posted 03-03-2011 09:23 PM ET (US)            

I'm looking for a 25 Cuddy, but the garish "whaler" markings were enough to end my interest.

Dave

posted 03-03-2011 09:31 PM ET (US)            

I didn't notice the FL registration numbers. That is interesting.

The current "reserve" is the minimum bid - $15,000.

Some brokers aren't above having someone bid against you to bring the price up to where they really want to sell it...

....but if it's in "as advertised" condition and the compression checks out, $15K should be a very good price for this vessel, although not quite as good as I initially thought, assuming it was a freshwater boat.

posted 03-04-2011 11:53 AM ET (US)            

There are a number of reasons to be skeptical of this boat, but I agree, it does looks good in the photos.

The problem is that every boat looks better in online photos that it actually is. Nobody should ever buy a boat sight unseen. You must travel to inspect the boat yourself. If this boat interests you, buy a ticket and go see it.

posted 03-04-2011 11:57 AM ET (US)            

The last Montauk I bought had the huge and hideous WHALER decals on the topsides. Literally, the first thing I did when I got the boat home was walk into my garage, get the heat gun and peel them off.

posted 03-04-2011 01:05 PM ET (US)            

Don't patronize me: Only my superiors in the military call me by my last name without preceeding it with "Mister", and even then it's considered to be extremely rude. You can call me Captain, MISTER Clark.

I've dealt with ghost markings on boats and airplanes from decals before, which resist everything except wet sanding and compounding until the cows come home. Garish markings send some other messages to me regarding what the previous owners think are important in a boat. Sort of the fuzzy-dice of the boating world, along with glitter paint etc.

In any event, this boat has been for sale for a very long time elsewhere, and it's being sold by a used car lot. That sends other messages to me also. Might be a great boat. Might not be. I'd inspect it physically before buying it in any case.

Dave

.

posted 03-04-2011 01:13 PM ET (US)            

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Boston-Whaler-Outrage-25-1986-Cuddy-Cabin-LQQK-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem2eb35fd65dQQitemZ200577898077QQptZFishingQ5fBoats

$15K seems high by comparison for the one in Ohio with 2 stroke Johnsons, considering that they are BOTH really Florida boats. I'm just sayin'.... (and as I am seriously in the market for a 25 Cuddy I'm looking at every one offered).

Dave

posted 03-04-2011 01:34 PM ET (US)            

The 25 listed by Hoosier shows a VERY OEM boat with desirable features like the large super console that is like new and not swiss cheesed, factory Whaler Drive, clean and reflective gelcoat and lots of clean well kept teak. Even though the motors are older, if they have been well cared for should give you a similar life expectancy as the newer fourstrokes on the other boat. Sure they may not be fuel injected but, they are easy to maintain and for a low cost.

posted 03-04-2011 01:46 PM ET (US)            

The one in Florida is a VERY nice boat with VERY good engines and was restored to a VERY high standard. Seller has $50K in receipts for the work. I'd pick it as first choice.

But... this is what makes a horse race: I say Po-tay-toe, you say Po-tah-toe.

Dave

.

posted 03-04-2011 02:05 PM ET (US)            

For $27000, it damn well better be a better boat. Comes with a free pair if rubber boots too ;-)

I agree it has much better power but look at that waterline. Watch out!

Dave (Sutton) -- I was not being patronizing, I was just trying to disambiguate my salutation between Dave Buckalew and Dave Sutton. Had I called you MISTER, I'd be patronizing you.

posted 03-04-2011 04:01 PM ET (US)            

Ross's 25 looks to be a great boat, but <again> $32+K is silly-money. Makes no difference what you put into a boat, they are worth what someone will buy it for in 30-60 days of marketing. Nobody is buying $30K+ 25 foot boats that are 25 years old. Nobody.

The one on Ebay might be a good boat, but I've not sighted it personally so cannot say. I was just turned off by the graphics, and hate wet-sanding and compounding. They might come off with a heat gun, they may not. It's a Florida Boat... graphics on those boats tend to leave a permanent scar on the hull after they sun-bake.

Nobody here knows it all, and we all have somthing to learn and many have something to share. "Dave S" and "Dave B" would be civil forms of address, *Tom*. If no insult was intended then none should be recieved. But a combination of my military cultural background and your past snide comments cause doubt. Cie la Vie.

I am going to buy a 25 Cuddy this season, so the discussion is one of fair interest to me. There are a few other 25 Cuddys on the market too, but every one seems to have some fatal flaw (to me), either regarding power, condition, or insane price expectations.

