Value of this 32
 

I've been doing some boat shopping lately, got a deal pending on mine, so I'm ready to get serious about it.
Been looking at several brands, but I do really like the AT's. I came across this 96 32, with HP450's (never knew of these engines, but there seems to be no big issues with them), boat is in very good condition (from the looks of the pics). Owner has an asking price of 65k, which is in the range I'm looking for. So, I go to NADA to get what the value is...boy was I suprised to see that NADA has the value at 20k less. Why is that? AT is a well built boat, & other brands in the same year, & length, the value is right at what the owner is asking or even more than asking price.
Now, I am certainly not going to insult this gentleman with this figure, & that is just beyond a "low ball" offer, but I am very intrested, & I certainly don't want to be "upside down" on a used boat.
Am I wrong in my thinking that NADA is the value the bank will look at for financing? Am I doing something wrong when looking at the NADA pricing. I know I can add the add-ons & get the price up a few grand, but this is way off, IMO....
Has anyone else encountered this with an AT? Is there any way to work something out so the bank will finance it....Without me having to come up with 20 grand, just to be upside down in the boat.
Any advice on this will be greatly appreciated....
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The boat looks like its had a considerable amount of updating... dash/gauges, throttles, GPS, cockpit vinyl looks new, and the trailer looks to be in good shape. These are all things that NADA does NOT take into account. NADA does not know how to adjust for this. If you can get someone to get a BUC value for you, that may be more accurate.

I don't have any specific details on THAT boat, but I have seen pictures of it here and on Speedwake I believe. Do some digging here:
http://www.speedwake.com/upload/foru...?s=&forumid=23


Boat looks great BTW.

AT’s are an interesting market because they are not a production boat. The 32 market is also really strong. From my experience there is typically more demand for them then supply so top dollar is not uncommon. Also, when buying a boat that old you need to look at condition and upgrades/updates. As for being upside down, it’s a boat! I heard the other day that my dad’s old 1994 with 465HP’s just sold for 60K and the thing partially sank at one time and was rebuilt..

Also look at your near term maintance cost. Is it time to freshen up motors and drives or have they been done recently. The 450's should probably be freshened up every 300 hours. drives 200 hours.

Thanks for the insight, I spoke witht the gentleman that owns it now, & yes, he has done extensive work on it. He sent me a few more pics, & they all show that the work seems to be top notch. The boat, at one point was in Louisana, "Face Off", he has since removed that, & spent alot of time & effort on updates. This is definetly a boat I'd like to pursue, he is located wayyyy up in Wisconsin, & he is not far from placing in winter storage, so it may have to wait till the spring to make a move on it, but I'll just have to see what my work schedule is for travel before it goes into storage.
I will look into the BUC value, & I was told to get in touch with loanranger to see if I will be able to work out financing, then I may throw out an offer to him.

That is what I found so odd, I also looked at a 31 Sonic, & the value was more than the AT. NADA has the "custom built" disclaimer on both, & I've found that the two are very comparable. I do know the difficulty in locating a 28 or 32 AT, they do seem to move pretty quick, when placed up for sale. That really says alot about the quality of boat they are.
I do hope I can make a deal on it, he has really but alot of effort into the boat & it shows.
Thanks

Just remember that a 31 Sonic is almost 2 feet shorter than a 32 Active Thunder. The Sonic has the integrated swim platform measured into the overall length. The 32 AT has more true hull in the water, and will be noticeable in rough water.

FWIW, there is no love loss between Sonic and Active Thunder. While they are compared way too often than they should be; the camps have been friendly for years. Jay Ross, founder of SonicUSA is now the VP of Active Thunder.

I have seen on different threads, the comparison of the two boats.
While I've not seen either, outside of pics, well actually, I have seen a 32 AT out of Texas, after Emearald Coast, he passed me on the interstate....Thats about as close as I've been. Not too many AT's here on the Gulfcoast, but it is one of the few boats that I've not read, ANYTHING negative about, & due to the fact, when folks have them, they tend to hang on to them.
I do hope to be in an AT for next season.....:D

looks like a nice boat.
i know of some single 28 panteras that are 10+yr old going in the low-mid 40s, so asking 65k for this doesn't seem unreasonable.
If you really like it, make a low offer. He may want it gone before winter.

