I have been looking for a used bass boat for about 6 months now. What I have noticed is that the asking prices are always over NADA value. So does this mean that every single person trying to sell a boat is unrealistic about the value of their boat? Now I am not talking about 1 or 2 thousand, most of these boats are 4-8 thousand over what NADA says. Most of these boats are in the 2000-2005 year range. You would think that a boat being a recreational toy, in this economy, would be going at below value. If you would like to weigh in on this topic it would be appreciated.

I might add that I am assuming the NADA value includes the motor price. If this is not the case than I guess that would probably be the reason. thx

You might be running into buyers who dont want to really sell their boat, perhaps their significant other is making them. Happens more than you think, but who knows...

It's easy for a seller to come down in price. Why not shoot for the stars, pricewise? You never know when someone will let their heart overrule their head. A lot of buyers be it for boats, cars, or whatever, buy without researching prices for similar boats or cars, and doing some comparison shopping.

Keep in mind that Blue Book or NADA are average prices. It can vary from one part of the country to another. Supply and demand also is a major factorl. If there are a ton of boats on the market, then deals are to be had. If there are very few, it's a seller's market. How a boat is equipped will affect its value as well as condition and amount of use.

Most people have an inflated opinion of what their stuff is worth. They don't think things depreciate as fast as they actually do. Add ons are a lot more valuable to the seller than they are to the buyer because they remember what they paid for them not what they are worth now.

When you are looking at NADA be sure to check the *** to see what is included in the price. Sometimes it is the whole package and sometimes it excludes the trailer and/or motor. When that is the case you have to look them up seperately and add them.

When you are looking at NADA be sure to check the *** to see what is included in the price. Sometimes it is the whole package and sometimes it excludes the trailer and/or motor. When that is the case you have to look them up seperately and add them.

Exactly

You have to price out the boat, motor, and trailer in most cases.

Thanks guys, very good advice. I think I have found a pretty solid deal. 2002 Ranger 185VS dual console, with brand new hummingbird electronics(DI on the bow, GPS on console), Keel Guard, Jack Plate, ratchet down ranger boat cover, ranger trailer, Mercury EFI 175 with 240 hours, ranger 3 battery charger. He is asking $12,000.

That's a fair price, depending on the condition.

There are a lot of old threads on this site about the "to do list" BEFORE you buy a used boat. It'll be worth your time to check them out. It helped me a ton!

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-boats/

Take a look in here for some great advice

My boat is now 23 years old it has always been garaged and for the last 14 years the garage has been a heated one with a thermostat controlled heating system. My wife gripes about that with every fuel oil bill. When I lived in an area with lakes that had a lot of silt, sand etc, the water pump impeller was changed every two years with out question. The boat is cleaned and waxed every year some times more than once. At times some of the black vinyl has shown some faded spots but that is quickly reconditioned with "Mother's Back to Black". No one has ever come close to guessing the age.

No way unless I was really in tough shape financially or physically would I sell this boat for book value. But for the most part that is what they are worth.