1989 Sunrunner 280

Glad to have been of help, Chris!!! Hey, who knows, maybe I'll make a lot of money selling boats the next few years and then I can buy your Silverton from you when you move up to that 59' Marquis :) ...

As for the Carvers, well, I know a lot about those particular boats anyhow. I've been practically immersed in them for over 30 years. Sometimes literally [:-ouch]. I have to admit it was fun going to the NY Boat Show this year and telling the guy from Staten Island Boat Sales that I'm a two-time Carver owner. Never mind that both of 'em combined couldn't equal the cost of the dinghy for their average boat these days. It was still fun :) ...
 
Chirs and Pete, Seems like all has turned out well for everyone involved. Its great when fellowship can prevail. Thats one of the reasons i devote my time here. See you two on the river.
 
We appreciate it, Al. I know Chris is a bit concerned that Charles hasn't seen the boat yet except in pictures. But he's seen Chris, and I know Chris and Mike and you. So that makes it worth it...

BTW, I did the same thing with my Glastron - I picked it up because Charlie Sr. told me I should. I hadn't driven the thing either. But Charlie knows me, the kind of boats I like, and the way I like to tinker with stuff. It was a project, but it was a perfect match. Then again I only paid $250 for it so the downside wasn't too bad, at least in my opinion. MY WIFE's opinion, though, is another story ;)...
 
Now that it looks like a deal is in process, let me throw in my $.02 about the state of the used boat market, for late 1980's early 1990's 26-30' express cruisers anyway. I have been watching this market since last summer and purchased a 1989 Celebrity 285 in October. I have continued to watch the market since my purchase, why? just because...

Anyway, what I have seen is that quality boats in the $8000-15000 range that are in good shape will move, anything priced above that will have a hard time selling. Fixer-uppers will practically have to be given away. Most of this I have observed on ebay, but while I was shopping I was looking at several boats that confirmed these observations. Even in these slow markets, "deals" will move quickly. I was looking at a re-powered (with FI v-6 merc's) 1989 Carver Montego that was in very nice shape with trailer that was offered at about $14000 that sold in about 10 days from listing. That boat was a very good deal and sold before I could free up the funds to make an offer. Conversly a SunRunner 32' that according to the broker needs $3000 in electrical work offered for about $23000 is still for sale 7 months after I made the phone call. YMMV
 
Good observation. And yes I can see the same thing happening...

If your boat needs ANY kind of major work, forget it. Give the damn thing away or put it on the burn pile. That was the trouble I had with my old boat even though it had a lot of positives going for it - the decks were plywood and needed repair, and it had a bum gas tank...

On the other hand, even with a clean boat you'd better plan on making a very desirable price or else it may not move either. I really didn't think that 33 I looked at in CT was all that bad. But any older boat needs SOMETHING. And the finances just weren't there to handle it. I'm pretty typical of the average older used boat buyer these days - we're priced out of the market on anything newer or bigger. Certainly the lady who sold me my latest 28 realized she had better not let me walk away...

IMHO the guy with the '89 Montego stepped in $h!t if he sold that boat in 10 days. Pennybridge Marina has had a similar one for sale for about a year now the last time I checked, at about the same price...
 
BTW Pete, you were correct about the year of the Carvers. The one on the left is 1976 and the one on the right (with the sign that says 1979) is actually a 1978 but was mis-labeled by mistake. I haven't seen the guy on the right for an updated price on the 1978 abut the 1976 is asking $6500.
 
That sounded about right. One thing I know pretty well is old Carvers. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or bad thing, but what the Hell...

If you give me some more info on the boats I'll post it on that Canadian Carver forum. There are people in the States that read it, too, and they are all old Carver enthusiasts. I guess there are quite a few of us nut jobs out there...

PS - I read on the other thread you were going nuts digging the Sunrunner out! I hope you were able to get things settled. As I recall you're scheduled for the test run in 2 weeks, right? Which makes sense because this weekend is the Tri State boat show out in Rockland and we'll be going nuts...
 
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