1989 Ranger 384V w/ 1993 115HP Merc pricing

[USA-Retired]

Anyone care to give an opinion what a one owner garage kept..everything works on it Ranger Comanche 364V w/ Rangertrail Trailer chrome wheels...1993 Merc 115 HP oil Injected motor...very good condition should sell for.  Motor runs good..clocks at 48MPH (GPS & speedo).  I know it has trolling motor, in dash flasher and graph at the bow..trim and tilt (probably more options..nut not sure).

Cannot find others of the same year to compare prices on the net.   I do know the seller and he is honest as the day is long,,he would not sell a lemon..that's a pretty much stake my live on it for sure belief on my part.  Have known the guy for nearly 30 years.  We were in the service together intil we both retired and lost touch for the last 15 years.

His reason for selling.....he has another 1989 Ranger 361 with a 150 Merc..and likes the floor plan better on the 361..plus the 150HP runs faster.  He used to guide so he had two boats...now one has to go.  

What do you think a boat like that is worth?  Price rane?  $6000?-$6500?-$7000?-higher

I'm looking for some guidance from guys who are into boat prices and values.

Thanks to all who answer.

[Jig Man]

Go to NADAguides.com and look under boats.  You will find Rangers listed.  Then go back to motors and you will find Merc.  That will give you what the average retail price should be.  Then you will have to decide how much to add to that considering the condition of the boat.  I am sure he will want top dollar since most people are real proud of their stuff.

Good luck.  I hope he takes your offer if you decide to make one.

[cart7t]

Take everything into consideration;

age of electronics

age of trolling motor

battery age

how old is the carpet and upholstery?

tires, how old.

How is the steering system?

Do nada and then take all the above into consideration.  If all that's listed is over 2 years old it adds relatively little to the price

[USA-Retired]

I'm kinda figuring that to be the case...he's asking $6500 for the rig.   I'm sure it's in very good conditon..but that price does seem to be on the high side about $2100 from NADA.   I suppose it's like auto prices too..you figure what an item would look like after 18 years of use and price it accordingly...then there are those items that are well cared for, have little wear and tear and should garner more money on a re-sale.  It's th e old saying...What's the price?  Well.....are you buying or selling?

I found one website that had a calculator where you could enter boat.make, and year..than they would give you the high and low prices with a median pice that the particular boats sold for.   I ran 1989 Rangers...all models and the low was $3900 (fisherman model), High was $8950 for a 391....7 boats sold...median price was $6400.

GUess it's like a Corvette...you can pay thousands of dollars difference for the same year car...just depends on which one was a Sunday driver and which one was used to haul hay.

Whay can't anything in life be easy :-)

[burleytog]

That sounds about right for that vintage of Ranger.  Or at least what they're going for based on what I've seen over the last few months.

[fish-fighting-illini]

you might make sure what all incidentals come with it too. Anchors? ropes?, life jackets? pole lights? does it have a horn? battey(s) and conditions.

Make sure the livewell(s) work and need to know if the boat leaks or not prob know from the speed check but make sure.

[cart7t]

The 360 series Rangers around here typically go for around the $6k mark or so.  Big caveat with that rig you're looking at though,  it's not running a 150hp motor, Only a 115hp.  That drops the price.

The boat you're talking about sounds like it has an old Lowrance 1240 indash flasher and a graph on the front.  Those do nothing for the price.  How old is the TM?   How old are the batteries?  Fresh rubber on the trailer?  What's the age of the carpet and upholstery?

I'd offer somewhere around $5000 - 5500 and see what he says.  

[USA-Retired]

My buddy (who is selling the boat)  told me that everything in the boat works...trim and tilt..both from the console and the front deck..batteries are good..livewells pump, re-circulate and drain..bilge pump works..light, horn, speedo, tach all operate (said when he clocked the speed with the GPS..the speedo matched)....not sure if he said it had a hot foot or not.... etc, etc.  Boat has a cover...it was in a garage most of the time he's had it (two car garage = two boat garage)..he just moved to a smaller place (one car garage) so the boat now sits next to the garage covered while his Ranger 361 is parked inside.  He mentioned that part of the trailer fenders are starting to dull up a bit due to the sun...but could be buffed out.   Other than that...that's the only faults.  It's the Silver and red flake color that was popular that year.

Still debating this issue....On one hand, here is a boat that I'll have the complete history..know the one and only owner and have all the original paperwork w/ maintenance records.....any other used one one I buy, would be a absolute crap shoot with a stranger....you could get a gem or a lump of coal..."Ya pays yer money and ya takes yer chances".

Where the hell is my crystal ball when I need it?

[wickyman]

Think of it this way.  If the boat is in good physical condition, and it looks great, it would be worth the money.  To me a ranger bass boat only gets better with age, unless kept horribly.  They are the Ferrari of bass boats, and they show it!  The craftsmanship is outstanding, including the older boats!  6500 is a little high for me, but it's worth it in the long haul!  If you can talk him down, try that!  If not, then it would be worth it, either way!  Especially in that color combo!  I love that color combo!

[USA-Retired]

I will be staying in touch with him now that we finally hooked up after a 15 year MIA session.  He was my old CSM when I was a Bn 1SG....we've been friends and comrades in arms for over 25 years.  Lost track after he retired and then I retired out shortly there after.   We spent many day fishing together while in the service and I know and trust the guy.

I'm putting together a little "Care" package for him with some of my favorite Florida baits for him to try in Illinois and will mail it off in a week or so.   I'm thinking that we can arrive at some kind of agreement on the boat, price wise...and if not..well, I'll still have found my old friend.   This time, we won't lose track of each other again.

In the grand scheme of things....I win on this deal either way.