Without a trailer....

Maybe the high end of the 30's, possibly $40K, to the right guy. Parting it may net you less but it may move it. 496's aren't a turnoff to everyone- just to never-happy gearheads. Another guy may love the simplicity and reliability.

Here's where Im at on mine. I have about 12 grand in the hull, high teens in a set of Konrads and a couple grand in vinyl. I've yet to do the dash so I'm a couple grand deep there and I'll have about $8 grand in paint and cabin work. So essentially a like new hull with new vinyl in and out, completely refinished cockpit, cabin and bilge and a new set of drives- I'm about that $40K mark. Now, that included a Myco but it needs to be blasted and painted, but it's a solid trailer nonetheless. The only advantage is that it's 100% the way I want it.

So, if your boat was just about what I wanted and I didn't have all the F'ing around redoing it, it would have been a very attractive option. The Myco is pretty much nullified by the hands-on stuff and the legwork I have to do on it.

Having done that exercise, I'd say the boat should be worth damn close to $65K or a tad more with the engines in it in June '08 $hitty-market dollars.

Make it easy for someone- do the legwork and find a nice aluminum trailer for it- offer it "new aluminumtrailmasterpro available for $XXX more".

I think another problem with the nice older cigs like this is financing.

If someone is planning on financing than the survey needs to tell the bank it's worth what you're asking. That can be difficult sometimes.

Good luck, it is a nice looking boat.

Also, I think the 496's are very nice for people looking for something turn-key and insurable but in an affordable Cig. At this price level many people can't or don't want the cost of maintaining big power. Those wanting big power would probably start their own project, like Chris has. :ernaehrung004:

Financing is sometimes an issue- but many guys home equity anyway. $65K don't buy $hit at the local dealer. How many guys would rather have a sweet Cafe than a 23' I/O bowrider?

Like everyone else is saying, price and age. I bought my 91 Cafe' with 500's and Bravo's that was completely redone, interior, engines, drives, paint, stereo and everything for much less than you are asking. Plus the 91 has the newer cabin that most, not all, people prefer. I know my wife would not let me buy on with the older cabin.

Also, as was said before, the 496;s would be a huge turnoff for me. Most people who are trying to buy a Cigarette are not looking for an economical cruiser, they want a big power cigarette. If there are 2 cigs for sale and all things are the same except one has 496's and the other has blue motors, the blue motored one will sell first. People do not buy these boats to be economical.

Good luck selling, you have a beautiful Cafe' and I know you have put a lot of time and money in it. I think if you dropped your price to 55-60K you would probably get a lot more calls and probably move it.

There are buyers out there, several Cafe's have sold in the last year, just need to get your price competitive.

I would. Of course I am a little biased.:party-smiley-004:

That's pretty funny, cuz i have a friend who is looking at 24-26br's and won't spend that kind of $ for that kind of boat.
I sent him a link to lakluvr's bullet and it peaked his attention. Not that he'll buy it, but he'd probably rather have a 31bullet than a 22cobalt. :eek:

The market sucks. I have a "back up boat" I'm trying to sell. I'm at least 5-10k lower than any other boat with the same setup and no calls. Eventually someones going to get a killer deal. Good luck.

took me 6 months to sell mine in a good market... takes time baby, time.........

We bought our Cafe last year about this time and love it. But, I am a little concerned about the value of it next year and the year after. The boat is paid for and if the economy turns truely south for us, I might need the cash. So sell the boat I love today when I don't really have too (or at least try) or hope the the best in the future. :confused:

Sometimes reality sucks! I'm gettin a beer