Best,

Dave

.

posted 03-04-2011 09:51 PM ET (US)            

Honestly, I meant no disrespect by using your surname alone; I was just trying to be clear. My snide comments stand on their own two feet without the need for any of your military training.

Speaking of names, the boat in Healdsburg belongs to Royce, not Ross. I can see Royce's Outrage 25 Cuddy is out of your price range but here is a nice possibility:

http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/boa/2247861386.html

posted 03-05-2011 01:07 PM ET (US)            

I'll be out in Washington in about two weeks, so tide and time permitting I'll take a look at that 25. If not I may ask you to have a poke at it for me as well. I'm still fairly interested in the one in Florida as well.

Royce... <sorry>. That is a beautiful boat, but likely too nice for placing into utility/diving service where things tend to get beat up no matter what.

Dave

.

Dave

posted 03-05-2011 05:36 PM ET (US)            

IF it doesn't sell, someone should call them in the morning and offer 13K.

I'm surprised that there's no bid activity at all on this boat.

posted 03-05-2011 09:06 PM ET (US)            

IF that doesn't qualify as a "barn find" I don't really know what does.

I'm grinding my teeth here, as I just don't have 15K to spend on this right now. If I did, I would have gone to Canton today to inspect it in person.

Crazy market, that is for sure. Four years ago, this would have disappeared before the auction closed.

posted 03-05-2011 09:20 PM ET (US)            

*An aftermarket console (vs. an OEM Super Console on the Ohio boat)
*Been "Totally refurbished" (vs. professionally maintained and the appearance of being all original in the Ohio boat)
*Bottom paint (vs. a clean original gelcoat bottom on the Ohio boat)
*A weird looking dog house on the transom (vs. Whaler's original teak cabinetry on the Ohio boat)
*An aftermarket outboard bracket (vs. the OEM WhalerDrive on the Ohio boat)
*Waterlines that indicate a stern heavy boat
*Presumably similar sun exposure as the Ohio boat (although the seller of the Ohio boat mentions indoor storage)
*2 more years of use than the Ohio boat (1988)
*Wally World decals (in lie of Boston Whaler decals)
*No large Whaler decals on its side
*A seller hoping to get $27k for the boat to recover his investment in new outboards and electronics.

posted 03-06-2011 04:04 PM ET (US)            

First, regarding the Florida boat. I agree with the observation that the boat looks to be very stern heavy. Please see the photos of my boat as viewed from the side and look at the bottom paint line. My guess is that the Florida boat will ride bow up and handle very squirrely(especially in a following sea). I do like the power though. The rest of the boat has been removed from the classic marketplace.

http://picasaweb.google.com/rmeyerott/BostonWhalerOutrageCuddy25#

Second, the Ohio boat. Looks like a good buy at 15K. but, please do not compare it to the boat that I am selling . My boat has the following which the Ohio boat does not have:

T-top
Aluminum upper electronics box.
Raymarine 12" Radar,sonar, and gps.
New radio and high end antennae.
Deck lights.
Radio speaker.
Down rigger supports.
Eisenglas surround for T-Top.
More original drawers and access openings on the original super console.
Teak gunwales.
Bait station.
New commercial rubrail. (the one on the Ohio boat looked good from a distance)

What year are the engines? Mine are counterrotating 1999 Offshore EFI's with stainless props. $600. just spent for servicing.

My boat has had a complete bottom job--new through hulls, 3 coats of epoxy barrier coat, and three coats of ablative bottom paint. It is sealed better than factory against water intrusion.

My trailer was totally rebuilt in 2004 with new 5,500 lb. axels, radial tires, 12" Kodiac disc brakes on both axels, led lights, stokes no mark rollers and a new actuator

All of the above really adds up to a different purchase. If the Ohio boat met all of your specs then one of you should have bought it. If you want a ready to use offshore boat that will not give you any problems, then you might consider the boat that I am selling in the marketplace. I have had good interest, but have not been in Calif. in order to meet the interested parties. I will be in Calif. for about 2 weeks in early May. I will sell the boat at that time. Offers will be welcome.

posted 03-06-2011 04:36 PM ET (US)            

I guess we now know exactly what a stock classic 25 Cuddy in good unmolested shape with "decent" if not new engines is worth, and how many people are lining up to buy them.

Answer: $15K and One. ;-)

Somebody is happy today. No, two... remember the saying about the two happiest days of your life being the day you buy a boat, and the day you sell it?

Best,

Dave