Has anyone here bought a boat or known someone whom has bought a boat off of ebay?  If so was it a good or bad experience?  I'm just trying to check out all my options.  It seems like a decent place to check out.  The only problem I could foresee is that I would have to try and "hire" someone to check out the boats for me since most are 400+ miles away.

I did, but it was a dealer. I drove the 150 miles or so and checked it out. Everything worked out well. If its a private sale, for sure have it checked out.  

Just a heads up, I'm home during the day because I work weird hours and I while I'm going through the channels I always see the court programs on TV like Judge Judy ect. ect.  There are always a couple boat or car cases from ebay and the buying is suing because something doesnt work right or there was information that wasnt disclosed, but the seller always wins because the item is always, "as is" off ebay. So if you are going to do it, be careful.

go kick the tires or dont do it.

have you looked at craigslist.com ?

last summer I got a boat off ebay. everything went well with the pick up. the guy worked with me in where we would meet.

I sold that boat to a new bass fishermen this spring and got a new boat.

My cousins husband went down to georgia (from pa) for a boat. He got an amazing deal and it turned out to be great. I think you need to feel the owner out and use your brain and your gut. Also if you picked out an add and posted it here we would spot every detail on the add that could be strange or a problem. I just thought of a few other things... Call the owner your interested in buying from pick his brain about everything you can think of mainentance, use, etc... If you still feel good about the boat/owner go to it and take it for a test run. You can also take it to a boat dealer or mechanic to check it out for you. It will cost a few $$ but save you $$ in the future. Good luck!

The only way I would consider a boat that is not local would be to buy a new or new noncurrent from a dealership.  There are too many things which can be wrong and you are left holding the bill.

I bought my boat 3 years ago on ebay.  Then I drove 16 hours (one day) roundtrip to get it.  I have had no problems with it at all.  Everything has worked great (knock on wood).  I grade my experience with buying my boat on ebay an A+, but as with anything there are also a lot of low-life crooks out there.  You just have to watch out and be careful.

Got a Jon Boat off ebay..There are good and bad folks on ebay so beware.

I bought my boat off ebay. Go on line an find a local dealer and get him to go get the boat and check it out for you. Tell the seller you want todo this.Be sure that you use your mech. not his. If he balks or studders at all WALK AWAY!!!!. Finaly tell the seller that if you are the winner that the sale DEPENDS ON YOUR SATFACTION OF A TEST AND FINAL  INSPECTION OF THE BOAT!! That is what I did and have no regrets.

I bought my 14 ft jon boat off ebay 5 years ago.  The guy brought it to my house and the boat was as advertised.  He asked me if I wanted to take it to a boatyard and check it out which I did.  The guy was upfront about the cost to fix the motor.  I decided too buy a new oneanyway.

I only look at all the auctions that are going around in about a 50 mile radius of my house, so if i am interested in it I can go and look at it before I bid on it, but a couple of old firneds have bought boats off ebay and it was a greattt deal.

Bought mine off Ebay but handled the actual payment individually. I talked to the seller a couple of times, then got cashiers check and headed out. THe boat was as advertised except trolling motor didn't work properly. The decision to buy was still up to me since i had not forked over check, but since its a warranty deal, bought it anyway.

Best way to do it is bid what you want to spend and then inform seller to shoot you a second chance offer if it don't sell. The one I bought never got to the reserve price, got second chance offer and bought. I didn't get a world beater of a deal but I got alot of boat for the money.

  If you can't talk to the people ont he phone, don't buy it!!!!!

However, one other thing to that, Brotherinlaw bought one and we went 300 miles to get it and everything was as advertised witht he small exception the engine overheated when trying it out. We left without boat and person said he would get it fixed and bring it to us. That never happened, then I seen it listed again. But in all cases, be willing to drive off w/o boat if it doesn't pan out and always be in contact with the buyer. I never give the immediate money they want and tell them I will have cashiers check with me. If he/they can't trust me that far, I have no desire to do business with them either.

They should be just as concerned about you as you are of them, Thats a Good sign of honesty.

They have a rating report history, so you should beable to see if they sell what they say. as for you to, they should beable to see a purchasing history report on you.

If you are a new first time buyer, then they should be cautious toward you, again a sign of a good seller.

If they are new (no history)and offer a "BUY IT NOW PRICE" walk away!!! usually scams

If they want payment in a Money gram(western union) walk away faster!! scam-a-roony.

just my oppinion, FROM example

I don't mess with E-bay no more-just to risky

It pays to do some research. Or find yourself a reputable dealer. At least with a dealer you'll get a waranty of some kind and a good dealer will give any used boat he takes in a good onceover including a compression check, etc. You'll taking your chances with a buy off an individual. They don't use the phrase "Buyer Beware" for nothing.

 I wouldn't buy anything over prob $150 on E-bay and anything more than $100 would have to be new.

I would never buy a boat, a car or electronics on E-bay under any circumstances w/o being able to go and test / see in person.

 Many more safe options localy as far as I'm concerned.

Just my .02

 FFI AKA  Matt Crum