Fiberglass on used boats

[bwfish]

Hi I'm new here and new to looking for a bass boat. I went to look at a used 2008 Triton 18 Explorer yesterday and found there was a lot of fiberglass scratches, chips and even chunks missing. None of this was in the photos online and surprisingly the dealer wouldn't negotiate on the boat which was marked at the high side of NADA. The boat had other signs of excessive wear and tear, but seemed to run OK. I walked away from the deal.

I guess the reason I'm posting is just wanted to see what your thoughts are in regards to fiberglass damage. Being new to shopping, I'm just not sure what types of issues are just cosmetic and what to avoid. Thanks


[IMG][/IMG]

[Transom]

Ouch. Someone did not love their boat. To ask high NADA for that boat is laughable. I would have laughed in their face and walked away.

[bwfish]

Yeah, that's pretty much what I did, especially once he said he didn't have any room to work on the price more than $300. TBH - I don't know that I would have bought it even below low NADA. It was rough.

Unfortunately, it cost me a half-day vacation and 6 hours drive there and back plus a tank of gas. Oh well, at least I got out on the water for the first time in 76°F weather of the year.

[1bluemcm]

cosmetic damage like that is a clear sign that the owner didn't really care about the boat if they didn't outright abuse it. Not only is that dealer full of it for the asking price, the fact that they didn't disclose those issues in an online ad is real shady.

A cosmetically clean boat tends to be a sign that it was overall taken care of. That said, there's a lot you can't see beneath the skin, and even though one may look great, you have to investigate for signs of water intrusion as well. Happy shopping!

[BSSCT98]

That damage would be expensive to repair.

[buster502]

pm sent I think the explorer series is narrow compared to a 185 I think that's a triton 185 is a 18 footer

[250bassFL]

Welcome to BBC.
High NADA? Pass!

[mulligans]

Looks.like he tied off to one of the local marina docks that we have around here

[WVBullet]

Welcome aboard!! Yeah, that looks like some serious dock damage. With that damage and high NADA and won't negotiate!? Pass on that. I agree with the other guys, no love for that boat! That's a shame.

[John Leeder]

It's a used boat. If you don't want one with dings buy new.

[Ballengee]

Good deal looking the boat over. To many people don't do that when buying their first boat.

It could be a repo and the bank is trying to recoup the lost money.

[mikeva]

Don't walk away run.

[TOXIC]

While I agree it's daunting to look at a boat that has battle scars it is not always a indicator of a neglected rig. Some guys just don't pamper their rigs (especially if older boats) but keep the maintenance up to date. Of course you have to be able to verify that with a mechanic going over the motor. Common sense would tell you a cosmetically challenged rig would be priced accordingly. So if the right deal presents itself, don't shy away. Figure the repair costs into the offer.

[boatinpete]

Walk away.

[berudd]

cosmetic damage like that is a clear sign that the owner didn't really care about the boat if they didn't outright abuse it. Not only is that dealer full of it for the asking price, the fact that they didn't disclose those issues in an online ad is real shady.

A cosmetically clean boat tends to be a sign that it was overall taken care of. That said, there's a lot you can't see beneath the skin, and even though one may look great, you have to investigate for signs of water intrusion as well. Happy shopping!

Agree 100%. If he didn't take care of the outside, he probably didn't take care of the inside. Keep looking.

[Locknload59]

There is a huge difference between wear and tear and someone who did not take care of their boat.

[Transom]

I would entertain the idea of buying a boat with damage like that but I would not pay full retail that is for sure.

[curtism]

I'm glad I'm seeing guys comments starting to say stuff other than, that boat was abused or somebody didn't love that boat.. while I agree the OP should walk away on the high nada price, my boat has alot of scratches and dings and scuffs and issues, but it runs good, it's reliable, I take good care of it and I definitely love it, I just fish hard and use it like a tool, not something that I pamper and need to be the prettiest on the ramp.. just guys different ideas of how a boat should be used.. a scuffed scratched boat is not always a sign of a non taken care of boat IMO

[Table Rock 1]

Run fast..