What kind of deal did I get?

[KansasKatter]

I was the winning bidder on a boat from EBAY this weekend, thinking there was no way in heck I would win, I bid $1575, and was high bidder.

The boat is an '86 Lowe 16wide, with trailer. It has a 25hp evinrude, also an '86. Two new batteries, battery box with power indicator, trolling motor, 5 life vests, river anchor, fire extinguisher, 6 gallon fuel tank, and some other misc. stuff. It is pretty much what I have been looking for, something for smaller rivers and lakes, that I can take myself, my brother, and two kids out on and feel safe.

What kind of deal did I get? This is my first boat, so I am not sure if I am getting a decent deal or not. I know a new setup like this would run me $3k or so. I have seen other used on EBAY comparible to this one for around 2500 and higher. Here is a pic of the boat.

[Mr.T]

From the picture, you didn't get much of a trailer. That thing needs some work.

But if the motor runs well and if the boat doesn't leak, you haven't lost too much money. All the accessories you listed have essentially no value a bare boat with just the motor and a fuel tank would sell for about the same price.

Personally, I wouldn't advise buying a boat without a good hands-on inspection including taking it out on the water. And I don't think I'd buy one on eBay unless it was local and I could do an inspection before bidding.

[Katmaster Jr.]

Yeah, we got a used boat and motor, and the motor and trailer basically fell apart on us, after about $2000 worth of repair total we finally have a good rig. But we could have got a much better boat for the same price that this one ended up costing us.:sad2:

[KansasKatter]

Great, I probably got screwed! :sad2: I talked to the guy on the phone though, and he assured me the boat did not leak, and the motor ran perfect. He said the trailer looks a little rough, but pulls perfect, and has all new wiring. He said the fact the boat was sitting on the trailer crooked made it look worse than it really is, he did not have it strapped on the trailer and the wind blew it off a little. There were more pics on the website of course, and everything looked extremely clean and well taken care of.

[oldprowler]

Without looking at the boat (or seeing a lot better pictures) I certainly would hesitate to say you got screwed. When do you pick it up? Did the previous owner (seller) agree to a test before full payment is made? As stated earlier, if the motor runs well and the boat does not leak too bad I think you did alright.

[wylie catter]

Have you picked it up yet? I wouldn't worry myself over it, it's probably a good boat. Crank it at home with water ears on it before you venture out onto the water. I think it looks ok if that's the kind of boat your wanting. I hope you enjoy it safely for a long time. And if it turns out to not be what you want, just sell it. Good luck.

[catchinghogs]

Let us know how it works out. I've been watching boats on ebay this weekend and that was on of the ones I saw. If everything is as good as it was listed then I think you got a good deal.

[BIG-G]

Ya swung the bat Jeff. However like in the other posts it is far better to get up close and personal with a boat before ya buy it. Look at it this way. The jury is still out on this one. I wish ya nothin but the best with it.

[billcatfish]

if the motor runs good the motor is worth that i would have taken it out first just to see

[zappaf19]

If everything is in working order you did GOOD! Boat trailers are $$$ in IN. and with the motor running good plus the extras you got I would say LETS FISH!
Bill

[heavyduty]

better check it out further, because that motor looks like a MERCURY to me !

[ka_c4_boom]

my boat is a 16' river jon with 40 hp mariner both '83 models i gave $1500 sight unseen from a member of the boc and have had no complaints with it . dont let others on here decide for you as to wether or not you got the shaft go look at the boat if you like it stick with it iv been offered 2 grand for mine and i still have it and use it every chance i get . good luck

[Bubbakat]

If it Floats and runs good and you are happy then I am happy.

