Buying Boats off Craigslist

[Bucketmouth91]

I'd like to share a few tips about buying boats off Craigslist. I found a decent deal on a fixer upper and was fortunate that it had minimal issues. After the boat rehabilitation I made mental notes of what to look for and want to share some things with other people to see what to look for.

The obvious to look for:
-holes, scrapes, and cracks in the fiber glass/ aluminum.
-tire tread/ spare tire?
-carpet wear
-paper work especially when buying out of state
-a key to the throttle
-a working trolling motor(make sure they prove it batteries included or not)
-motor starter at least
-stearing works
-trailer wear and tear

:-\Not so obvious to look for:
-greased trailer axial
-bent/vulnerable trailer toung
-working bilge and livewell pumps
-holes in the livewells
-wiring/hose/gas tank wear and tear (new EPA line cost a ton)
-weak spots in the floorboard (especially around drain holes)
-compromised storage cover wood( don't want to step in a hole)
-seat tears and wood rott
-fuse

Buying a fixer upper on craigslist can be a great deal if you have the time, effort, and know how to fix it. Many of the items listed you may be willing to compromise on. On a budget its hard beat though and it can be rewarding making the modifications you desire to the boat. You will certainly know your boat inside and out by the end of the project. If your looking at a new boat consideer "flipping" it in a good way.

My boat with refurb:
used 87 Hydrasport w/ good 70hpmercury w/ good 35lb motor guide foot control w/trailer -$1100
recarpeting-$400
batteries-$200
new gas lines:$50
fishfinder:$250
wax, trailer paint, gauges, oil mix tubing, wood sealer, rod tiedowns:$200
future star angler: priceless

hours:100+

Boat before refurb:

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[tsmith35]

Very nice tips there! Thanks for sharing.

[jonboy]

Interesting post. Ive bought and sold several boats off craiglist also four wheelers, cars, engagement rings, excetra. So I thought id add to what he was saying .
If your BUYING off craigslist:
  Its ALWAYS gonna look better in the picture, so whatever you see in the pic, you should expect reality  to be  3 or 4 times worse.
  People make a living off of craigslist buying and selling. So if you are looking for a deal you have to have money in hand and be ready to pounce. You will always be to late if you have to have it financed. Also most post are put on durring the weekends and the banks are closed.
  Get familliar with pricing before you are ready to buy so you will know a good deal when you see it.
  If a boat has been on there for a while, there is a reason.
  Be patient, The right boat at the right price will come along, just be willing to travle to get it.
If you are SELLING on craigslist:
  You are waisting your time if you dont include pics and a price.
  Include as much info as possible. There are so many boats on craigslist that people are not going to waist time calling on all the boats they might have questions about. If you put enough info, only serious callers will be calling.
  Never put REDUCED PRICE or some sales gimmic in your post. You will look like a salesman and most people like me wont give it a chance.
  Do your homework. Before you list it, check around to see what compareable  boats are going for ON CRAIGSLIST. Regardless of what you may think, your boat is not special and is not worth more than everybody elses.
  Tax season is always the best time to sell anything used.
  First impressions mean everything.Take the time to clean your boat and fix as many problems as you can before you take pics and post your boat. Problems that may be cheap or easy to fix for you may be a big deal to somebody else and they may be thinking,"If he didnt fix somthing little like that, what does that say about bigger issues?"
  If you havent gotten any calls the first few weeks, you may need to start figuring out why.
Hope this helps, thanks for reading

[Duckmarshal]

And run like hell if they tell you they "just want to get the payoff".  Way too many folks out there trying to keep up with the Jones' financing boats and campers they can't afford. I see people all the time trying to sell campers they are upside down in.

[Mike Cork]

Great info guys, thanks for sharing this. Definite value to the sites members.

[JrFreak]

Thanks for the tips!

[fishinfranklin]

Jonboy said it like it is. Cash in hand ready to pounce!!
I have bought and sold hundreds of things on craigslist