Fair asking price of a 2897 Carver Mariner?

ChefJunk

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exMember
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Oct 30, 2007
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28882
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I have decided not to launch my boat this year because I simply do not forsee having any free time this summer to enjoy it or keep it clean. I have decided to put it on the market after only one season as I would like it to go to a good family who will enjoy it's many years left of service.

I am stumped on where to start the asking price. I know this is not a good economy to sell a boat in.

The hull and topside is in excellent condition, shines like new when waxed. I am in the process of putting a fresh coat of bottom paint on it.

The 230 Mercs purr like kittens and have seen less than 400 hours. They are in excellent mechanical condition.

The interior, BY FAR, is the cleanest of any 84-90 mariner I have seen in the marketplace. Any other Mariner owner who has come on board has been extremely jealous of how well the interior presents itself.

It was surveyed in April of last year and the value was appraised at $22,500. Since then I have added/performed the following:
*Installed a 16k BTU HVAC unit
*new poly planar stereo and speakers
*All new plumbing lines
*New instant water heater
*New water pump
*rebuilt carbs
*new starter
*4 new premium fenders
*New life vests, lines, fire extinguishers, power cord, etc.
*Upgraded all outlets to GFIC
*Wall mounted flatscreen TV in forward berth
*All new upscale faucets (3)
*Custom built in microwave/convection oven
*New head
*New ship to shore radio
*Portable Radio
*Replaced Eisenglass on back curtain
*Misc. Teak accessories
*Undercounter lighting

The known issues of the boat:
1. Bridge carpet is shot. I don't like carpet so I never replaced. It is there for a pattern though.

2. Canvas is in good, not great condition. It could use a couple hundred dollars worth of going over to get another few years out of it. Sunshade has seen better days.

3. Most importantly, and most unattractive issue: As noted in the survey, the inboard stringers under the cabin sole need some attention. They are solid at the top but are obviously shot at the bottom. Thought about dumping a couple grand into goo to fix it the crappy way but I will leave that to the next owner to decide how to handle, if at all. (There is a ton of glass down there and my surveyor said that it was not a deal breaker when I bought it. He said that as long as it is stopped before going to the bulkheads, that the outboard stringers and the 1/4" of glass on each side was sufficient). I know I have opened a can of worms with this one!

Based on this info, and the fact that I live on Lake Erie, does any one have any recommended starting price points I should be at?

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.

My goal is to get my house renovation complete within the next year or two then start looking for a 3067 Santego, hopefully 90 or later.

Thanks,

Jim
 
I have a little recent experience with friends/acquaintences selling 28' Carvers but you're probably not going to like the results. I have a 1987 Voyager 28 and boat occasionally with a group of Carver owners here in Florida, some of which have sold their boats to "upgrade" over the past year. Four cases some to mind, as follows:

1) 1988 Voyager 28, above average condition, low hours on rebuilt 230 HP Crusaders. No A/C, No genny. Everything else very clean and well maintained. Great electronics. Boat sold for $12,000.

2) 1984 Mariner 28, Extremely well kept, extremely clean, newly rebuilt 230's with less than 100 hours, A/C, no genny, updated electronics, new head. Sold for $12,000.

3) 1985 Mariner 28, Average in every way. Needs upgrading and TLC. sold for $8,000.

4) 1988 Mariner 28, Best 80's vintage Mariner I've ever seen. This boat could go back on the showroom floor and fit right in. Has new A/C, new genny, new engines, completely new interior, new canvas and eisenglass top and lower, updated head. I can't say enough about this boat. Bottom line, it has been on the market for a year with no offers. Owner put it on eBay a couple of months ago with a $15,000 opening bid. He didn't get one single bid on the boat.

Same for a few others, want to sell, but no market for 28' boats. Most people who want a cruiser are looking for 10 meter plus boats so think a 28' is just too small for their needs.

I wish you good luck but my advice would be to keep the boat for a better day or, just keep it and enjoy it as you can. Personally, I love my 28' Voyager and have no interest in a larger boat. Carver makes the "biggest" 28' boats on the market and mine actually has more interior room than a lot of 30'-32' boats I've been on.

If you sell now, you are sure to take a haircut. So, why not keep it and enjoy it as much as you can for a while? It sounds like you have put a lot of time and money into it.

quote:

Originally posted by ChefJunk




 
rnbenton,

I appreciate the input, it will help me decide when I receive offers on mine.

I am thinking of listing with a broker locally that has 2 others. One is a 90 and in rough shape at $34900, the other is also an 86 at 25900. I would list it no where close to that, so I might have the upper hand over the other two. Hopefully price, AC, and hours will make mine more attractive.

Thanks,

Jim
 
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