margaritaman]

The first looks like a better deal for the horsepower and condition. BMR can chime in on the aluminum deck from his last pontoon. The last has props that are all dinged up when I zoomed in on the picture. Good luck!

[lakerunner]

The tracker is the pick of the 3. Price seems just slightly north of reasonable for a 21' with a 90 . Offer them a grand less and see if they bite. Aluminum floor is not preferred, but should not be a deal breaker.


Tim

Tracker has great aluminum floors. I have an 04 and the only rattle I have is the back gate. It doesn't flex or rot.I don't know what you base your opinion on but tracker floors are fantastic.

[Whitehorse]

Thanks for the input everyone. We are planning on seeing it Friday evening, I'll find a mechanic to take it to too.

As a first-time-owner, I plan to find out if the title is clear, what mixture he uses for fuel, how he's been winterizing and storing during our suckbutt winters....

What are some other good questions to ask in person? Thanks again for helping me out with your expertise!

[badmoonrising]

If you can get the Tracker with the aluminum deck, DO IT. Tracker's Duradeck is very well made and very strong. Tracker dropped it as an option to cut corners in 2010-2011. My new 2013 Tracker has plywood, my 2006 Party Cruiser had Duradeck. I prefer that over plywood by a wide margin.

Pontoons with aluminum decks have a much higher resale value. No plywood, to rot, etc.

[ROLAND]

of the three, I would be most interested in the tracker.... I think the price is a "tad" high, but the price is always negotiable.... as someone else pointed out, have a mechanic go over it first just to be safe.... good luck!

[Waterlogged]

Don't be afraid of the aluminum Duradeck. It is not noisy, heat is not a problem, It will not rot.

Glenn