NADA boat values vs fair offer?

[bunktheclown]

Looking into buying my first true bass boat and have a couple questions about the NADA values vs a fair offer for the boat.

Boat is a 1984 Ranger 373V with Merc 150 black max. All original down to the 1984 motor guide TM. Has been sitting for close to 2 years (covered). Carpet is bad but everything else is in great shape, I could see my reflection in the transom gel coat. i was told the motor runs good and was well taken care of.

Nada has the value of the boat $1900ish and motor $400. Pending it has no dry rot and the motor is good what do you think a fair offer for the boat would be?

thanks!!

-jb

[adamsj13]

One thing to check on the older rangers is the Transom. Put some pressure on the lower unit of the motor with you foot, See if there is any flex with the transom. If there is, look for another boat because its several thousand to have a transom repaired.

If all checks out and the boat is clean, I'd offer 1200 - 1500. If it is something you really want and willing to pay more then its really what your comfortable with. Make sure you take it to a mechanic and have them look it over. You don't someones headache. If you in Sacramento Area, I would recommend Capital City Marine. They are excellent resource and recommend to anyone.

Good luck with the purchase.

[chf8500]

Having run an 86 373 for 10 years it is a pretty nice boat, price in NADA is about right for that rig, but be fore warned tho, the 150 on the back could be in line for some major $$$$$$ if it has a bunch of hrs on it, you could be driving a 1000 dollar ranger with a 10,000 $ motor on it next year. Have it checked out and then if you decide to buy, drive it accordingly, just like old cars they tend to get a bit tired as time and miles go by

[jamescaird]

The biggest issue is that fuel system is not up to snuff for modern gasolines with ethanol. A common issue with a boat that age is that the fuel lines begin cracking from the alcohol in the gas (including the fuel system under the cowling)... so it's common to completely replace the fuel lines, fuel filters, etc.... and if this has not been done, it's something that will need to be done most likely.

[bunktheclown]

Guys , thanks for the quick response and information. I have had old VW's so I understand old tired engines. Does anyone know the compression specs of that engine? If it does blow what kind of $$ would I be looking for a re-build? Going to have another look next week and will check the things listed. I love the style of those older rangers but don't want to get into something that is going to cost $$$ a year down the road.

thanks

-jb

[adamsj13]

I think a rebuild on that motor would not be worth it. Would be time for a new motor. I would guess about 3-4k if the block was fine. But I don't know for sure

[Mike Phua]

Alot of good advice given here......but here's the reality. If your looking at a boat that's in the $2000 range its usually because thats what you have to spend. Best thing to do is if your interested in that boat ask the owner if he's okay with you taking it to the local dealer to have it evaluated. Spend a couple of hundred dollars and have it brought to your local mechanic and have him do an evaluation on the boat which will include compression test and testing the trailer etc. Pretty basic. This procedure is basically done on all boats before they are traded in Price will typically range from $250 to $500. Obviously this will come out of your pocket but can definitely save you money if there are some major problems with the boat that you couldn't detect yourself. I hope this helps and goodluck. MP

[XMAN]

i looked at nada vs asking price on rangers for along time now and almost always the price is 2k-5k over nada pricing--if you find one between the low and ave price and it checks out good , snap it up fast cause it will be gone--thats why i've waited so long cause i'm not paying 5k over --so i keep saving more and more buicks for what i want--if i wait long enough i guess i'll pay it off in cash--that 5 yr warr. means everything right now too---XMAN

[XMAN]

also, i checked around the central US and found alot of boats at nada ave price range--i didnt want to go get one or pay the trucking fees of 1.25 per mile to get it out here---i told the dealers that if you could get the boats out here to california you could sell every boat you could move--there were some beautiful boats back there, not the tipical white and silver ones we have here--in my opinion if you buy a ranger it better have some flash--XMAN

[Rich hamilton]

Jb,

I have been this route before, what Mike said is right on. Add up the cost of the new trolling motor, electronics, steering unit and cables, livewell pumps, trailer tires, bearings , batteries, etc.

what seems like a good deal could make you very frustrated once you get out on the water and some of these things break down.
during the survey most of these items might work fine but quickly could start breaking one at a time.

One thing for sure is if you purchase an older boat you will become very good at working on it. I realize budget constraints but remember the idea is to be on the water fishing and not in the garage working on the boat.

If it were me I would patiently save for a boat that would keep me on the water fishing. You spoke of carpet and shine on the transom etc, that is the last thing you need to worry about and I have not even got into the motor, prop, lower unit etc!

hope this helps!