To Buy or Not to Buy

[Robberloon]

Hello folks. Just joined here because I am interested in Checkmate boats, espeically one particular. Just found a 1974 16 foot Checkmate with no motor but sitting on a trailer. The boat is in pretty rough shape. It has been sitting outside for a couple years and the floor is spongy, the interior is basically missing and the gelcoat is in a completly oxidized. The trailer is in worse shape than the boat. I have a 1974 Mercury 115 with power tilt/trim that needs to find a home and would work well with this boat. The problem is the guy is asking $1500.00 for the boat/trailer and he won't budge off of that price. So, I am in a quandry as to whether to buy this thing, but I've read others on-line have bought into packages like this for well under $1500.00. What do you all think...too high? Or should I buy? And if I can figure out how to upload some pics, I'll show you how this puppy looks.

 

[pony3xp]

craigslist is your friend

www.searchtempest.com
this will give you a quick reference for your general area

 

[keith4216]

To post pics you need to upload them to a host site such as picasa, photobucket etc etc. Then copy and paste them from there to your post here.

 

[SippyRat]

welcome! it's hard to say without pictures.......Posting pics is easy. Start a free photobucket account, load your pics there, open the folder that has the pics you want to post, when you move your mouse over a pic you will see four address codes, click on the bottom (IMG code) to copy the address. Then all you need to do is paste it in your thread in the reply box. good luck

right behind you keith! with a little more detail

 

[keith4216]

welcome! it's hard to say without pictures.......Posting pics is easy. Start a free photobucket account, load your pics there, open the folder that has the pics you want to post, when you move your mouse over a pic you will see four address codes, click on the bottom (IMG code) to copy the address. Then all you need to do is paste it in your thread in the reply box. good luck

right behind you keith! with a little more detail

Thats just the harder way, right click the pic copy and paste done. No confussing codes for me any how.

 

[Big Red]

A 1974 16 foot boat, that needs total interior, has rough gelcoat, no motor that has a soft floor, which probably needs stringer, and transom work sitting on a crappy trailer,, is only worth the price of scrap the trailer will bring.

The only way the boat is worth fixing is if it had sentimental value or is a rare race boat.

 

[DropTop5.0]

Agree with BR. You can find pieces of crap all day ling for a few hundred sitting on a reasonable trailer. I got a decent package for $3.5k. Didn't need much of anything.

 

[knarloid]

Agree with BR. You can find pieces of crap all day ling for a few hundred sitting on a reasonable trailer. I got a decent package for $3.5k. Didn't need much of anything.

Agreed. I paid $3.5k and got a 1980 Enticer with new upholstery, and a 135hp V6 Merc in perfect running order.

Unless you have a passion for refurbishing/rebuilding old boats, I'd say raise your price and see what's on offer to have you on the water (this year).

 

[Philster]

Some people wouldn't take that boat for free.

 

[atc250r]

Yup, it isn't free to scrap a boat and when there's nothing of value attached to the boat its a loser for sure.

John

 

[TimSki$]

You can find a nearly complete boat in good shape on a decent trailer for that price. Keep looking.

 

[caliburn]

do not pay that , it is not worth it, take your time and look long and hard, I found my Starflite in Ok condition, with a good mercury 225 for only $2275, granted I could had just put her in the water but thats not me so I am restoring her . keep looking oh and I bought her a few states away so when looking on craigslist check every where including E bay

 

[Ramifications]

I would say stay away for $1500. That is what I paid for my 86 Exciter in good condition with a Merc 150 on a good trailer with all new lights etc. As Caliburn said, I can't seem to leave well enough alone, so I'm in the middle of a resto too.

You should be able to find one for less and in better condition than what you described.

Here are couple I found real quick.

http://newjersey.craigslist.org/boa/2789607526.html

http://lancaster.craigslist.org/boa/2867885986.html

http://baltimore.craigslist.org/boa/2889361652.html

http://baltimore.craigslist.org/boa/2876028023.html

 

[jp1984]

i picked this up for 3,500 last summer turn key and had to put 300 into interior, has been a great boat..keep looking

 

[Robberloon]

Follow up

Man, I appreciate your responses. It would seem unanimous that this is a bad deal! I'll keep looking! I would love to add some pictures, but I've tried to do so according to your instructions and also the instructions listed on the forum. It just won't complete the procedure. One thing I've noticed is at the bottom of the page is a small box titled POSTING RULES with several lines of text. One of mine says I am NOT allowed to post attachments. Is this my problem? Since I am a new member, am I under some type of probation period where I am not allowed to post pics?

Anyway, if I can figure this out, I'll post my pics so you can see the horrors this poor boat has been put through. It is a real shame to let a boat sit outdoors uncovered for years and then try to get a bog price out of the remains! Even if it is a Checkmate MX-16, 1974 vintage. I couldn't even find the Coast Guard plate on it showing max HP and Persons. This thing is a real piece of crap.

 

[Ramifications]

upload the pictures to any free hosting site... photobucket, facebook, etc almost anywhere. Right click the image and copy it than past it into the reply box.

 

[Robberloon]

Look what $1500 will buy you in Tennessee!!

 

[keith4216]

The seller must be on crack. Thats one check going to the dump, unless its free.

 

[Will30]

Definetly not worth 1500.00 .

 

[paulsboats]

150.00 maybe!