i need a quote please

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Brad Truby

i am about to buy a 25.5 1983 hunter sailboat , this is my first sailboat that i have ever owned and could use some help from you guys so i dont get robbed . the boat needs alot of work the floor in the cabin has water damage and needs to be replaced , it has been sitting in the marina for about 1 yr or more and never moved . the outside needs alot of cosmetic work as well . they are asking $7,900 i think that is totaly unreasonable for the work that i am going to have to do to it . could you please tell me in your mind what might be the best offer to start at a guess would even help so much please , thanks for your time hopfully a new hunter sailor
 
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Sam Lust

Appropriate price

If you think the price is too high, then it's too high. To begin, never make a starting offer of more than 75% of the asking price. There are lots and lots of sailboats out there for sale. If the owner or broker doesn't want to get reasonable on a disused boat that needs work MOVE ON. There's another one around the corner!
 
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Scott

Offer Price

Brad: I own an '84 and paid $11K. But it wasn't my first boat, and I looked for about two years at ten different boat models. Depending on your reuirements, I think the 25.5 is an excellent choice. Boat prices, like home prices, will vary according to where you live. Here in Puget Sound, they are relatively high. The money I spent up here, for a very well kept/equipped boat, may seem like too much money to somebody in Florida or Massachusetts. If this is the boat you want, try to crawl around in at least three of them. Take your time. Get some help. Ask or pay somebody experienced to look at the boat with you. Remember, once you jump in as a boat owner, it can be difficult to get back out. You start paying for moorage, repairs, parts, insurance, etc...and it doesn't stop until you sell the boat. Be deliberate about your purchase and be willing to hold out for a better buy. The H25.5 is a very simple boat with few complex systems, and so is a good first "keelboat" in my view. But it could just as easily become a millstone around your neck if an initially low purchase price turns into a long list of maintenance items. I have learned over the years to avoid the "projects" and purchase well maintained boats. I end up sailing more, and that's what its all about for me. Others have more time for these projects and that works for them. The boat you described sounds like it has been neglected. Ask yourself (and your significant other for a second opinion)if you're the type to spend the time and money to fix a neglected boat. Although you will find plenty of help and good ideas on this forum, the hidden costs here may dwarf even a $7900 purchase price. Good Luck.
 
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Michael O'Hara

Internet Sources

Dittos to the two previous posts. You can check other H25.5 boat prices by going to www.yachtworld.com and searching their database. Also, you can try the Bucnet at www.bucnet.com And for a slow evening.... check out a number of broker sources on the internet. Use a search engine like metafind. Or check out general sources like sailnet.com, torreson.com, iwol.com, sfboating.com, sfsailing.com, sdboating.com, sdsailing.com, and seattleboating.com (or was that seattlesailing.com???) Also - do you need a trailer? Does the price include a trailer? Will they delivet the boat? Commission it? I personally think that $7900 for an older H25.5 without a trailer should translate into a BRISTOL boat with new sails.... Good luck, go slow in your deliberations, be happy with your choice. Michael O' H25 "Narrow Escape"
 
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Cliff Ruckstuhl

Scott said it all!

Brad I also own a 84 25.5 this the best boat in its class. You will be better of finding one in better shape some repairs can cost allot motor,new sails if in bad shape, it seems all used boats need new sails. You could be buying a money pit. Its like buying a car.I saw a 84 25.5 on Lake Erie with roller furling for $8000. Salt water boats at some point need new standing rigging and running rigging you could easly get into $500 to $800 just with that stuff. So it all depends on your wants and cash flow. I know a guy who buys boats (hurricane boats) fixes them and sells them the last one he sold the new owner sailed for half the season before a side stay blew apart and bent the mast in half. So its buyer beware on some boats,but there are deals to be had, you just need to know what your buying. Cliff
 
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Winni Johnston

Another source for information..

