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Fair Price for 2018 170 Montauk

Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2020 3:17 pm
by Byrdeaux
I’m looking at a used 2018 Montauk 170. I am a little shocked by the $38,000 asking price. I know prices on Boston Whaler boats have been rising, but I didn’t realize the magnitude.

The boat is well equipped and the MSRP for an equivalent 2020 model is $44,500. This makes the 2018 only 15% below MSRP of a new 170 Montauk II.

Does this seem reasonable?

Set up: 115 Mercury, Raymarine VHF Radio; Rear Seat Package (removable); Fishing Package with Rod Holders, Ice Chest, tackle trays and Live Well; Bimini Top; Trolling Motor Connection; Down Rigger; Anchor with 100’ line and chain; Compass; Trailer with Folding Tongue; Flares; 4 Life Jackets; Spare Tire Navigation Systems: Raymarine Axiom 9’ sonar and navigation with 2020 Navionics Card;

Re: Fair Price for 2018 Montauk

Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2020 3:56 pm
by Phil T
In addition to the MSRP, factor in delivery, dealer prep, and sales tax to get 2020 price.

How many hours on the engine?

Is the boat pristine in every way?

Price depends on these two items.

Re: Fair Price for 2018 Montauk

Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2020 10:33 am
by Jefecinco
As much as I admire the Montauk I would not buy an almost three year old model for that price. I would shop for a lower price and buy older if that was the only option. If I was determined to buy the boat in your post I would make an offer for what the boat was worth to me.

Although boats are selling well a 10 to 15% discount on a new boat is not unheard of. It appears your seller is asking for approximately what he paid for the boat when new. I would tend to believe the price is negotiable.

Re: Fair Price for 2018 Montauk

Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2020 10:59 am
by Phil T
I do agree with Butch.

A more realistic price would be $30,000 ish. Is this a demo boat, private sale or by a dealer?

Aside: Butch - I am reading there are no discounts on new whalers, only dealer accessories. Which dealers are discounting?

Re: Fair Price for 2018 170 Montauk

Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2020 11:28 am
by jimh
Be certain the 170 MONTAUK is the newer model. There was a change in the 170 MONTAUK in c.2018.

Re: Fair Price for 2018 170 Montauk

Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2020 11:59 am
by Phil T
Jim - Given the 115hp the OP listed, I deduced it was a Montauk 170 II with the optional engine.

Re: Fair Price for 2018 170 Montauk

Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2020 3:46 pm
by Byrdeaux
Thanks for all the feedback so far.

This 170 MONTAUK boat is offered by a private seller. The boat is in excellent condition, and the engine has 50 hours.

The model is the [170] Montauk II 60th anniversary edition—a boat with great looks but very expensive.

Re: Fair Price for 2018 170 Montauk

Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2020 4:51 pm
by jimh
How was the 60th Anniversary edition model distinct from a normal 2018 170 MONTAUK II model?

Re: Fair Price for 2018 170 Montauk

Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2020 8:49 pm
by Byrdeaux
Jim - I think the distinction is just the special decal found on the 2018:
decal.jpg
Special decal.
decal.jpg (8.7 KiB) Viewed 4958 times

Re: Fair Price for 2018 170 Montauk

Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2020 10:09 am
by Jefecinco
Phil - I can't provide any specific examples of dealers offering discounts on new Boston Whalers but my experience causes me to believe discounts can be found. A wide search may be necessary or a buyer could be lucky and stumble upon a boat available at a discount early in his search. This may be a period when discounted Boston Whalers are so rare as to be virtually unavailable.

Discounts may be labeled as free unadvertised packages. Examples could be electronics packages worth several hundred retail dollars, free indoor winter storage for two years, free routine engine service for the first year, etc. Sales staff can be very creative at sweetening deals to make a sale particularly when interest wanes as the season approaches the end.

Re: Fair Price for 2018 170 Montauk

Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2020 11:40 am
by Phil T
Thanks Butch.

I receive at least three private inquiries a year asking where are the dealers who will negotiate on the boat price rather than just dealer-supplied options or services. I have yet to identify a dealer who will discount a new boat, only discounts are on demo boats or floor models.

On one hand I can understand the frustration, but on the other hand a standard price is fair to all customers, regardless of location.

I think one of the factors resulting in Boston Whaler boats retaining their value longer is the policy of enforcing MSRP at the dealer level.

