www.iFourWinns.com

Loaded question I know... Obviously it wasn't worth 52K I never did come down to 50... But do you think if I were to list it for say 45K would it sell? or would I have to come down to 40K or ????


Just curious what those on here that know me and have seen all of the photos of the boat and know the current market conditions, think.

Thanks!

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Brett DiMichele

Sold my tractor tonight so now I will be able to pay off what's owed on the tractor plus pay off my car which is going to help me tremendously in the short term and long run. Now all I need to do is figure out if I should sell the boat or not.. Fiscally it would be nice to be out from under that debt and I have no desire to boat alone, so unless I can get my friends seriously involved, it makes no sense to keep the boat.

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Brett DiMichele

Great to hear that at least you are taking steps forward with things Brett! Taking the load off with the truck and tractor is fantastic!

As for the boat... If you are ready for a break - take it. I'm sure we can all relate to wanting out from under any debt pressure from something you aren't even using.

but - don't give it away!!!

You had an offer previously for around 50ish (plus or minus a few). List it at 49,995 and see what you can spin up... You can always go down - you can rarely go up.

Great to see you around here a bit!

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2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA

The truck is paid for, it's my car that's not... If I sell the boat I will probably sell the truck too.

Not sure what I am doing at this point, but I am in "clearing out debt" mode right now... As much as I'd love to keep my
boat and use it, it's not going to happen if it has to be trailered and my friends are not "boaters" they don't get it, nor do I think they want to get it...

I just may take a break from boating for a few years, honestly the one person I want to go boating with, isn't here, and I don't think time will change that feeling and boating for me was never about how many of my friends I can take along so.....

*shrugs* decisions to make..

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Brett DiMichele

Good to see back and about Brett!

I think I told you before, set your price, even if 95% of us think its too high, there is someone out there that can and will appreciate the condition and give you your asking price.
My last boat I got way over NADA (which was unheard of back then around here), but I was willing to wait for the right buyer. Will take time.
As for my opinion on what its worth, doesn't matter. I know its a very nice boat, wish I could unload mine and take yours!!!!

It all about what you want out of it and how long your willing to wait for that right buyer. Good luck.

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2000 248 5.7L DP
'92, '94 SXI 750, '08 STX 15F, '12 Ultra LX 300
Videos

Even non boaters understand the condition of my boat. It's funny, because the reaction on the guys face last night that bought my Tractor, when he saw my boat, was priceless. He said HOOOOOOLY *explative*! You said you had a boat and I thought (makes small hand gestures) and wow, how much for the boat????

LOL! He said what year, I said 06, he says, wow I thought it was an 09! That pretty much says it right there...

I need to sit down and think long and hard if I want to sell for sure.

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Brett DiMichele

Hey Brett, you may already know but (fwiw) my 248 went for 26K. I actually sold it for more then I paid but obviously the mods and preventative parts replacement added up. She leaves for Italy tomorrow! Good to see you back. And you know, if you do unload yours, you're more than welcome to shoot down here for the weekend and get some boating in. I'm down in Va living aboard this summer. Shouldn't be too bad of a ride for ya!

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V475
Chris Craft Catalina 23 w/ 300 G2
Previously-V338, 248 Vista, H210

Brenden,

26K sweet! And be careful about offering up, I may just have to drive down there and see how the other half lives!

Thanks!

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Brett DiMichele

Brett,

If your already guessing about it, I think you should keep it. Even if you only use it once/twice a year.

We sold our sundowner back in '02 to build our house, had mixed feelings about letting it go and/or if we would ever be able to replace. Summer '07 when we got the 248, beat to hell and overpriced, oh well, it is what it is, (I have been spoiled buying all toys, vehicle, ect. new)
During the 5 years without we rented a couple times, what a hassle and junk! We rented a house boat thinking that may be for us, NOT! We decided that if we only make 1 long weekend trip to Powell a year, it is worth owning a boat again. Anything we use above that annual trip is just icing on the cake.

