The Craigslist Vexation....

[psneeld]

Bought my boat on Craigslist.

Found it, by the time I called a few days later it was already taken off as the guy wanted to sell, and really not your typical Craigslist fast sell, he was going to jack the price and give it to a broker.

Caught it in time to save haggling over the $5000 or so btokers fee.

[Knot Salted]

Originally Posted by toocoys

I've had my boat listed for a little over a month now. In that time I have received countless trade offers for motorcycles, cars, and even house painting. But the one thing that always gets me is the ignorant questions. One person has responded multiple times with "Is it ready to go offshore?" What does that even mean? Her equipment and mechanical status is detailed in the advertisement. Do YOU think she's ready to go offshore, and are you daring enough to do it in a boat of this nature?

I even had one guy show up to "look" at it, and he point blank stood there and asked me "how do you drive it?" Now it would seem to me that if you do not know how to drive a boat, especially this big of a boat, why are you even asking? When I told him it was twin screws and you can either use your gears at idle speeds, or steering wheel on plane, he looked at me a little dumbfounded and asked "so it has a fish finder?", and then asked me to take a photo of him next to the boat to prove to his wife where he was.

Of ALL the ignorant inquiries that I've received, only ONE has been reasonable, and that's only because he was older and was familiar with these boats from his childhood. I'd feel guilty for turning her over to any of these yahoo's who haven't got a clue.

I have bought and sold many things on craig's, and I feel your pain. That aside, Man, I love that boat. My grandfather had a 1962 25ft Norwalk sedan woody, that he put a perfectly matched flybridge on. Power was a Chrysler marine slant 6! From age 5 to 19, I rode and fished on that boat every summer. His best boating buddy Sid Aldham had a 28 Chris -woody with twins of some sort. (big and Fast!!) The design and layout of your boat takes me back.
Love it Love it.

Tried to attach some pictures... My Grandfather and his boat, Ebby II.

[PhatDad]

Originally Posted by cardude01

I saw this on 60 minutes a few weeks ago. Pretty cool story.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.cbs...ng-enterprise/

Great story. Question, how well does your IP do under sail, or is she more of a motor sailer? Been looking at that IP model for years. IP makes a fantastic Yacht.

[cardude01]

Originally Posted by PhatDad

Great story. Question, how well does your IP do under sail, or is she more of a motor sailer? Been looking at that IP model for years. IP makes a fantastic Yacht.

This IP is definitely a motorsailer. It’s a converted PY Cruiser not a SP. The mast height is only 40’ vs 50 plus for the SP, and the sail area is about 60% of the SP. The ballast in my boat is not as much as the factory SP.

But I can sneak under some bridges (like on the Okechobee) and I’m always motoring anyway so it works for me. The sails add a lot of stability and that’s the main thing I was looking for. Plus if the wind is 10 plus knots I can pull back on the RPM and use the wind. It’s a very simple system and easy to raise and lower the sails— furling main. I have an electric winch but rarely use it.

I also use the boom to hoist the dinghy onto the PH, and to string hammocks and shade covers. [emoji57]

[gsholz]

Craig's List works well for me for lower priced items, say up to a few $k. But I have struck out with making a connection with sellers on higher priced items (200-400k). One was a boat, the other a beach cabin. Neither was able to provide detailed pictures or information and they always seem offended by questions (e.g. about the quality and quantity of water from the "artesian" well on a small island subject to drought or me wanting to see the cabin before sending a check). One of the intangible benefits that brokers are adding is that they keep the buyers and sellers emotions apart.

[toocoys]

Originally Posted by gsholz

. One of the intangible benefits that brokers are adding is that they keep the buyers and sellers emotions apart.

At 10% if the sales price or $5,000 minimum! And that’s even if they take the listing. I’ve had multiple brokers laugh me out the door and tell me point blank “it’s not worth it, put it on Craigslist” when looking to sell my boat.

Kind of a rock and a hard place when you’re in my position with a boat in my price range.

[Art]

Originally Posted by geoleo

I sold $ worth of used $23000 worth of used LED light fixtures for a excellent profit. Bought and sold around 6 large sailboats. Many other nautical items. Craigslist has been excellent for me!!! Recently bought a used Lexus for my wife. It is a cash place and I am a cash person. It is far better than EBAY except for new auto parts OEM.

Agreed!!

[Art]

Originally Posted by toocoys

At 10% if the sales price or $5,000 minimum! And that’s even if they take the listing. I’ve had multiple brokers laugh me out the door and tell me point blank “it’s not worth it, put it on Craigslist” when looking to sell my boat.

Kind of a rock and a hard place when you’re in my position with a boat in my price range.

Maybe you mentioned before... what is your price range??

[Art]

I've purchased three boats off Craigslist. Sold two boats on CL. Have bought some and sold some boat gear from CL. Purchased a couple cars and sold a few also... trucks as well. Not to mention tires and parts and other thangs.

Knowing how to lead a "quick-chat" to immediately justify a seller or a buyer = CL is a good venue for you to trade through. If you can't get directly into clarity [i.e.the high points of how a deal may work out] in first couple sentences on phone or in email then CL could be a Big, Frustrating PIA!

Happy CL Daze! - Art

[markwmer]

There is a chris craft commander club you should know about. commander club.com. They have a classified section and a lot of members.

[toocoys]

Originally Posted by markwmer

There is a chris craft commander club you should know about. commander club.com. They have a classified section and a lot of members.

Been a member for a while!

[jimfrens]

You get what you pay for. Last time I sold a boat, I tried craigslist first but never got a serious offer. Paid for an ad on boattrader.com and sold it in a week. It took me six months to sell an RV on craigslist recently, but lots of bottom feeders to get past first. The serious buyers are looking at the pay sites. I shop craigslist too, and too many of the ads are almost unintelligible with useless or no photos. My favorite is the photo of a boat completely covered in shrink wrap.

[sbu22]

I bought my boat on CL. I've purchased outboards, inflatables, anchors, etc., etc. on CL.
Sold a sailboat, jeep, and a couple of trucks on CL. No different than running an add in the paper (some of you may remember that quaint practice) except cheaper.

Art's advice, above, is good. Cheap and quick has its advantages.