[chesapeake724]

NADA and BUC are in general agreement about the hull. It's somewhere in the $6-$6300 range, and I'm very confident it's as structurally sound as it looks. There isn't a flex, bubble, or hollow sound to be found anywhere, and the unpainted bottom isn't hiding anything. I didn't even see any superficial gelcoat/spider cracks, and no they haven't been painted over. The trailer is in good shape as well, so let's say that's $1000 for a tandem w/ brakes and tires in decent shape. Replacement, would be $1600.00 minimum. So, we're up to $7-7300 for hull and trailer. Big picture-wise, I would pay $10k for this hull with reliable power and little to no risk of further investment.

I'm thinking of pitching $8300 to the salesman. If he knows the engine's worth more than $1-1300, then the onus would be on him to prove it to me with hard evidence before we finalize the number to the owner. That's when he has to earn his brokerage cut by giving up some more proof on the mechanicals. I know he has to make a buck, but he's not going to make it off me by selling a boat with a bum motor. Everything is contingent upon sea trial, so if it idles rough, has a hard time shifting, runs hot, won't pee, etc. then even without an intensive mechanical exam, I can still decline.

SK, While I've been looking for my first Steplift, this isn't my first boat. I know that your investment is year round and enjoyment is 8 or 9 months. I been through a worse situation: putting a boat up for sale in late Spring and having it not sell by Fall. Carrying that payment through the winter so you can sell in the Spring is a greater torture than paying the note on a boat you intend to keep. ;)

I'll probably call the guy tomorrow to see what he says about my figure. I can't take off to formalize an offer until Friday, so we'll see if I even have to make the trip.