2009 232 Limited S Buying Advice!!

[Beachbummer]

A nice awesome 2009 can get listed for as high as 27k and even higher, but I bought mine 3 years ago for 16,5 in the condition slightly worse to the one you are looking at. These boats are worth about 3k at season start. By October folks are looking to pay for winter storage, so that affects price too.

If the trailer needs work too, and the boat is mechanically sound with some known easy to fix items I would look to buy at 18k or less.

That's just one guys opinion....

 

[bronze_10]

Where is the boat? There may be a member willing to help close by...

 

[buckbuck]

We need close up pictures of the jet pumps including the impellers shot from under the boat. These will tell us if the boat has actually seen salt water. The galvanized trailer leads me to think this was sold in an area where one could boat in salt water. It does not mean the owner was not telling the truth.

 

[zipper]

The scupper (deck) drain appears to be original factory plastic. You will need to think about getting that changed. This seller cannot expect top dollar when he does not keep it clean and covered. It takes 5 mins. to cover/uncover this boat, if he even has a mooring cover. The seat backs are pretty sunburned and the previous quote for reupholstering is accurate. We paid $23k with galv. trailer for ours as a 10YO boat, but our boat was clean and had good Upholstery. I would start lower but not "insult" low. Expect to see 10k+ rpm's and 46-48mph at full throttle on the water test with a few people on board. Good luck.

 

[captainhook]

If left uncovered, the water stains could be from just one season or even a couple of months. Given there are sticks on the swim platform, stickers are peeling, seats are worn, and he sent pics of it in this condition, I bet it’s been uncovered for at least one season and he probably doesn’t even have a good cover. A cover is about $600.

I am obviously speculating on all of this but this is what I see from the pictures. I agree on posting your location as mentioned above. A helpful person on the forum may be nearby and be willing to assist.

 

[SMAR]

Thank you all times a million!

After a lot or research and listening to you guys, we aren't going to see it with high hopes. I mean that in a very good way. I was getting too excited and my excitement might have blinded me to some obvious flaws.

I agree that the scupper drain will need to be replaced asap. The owner told me that only the two seats in the picture show wear. His definition of wear might be very different from ours.

He did tell me he brought it from Gulfport, MS which is almost impossible not to have it in salt or at least brackish water. He also told me he did oil changes himself every start of the season which i believe but i do not think he has don't anything else to it. I am more worried that a lot of items on the boat might be reaching their life span and will need to be replaced at my dime after purchase.

The boat is located about 15-20 from Slidell, LA. If anyone is near and willing to check it out with us that would be great!

Thanks again!

 

[mark_m]

I wouldn’t be afraid of this boat for the right price. All of the items @captainhook and @Julian mention you would do to the boat anyway. Is he asking a reasonable price?

 

[SMAR]

I wouldn’t be afraid of this boat for the right price. All of the items @captainhook and @Julian mention you would do to the boat anyway. Is he asking a reasonable price?

The owner is asking $23,5. Thoughts?

 

[Beachbummer]

I did some digging near my area and there aren't many for sale. It's about how much it is worth to you. Go check it out and be ready to point to expenses you plan on making to put the boat to your standard (How do Trailer brakes look? how are the steering and reverse cables? (tough to steer or tough to change from neutral to forward or reverse) How's the upholstery (we know that answer) Clean Out plugs go in and out easily? Rust anywhere? See how much you like the boat, but try not to grin too obviously at high speed...I know it's hard to do It's about your time and money. You may spend another month or 3 looking and save a couple of grand on a different boat, or find a nicer one for the same price...only you can take that gamble. I was very lucky, looked for about 3 months, and also traveled 600 miles to find the boat I wanted...so it may be worth it to you to save that aggravation.

Check it out and see where he is willing to go.

 

[mark_m]

The owner is asking $23,5. Thoughts?

17-19k

The owner is asking $23,5. Thoughts?