There is another site that boat values can be checked. The url is: http://www.nadaguides.com/ValuesHome.html I hope this helps. Winni Island Hops H34
 
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Dave Condon

Marine Survey

Brad; Since you are new to this, may I suggest securing the services of a good marine surveyor to examine the boat for you and from his experience and knowledge of boats and values, they might be able to help. It would be worth the survey if considering a boat seriously to see what shape it is in
 
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Scott

the buying process

Brad: I reviewed some of the other responses to your post and it occurred to me that as a first time buyer you may not be familiar with the customary boat buying practice. Its a little different. When you buy a used car, you test drive it, maybe have your mechanic look it over, then you make your offer. You try to have some good information about the car before you make an offer. When you buy a used boat, its different. Although most private sellers will let you take a test sail, many brokers will not until you first make an offer. It seems kind of backwards. In addition, most purchases are subject to a successful survey which costs you, the buyer, about $6-7/foot plus the cost to haul it out at a local yard. For this boat expect at least $300. Never buy a boat without a survey. Its like a house inspection: best $300 you ever spent. But, strangely, it comes after you have signed a contract with the seller and have agreed on a price. To me, it makes more sense to first sail it and survey it before talking about price. But that is the way its done in this part of the country. Brokers will tell you that this prevents them going sailing all the time with people who have no intention of buying, and they have a point. My point is that it makes the offer process a little more difficult since you really don't know much about the boat you are trying to buy. This may be something you already knew, but if you didn't it is worth the risk of stating the obvious. Dave Condon was right: get a good surveyor and make your offer to buy contingent on your personal satisfaction with the survey results. Avoid making your purchase subject to "determination of seaworthiness", "safety inspection" or something less than your own personal peace of mind. Its your money, and unless you are completely happy with what the survey reveals, go on to the next boat. Good luck!
 
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Steve W

maybe I can help....

8 months ago I had a chance to buy a really nice 1984 Hunter 25.5 in N.E.Florida. Boat had a 1997 Hinda 9.9 electric start with the big alternator, and about 10 hours time on it. Bimini, spreader lights, tons of cruising gear, stereo with c/d, color tv, vhf, 12 month old bottom and survey, new interior cushion, new vberth custom mattress, 2 batteries, bilge pump, interior woodwork was absolitely perfect, full screens, 4 sails, self tailing winches, no gel coat cracking, a very, very nice boat. Asking price was $7,000, but it had been for sale for a while, so I am sure it could be bought for 6k max. Reason we didn't buy it was wife decided she wanted full standup headroom, enclosed head, etc, etc, so webought a 1986 Newprt 28MKII. Hope this helps. By the way, the Hunter needed nothing in the way of repairs or maintenance.
 
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Mike Birch

Don't do it, wait for good feeling.

My opinions: 1) Your first boat should be in good usable condition for at least the first season with only minor work needed. If it is'nt you will start to resent the boat and never get any enjoyment out of sailing. 2)Whatever price you think the work will cost double it, boat work is expensive and parts can be impossible to get. 3)If the boat looks like it has sat in the marina for a year untouched it is probably more like 3!
 
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Mike B

buyer beware,

Brad I do not know the market in you r area, but after reading the responses they all offer sound advice, if the boat appers to have ben neglected to your inexperienced eyes, guess what you may have missed, there is no shortage of used, boats, I have a h23 1989 shoal draft wing keel that i am thinking of selling , It has had great care and is in incredible shape,mmsailor@aol.com
 
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Robert Rose

WAY TOO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!

It will cost a hefty dollar to replace that sole in your boat unless you try to do it yourself. I do not know if the Hunter Corporation would stock holly soles for the 25.5. We just purchased a 1984 that was loaded and well cared for with shore power package, microwave, refrigerator, new interior cushions, rebuilt Honda 7.5, 3 sails, new rigging, depth, knotmeter, almost perfect interior, cassette, vmf, magma grill, propane stove, dual batteries that was appraised at $9750.00. Picked it up for $5100.00!! Honestly.......... As everyone has been saying, make sure that first boat is not a hole to "pour money into". As much fun and enjoyment it is to work and mess around on them a vessel that has been neglected will take money for new lines, sails, motor repair, interior components, electrical rework, plumbing, etc. Your Hunter could cost you so much to get right that your investment will not be worthwhile. Consider a boat well cared for where the previous owner did all the work for you. For $7,000 - 8,000 you can find many fine examples. I would not purchase this vessel without looking at many others. Do not get caught up in the "first to eye, is the first to buy". Good luck
 
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Marcie Robson

boat quotes

Try looking in www.boatus.com I got a quote on our boat a while ago and thats where I think it was. It took about 2 days or so before I got it in my e-mail. They also go by where boat is located because that does make a difference....Im sure youve allready got the point about the one your looking at but if still looking it should help.... also check www.marinesurvey.com and www.yachtsurvey.com they both have tips on what you can identify yourself before making decision to have survey on that particular boat...you know"weed out the obvious". Hope this helps....Marcie
 
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