DuckSouth.com

hey guys,
got a question...i have a 14 or 16ft. kingfisher fiberglass bass boat w/ a johnson trolling motor and an evinrude 55hp motor...it has a console ignition...pretty much the works...it is a late 80's model (not sure of the actual year just going from memory here)...i came into possession of it a few years ago and b/c of circumstances beyond my control, i haven't cranked it since...now, here is the important stuff...i am looking to broaden my horizons for duck hunting and would like to get set up w/ a boat, motor, trailer more suited for duck hunting...i realize the motor needs work but (and here is the million dollar question)...do marine dealerships take trade-ins like car dealerships...never done anything like that, just a poor college student getting a pharmacy degree, who's looking for anyway to get a good boat set-up...been brainstorming [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] thanks for the help, justin

mjustinharrison, I might be able to shed some light on this, I have retailed both boats and autos before.

There is no blue book for small craft, especially for older models. Most boat dealers I know don't like to take trades, and if they do they will try and get it as cheap as possible. (after all, they will have to try and sell if at a profit as well) The problem is that boats and outboard motors are hard to test drive. Most of the problems don't show up until you put them in the water, and most dealerships don't have a means to test drive the boat before they trade. I used to sell boats at a dealership in Memphis in the early ninties. When we saw a fella drive up with a boat hitched up, we knew we were either going to make somebody mad, or steal thier boat. That is the nature of the business.

Sounds like you have a rig that somebody would want this spring. My advise would be to clean it up as best you can, tune-up the motor (plugs, replace fuel lines, fuel filter, etc.) and spruce up the boat as good as you can. If you don't have a pair of flushing ears, get some and have the things ready to crank when you show it. Its amazing what a little wax will do for a fiberglass boat, and don't forget the motor, you can make it look really good too. The first thing I look for in a boat is the condition of the bilge pump. If its a brand new one, I am a little suspicious. Document everything you do to the boat, it builds value. Change the bearings on the trailer and replace the tires if they need it. You don't have to spend that much to make it more attractive. If the carpet on the trailer and the boat is in bad shape, you can usually replace it for not that much. You will get more money for the boat during the spring, since the boat will be more attractive to a fisherman. If they can hook it up and drive it to fish, you will get more for it.

I have doubled my money many times on boats like that. Good luck.

thanks captnt...great information...justin