See if you can deal him to somewhere in the high teens. I see similar threads for the 232 limited at around 20k

 

[SMAR]

I did some digging near my area and there aren't many for sale. It's about how much it is worth to you. Go check it out and be ready to point to expenses you plan on making to put the boat to your standard (How do Trailer brakes look? how are the steering and reverse cables? (tough to steer or tough to change from neutral to forward or reverse) How's the upholstery (we know that answer) Clean Out plugs go in and out easily? Rust anywhere? See how much you like the boat, but try not to grin too obviously at high speed...I know it's hard to do It's about your time and money. You may spend another month or 3 looking and save a couple of grand on a different boat, or find a nicer one for the same price...only you can take that gamble. I was very lucky, looked for about 3 months, and also traveled 600 miles to find the boat I wanted...so it may be worth it to you to save that aggravation.

Check it out and see where he is willing to go.

Great info! Thank you! We will for sure go look at it as planned tomorrow but with a lot more knowledge now.

 

[SMAR]

17-19k

See if you can deal him to somewhere in the high teens. I see similar threads for the 232 limited at around 20k

The wife and I were thinking around 18k so sounds like we on the same page. We agree..high teens is the most of course if sea trial is all good.

 

[mark_m]

The wife and I were thinking around 18k so sounds like we on the same page. We agree..high teens is the most of course if sea trial is all good.

Good luck! Do keep us posted.

 

[SMAR]

Update:
Originally the wife and i were suppose to go see and sea trial the boat today. (the owner offered to take us out today) He was also suppose to send us videos of it running and of the engine bay yesterday (Saturday). Last night i didn't get a text/call or anything. So we decided to text him about 8:30pm to see if we were still on for Sunday and if he was able to get any videos. He texted back and said he got called into work and never got on the water. He also said in the same text that maybe some time this week can take it out on the water. I understand work and stuff comes up, but a simple text or call to let us know that would have gone a long way with me. He also asked on the same text how am i with the price. I texted him back a decently long text stating its really hard to negotiate over the phone and of course without seeing or putting the boat in the water. So i went down a list of items that i had concerns over, mostly the stuff you guys told me about and to hopefully let him know im not just throwing an offer at him out of the air.(i was very respectful and said that i am just going off pictures. Things could be a lot better in person or a lot worse) He then said its not a 2019 boat and he doesn't want to take everyone out on the water! That really caught me off guard as he was the one that offered it and who buys a boat without putting it in the water? He seemed like a totally different person then when i talked to him on the phone 2 days ago. really strange. He said its a solid boat and he has a few other people interested lol.

Maybe i put too much value into the person when i buy large items like this? Maybe some people are just not people person. I just think you can get a really good idea about the item based off the person? Maybe not or im just crazy!

He finally said, "you guys can come look and make an offer, based off that we can take it for a test run".

its about a 2 hour round trip for us to go see it. At this point i don't know if we even want to bother. what do you guys/gals think?

Thanks again and sorry for the long message.

 

[bronze_10]

Hopefully your heart wasn't set on it.... my response would be, let me know if the other people dont buy it, MAYBE I'll still be in the market. Now that being said.... I am sure some people shop for boats the same way they shop for cars... looking going through all the steps even water test with no intention to buy. However, if u r selling then that's. Price you pay!

 

[zipper]

Update:
...and who buys a boat without putting it in the water?

We did. We did not water test the boat, but we did run the engines on the hose where I learned the proper sequence of engine on, water on, run it, water off, engine off. We were lucky buyers and certainly gambled on her true condition. Our seller kept the boat clean and covered when it was for sale. The YDS showed less than 100hrs. It all worked out for us as she has been a great boat with the only issue at purchase was the factory stereo reciever had failed. I used to be all about "Low Maintenance", and the Yamaha certainly has been. And then we went and messed that all up by buying/refitting a 28YO sailboat.