We bought our sundowner new and like yours, it was in very nice, show room condition. To get back into boating we had to go used and had to put a lot of elbow grease into it. If you get rid of a nice pocket cruiser, if and when you decide to get back into it, can you justify the cost of another? Flip side, if your never going to use it again, sell it while its nice, dont let it rot in the back yard for years and then try to sell.

You may not use your boat this year, but what about next? A 248 is a lot cheaper to use on occasion vs. the 30' ish you were thinking about.

Sorry for rambling and not helping. Just a couple thoughts.

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2000 248 5.7L DP
'92, '94 SXI 750, '08 STX 15F, '12 Ultra LX 300
Videos

Powell,

Trust me you are not rambling by any means and I completely hear where you are comming from and yes many of those same thoughts are bouncing between my ears right now. I do love boating and I know that if I walk away from it, it's going to bug me... I've been considering all the contingents.. Like I said before, right now I am in save my arse mode. I lost dad, lost the best friend and lost his wages (hope that doesn't come across wrong) but not only did I lose someone I love, but I also lost that money that allowed us to live like we did. I have always been pretty good at shifting things around and making the numbers work, and nothing has changed. As it stands when I sell the tractor that is a loan that will be gone (albeit only $159 a month but still!) and the plus side is that I am getting back all my collateral that I put down on the tractor in cash, which will allow me to all but pay my car off (owe 18K and some change) I have to put 2K to it, but I have that in savings so the car will be free and clear and that frees up another $356 a month. The boat honestly doesn't eat much... A whopping $250 a month so it's not that I can't afford it... But I keep thinking geez if I sell the boat I can pay it off, save another $250 a month and put 20K in the bank and then I can do some things to the house (new deck, new siding etc...)

But will I enjoy the new deck and siding as much as I will the boat?

I am not rushing into anything and rest assured my Vista won't ever be left to rot... I will do what it takes to keep her pristine even if she doesn't get used much.

I really appreciate all of your thoughts, opinions, commentary etc.. It really helps me make sure I don't miss something in my own thought process.

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Brett DiMichele

Deeply sorry for the loss of your father, friend and boating partner. For what it's worth I think I understand the emotions you are going through.

Death of a loved one is very difficult, but sometimes losing someone due to divorce can be worse. In death the person doesn't have a choice, they left while still caring for you. Divorce they left because of rejection.

Several years ago I went though a divorce because my ex was involved with someone else. Didn't see it coming and at the time it hurt deep. Due to lose of income we had to sell our house and change my life style. We had our boat which I kept. Of course it made no sense financially to keep the boat and it's inherent expenses but I wasn't going to let her ruin my entire life, I wanted to keep that important piece intact for my own well being.

Since I lost my boating partner, I boated alone that season. At times I would be cruising across the water alone in my own thoughts and tears streaming down because I felt alone. I realized later it was just part of the grieving process. As time went by the grieving ended and instead of the negative I started remembering the good times had and knew more were to come.

Unless absolutely nessecary for financial reasons I would recommend keeping the boat. If boating alone for a while doesn't appeal and your friends aren't interested, expand your circle of friends. More people than you realize are envious of our boating lifestyle and would jump at the opportunity.

Best of Luck Brett!

Brett:

I think it's very hard for any of us to say what your 248 is "worth". That is function of the inherently subjective nature of boat valuation, the topsy turvy economy, and the emotional value that only you can place on the memories you have of boating with your father.

I would echo others' sentiments on this board - hang on for a bit and let your head clear. As the dust settles on your immeasurable loss and this recession ebbs towards an upturn, the value of your impeccably maintained 248 will only go up. More importantly, the value you place on spending some quality time on the water and teaching the rest of us how to properly upgrade our investments is also likely to increase as the days and weeks pass on.

I suppose that's a long-winded way of saying, hang in there. If you ultimately decide you need to give it up for a while, remember that, boat or no boat, we're all here to lend an ear, an encouraging word, or a helping hand.

Take care,

Andy

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2006 Vista 258
2007 Yukon Denali