Ok, just what am I missing here?
 

Ok, I'd like to get the boards candid opinion on my boat. I had the boat listed on the board last year for $45k. At the time, I thought that was a fair price. I relisted it this spring for $37k. That's my bottom line because that's what I owe the bank. The ad has generated some interest, but nothing serious. People ask me to send them some pics and I never hear from them again. Could you guys take a look at my ad and tell me what I'm missing?

http://www.offshoreonly.com/esvon/page-5039.html

It seems as if the biggest issue to date has been the missing hatch cover. My standing offer is to build a new hatch cover to the buyers specifications, so long as they paid for the upholstery. I thought that to be a fair deal. As soon as I get a couple of things handled at the shop, I'm going to get started on the hatch cover so that should solve the problem.

Re: Ok, just what am I missing here?
 

Cord, Cool Ride!... seems like a more than fair deal. I would also list it on Boat Trader .com. Thye do get a lot of exposure.
Also I think it is important to finish your hatch and get it on the boat and any nicks, scratches or scarpes fixed too. Then listing it in near flawless shape. In my humble opinion it is important to get her as clean and turn key as possible...

Re: Ok, just what am I missing here?
 

I looked at boat trader, the fees vs. the listing time kinda scared me off. If I recall correctly, a 3 month add was like $120!

Re: Ok, just what am I missing here?
 

WOW,, thats a lot of reading and very informative,, I agree,, put a hatch on her.... :)

Re: Ok, just what am I missing here?
 

Cat insurance, definitely a single purpose boat, etc etc. I'd imagine there is a fairly small niche market for that that type of ride. I'd say try e-bay just for the exposure, you might end up with a contact even if there is no action on the auction itself.

Re: Ok, just what am I missing here?
 

Low NADA is 33k (no allowance for the engine in their system). In a lousy market and with outragous cat insurance that is probably where I would start.

Sucks to have to sell a boat these days, doesn't it.

-Greg

Re: Ok, just what am I missing here?
 

sold my firehawk lat winter what a great handling boat.
you need to finish the hatch. you may try removing the box
& selling it to pay for the hatch. the boat doesn't need the box to carry the bow. mine nan 97 on gps with a tmp 516 without
a box. good luck mike

Re: Ok, just what am I missing here?
 

Tim I think that you really need to get the hatch on there. When prospective buyers are looking at it they are thinking project boat and that makes them think that they can steel it from you.

Jon

Re: Ok, just what am I missing here?
 

Put a hatch on.

Apart from that price is most likely the most important item to get traffic.

Re: Ok, just what am I missing here?
 

nice boat, i bet the cat part scares away all but the diehard, and the diehard cat guys want something bigger usually.... a nice catch 22

i agree with the rest put a hatch on it and maybe think about selling some of the higher priced parts and get the boat down to a "base" level and you might sell it and make more money...

Re: Ok, just what am I missing here?
 

Advertise on Boat Trader!!!!!

I have sold several boats by listing them on the online boat trader only. Basic online ad is $45.00 and includes a color photo. I always put together a nice page with lots of pictures and info and just put a link to it in the ad.

Re: Ok, just what am I missing here?
 

Ok, ok, that hatch is definetly going to be built. :drink:

I presume most you would vote for a flat hatch cover? It needs to bump up a couple of inches to clear the engine. I was going to arch it to match the deck, but I need to build for the market.

Re: Ok, just what am I missing here?
 

I would tone down the description a little. :cool:

Re: Ok, just what am I missing here?
 

I agree Tim, your add really is too long... I know your boat well and I didn't want to read the whole thing... sorry man.

Re: Ok, just what am I missing here?
 

One flat blister hatch comming up!

I shortened the description. Better? Good enough?

Re: Ok, just what am I missing here?
 

Cord, finnish the hatch and lose this part of the add " The reason for the sale is that several months ago both I and my wife were layed off. We need to sell the boat so we can apply that payment twords our debts. Hopefully in a couple of years we can get back into boating. My asking price is what I owe on the boat. I can not go below this price or I will be short on my loan." No one buying the boat wants or need to know that part. IMHO
I would lose this part too " I havn't had the chance to try a 34" yet. A 34" and some more fiddling with the x-dim and the boat may see 100. "

Re: Ok, just what am I missing here?
 

focus on the boats great handling good performance with mild power, good fuel economy & reliability. i miss my firehawk when i feel like blasting across the lake for lunch.
my 35 cig burns too much fuel & goes too slow to just take the wife 30 miles one way for lunch. your firehawk makes a great family boat, one test ride & it's sold.

Re: Ok, just what am I missing here?
 

Cord, I think you will have a hard time selling your boat in the current market we have. I think you best bet and you will come out ahead is sell your power and drive first. Then list the boat. Most people inculding me want to buy boats less power. Just my 2 cents.

Re: Ok, just what am I missing here?
 

Well I wouldn't want to buy a boat less power.... especially if it had a motor like Cord's... it's a great motor and looks awsome... so good in fact I like the boat better without the hatch!!! I agree though... one drive and it would be sold... I have quite a bit of seat time in Cord's boat and it is a BLAST to drive!!!! Handles rough water better than any 26' v-bottom I've ever been in that's for sure...

Re: Ok, just what am I missing here?
 

Thanks for the kind words Mike. It's because I like showing the engine off that the hatch never got built. Everybody has to lift their engine hatches so they can yell "look at me!", but I just have to tie up and wander away. :D

I think your comments about the boats handling are good ones. I'll get them into the listing come monday.

I'm kinda bummed out right now. I had a live one the other day. Was even semi-local. Havn't heard from him for a while now so I'm assuming the mrs killed the deal. That sucks. :(

Re: Ok, just what am I missing here?
 

find a free place to host pictures and a description of the boat.... then list it in all the local classifieds, the online ones are usually free without pictures and give a link to the page you made with the pics and details... if you need you can host the page on my server... it is slow, but I try to keep it always online, and it's free....only thing is you wouldn't get a domain name...
ernie

Re: Ok, just what am I missing here?
 

Cord

If it will help E-mail me a photo of the boat with a taped on for sale sign on it. I will post it among other of my racing photos on my freebe website. I get alot of traffic so ya never know.. If I get a bite I'll forward it to you..

Marc Bivona ([email protected])

My photo album sight is

http://community.webshots.com/user/gdfatha-date

As you will see I do all classes...

Good luck

marc