[loanwizard]

I imagine you may have only put a deposit on it. If you did then go test the motor. I don't know what this guys expect for $1500.00. I paid $3500 for my 87 Landau with a 40hp Jet and rickety ol trailer out of St. Louis.
I have bought a Bass boat with a 225johnson, a $40,000.00 Motor Home, many many cars trucks and vans. Look at their feedback. If it is over 100 feedback over 97%, you most likely have an honest seller. You can also read their feedback to see what negatives if anyone either buyer or seller has to say. It depends on your tolerance for risk. Heck I've had guys mull over a $5000.00 car purchase for 2-3 weeks! It looks like a heck of a good deal if, the motor runs well, if it has good compression, it doesn't matter if the trailer needs some 2x4's and carpet, or if some rivets leak. Show me a riveted Jon that doesn't leak and I'll show you a guy that's had it forever or paid more than $1500.00 for it.

Just my lil ol humble opinion :lol:

[riddleofsteel]

OK

E-mail the guy and let him know the deal depends on how accurate the description and condition of the boat is and was as represented on the auction.

One thing is to ask yourself why 3k worth of boat, trailer, and engine is selling so cheap. Around my neck of the woods a 25 horse outboard sells for more than that if it is running well.

When you go to pick the boat up jack up the trailer and check the wheels on the axle to make sure the bearings are not worn out. Accepting the wiring is new and all the lights work from the picture you need all new bunks. Figure a couple of hundred bucks if you do the work yourself.

Second the motor in the picture is a Mercury not an Evinrude?? Used engines can be real problems or great deals. Personally I would never buy a used engine that was not checked out by a qualified mechanic. The best bet would be to make arrangements to take the entire setup to the local boat dealer and have them go over the engine. It would cost you under $100.00 to make reasonably sure you are not buying a pack of trouble. If you know an experienced boat mechanic talk him into going with you and checking it over. At least take a hose fitting with you and make sure it runs, shifts ect.

You can check the boat for leaks by using the seller's water hose. Put the drain plug in and run four or five gallons in the boat. Look under and check for leaks

[KansasKatter]

Evinrude was my mistake, it is a Mercury, I had a brain fart. I talked to the guy and he waived the deposit, told me I could just bring the money with me and decide when I get there. He will have a barrel of water, and run the motor as well. He sounded like a pretty reasonable guy, and I feel a little better after talking to him. I will keep you all posted.

[brad kilpatrick]

Jeff,
sounds like You got a pretty good deal, If everything is as advertised. New batterys, life jackets, etc do have value seeings how you wont have to buy them to get on the water. I'd figure You could handle any repairs need to the trailer yourself, seeings how your a construction super.

$1575 is a drop in the bucket, I'm sure You can spend at least that much just getting it the way You want it. As the saying goes "a boat is just a hole in the water You pour money into." I know mine sure has been.

[nitro]

If you are picking it up, I would advise you to be sure the drain plug is in and fill the boat at least half full, then see if any leaks out. Also, hook the hose to the motor and see how it cranks and runs. jmho

[MealsOnReels]

Jeff,
At $1575 you didn't get hurt too bad. Keep it and use it for a year or two
then decide. You may want to sell it and get something bigger then.

[tmuenster]

I think you did OK. I have bought a few boats and vehicles from on line auctions with good results. A deposit is reasonable but it is great the seller has agreed to accept payment after you check out the boat.

If it turns out to be as described then I think you will get your money's worth out it. Best wishes for landing big cats in your new boat!

[catfishingRon]

Id say for 1500 you did ok. That is the kind of boat I wanted and the wife said no so I got something she wants. I an acually thinking about putting mine on Ebay. That fact that you gave that much for an 83 jon makes me feel a little better about what I want for mine. I have a 2001 16ft Lowe sea nymth with a 50horse Johnson whith some extras and Id like to get around 5k for it. I plan on getting a 20' jon witha 50.
I say good luck and happy fishing in your new boat

[rudeopossum]

Howdy: I got a 14 foot lowe line v bottom with a 1956 10 horse . got it for $800 and no lake test. Yes i play powerball some times. (lol) Turned out to be everything the guy said it was. GR8 little boat. All that just to say. I spent about an hour going over the boat and motor. But the old boy never got to see any of my green till I was sure it was a good enough boat that i could get some good out of it and get most of my money back out of it if need be. Dont think i would ever take that chance next time, but i wanted to get out on some of the rivers around here. Good luck on the deal. Just dont give up the cash unless u really sure it's worth it. Hope u got a good deal. took me 35 years before my turn came up to to get a deal that went my way. LMAO.. Rudeopossum

[Blake Wright]

try it , before you pay him for it.

