Anyone After A Cat Bargain???

[BM]

Hey folks,

Anyone interested in buying a bargain (if all is ok) cat should look at this item on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=001&sspagename=STRK%3AME WA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=110142600997&rd=1&rd=1

24ft Haines Hunter cat, pair of 88 model 200 Mercs and triaxle trailer. Going for $14,500 with no apparent reserve.

Ends in about 23hrs but would be worth a quick flight down there (NSW) to assess it. Needs a bit done inside etc etc but finished off properly and it would be a $40K boat easily.

Cheers

[finga]

Pete, Pete, where are you Pete????

[boatie]

looks like she has a bit of damage to the hulls, can you fix that or not? Idont think she has been used for a long time with those spider webs on the legs!!!!

Boatie

[BM]

Hi Boatie,

Damage???? I see no damage.... Just "oops scratches" caused by missing when you line up on the trailer...

Seriously though, they are cosmetic in nature and if fixed yourself, they can be fixed for under $100... (as long as you know what you are doing).

Its a bargain boat, if everything checks out ok...

I find it remarkable how bargains like this can go untouched on ebay (apparently its been up before) and many other higher priced bargains go untouched.

It just goes to show that those looking on ebay are looking at perhaps typically looking at really cheap boats and have no knowledge or experience. So many crappy old dungers sell for prices that a dealer (such as me ) would not even touch, yet the more expensive bargains go untouched.

So does this tell me that ebay buyers are ill informed? and buying only on what seems a silly price and only in the very cheap end of the market?????

Hmmmmmm....

[boatie]

ok then if its all repairable then its a good looking boat then. i dont know much about fiberglass as all my boats have been ally.

boatie.

[Grand_Marlin]

Should I???

I dont know what the neighbourhood will think if I have a 23ft cat and a 24 ft cat on the front lawn....

BM, I think the size, weight and fuel scare a lot of people.

Cheers

Pete

[sid_fishes]

so ,grand marlin, is it worth looking at cheers ian

[BM]

Yep, sure does Pete, but I reckon its the lack of knowledge that sometimes things other than $500 might be a bargain too....

Although, thats probably a bad example inreality as a $500 boat/motor/trailer is more likely to be a visit to the tip than a worthwhile proposition. But............ there are always bargains out there.

[Grand_Marlin]

Yes Sid, definitely worth looking at, but you would want to check it first, ot it could end up being a very expensive cheap boat if things like floors, fuel tanks, transoms etc etc etc are stuffed.

Looks can be deceiving, but it does look in pretty good condition.

BM, I think people will buy anything if they think it is cheap, no matter what condition.

Also, everyone is a fibreglasser and boat builder and will "fix it up in their spare time" ... which in reality usually never happens ... or when it does it is extremely crappy workmanship.

You know as well as I do, that it takes a lot of time and experience to do these things properly, so in most cases it is cheap, cheap, cheap for purchase and repair effort.

Also, there arent too many people who seriously look for A1 condition boats on Ebay ... serious people look in the right places.

Ebay, when it comes to boats really has a reputation of cheap, buyer beware, crap boats.

The good boats on there that are at fair prices,never seem to get bids.

Cheers

Pete

[saurian]

Pete , Like to see you tow the haines with the triton ..lol..
Ta

[BM]

Absolutely, 100%, could not agree with you more Pete......

I feel sorry for a lot of ebay buyers (talking about the marine section since I don't frequent any others) who are stupid enough to buy ont he word of the seller and are paying silly money for cheap and nasty rubbish.

But I guess "a fool and his money are soon parted"......

Cheers

[BM]

And dead right about decent boats too. You see a nice rig for around 10K and think nice boat, great price, worth 3-4K more than the asking price and what happens? walks right past without a bid.

But the $1000 pice of shite has people falling over themselves to get something worthy of the tip..... the mind boggles...

I think many people would do well to learn that there is no such thing as a good $1000 boat (generally). Just $1000 wasted. In fact, when I get calls to do boat inspections on boats under $3000 I have a good chat with the buyer before even going out and advise them that 95% or more boats under $3000 will be rubbish. $5000 and your are beginning to find some good boats (but older of course, talking fibreglass here pretty much too).

I wonder how many people woudl invest in a DIY boat inspection handbook and DVD???

Cheers

[Fish Guts]

on the topic of cat bargains. saw a 28-30 foot cat being lifted out at newport marina for sale. its sitting on the hard now. was used previously as a shark boat down south. single stern drive 220 i think (diesel). asking price not 100% on, but owner was talking 30's late 20's. prob worth a look if someones keen for that sort of boat. heaps of cockpit room.

cheers

fish guts

[Lovey80]

I took the gamble..... a silly one by biddin on my Webster Sight unseen. Although by the time i flew to cairns to pick it up and put it on the tralier I actually felt guilty taking the boat off him for the price i got it at Although like you say BM I also wasnt bidding on a $1000 hunk of crap either.

cheers Chris

[oldie]

I bought my boat off side of road with make an offer on it, boat and trailer only, fish finder 27meg, new seats,good windscreen 5.1m glass cruisecraft style runabout for $700 have replaced soft floor only one side, did this myself and flow coated, have a friend oldman who worked for fibreglass manufacturer in 80's about to replace transom, i have materials, have a 90hp that may be over kill, i knew mechanic that traded it and all this for just under 2k, i did up trailer which is 98 mod marlin and was still in good condition, just replaced a small cross member at rear, went and got peice cut borrowed neighbours welder, re gal'd whole trailer with good paint, bought axle off bloke up the road and 1 leaf springs, boat should service all my needs, ive already got 11ft tinny with 6hp, so thats my auxillery. i guess its about resourcing, fibreglassing isnt too hard just smelly messy and itchy!!!
when i can get photos to load will post

im a beliver in DIY though time consuming if youve got all materials on hand its rewarding, helps to know people for advice too, but any real fibreglassing question ive found can be answered on ausfish, and members helpful

oldie