One possible reason for lightly used, practically new boats listing for such a large amount may be due to the payoff amount of the sellers loan. A 7 year loan has a shallow curve for paying down principal in year 2, I imagine not much principal has been paid down. Then again, I maybe completely wrong.

Re: Fair Price for 2018 170 Montauk

Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2020 9:51 am
by Jefecinco
Another factor is exclusive territorial boundaries. When we bought our 190 Montauk ten years ago we started with our local dealer, MarineMax in Gulf Shores, AL. They had an example which was not an exact match to what we wanted but was close enough to be acceptable. We attempted to negotiate for some time but the price was the price, take it or leave it. We left it.

I then did a country wide search going from dealer web site to dealer web site for in-stock boats. This was very time consuming but I had more time than money. I found a few boats offered at modest discounts. Finally I found the exact boat we wanted at a small family owned dealership in St. Louis, Missouri, offered at a marked down price. It was a left over 2009 and as there was virtually no difference between the 2009 and 2010 model we went after it. After a week of back and forth emails we were offered a price we could accept. (Update: Keep in mind that the Montauk I purchased in St Louis was bought in 2012. It was purchased at Lewis Boats. Their website does not indicates they now sell Boston Whalers.]

Before mailing a deposit I contacted MarineMax and asked them if they would match the lower quote we had or at least come close enough to make it worth a little more to save us a long road trip. The sales manager told me we could not buy from a dealer outside our territory or the dealer could lose his franchise so he did not need to lower his price. I admit to being annoyed by the response,

We mailed a deposit to our out-of-territory dealer the next day and prepared for a long drive. The day before our planned departure we received a call from the Sales Manger for the MarineMax Group of dealers offering to match the other offer. As I had already closed the deal with the St. Louis dealer I refused the offer.

Ten years is a long time but I have no reason to think things have changed much except that the market is now hot compared to then. Boat demand is seasonal and varies year to year. Some patience can be very useful when buying any high ticket item.

Aside: The St. Louis dealer suffered no repercussions for selling to us. They did not solicit our business and the transaction was completed in their exclusive territory. When a dealer tells you other dealers can't compete they are misinformed or worse.

Re: Fair Price for 2018 170 Montauk

Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2020 8:05 pm
by Byrdeaux
Jefecinco - your comment regarding territories is interesting, I called an out of state dealer today regarding the 2019 listing below and the sales person asked where I was calling from, then he informed me that I needed to work thru my local dealer to purchase the boat and there would be additional shipping to deliver the boat to the local dealer.

https://www.boattrader.com/boat/2019-bo ... k-6960186/

Re: Fair Price for 2018 170 Montauk

Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2020 10:06 am
by biggiefl
What was the price on the "never seen before pricing"?

Re: Fair Price for 2018 170 Montauk

Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2020 9:30 pm
by Byrdeaux
Biggiefl - The price for the 2019 was a little over $42,000. I don’t remember the exact price after being shocked by the comment that they could not sell it to me. Plus, I expected the price to be closer to $39,000 to $40,000 based off a local dealer’s 2019 17 Dauntless.

Re: Fair Price for 2018 170 Montauk

Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2020 4:17 pm
by Happy Angler
[Reviving this discussion after a five-month hiatus]

I purchased my new, unused 2018 Montauk 170 with trailer in January 2019. It was equipped with options for a teak boarding option, electronics, entertainment radio and speakers speakers, and a custom Bimini top.

My total “out the door” purchase price was a negotiated $38,128, including two Whaler hats.

Locating a dealer holding the previous year’s inventory midway through the new model year can pay. I did my research on the internet and enjoyed two weekend trips to California with my wife: one to buy the boat, and one to pick-up the boat.

My only gripe: the trailer offered should be an aluminum trailer, not a steel trailer.

Re: Fair Price for 2018 170 Montauk

Posted: Fri Dec 04, 2020 9:08 am
by Jefecinco
I haven't looked at the "Build a Whaler" web site recently but the last time I checked aluminum trailers were listed as optional. Galvanized steel trailers were standard.

Re: Fair Price for 2018 170 Montauk

Posted: Fri Dec 04, 2020 11:13 am
by biggiefl
The optional aluminum trailers are mucho expensive.

Re: Fair Price for 2018 170 Montauk

Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2021 10:57 am
by jimh
[Thread now closed. A lengthy sidebar (since removed) on a different topic caused the thread to be revived after months of being dormant.]