posted 08-01-2002 10:47 AM ET (US)            

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Buckda
Sorry about the previous post. Too Quick on the trigger finger.

What I meant to say is...
I am new to the Boston Whaler club and I am curious as to why you value an 85 22' hull with twin 115's, trailer and canvas at only 3-4k? That's much less then I have seen any Montauk of the same vintage with one 80-90hp motor priced at. I would think the heavier duty construction would add some value. Am I missing something?

posted 08-01-2002 01:22 PM ET (US)         

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Hmm, 3-4K that seems very low.

Is the boat set up like a normal Guardian with only a center console? If so, and she is clean it should yield about the same as an Outrage. If the boat is set up like a raider (gun mounts, aluminum fore-deck) I that would make at a project boat like Dive-1 and that would drive the price way down. Some folks like the low maintenance "non-wood" of the Guardians.

I have a clean Raider-18 I picked up for $6K with a heavy-duty trailer and the guy had multiple offers so a 22 should do better.

I would recommend doing a very good cleanup job (polish and fix any gelcoat issues) and you should do well.

Any pictures?

posted 08-01-2002 01:47 PM ET (US)         

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I also have a 22 Guardian that we factory ordered. Ex-military boats see lots of abuse, and for that reason they are usually sold for less than recreational hulls (ex charter boats also see lower resale values). Having said that, if the boat is in good shape you should be able to get a premium over a 22 outrage.

It comes to the boats condition, and what somebody is willing to pay for the hull.

posted 08-01-2002 02:04 PM ET (US)            

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Peteinsf

You say that a Guardian set up as a Raider or A Dive-1 would be considered a "project Boat". Why is that? Is it because it would take some refitting to make it more comfortable for family use? The Guardian 17' dive boat looks like a fishing machine to me. All that space aft of the console, a decent size casting deck up front, storage under the deck, and the tank rack seems to be crying for rod holders and downriggers. Can I have your thoughts on why you would consider it a project boat?

posted 08-01-2002 02:10 PM ET (US)            

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A RAIDER style boat will have things like 50-Cal. machine gun mounts. Normally they are not much use on a recreational boat.

There is a lot of re-fitting needed to get the boat back to a more normal configuration.

posted 08-01-2002 02:15 PM ET (US)            

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GNR -

Perhaps I should clarify. It really depends on the use and condition of the boat.

Depending on your location, you can purchase a Guardian of that vintage from your local government for basically "scrap value" 2 - 5 K. Having spent some time in the military, and knowing what kind of "hard use" military hardware can receive during its service, I'd pay considerably less than a similar year and equipped OR (or even a Montauk - short supply, long demand is at issue with these puppies) However, once the boat has been fully restored, that thinking goes out the window and we're back in the big leagues.
If the boat looks like the one in latest Cetacea (P 61?) did before that great restoration, I wouldn't pay much - that guy actually picked it up for free!(*note: that was most certainly a once-in-a-lifetime deal, but even so, if I were that guy, I'd have gone right out and bought a lotto ticket the same day that boat came home with me.)
As cited many other times in this site and talk at the marina - outboards maintain fractional value - in effect, one or two 115's makes no difference....a fraction times two rarely equals much in terms of residual value. It's my understanding that even if the engines are equipped with hour-meters and have limited use, the rule still holds true on resale value.
Not trying to Knock Bennysails boat or anyone else's....As I said...I think the Guardian is a great way to go - especially as a restoration project (again, because these hulls are often found at local, state and fed. govt' auctions)....and again....if it has been totally restored then we're talking different numbers. Bottom line, IMHO, you've got to go out and LOOK at a guardian for sale....and ask lots of questions because of possible past misuse in the boat's previous life as a defender of our country.

posted 08-01-2002 03:36 PM ET (US)         

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gnr,

I will just second Jim’s comments on the 22'+ raider options, they tend to get in the way of general use.

The radier-18 is a bit of an oddity in that it's too small for guns and where only used for sneaking troops to the beach. They generally are hollowed out outrages, no hatches, no wells, no anchor locker. (no lights ether) It uses the GTX-18's mold.

For a workboat or personal fishing craft the Raider 18 is great assuming you can fit everything into a cooler and the console...

Just hose her out and walk away!

Pete