Advice on purchase
 

Looking at a 1998 Checkmate Convincor 251 with a 500 hp. 200 hours on package. Asking price is 31,500. Boat Blue Books at 25,000. What do you guys think?

I'm a Cigarette guy, but in my opinion in this market this sounds like tall money. Even the Blue Book sounds blue sky. Most banks don't even loan money on boats over 15 years old. Have you posted this question in the Checkmate owners forum of OSO?

The one that seylee has? I'd offer $22k

Might want to check the year and model- for some reason I thought the 251 was an older model- 1993??

If it is 98' 253 with one of the mpi motors I'd offer 10-12,000, with the HP500 maybe start at 16,000 and work your way up.

Start at $16K and don't go over $19K. Personally, I would find a 2003 year boat with less hrs for $23K.

blue book isnt everything on price specially boats, to me its more of a starting point. I just did a quick search and average from what I have found of that age was right around 23-25k. So Yes I would think 31 is high. Your best bet is to do market research on 2-3 like boats in your region and get an average price and then go check the boat out. I would guess the guy probably has 31 on it and wants anywhere from 25-28 on it, which at 25 if its nice wouldnt be to bad. If a boat is really nice and then it would command a premium but probably not a 31k premium. The boat market specially high performance is not what it once was, but I also dont think its the give away market like it was 2-3 years ago. Personally if the boat is in tip top shape I think under 20k is a bargain, priced right would be 21-25k.

You also have to look at the market around you. Up here not a whole lot of performance boats for sale, so its kind of a sellers market as theres not a whole lot out there unless you want to travel hours away or even out of state, which is find if you find the right deal, but theres an ace pain and cost associated with that. Blue book on my fountain says 17k, which if I were to put a for sale sign on it I would start it probably 10 more than that, because after checking the market there isnt a running fountain for sale that is going less than about 22-23. So it all depends, if a boat were to sell at blue book and assuming its in good shape I think it tends to favor the buyer on price a little more than the seller.

I tend to agree with you Soldier. The cheaper boats of this year tend to be wet and abused. The bank is willing to lend $26130 on the boat. Boat has the Blue Motor, Hydraulic steering, Tab Indicators. If it had the 502 MPI I wouldnt give more than $19000

I also tend to beleive Blue book, Nada etc are in bed with dealers, and their prices reflect what dealers want to buy things for trade in. Although these Blue books do differ with trade in values and sale values, but I still think they favor dealers.

This a Special Edition boat. They brought the mold out of retirement for 1 year and produced 18 of these boats in 1998

I offered the Dealer $26000. He laughed and told me he had another buyer and the boat would be sold by the weekend !

Offer him 25k on monday if the other buyer bails...

If a dealer laughed at my (very much reasonable for what it is) offer there would be no follow up . . . .

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/TWIN-...ht_71906wt_954..

LOL dealers crack me up with the boat will be gone as there is buyers lining up to buy this one and only boat. I was looking at a 32 velocity with a dealer around my home and was told there was a least 10 potential buyers, that was 5 months ago. I offered low retail minus need repairs and he laughed. I'm patient but as the season goes on my price i will pay goes lower.

Thanks guys. The Demeanor of the gentleman I was speaking with totally changed when i made the offer. I really like the boat !

I like the boat but a 25 footer fits me alot better right now. I do some inland lake boating with short launches and parking spaces.

two things he really has a buyer or potentials coming in or is just trying to drive up his price by using the tatic of trying to make the buyer feel as if he has something very important or make the buyer feel stupid. Which fine dealers have to make money and private sellers have to get their moneys worth. To many people out there want to buy cheap and think things are worth pennies on the dollar specially well taken care of things, but then when they sell want to act like its a one of a kind. But I would agree I dont see people lining up for a 15 year old checkmate.

I would have thought 26 was pretty fair, maybe even a tad hight, but for a nice boat, why not. Chances are this dealer took it on trade for about 25-26 and is going to have to shop it and try to make a profit before he lets it go as a break even or a loss. But I still contend 30k for a checkmate regardless if its a one of kind is kind of high, as special edition boats arent like cars, and its not old enough to matter anyways. Personally if you really want the thing, I would ask what your bottom dollar on it, Im not paying 31 as its not worth it. Being a dealer ask about sweetners, no sales tax, oil change and gear lube change. It cost about 500-1000 to put jackets, anchors, lines etc on a boat, maybe ask about throwing those in, winter storage for a year and the list goes on.

What I wouldnt do is get to passionate and over pay or choose hastily, if you strike a deal ensure you get the engine checked at minumum before signing checks, and a full survey might be a good idea.

http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/boa/3826020818.html

dont know if your in the area but there a velocity, i dont really like them but they are nice boats.

http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/boa/3942604521.html

http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/boa/3935227654.html

The first one is mine. It is a GREAT Boat. The Velocity is a Unique looking boat, but that is what makes them stand out in a crowd. They are built much better than a lot of "production boats". I came down from $30k to $26k in hopes of moving it fast as I had my eye on another boat. I have since decided to keep it, however if the right offer presented itself.

Thanks for the links guys. Guess What? The identical twin boat to the 1998 Checkmate 251 I was looking at just went up for sale today. Only difference is this one has a 454 MPI instead of the HP500 the first boat had. We have talked and he may accept 26,000 for this one. I am still undecided on it at this point.

26k for a 98 454mpi boat is way too much. 55-60mph tops. But hey if you like it, only you know what it is worth to you. I paid 32 k 11 years ago for a 98 260 powerquest. I sold it 7 years ago for 24k. It had a 454 mag. And it ran a best of 62. Don't rush it. You will know when the right boat at the right price comes along. Good luck!

I have a 1995 Powerquest 22' that I am selling right now. Great boat, But I am only getting 60 mph with a 454 mag. Kind of a slow hull. Why is everyone asking $10000 to $12000 more than Blue book value

Because sellers are basing their Asking price on the other Asking prices they see- not much relation to what Actual sale prices are.

GlassDave is incredibly talented and equally knowledgeable, he is right. You are willing to spend good money; slow down and do your research. For $26K you can wind up with a great boat. Despite some of the previous posts, it is a buyer's market STILL. I've been in performance boating since 1977, take your time, keep your eyes on the OSO classifieds and you'll score a great boat.

http://buffalo.craigslist.org/boa/3933275592.html If you want to go faster I have a drop in 502 for 4500.00

Oh man, dont buy it. The ONLY reason the prevous 251 was worth 26k is because of the blue motor.

A 25 footer with 330hp is going to be a real snooze-fest.

Agreed, that's a lot of boat for 330 hp!

26k for a boat that old with a 454mpi is way too much... The seller would be a fool not to accept your offer of $26k....

Just as a comparison, not suggesting you buy mine (because I have decided to keep). My Velocity 260 is a 2003 (thus 5 years newer) has a 496 mag which will run 74 (GPS) w/Labbed prop, has huge stereo, quality of build from factory isn't even compariable, new interior, the list goes on.... I was asking 26k.... So there are much better deals out there. $26k will get you a much nicer boat in this market.

And mine comes with a new alernator as spare, spare working bravo lower w/nose cone, just sayin... Again, I am not selling anymore, just trying to point out there are better deals out there, and with summer coming to a close within the next few months, there will be even more deals out there. Mine will actually go up in asking price because I have many upgrades coming in the off season......

Found another 1999 Checkmate 251. This one has a 600 hp 540 C.I. motor with 70 hours on it. Have to run 93 octane in it. Priced pretty reasonably. What kind of troubles can I expect with a motor like this? Has a stock Bravo 1 drive