It is difficult to do business with people who change the plans at the last minute. Hard to tell where he is comming from. He could be having second thoughts or receiving other inquiries from tire kickers who just want to go for a ride. His approach to the price negociation is "Bass Aackwards". Never talk money over bad pictures. If he expects the asking price, he should at the very least clean the boat and cover it. Waxing is probably too much to ask for. Good luck moving forward.

 

[mark_m]

Update:
Originally the wife and i were suppose to go see and sea trial the boat today. (the owner offered to take us out today) He was also suppose to send us videos of it running and of the engine bay yesterday (Saturday). Last night i didn't get a text/call or anything. So we decided to text him about 8:30pm to see if we were still on for Sunday and if he was able to get any videos. He texted back and said he got called into work and never got on the water. He also said in the same text that maybe some time this week can take it out on the water. I understand work and stuff comes up, but a simple text or call to let us know that would have gone a long way with me. He also asked on the same text how am i with the price. I texted him back a decently long text stating its really hard to negotiate over the phone and of course without seeing or putting the boat in the water. So i went down a list of items that i had concerns over, mostly the stuff you guys told me about and to hopefully let him know im not just throwing an offer at him out of the air.(i was very respectful and said that i am just going off pictures. Things could be a lot better in person or a lot worse) He then said its not a 2019 boat and he doesn't want to take everyone out on the water! That really caught me off guard as he was the one that offered it and who buys a boat without putting it in the water? He seemed like a totally different person then when i talked to him on the phone 2 days ago. really strange. He said its a solid boat and he has a few other people interested lol.

Maybe i put too much value into the person when i buy large items like this? Maybe some people are just not people person. I just think you can get a really good idea about the item based off the person? Maybe not or im just crazy!

He finally said, "you guys can come look and make an offer, based off that we can take it for a test run".

its about a 2 hour round trip for us to go see it. At this point i don't know if we even want to bother. what do you guys/gals think?

Thanks again and sorry for the long message.

I can empathize with the seller, having gone thru the runaround selling my car a few years ago on Craigslist. However, given the travel time you could consider offering him your number and based that you can arrange for a test ride before you wrap up the deal.

I bought my boat sight unseen except for pictures from @OCMD on this site and made a phone offer. The following week I drove from Columbus to Ocean City and took a sea trial then after being shown the ropes on how to flush, etc, I drove it back to Ohio. Key difference was Eric at bayside jetdrive is a dealer.

You could say based on the photos and interior wear on the seats you are offering x and see how he responds.

 

[SMAR]

Thanks again for all of advice and suggestions! I guess great minds think alike. That's exactly what we did! I texted him and said we are in the high teens but would like to come see it to assess the value. He sent a text back of it hooked up to his truck in the driveway that he said he's cleaning it lol nothing else. I texted him back it looks good and we would like to come see it but nothing texted back as of yet lol.

 

[captainhook]

I hate to say it but it may be best to move on from this one unless you want to deal with a lot of hassle. I too can understand he doesn’t want his time wasted but it always baffles me how somebody can post something for sale and not even bother to wash it, let alone make sure it works. Then on top of that he gives you a whole song and dance about the maintenance he’s done on it.

It reminds me of all these ads for PWCs and ATVs I see that say, “Works great! Just needs a new battery!” A cheap battery is like $50, why wouldn’t you just put one in to prove it? Answer: they’re usually full of it.

 

[SMAR]

I hate to say it but it may be best to move on from this one unless you want to deal with a lot of hassle. I too can understand he doesn’t want his time wasted but it always baffles me how somebody can post something for sale and not even bother to wash it, let alone make sure it works. Then on top of that he gives you a whole song and dance about the maintenance he’s done on it.

It reminds me of all these ads for PWCs and ATVs I see that say, “Works great! Just needs a new battery!” A cheap battery is like $50, why wouldn’t you just put one in to prove it? Answer: they’re usually full of it.

You are so right on so many levels. We are starting to think the same thing. I texted him a few hours ago about coming to see it and we have cash in hand but i haven't anything from him. Really strange. Oh well, i guess the search continues!