Advice Buying Boat In Winter.

[Sun Fish]

Hey BR
   I'm looking at upgrading my old 95 Nitro 180FS to a 2008 Nitro 901 CDX SC w/ 200 Merc Optimax.  The boat is loaded w/ a Lowrance HDS 8 on the console (RAM MOUNT) including structure scan, 36v 101lb MK Maxxum, a Lowrance 522 GPS on the bow, Single Sportsman II 8' Power Pole, 4 bank battery charger, hydraulic pedestals, Keel Guard.  

Seller is the original owner.  The boat has been stored outside in his driveway covered and winterized each season by the Marina that has it listed for him.  He said he has not yet ever had the water pump changed but had the marina change the oil every year with the winterizing process.  He is willing to take it to any dealer of my choice to have the boat looked over before we discuss price.  He's upgrading because he has a new Z9 being delivered in April.  He is a Nitro State Team member for whatever that might be worth.

My problem here is being I live in the North.  There is no open water to take the boat for a test drive on.  His asking price is $21,000 which I checked with NADA and looks to be fair.  I offered 17900 to see what he would say and he said we're not in the same ballpark and at this point wouldn't consider anything less than a few hundred off except for possibly if he had trouble selling it by the time the Z9 arrives.

The boat is in cosmetically great condition with just a minor tear on the passenger seat that he siliconed over, no oxidation, minor blemishing on the rub rails and a minor small light scratch on the starboard side.  The bilge is a little dirty with some mold on top of the gas tank and the carpet is in good shape with no rips. The only thing that appeared to be broken was the plastic around where the bow light goes in which he said is an $80 part he planned to fix in the spring.

I've been considering buying a new Z7 for around 36K with all the options I wanted but wouldn't be able to pull that trigger for another year or two and would have significantly more debt going that route.  This boat is loaded with just about every option I would want and I could buy it almost outright.  

My concern is not being able to test ride the boat.  Is a good mechanic look over sufficient to spend this kind of money?  What would I ask a dealer to do for me when inquiring about having them inspect a boat I am considering purchasing.  Should I avoid buying a boat until there is open water and it can be test driven?  What do you guys think about the price?  Any input or information is much appreciated.
 

[slonezp]

 Have you already seen the boat in person or going off pics? Do you have any mechanics you trust? The Opti has a computer on it. First thing I would do is have him give you a print out and take it to someone who can interpret it. The printout can tell you a lot about how the engine was run and cared for. 

[tnriverluver]

Gut feeling tells me this boat is fine.  I personally in my 40 years of boating have never test driven a boat, new or used.  This guy has his boat priced about right and seems to take care of his stuff.  Other than taking it to a mechanic and having it checked over (and I have never even done this) I would buy this one with confidence.  You can usually get a feel from talking to the seller whether or not he is trying to screw you or if in this guys case he is trying to sell his boat instead of trade it in before his new boat arrives.

[Sun Fish]

Have you already seen the boat in person or going off pics? Do you have any mechanics you trust? The Opti has a computer on it. First thing I would do is have him give you a print out and take it to someone who can interpret it. The printout can tell you a lot about how the engine was run and cared for.

I seen it in person today. My main concern with the boat is that he had about a half an inch of standing water in the livewells and when he opened the bilge hatch there was water dripping. We just went through a deep freeze and warm spell in the area. I do not personally know a marine mechanic well. I was thinking of having the marina he has it on consignment with go over the boat with me and do all the computer and compression checks. They are the Nitro dealer he bought the boat from and the one he ordered the Z9 through.

[Jig Man]

Typically when a boat goes into consignment it is looked over by the dealership and the motor checked out as well.  Ask if that was done before it was consigned.  If it was ask to see the records.

[Fishing Rhino]

Hey BR

   I'm looking at upgrading my old 95 Nitro 180FS to a 2008 Nitro 901 CDX SC w/ 200 Merc Optimax.  The boat is loaded w/ a Lowrance HDS 8 on the console (RAM MOUNT) including structure scan, 36v 101lb MK Maxxum, a Lowrance 522 GPS on the bow, Single Sportsman II 8' Power Pole, 4 bank battery charger, hydraulic pedestals, Keel Guard.  

Seller is the original owner.  The boat has been stored outside in his driveway covered and winterized each season by the Marina that has it listed for him.  He said he has not yet ever had the water pump changed but had the marina change the oil every year with the winterizing process.  He is willing to take it to any dealer of my choice to have the boat looked over before we discuss price.  He's upgrading because he has a new Z9 being delivered in April.  He is a Nitro State Team member for whatever that might be worth.

My problem here is being I live in the North.  There is no open water to take the boat for a test drive on.  His asking price is $21,000 which I checked with NADA and looks to be fair.  I offered 17900 to see what he would say and he said we're not in the same ballpark and at this point wouldn't consider anything less than a few hundred off except for possibly if he had trouble selling it by the time the Z9 arrives.

The boat is in cosmetically great condition with just a minor tear on the passenger seat that he siliconed over, no oxidation, minor blemishing on the rub rails and a minor small light scratch on the starboard side.  The bilge is a little dirty with some mold on top of the gas tank and the carpet is in good shape with no rips. The only thing that appeared to be broken was the plastic around where the bow light goes in which he said is an $80 part he planned to fix in the spring.