That Boat looks pretty nice, remember when using Nada you have to add for the options, especially since AT's are custom built boats I am not saying add for every rope or life vest, but things like hydralic steering, trim tabs the more powerful motors (Nada has stock as 365 horse) the cover front and back will run you a $1000, looks like a nice gps, the headers the stainless props. Nada assumes it has nothing, also that trailer is worth a good $5,000-$8,000.

I ran it NADA with the pretty standard AT equipment and what I saw in the pics and came up close to 54k average retail not including the trailer. I would figure low 60's on the trailer and maybe more depending engines and other upgrades.

I can't believe I forgot that NADA value does not include the trailer....& I've sold several boats & used the NADA as my guide for my asking price, & stressing, that value DOES NOT include the trailer....
I'm going to get back with the owner to get a detailed list of add-ons, & then I'll look again, both NADA, & the other BUC (I think that is what is).
Being that the boat is in Wisconsin, & he is not far from placing it in winter storage, & I'm on the Gulfcoast....Should my next step be a survey, or should I try to fly up before hand to look at it myself? I don't think I have alot of time to deal with, if I plan on making an offer on it. I'm not familiar with winter storage, does that mean it is not accessible? I just don't know if my work schedule will let me fly up there any time soon....
There needs to be more AT's here on the Gulfcoast....LOL...

Do it now. It seems like a pretty nice boat cosmetically. If you are as serious as you sound, don’t wait. Time kills all deals! Have the surveyor lined up to meet you right after you look it over and demo it. If you like it, give the guy a deposit and figure out how you are going to get it home! :) Make sure your deposit is refundable if the survey is not satisfactory. I would just have your financing approved and in hand when you make the deal.

Agreed.
Ask for more detailed pics, taken now(as in current).
Work out a buy price. Line up a surveyor to meet you.
You'll be saving him possibly $2000 by taking it off his hands now. If you are up there, and its not as it looks in the pics or surveyor finds problems , work his price down.
If he is asking 65, he should be willing to work...
I'd say 57-58 should buy it now, no prob.

Plus you'll have the whole fall and early spring to play with the boat... or all winter too if thats what you do in MS.

I CLICKED ON THE LINK AND WENT TO SPEEDWAKE TO THE THREAD ON THIS BOAT, LOOKS SWEET, AND ALSO I LIKE THE AVATAR OF THE GUY SELLING THIS 32. BUT I COULD BE PARCIAL:D

Get on Southwest in NEW and go to Chicago and drive up. If you or a friend knows a surveyor in your area take him with you. Do it on a weekend.
Talk to the owner..there will still be boat weather up there for at least another month..take a warm jacket with ya.

can anyone post the add from S peedwake......I didnt even know that site was still going......he doesnt even have it in their classifieds.

I would get all your info then work out a price, have your contract signed and done subject to sea trial and survey that way you have an agreement before you get there, but you can walk away if the boat is not right (although it looks pretty immaculate) I think you have a great oppurtunity right now so go for it its only money!!

I appreciate all the advice & tips on how to handle this. I am going to be calling him tomorrow & have him take some more pics over the weekend...Oh, & especially of the cabin....by request of the wife...:D. I do think she would buy a boat just for the cabin....go figure....anyway.
I really think we can work out a good deal on the boat, & then there WILL be an Active Thunder on the Gulfcoast....LOL..
Anyone know of a good surveryor up in that neck of the woods?

sydwayz has a link at the top of this thread

Quite a few pictures in the link below. I would always look at a boat before talking price. Just my opinion based on my experience traveling around to look at boats.

http://www.speedwake.com/upload/show...0&pagenumber=1

Im not a member......it wont let me look at them

Rick is coming over for a ride on Thunderstruck on Sunday to see a 32 first hand. I told him to go ahead and get plane tickets to the great white north because he will be ready to buy after he rides in one!!!!

:cool-smiley-026:

Tom, I really appreciate this opportunity, I have no doubt that the ride will definetly answer all my questions that I may have about a Thunder.
This time tomorrow, I will be boatless for the first time in over 10 years, & while I'm a bit sad to see the Donzi go, I do have the thought of next boat season being in the 32.
Again, thanks, & I'll see ya sun...:ernaehrung004: