I've had a Baja and am looking to buy another just to play with. It's not for top speed or anything...probably leave it stock other than a nice lopey camshaft. Anyways, I'm checking this thing on NADA and I don't know if it's just not as good of a value as I THOUGHT it was, or if NADA is just depreciating these things a lot more per year than what's realistic, but the value they price it at seems looow. It's a 2003 Baja 275 with only 120 hours and original owner. I've been out on it, it's mint and runs great. The only part that devalues it in my mind is it's just a 496, not the 496 HO. The next cheapest one I've seen isn't even within a $5k of this and has more hours and not as nice. Baja in question... http://www.boattrader.com/listing/20...s-275-96670271
However, NADA says this thing is worth ~$29k which there is no way in hell you will get an '03 27' Baja for that so what's the deal...do they depreciate these things way too much per year or?
The reason I'm asking is because I've found a Scarab 29 with twin 350 mags that is damn near perfect. It's a 1997 so it's obviously a good bit older but the guy needs to move it and it's actually priced exactly as NADA quotes it (which seems cheap and like a steal). What's the story on the used boat values?

Boats are worth what your willing to give.....Book values just represent what things are currently selling for in different markets. Boats are cheap right now.

I hear ya. I thought about waiting until the winter to pick one up. I know I'm in a good position as I have cash in hand so if the deal is right, I'm in a place to jump on it. Just from looking around though, this is significantly cheaper than all the others...even that are a few years older. So, I guess I was just shocked to see it at this price being an '03 with low hours too. Maybe that's why all the others are still for sale though lol.
I just don't see boats as low as what NADA is quoting though. That 29 Scarab with twin 350 mags it quoted at 19K. I don't think you'll ever see a late '90's in good shape for $19k lol but who knows...

That doesn't seem like a bad price.Looks like a nice boat,well taken care of and maintained,plus it sounds like you know the boats history.That would be a big factor in making my decision.

using my dealer book and including the trailer and motor upgrade from standard one, I got $26K (trade), $31K (ave-retail), $35K (high-retail).

I would say that their price is a pretty decent place to start. I really don't like using the book value other than to get differences between year values to compare with what I have actually sold one for. If it's in as good of condition as he says it is, then it's probably a pretty good deal at $31K. The issue is going to be with a bank if you are financing it. they will only loan a % of trade-in and often times don't add in options and motor upgrade values.

Thanks for the info. It's definitely as nice as he says it is. I went out on it this weekend. So I've seen it and operated it. And yeah, I have cash in hand so no banks needed. He said he would take $32,500 for it...

So this is just looking like an "ok" deal, but now that has me thinking I might go for the '97 29' Scarab. I thought this Baja was a smoking deal...just compared to the other ridiculous prices, but apparently they are all smoking crack and his price is just about where it should be...

Prices are all over the place. Don't worry about NADA unless you have to finance. Their numbers are skewed in the bank's favor. Compare the prices you see with other like boats for sale. Some people are so upside down they have no choice but to list on the higher side. Some bought when times were good and now need to unload and will. Like someone above said, they're worth whatever you'll pay for it.

Like has been said before the boat is worth what somone will pay. If it is super clean and new condition it will be worth more than book. Banks are loaning less money on boats because of all the repo's. That sounds like a good price, it however will not do 65MPH. More like 59-60, just to let you know.

Again, i'm not using a bank. As far as speed, I've found boat speedo's to be about as accurate as a motorcycle speedo lol.