posted 11-27-2011 01:16 PM ET (US)            

Some simple items would be:
What comes with the boat? Trailer, Motor, electronics?

If there is a motor What is the make and horsepower? Hours and Compression numbers?

Does it have all of the OEM Parts?

Where is it located?

Posting photos is a must to gather interest in your boat

If you have more time and could provide more detail here is an extensive list of questions that is helpful for prospective buyers.

How long have you owned the boat?

Where has the boat been used during it's life? Fresh or saltwater?

Where and how is it stored while not in use, as well as winters? In the water, or out of the water outside / out of the water inside?

What is the condition of the exterior gelcoat? Shinny, or dull? Are there any large scratches, or repairs on the hull? Any bottom paint?

What is the condition of the interior? Are there any areas of spider cracks or UV crazing? Any areas of repairs or unsealed holes?

What condition is the green line or transom cap in? Are there any cracks forming along the top edge?

Are there any cracks around, or in the splashwell area?

What are the HIN and/or stencil numbers?

Does the boat still have the OEM seating and helm/console?

Is the boat missing any OEM hardware and / or have any OEM parts been altered? If so what is missing / altered?

What condition is the wood in?

What condition are the brass thru hulls in? When were they last replaced?

Does the motor run? Is there any estimated hours, or an ECM reading of true hours on the motor? What overall condition is the motor in? Has it been compression tested? If so, what where the numbers?

What props came with the boat?

What does the boat have for fuel tanks? If plastic or fiberglass what is the tank's vintage?

Have the fuel lines been replaced? If so when?

What does the boat have for electronics and what are their vintages?

Does the boat still have the OEM lights? Do the running lights work?

Is there canvas? If so so what and how old is it?

posted 11-27-2011 03:14 PM ET (US)            

Myself, I provide tremendous amounts of detail of any Whaler I have sold. Why? Because I give a damn about what it is I am selling. Every time I have sold a Whaler I have sold it for what I would say is above market average. Also, with the exception of our 22 Guardian all of the Whalers I have sold have been basically purchased site unseen by buyers great distances away (at least a days long round trip to get the boat).

I still hold that you should provide at least:
What comes with the boat.. Trailer, Motor, electronics..

If there is a motor, what is the make and horsepower.

Hours and Compression numbers..

A true and somewhat detail assessment of condition..

It's location.

As a buyer that detailed list of questions in my first post is the basic list of questions I ask whenever I call on a Whaler of interest that is listed for sale. If I get enough info out of those questions to pursue the listed boat, I have a 20+ page inspection document I created as a PDF that I use as a go by to inspect that boat.

posted 11-27-2011 04:15 PM ET (US)            

I guess I just found it humorous that you neglected to post the asking price of the guages you posted the previous day.

posted 11-27-2011 05:15 PM ET (US)            

If you are looking for an example of my "Whalers for sale" postings here you go.

http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum2/HTML/019795.html

To me, if you are listing a boat, that is the level of detail one should try and provide. Sure, there is not a firm asking price, there is a range. Why? because we were interested in hearing from interested parties and their offers (which may have included trades). Also, complete compression numbers where given upon retrieval of the vessel from it's storage location for final inspection with the buyer.

posted 11-28-2011 12:35 PM ET (US)            

At a minimum power, location, trailer should be included. I agree with Jeff, that, in general, some additional basic information should be included, especially on a site dedicated to Boston Whalers, where the people are knowledgeable about the sale item. From the area code, we can deduce that it MIGHT be in PA.

posted 11-28-2011 05:30 PM ET (US)            

In my hobby-business of re-selling (to date) almost two thousand items of not-so collectible to highly collectable and/or antique estate items through online advertising venues like Craigslist and Ebay, I have found that highly detailed ads tend to be more useful only with unusual or pristine items that will be of interest to a select few potential buyers at a premium price point. Not having seen the boat in question, I suspect a Montauk with an asking price of $4900 probably doesn’t fall into this category. It’s probably well used and the seller may think it may not show well compared to sisterships that have been recently advertised here.

When I am successful selling run-of-the-mill items they generally sell from very basic ads resulting from a buyer contacting me directly. Then I provide more detailed information via e-mail or telephone conversation to build a rapport. A person who is looking for mediocrity has a reason to purchase something mediocre just as someone who is looking for quality has a reason to purchase an item of quality. As a seller our job is to pair an item with the right potential buyers. Now, I don’t know Jeff at all, but I suspect in this case that no amount of detail the seller could provide would entice Jeff (or other likeminded people) in his modest whaler. So is it wrong not to attempt to write an ad to appeal to them?

One thing no one has really mentioned yet is what the seller actually told us about the boat. The seller very simply covered a couple possible reasons a purchaser might be interested in his boat by writing the words “restore it or run it”. In 5 simple words the seller infers to us he thinks his boat is (most likely) original or lightly modified, and in decent serviceable running condition with no unusual problems outside of expected normal wear and tear for a boat of that era. I can honestly envision some people more likely inclined to contact the seller to find out more about the boat because of those words.

Having said that, I feel Jeff and others are mostly correct that when you advertise a BW on Continuouswave you’re targeting an audience that will generally appreciate more detailed information than this seller provided. “Vortechx” probably doesn’t understand the audience here and I think Jeff’s second list of suggested items to include in an ad are more advisable given the likely condition of the boat and the realistic target audience here.

In summation, given the sellers asking price I would suspect that were not talking about a noteworthy Montauk of special interest. Did the seller miss the mark on his target audience? Probably…

posted 11-28-2011 05:42 PM ET (US)            

If you Google the phone number, you'll find that the seller is in the business of buying and selling stuff. I'm sure he knows what he is doing.

posted 11-28-2011 06:39 PM ET (US)            

A person with the same phone # is selling a 1984 Montauk as of this ad on 10/11/11- for $3500,

What is missing from the post here:

1984 Boston Whaler Montauk with 70HP Johnson Outboard and Trailer.There is an electrical isue, the engine will not fire as there is no spark to the plugs.Compresion is Great with over 110 lbs in each cylinder.The wood for the acces doors in the center console would need replaced.There is a title for the boat and a Certificate of registration for the Trailer as Ohio does not title trailers under a certain weight.If it does not sell, I will repair the spark isue over the winter and the price will go up in the spring.
Run it or Restore it.Dont mis this opportunity to own a True Boston Whaler.
Will send more photos if requested.
412 292 5183