I've been considering buying a new Z7 for around 36K with all the options I wanted but wouldn't be able to pull that trigger for another year or two and would have significantly more debt going that route.  This boat is loaded with just about every option I would want and I could buy it almost outright.  

My concern is not being able to test ride the boat.  Is a good mechanic look over sufficient to spend this kind of money?  What would I ask a dealer to do for me when inquiring about having them inspect a boat I am considering purchasing.  Should I avoid buying a boat until there is open water and it can be test driven?  What do you guys think about the price?  Any input or information is much appreciated.

 

 

Unless the extra length is a problem such as fitting into your garage, consider a Z-8.  It could save you money.

 

I had a Z-7.  It's a nice boat, but it doesn't compare to the Z-8 for ride and stability, when it breezes up.

 

Just for fun, price a Z-7 with the options that come standard on a Z-8.  I did that a couple of years ago and found that a Z-7 would cost more, and have a 150 HP Optimax while the Z-8 comes with a 200 HP Optimax, and a tandem trailer.  At that time, hydraulic steering was an option on the 7.  Trailer brakes were also an option.  Lighted forward lockers were an option on the 7, and while I've never seen one, a tandem trailer was on the list of options for the 7.

 

It's the same between a Z-8 and a Z-9.  Add the costs of the options that come standard on the 9, and the 8 can end up costing more.  That includes the five thousand dollar option on the 8 to upgrade the 200 hp engine to a 250 hp Optimax

 

Before you jump into a 7, take the time to price them both with the same components.

 

I got my Z-8 in 2012.  It was a 2011.  The only options were retractable tie downs, a ratchet cord Nitro cover, and trailer brakes.  Its sticker price was 33,000 dollars marked down to 29,000 dollars.  I Paid 19,000 for the leftover Z-7, and got 16,000 for it as a trade-in.  The "depreciation" of 3000 dollars meant I fished the boat for 1500 dollars per year.  Not too shabby for the use of the boat for two years.

[Sun Fish]

Unless the extra length is a problem such as fitting into your garage, consider a Z-8.  It could save you money.

 

I had a Z-7.  It's a nice boat, but it doesn't compare to the Z-8 for ride and stability, when it breezes up.

 

Just for fun, price a Z-7 with the options that come standard on a Z-8.  I did that a couple of years ago and found that a Z-7 would cost more, and have a 150 HP Optimax while the Z-8 comes with a 200 HP Optimax, and a tandem trailer.  At that time, hydraulic steering was an option on the 7.  Trailer brakes were also an option.  Lighted forward lockers were an option on the 7, and while I've never seen one, a tandem trailer was on the list of options for the 7.

 

It's the same between a Z-8 and a Z-9.  Add the costs of the options that come standard on the 9, and the 8 can end up costing more.  That includes the five thousand dollar option on the 8 to upgrade the 200 hp engine to a 250 hp Optimax

 

Before you jump into a 7, take the time to price them both with the same components.

 

I got my Z-8 in 2012.  It was a 2011.  The only options were retractable tie downs, a ratchet cord Nitro cover, and trailer brakes.  Its sticker price was 33,000 dollars marked down to 29,000 dollars.  I Paid 19,000 for the leftover Z-7, and got 16,000 for it as a trade-in.  The "depreciation" of 3000 dollars meant I fished the boat for 1500 dollars per year.  Not too shabby for the use of the boat for two years.

Valid points to consider however.  The Z7 I priced out with the electronics and other options I would want came in right at about 34K and that's not including a power pole(s) that I would also like to add.  It rings in very close to the base price of a Z8.  If I were to add the same electronics and poles on a Z8 I'd be going well into the 40K range and that is just out of the question for me anytime soon. 

I currently have a 17'6 and would like a 18-19ft class boat for an upgrade.  I'm currently hauling with a 3.4L V6 Totoyota T100 and feel like going any bigger than 19ft class I'd be pushing it with my current towing capability. 

These are all the reasons I'm considering buying sooner going used on a boat that has most of the features I'd be looking for in a new boat at almost half the cost and NO DEBT.  Granted I know I'm sacraficing warranty and it's always a bit of a gamble buying used even having things checked out and tested.  This 901 seems to have almost everything I'm looking for in features.  The only things I would consider upgrading and wouldn't be in a rush to do so is adding a 2nd power pole and possibly a newer bow graph. 

I'm just very hesitant about going forward with this deal being it's ice season and I can't get the boat on the water to test the boat out and all the pumps etc.  Where my head is at right now is speaking with the dealer and finding out everything they can do for me as far as going over the entire boat and motor, to ensure me as much as humanly possible that everything is 100% working as it should be and there are no issues with the boat.  I'd also like to request that the seller detail the boat and fix the bow light plastic housing so I can view the boat as it should be in season condition as opposed to winter storage condition and if eveything checks out 100% with the dealer likly go forward with a deal.  Still knocking thoughts around.  I've been keeping my eye out on all local listings since mid season and this is one of the only boats with all the options I'm looking for that's around the age I'm looking for, thats local and in my price range.

[Fishing Rhino]

You are correct about the electronics.  The 7 and 8 both come with the same, basic, monochrome, sounder mounted in the console.  I think the 9 comes with that unit as well.  Power poles are also options on all models.  I think the new 7s come with hydraulic steering now, but not sure.

 

Good luck with whatever you get, new or used.

[Chief 2]

Maybe the seller would be willing to take a deposit with the understanding the full price would come after you water test it in the spring. It never hurts to ask!