What's a reasonable Price?

Z

zodiacengineer

Member
Joined
Oct 10, 2013
Messages
16
Fluid Motion Model
C-24 C SE
Non-Fluid Motion Model
Boston Whaler
Yes I understand all about "What ever the market will bear", and "How bad do you want it?" and " If you have to ask you can't afford it!" but really, What should I expect to pay for a meticulously kept albeit well used and compared to today's boats relatively bare bones 1994 21' Ranger Tug? The NADA Guide books it at about $12,000.00 which is WAY below the asking price, and there are so few few boats for sale of that vintage it's hard to get a feel for the real market. I have been quite impressed by what I have read in the forums but my lender is really strongly cautioning me to beware. Is the NADA guide all wet, or am I setting myself up to take a bath?
 
One problem with NADA prices in general is described by the name of the organization. National Automobile Dealers Association. So prices really do favor dealers. Also, the "Automobile" part will tell you where the real emphasis on data gathering is concentrated. I'm not saying they are intentionally manipulating prices, but..........

In their defense, think of how many boats change hands in a given year compared to how many cars do. For the most part, consider their prices for boats (and cars for that matter) to be a bit "iffy".

You might get a better idea how much the price is "out of line" if you gave a hint here on the asking price, engine hours, and the equipment list. I suspect the Tugnuts' Grapevine would be a more reliable guide to price than NADA.

When considering engine hours, extremely low can be as bad as extremely high, by the way. Disuse is sometimes harder on an engine than a lot of use. What is "normal", I can't say. But beware of a 1994 with, say, 300 hours, for instance.
 
if a lender is involved many will stipulate a survey and valuation...
 
Have you checked the Rangers For Sale by Owners forum here on Tugnuts? That might give you an idea.
 
$21,500 With 1400 Hrs On An 18 Hp Yanmar Bluebook Is Telling Me It Would Have Sold For 22,000.00 New Almost Twenty Years Ago....
 
If you're working with boat broker or know a boat broker ask them to research the R21's that have sold over the last 12 to 24 months. These reports, only available to boat brokers and or insiders, provide a lot of useful information....such as the original asking price, what the boat sold for, hours ,etc. This would give you and or your lender a better idea of actual market value in the retail world. Sorry I don't recall the report name but a broker will know.

Jim F
 
Jim is right about asking a broker. Another option is to try and insure it for the asking price. That may give you a good idea on value for a not exactly current model boat. BoatUS has an incredible database of boat values too.

On another note is a trailer included? If it is then it is not a $21,500 boat. It's a $20,000 boat and a $1500 trailer. If it has other goodies even better. Lines, fenders, electronics, life jackets, spare parts, etc all cost real money. If it's local to you then you save transport costs.

Like you said: "What ever the market will bear", and "How bad do you want it?"

I'm pretty sure no one ever bought a boat as an investment.
 
Thanks everyone for your input. While no one wants to rain on anyone's parade I found the comments posted to be helpful, and the lack of comments to also be helpful in their own way. That being said. I continued my search and found what I believe to be a much better bargain on a 2008 21EC that I believe my wife and I will spend many wonderful hours cruising in the San Juan's on poking about here and there in no particular hurry. Thanks to everyone. Now to pick out a name for the newest member of the family. We have reviewed the names of all the registered ones on the map, many are quite clever, some of the names we had thought of as being unique and clever we found had already been taken. The adventure continues...
 
Good luck on the R21EC. As far as the name is concerned, if it were me, I would not be to concerned about naming a boat by a name that's on someone else's vessel....especially if it is out of your area and it is a name that fits you and your family.

Jim F
 
Pick any name you like. Think how many Annies or Maries are out there.

One caution I always give, and each individual has to consider how important it is to him, is to use a name that people can understand without your spelling it and pronouncing it five or six times. (It's also good to pick one that won't embarrass your mom if she has to tell it to her circle of friends, or you wouldn't worry about your minister seeing it some Saturday when you ask him to go fishing. 😉 .) Consider how quickly a rescue effort can be started if the rescuers actually know what they are looking for. And MMSI SOS transmissions only work where the CG has monitoring facilities. At sea, you often rely on a tanker from Kuwait or a fishing boat from Halifax.

And ship-to-shore communications will probably get much more prevalent in this age of endemic paranoia. I do remember that entering Nassau Harbour, about 15 years ago, we were the only boat for roughly the hour we were monitoring the Harbour Control channel which was not asked to spell its name. Rainbow's End.
 
ZodiacEngineer,
Congratulations on the R21-EC. I liked the R21 classic when it first came out but it did not have the amenities I wanted (refer, stove, toilet, place to sit, etc). When I saw the R21-EC, it was instant love. I remember standing on the boat in the Baltimore Convention Center and calling my wife on the cell phone (she was visiting in Connecticut) and telling her to go to rangertugs.com to see the boat I just bought. I am sure you will be happy with your new boat. They are sturdy boats and a lot of fun.
 
We have renamed Machette Betty "Happy Tuggether". It seems a better fit for my wife and I and the crusing we intend to do in the San Juans. Thanks everyone for your input. What a great bunch of folks!
 
Congradulations on your new tug!! Look forward to seeing her. As you probably know, you have to watch the tides when launching at the Oak Harbor marina. You will not have as much concern as we do wtih the C28, but be aware our ramp is NOT very steep and shallows up at low tide. I have found Coronet Bay good, but then you have to take your trailer home if you are planning on staying out overnight. Lucky for us our daughter lives next door and gives me a ride back to the boat when I take the trailer back to the house. Crab/King's/Silver's are open in Area 8-1!!!!! 😀

Fair Winds and Calm Seas
Dave and Sherrie
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

  • Tugnuts.com is the community hub for Ranger Tug, Cutwater, and Solara owners. Since its inception in 2008, the Tugnuts forum has grown into an active and thriving community of more than 9,000 members. It serves as both a meeting place for the best boating community online, and an invaluable archive of information.

  • User menu
Back
Top