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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.
So I have been looking for a 16sl- and with my two experience with owners I am allocating more funds to look at a dauntless or montauk. Where is the best place to look, I am on boattrader, ebay, and some other random places. I am looking for a total package with trailer, bimini, cover, prefer 4 stroke, but 2 is fine- I just want a well cared for boat, is that too much to ask?
Adam, as anyone on this site will back me up, I spent the last year searching for my boat. Finding the right boat, IMO, is harder than finding the right woman. DO NOT rush into the first boat you see. Take your time and follow a check list. Write down what you are looking for and the options you want. If the boat you go to look at is not all that you seek, turn around and leave. Be prepared to drive all over the place to look at junk before you find YOUR boat. There are a few places to look, here a two:
Edited by HarleyFXDL on 06/23/09 - 6:27 AM
Kevin
1988 11' Super Sport, 1987 Johnson 15hp.
If you think education is expensive, try ignorance
"Vegetarian - old Indian word for bad fisherman."
Thanks Kevin. I appreciate the help. There is a 16sl local that looks great in pics- has everything except a bimini which is fairly inexpensive. Talked to the owner tonight and will see whats what on sat. I am fully prepared to walk if it is not what I want. I am the guy who cleans the motor and undercarriage on his cars, so I will not settle.
Harley is right on the money, I looked for 1 1/2 years for my last one and am glad I looked around that much. Sometimes the best deal isn't the cheapest boat, sometimes it isn't the one in the best shape. There are so many factors to consider: price, condition, usage, your ability to work on it, etc.
The one I found was filthy with awful rub rail. On closer inspection, there was no damage around the rail, it had dried out and cracked from getting brittle. But it was original and intact, the engine purred and checked out with very even compression, it was on a nice trailer that only had a bad ground, etc.
Had the guy cleaned up the boat, replaced the rub rail ( not expensive), and re-ground the trailer lights instead of telling me they don't work, I think he could easily have gotten another 2-3k for it.
Check out EVERY lead, check bait shop's, outboard shop's, supermarket bullitin boards, fire house, marina's, other "boat head's" (like us) at work, etc... If you are looking for a "Boat", that's "easy", if you are looking for a "Whaler", that's an "Adventure". These guy's will tell you how "Crazy" it was to find "YOUR BOAT". I found mine in the paper by accident (after much dissappointment from looking around believe me), it was a mis-print put in all "Bass-Ackward's" with wrong info. about the boat. I called and asked a few question's about this crazy "ad" (that made no sense), and the guy said "Whaaat..No wonder nobody called about the boat", I zipped out there (60 miles away) and got the boat, all because, nobody checked. Negotiation's went "Quick", and "Cash" and boat exchanged hand's very quickly, with everybody "Happy". You have to stay on the hunt, and have the "Cabbage" ready.
Yes, it's unlikley your new boat will "fall in your lap". It usually appears with a combination of dogged determination and a dose of luck. And, as they say, we make our own luck. Here's a snazzy little tool to help your search on Craigslist. Search Tempest allows one to search multiple localities on CL from one search query. Pass it around...
In Harley's link above you will find links to all of the Whalers listed on Search Tempest, Jaxed, Oodle, Kijiji, boat trader, yacthworld, GSA, etc., etc...
I have found Search tempest to be ok for looking close to home but, I much prefer Jaxed which lists every Whaler listed on Craiglist and Ebay across the country in chronological order from it's listing time. This is helpful because speed is of the essence to finding and scooping up those deals as soon as the hit the market
smkymntn or anyone else. If there is a certain boat you are looking for, send me an email with your desired model, year(s), distance you are willing to travel and your REAL budget. I come across a lot of boats that I forward on to people who have contacted be about the boats they are looking for. When I find one that looks like it meets their criteria I send it long.
Edited by Jeff on 06/25/09 - 6:49 AM
1993 23' Walkaround Whaler Drive
