Newbie: Buying used boat at dealer

TheBassDoctor · 05-10-10, 08:30 PM

Forgive a newbie from the start. I am a first time buyer. I inherited a '93 Ranger 492VX. I have financing & want to get a newer used boat. Is buying a used boat at a dealer like buying a car (shop, haggle, trade the old one & drive the new one off the lot)?

The other part of the question: the Ranger has been stored for 3 yrs inside. Has about 30 gallons of 3 yr old gas. Not sure if winterized. Ran GREAT 3 yrs ago, is faded & dinged up like a well-used boat. Has '93 Merc 200hp;new MinnKota PowerDrive2 70# TM; new Lowrance 525; Stealth1 charger. The question is: will this trade & for about how much?

Sorry so long. I'll do better next time.

bamabassman · 05-10-10, 08:49 PM

To answer the first question.........YES! It is just like buying a car, but it is a boat. lol. Haggle, test drive, trade or whatever you want to do.

Second question...........post some pics to get a better answer. But go to several dealers too. Might be better off selling it without trading in. You may get more money.
Drain the old gas, do a tune up, wash and put a little elbow greese into a polish. You will be surprised how much MORE you can get if you clean it up real nice. Also do a little testing of batterys, wires and so forth so you know what works and don't work. All this will educate you more on boats and also help you in selling or trading it in.

And i should have said this first.......WELCOME to the site pal. You can and will find alot of answers to your questions here. We are crazy here. But if oyu can take a joke as well as give it, oyu'll be fine.

Abbeysdad · 05-10-10, 09:21 PM

Stands to reason that boat dealers, like car dealers are looking to buy used boats wholesale so they can sell retail at a profit. So you may well be better off selling your inherited boat outright...and like bama says, you'll always get more if it's cleaned up, shiney and in good working order.

bamabassman · 05-10-10, 09:23 PM

Post up some pics man. You never know, someone HERE may want it.

BassinNC · 05-10-10, 11:20 PM

Welcome to the site bud. Hope you enjoy as much as the rest of us.

TheBassDoctor · 05-11-10, 08:23 AM

Thanks for the help... and the welcome. I'll spit & polish and I guess I have some engine cleaning to do. I appreciate the previous threads about clearing the motor of old gas. Just one question on that: I haven't found anyone who can dispose of 30+ gallons of old gas. Any suggestions? I've even called the local EMA & several marinas in my area. No go.

BTW... the pic is my son with his first ever (and smallest ever) pike, caught last year on Lake Charleston, Ontario.

TheBassDoctor · 05-11-10, 08:26 AM

He lassoed the pike with the wire leader going around his gills & the hook grappling the leader above his head! Never saw that before!

Captmikestarrett · 05-11-10, 09:02 AM

Some Seafoam in the gas will fix the gas issue. The 93 Merc 200 has a clear line that runs from the oil injecter to the fuel pump I think. It most likely will need to be replaced with a new hose. The ethanol in the fuel from 3 years ago has most likely ate it away. If it is a clear line? They used the clear line to help see the oil movement. But it is not compatible with ethanol.

Also if you trade used for used you will not get full value. Best to sell outright and use the money to lower your finance charges. One more point is that new boats will cost less in long run. And you will enjoy it better.

Capt Mike

carolina-rig-01 · 05-11-10, 07:50 PM

Sounds like everyone has got you squared away with good advice so I will just say good luck in getting your new boat and welcome to the site.

05-10-10, 08:30 PM	#1
TheBassDoctor BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Van Wert, Ohio Posts: 8	Newbie: Buying used boat at dealer Forgive a newbie from the start. I am a first time buyer. I inherited a '93 Ranger 492VX. I have financing & want to get a newer used boat. Is buying a used boat at a dealer like buying a car (shop, haggle, trade the old one & drive the new one off the lot)? The other part of the question: the Ranger has been stored for 3 yrs inside. Has about 30 gallons of 3 yr old gas. Not sure if winterized. Ran GREAT 3 yrs ago, is faded & dinged up like a well-used boat. Has '93 Merc 200hp;new MinnKota PowerDrive2 70# TM; new Lowrance 525; Stealth1 charger. The question is: will this trade & for about how much? Sorry so long. I'll do better next time.

05-10-10, 08:49 PM	#2
bamabassman BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: cedar bluff, alabama Posts: 15,292	To answer the first question.........YES! It is just like buying a car, but it is a boat. lol. Haggle, test drive, trade or whatever you want to do. Second question...........post some pics to get a better answer. But go to several dealers too. Might be better off selling it without trading in. You may get more money. Drain the old gas, do a tune up, wash and put a little elbow greese into a polish. You will be surprised how much MORE you can get if you clean it up real nice. Also do a little testing of batterys, wires and so forth so you know what works and don't work. All this will educate you more on boats and also help you in selling or trading it in. And i should have said this first.......WELCOME to the site pal. You can and will find alot of answers to your questions here. We are crazy here. But if oyu can take a joke as well as give it, oyu'll be fine. __________________ so many lures, so little time.

05-10-10, 09:21 PM	#3
Abbeysdad BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Central NY - Finger Lakes Posts: 1,307	Stands to reason that boat dealers, like car dealers are looking to buy used boats wholesale so they can sell retail at a profit. So you may well be better off selling your inherited boat outright...and like bama says, you'll always get more if it's cleaned up, shiney and in good working order. __________________ Fish now, work later

05-10-10, 09:23 PM	#4
bamabassman BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: cedar bluff, alabama Posts: 15,292	Post up some pics man. You never know, someone HERE may want it. __________________ so many lures, so little time.

05-10-10, 11:20 PM	#5
BassinNC BassFishin.Com Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: albemarle, NC Posts: 788	Welcome to the site bud. Hope you enjoy as much as the rest of us. __________________ 138 bass in 2K10. Biggest 4LBS 14oz.

05-11-10, 08:23 AM	#6
TheBassDoctor BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Van Wert, Ohio Posts: 8	Thanks for the help... and the welcome. I'll spit & polish and I guess I have some engine cleaning to do. I appreciate the previous threads about clearing the motor of old gas. Just one question on that: I haven't found anyone who can dispose of 30+ gallons of old gas. Any suggestions? I've even called the local EMA & several marinas in my area. No go. BTW... the pic is my son with his first ever (and smallest ever) pike, caught last year on Lake Charleston, Ontario.

05-11-10, 08:26 AM	#7
TheBassDoctor BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Van Wert, Ohio Posts: 8	He lassoed the pike with the wire leader going around his gills & the hook grappling the leader above his head! Never saw that before!

05-11-10, 09:02 AM	#8
Captmikestarrett BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: May 2006 Location: Accokeek MD Posts: 3,315	Some Seafoam in the gas will fix the gas issue. The 93 Merc 200 has a clear line that runs from the oil injecter to the fuel pump I think. It most likely will need to be replaced with a new hose. The ethanol in the fuel from 3 years ago has most likely ate it away. If it is a clear line? They used the clear line to help see the oil movement. But it is not compatible with ethanol. Also if you trade used for used you will not get full value. Best to sell outright and use the money to lower your finance charges. One more point is that new boats will cost less in long run. And you will enjoy it better. Capt Mike __________________ Capt Mike Starrett light tackle guide Potomac River http://www.indianheadcharters.com

05-11-10, 07:50 PM	#9
carolina-rig-01 BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Webb City, MO Posts: 6,387	Sounds like everyone has got you squared away with good advice so I will just say good luck in getting your new boat and welcome to the site. __________________ You only live once. But if you do it right, once is enough.

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