[BIGCATMIKE]

any boat that stays dry and runs great is worth $1500

[Pastor E]

The motor If In good Shape is worth what you paid for it I would get it checked out and serviced First thing a Lowe Is a good John boat tooYou may have to spend a little to get the way you want it but when you do it will give you years of use enjoy your boat if you decide to get it:big_smile:

[KansasKatter]

Thanks for all your input guys! I am going up Sunday to pick it up, or at least check it out. He said he already has it hooked to the garden hose, and will fire the motor up and let me hear it run as long as I like. He also said he will fill the boat with water on Saturday night, so it will be ready to inspect on Sunday when we get there. This guy sounds pretty trust worthy, so I am feeling a little better about the whole deal. Here is a link to the entire posting.

Later

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Jon-Boat_W0QQitemZ190032837091QQcategoryZ63727QQcmdZVi ewItemQQisPrinterFriendlyZ1QQpvZ1

[bigtimeblues]

Well if you'd been looking around at boats like it and know what they were running then you already know you got a good deal. As you said you didn't even expect to get it that cheap. Go try to buy just the merc for any cheaper.
I bought my boat off ebay as well. It didn't have any pics loaded but the guy said he could send some... and he did. I asked him a few questions and ended up getting the boat for what I thought was a very good price.
I have no regrets what-so-ever it's a fantastic boat and works great for my type of fishing.
Go enjoy your boat and catch lots of big cats.

Congrats on the good deal bro.

[center12]

Sounds like the guys is on the up, the Merc 25 is an awesome motor, and it's full of stuff your going to need...........knowing boat prices around this neck of the woods, I don't think you got hurt at all.

Thing will probably out run mine if you just let Austin race me(weight issues):tounge_out:

[BailBonds]

I don't know my butt from my elbow about catfishing, that's why I'm here trying to learn. But I've bought and sold a bunch of boats and motorcycles on eBay. My method may not be the best but I've never been burned yet.

1. Contact the seller BEFORE you bid and ask if it's OK to pay for the boat in full upon pick up rather than payment or deposit at the end of auction. Provide full your contact info, name address, phone etc and ask for the same in return. If they balk. Don't bid.

2. If you bid and buy it follow up. If you get there and it's a piece of junk or in any way misreresented walk on the deal. Worst thing that happens is you get negative feedback. I'd rather get that than burned for cash.

3. Only bid on items that make sense picking up. My limit is a 3 hour drive one way.

4. NEVER bid on an item until less than 1 minute remains on the auction. You're just driving the price up prior to that. Try auctionsniper.com

5. There are so many items listed daily don't worry if you miss a boat a better one will probably come along.

Anyone that tells you not to buy on eBay doesn't understand the process or the safeguards you can place to help protect yourself. And YES you can get ripped off on eBay. But that can happen in the local paper too. I've got some excellent deals there. Also be careful as a seller, there are a bunch of fake money orders & cashiers checks out there. If in doubt ask for a thumbprint on the MO.

[WRBC-H]

My experiance with E-Bay has only been good so far.. and i hope you get the same out of your purchase that i have with mine........ Looks like a good boat and it you know how to work a welder a trailer isnt nothing to worry about.. Good luck..

[crane]

I don't know how it is where you guys live, but around where I live a boat like that would sell for closer to 2500 dollars. If the motor runs good and the boat doesn't leak you got a good deal. I hope you have a great time in that new boat.:cool2: