Best source for accurate value of a boat?
 

I’ve tried nada but it’s pretty generic and most boat sellers are on crack at the moment. I need some accurate appraisal/comps for my ‘97 Islander 272, which with its non-factory engine, gouged gel, and rotten interior with over 700 hours on the meter it’s not worth nearly the $44k someone wants for a ‘96 carbed 454 model with its faded purple graphics.

Thoughts?

I doubt its worth half that, you could probably get a 33 Outlaw for the same money

you can create a free account with BUC

It's a pain, for sure, to try to assign a value. Most of the ones I've seen, like NADA, are pretty ambiguous. BUC seems to be pretty good, overall. Be honest with the condition when submitting.

I use craigslist.

Do a search w/your target brand, model/size and yr w/1 or 2 yrs up an down (to aid hits) w/as broad of geographic parameter as it will allow.

NADA etc..., gives you a value.
Cool.
Now find one.

There are of course variables in this method.

Finding a sister ship to your boat listed at way more than you thought is good but...., asking and sale price ain’t the same.
And of course condition.

Watch them to see which sell and which don’t.

Most guys “excellent” condition is “fair” to me.

But this is real data.

I listen to everyone, read everything, then do the above.

Perfect example is another current thread on here where a guy is looking for a 25 Powerplay.

NADA will show him a value of X for it.
Cool. Now find one.

W/a Baja (a volume build boat) your risk will be listing yours for what you think is top dollar and not knowing there are 3 others in similar/better shape for same or less $$.

Your job them becomes, so they’re cheaper than mine.
Why?
If yours is truly better, stick to your guns and let potential buyers go through the cheaper listings to get to yours.
Got to do your homework for this to work and trust buyer to do same.

The buyers that call and tell you to come down to match other ads...., know your competition.

Just sayin...

Boatrader.com is s good research tool too.

I paid $20k 2 years ago for my 2001 Islander 252 with 454 MPI 300hrs fresh water only, tabs, bravo 1...mint interior for most part 8/10 with stand up bolsters. outside had some scratches and gouges here and there and some fade prob 6/10.
Its on a Karavan galvanized trailer.

Since then ive done some upgrades and fixed things and detail the hell out it so I would prob ask a little more today.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...b8199c51da.jpg

Perfect

Just like renovating a house, you can do the same w/a boat.

As new boats go up in price, there’s the argument that your used boat value should too.

The regulator will be any similar/identical model to yours, on the market.

Dont be afraid to ask more than the market/experts suggest.

Rarity is part of the equation as well.

hays haven. our boat is just to the right of where that picture was taken...on land!!

One way to do this is to get the boat surveyed. New owner is probably going to need it for insurance purposes anyway. That way you can disclose the survey with the sale. Plus the surveyor is working for you. If its a surveyor who is good and knows his stuff and accesses the comps for the boat. His target value is usually pretty close. Just a thought.

While NADA values are not fun to look at, that is what the bank will use for valuation. On a rare occasion you will find a bank (usually credit union) that will accept the value on the survey. When I was buying my Cigarette 39, NADA was about half of what that boat is typically listed for. I could not find one bank that would accept a value from BUC, and I called at least 30 banks all over the US. Try buying an Outerlimits or Nortech, almost impossible if you want to finance it, I had to walk from two awesome boats due to no value in NADA.

A boat that is rotten and needs work isn't worth much. For a Baja, the NADA value isn't going to be that far off real world pricing.

Non factory motor is a negative, rotten interior is a negative. I'm going so say your boat is worth about $8-9500 based on what you said. My guess is the trailer needs work, along with a lot of other things. In excellent shape, needing nothing, maybe $22k. Interior alone is going to run $10k from a good shop, maybe more depending on how bad it is. Are the gauges all faded? If so, there is more money.

Good thought. I signed up but they haven’t confirmed the email yet.

Thats about what I was thinking. I don’t need a high comp, just an accurate one. I’ve taken care of most of the bones of the boat but it needs a lot of cosmetic work and the only functioning gauge is the oil and water. In mint condition I’d guess mid twenties. Currently 11-12k tops. Craigslist is pushing $30k+ for similar which is absurd. I’m just getting an accurate list together of my assets and shocked how crazy the value of boats swing.

This forum is best place and think endeavour32's numbers are pretty accurate, maybe $10K for a knowledgeable buyer. Transom could be suspect as well. If Transom is bad you'd be lucky to get that.

I'd start with a $15K price and go down from there. You know it's priced right when you start getting quality inquiries.

Some people put to much thought on this. Check Nada, you can usually get ball park, and second off thats what banks use anyways and 90% of buyers out there probably will use a bank. Now where Nada sometimes is hard is if you have a boat thats older and is rarer, nada has a hard time accounting for low production items. Next check the market, FB, Ebay, boattrader etc, you can from there start seeing what people are asking, usually if you get a good asking price average you can figure selling prices are probably 10-20% below that.

Me personally I would never buy a boat over NADA just for mere fact that if I have to sell the boat, chances being I will never get above nada. People are asking stupid prices right now and good on them I guess. But a 20-25 year old single engine baja to me just isnt worth over 20 on its best day. Something like yours that needs 10-15k worth of work, maybe you get 10 with a guy that being generous. But to me Id be paying 5-7k based of what you said.

Didn’t even consider you need to finance it.

Two different things.

Haha Nice 👍 We have launched there every weekend this summer, Ive prob seen ya ... Cigarette under the cover ?