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1. Use the full 4 digit year for everything you are asking your question about. Example: 1962, 1988, 2000, 2011 2. Include the correct name of your Whaler model. Example: Montauk 17, Montauk 170, Outrage 26, Outrage 260 3. Include the length when necessary. Example: 16, 17, 18, 20, 22 4. Do not post your email address anywhere on this site as it is already in your user profile.
I'm living in Finland and have started to think (or dream) about getting me a Boston Whaler. After looking (over the www) at different models and trying to get an idea of the market prices, I'm now aiming for an '80s 17-ft to 18-ft Whaler, I would very much like a Newport or a Montauk, and I'm not ruling out the 18-ft Outrage.
However, finding an '80s Whaler for sale in Finland is like, well, very hard. The market in the rest of Europe isn't that much better. So now that the euro is strong agains the dollar, it would seem like a good idea to buy a used boat from the US!
A friend of mine is coming over to Florida early next year to pick up a boat for himself and some other stuff he wants (he likes I/O:s and isn't aiming for a Whaler). I've talked to him, and friendly as he is, he offered me a chance to team up with him on his shipment project.
Problem is, there doesn't seem to be that many '80s Whalers for sale in Florida at any given time! (So far I've mostly been looking at boats.com and craigslist.) If I commit to the sipping arrangement with my friend, then I need to have a boat to ship when the time comes, and only having one or two boat to choose from at that time is not really what I was hoping for...
So please, can anyone give me any advice on how to better find boats of the type I'm looking for (in Florida)? Should I contact some Special Whaler Agent?
I`m in Florida. A few years ago I remodeled homes, and maintained them for a guy that would rent these homes to Germans visiting in the USA. These folks were here on holiday, and usually stayed about two weeks. I got to know some of them, and they used to love to buy boats, and ship them home to Germany.
I don`t think that they had any particular boat in mind before they arrived. When you arrive you will find that there is a virtual sea of boats for sale, Whalers or otherwise. When you arrive, you can check with boat dealers, brokers newspaper classified sections, online services, and just whalers for sale driving around waterfront areas. I would plan to stay in the Southeast portion of the state, and you can travel up the coast to on the east side, and over to the Fl. west coast in just a few hours. The winter season here is more expensive to stay than the summer season. If you can`t find the Whaler of your dreams in two weeks you just haven`t looked.
The problem that you will encounter with "Private sales" is the same problem that we encounter "Time & Place", the "For Sale" sign does NOT last long on a "Boston Whaler" in a driveway, Many on this site like myself, had to go on the "Hunt" for the boat they wanted, if you see one for sale that you want "GRAB IT" Fast. Many of us on here (W/C) get offers all of the time, asking if our boats are for sale, notes are left in our mail boxes, and people that see them in our driveways ring our door bell, and always inquire if the boat is for sale. Good Luck, Happy Hunting, and when you least expect it, one will come your way, so have your "CASH" ready. In a strange kind of way "It's Fun" when you "score" the Boat of your dreams, I wanted the 15' sport model since I was 16 yrs. old, and my jaw dropped as it passed by me in 1976 while crabbing off a dock, two guys my age were in it grinning ear to ear just before punching a "hole shot", and "Bam" the boat took off really fast, I remember thinking "I don't care what it takes, I WANT THAT BOAT, and ONLY, that boat" !
Binkie and MW, many thanks for taking the time to reply!
So, it doesn't seem like a bad idea to fly to Florida for a Whaler! I sure hope I can work out all the details... (like how to tell my wife I'm going to Florida but without her and the kids!) But first things first, I'll need to get some cool new sunglasses!
GSH, you will find a boat if you try WWW.boattrader.com there are plenty of boats there. It took me 8 months to find my 17 Montauk. I am looking for a Outrage now and might be selling my montauk, but I live in NY. Keep looking and if I find the outrage I'm looking for you might see my Montauk in the paper.
Harley, I've just got some new info on shipping and will get the e-mail for a friend of a friend, who might be able to help me find new options for shipping! If that works out, it would really change things for me, but I'll have to get back to you on that!
