We went and looked. It was far from perfect, but a running boat, with trailer, for $700 is pretty damn good. During conversations with the owner, he told me he hadn't had much interest in it, and that nobody was scheduled to come look at it until Wednesday (a guy from Seattle). My wife wasn't giving me positive signs, so I told him we would think about it and I would give him a call later that day. As soon as we went to the car we talked about it. Turns out my wife WAS interested in it. I should have gone back and made a deposit right then. Instead, I figued I'd just go home and call the guy since there seemed to be no rush.
Well, after getting home, it slipped my mind for awhile and I hadn't made the call.
The phone rings and it is my brother, calling me on his way to work. "Hey, did you go and look at a ski boat today". The conversation continued... "That's too funny. They guy said somebody was here who used to own a boat with his brother and was telling him how they spent a lot of time on the Puget Sound in it. Sounded just like you". And then finally... "I bought it."
Sniped by my own brother! Of course in his defense, I didn't make a down payment, nor did I even tell the guy "yes for sure". So I take full blame...
A couple of days later my brother goes to get the boat. They guy had assurred both of us it ran, but on this day they couldn't get it started. Several things were working against the seller though. It was a really cold day, he didn't have a fully charged battery for it, and the gas connection on the motor (a Merc outboard) was leaking badly. My brother tells him, "Since it won't run, will you take $500 for it?"
The guy sells it to him for $500. So my $700 find ends up in my brother's garage for $500!
So my dear brother, not trying to rub my nose in it, but in his excitement, keeps me abreast of his new boat project. After fixing the fuel leak and putting a fresh battery in it, the boat fires right up. He starts shopping right away. Buys a new bow tank and fuel lines for it (about $150). Buys a powered tilt/trim ($300 on Ebay). New stainless steel prop ($100+). New battery. And some other misc items.
But he never installs any of this stuff. The boat just sits in his garage collecting dust... and parts. It never reaches water.
A few weeks ago he mentions that he has considered selling it. Said he thought he might be able to get $1500 for it.
My folks own a place over on the Puget Sound and my brother is headed over there next weekend on a family trip. He has kids ages 19, 16 & 12, and they have been pushing him to get this boat in the water on this trip.
Instead of using the bow tank, he went and bought a portable tank that he could hook up right away. He was trying to get it ready for this trip. But he was nervous about hauling it all the way over only to find out something is wrong.
And then a pair of PWCs on a trailer in a nearby town caught his eye... So he bought them.
About a week ago there was an ad for a small Bayliner Mosquito nearby for $1000. It was a runner. No phone number so I e-mailed the guy letting him know I was interested and I wanted to come look at it. He called just a few minutes later and I told him I would be over as soon as I could. Well again, I wanted to take the wife and daughter. It took everyone about 15 minutes to get ready and just as we were walking out the door... cash in hand... the guy calls back and apologizes that he just sold it. Turns out someone driving by spotted it and stopped and bought it. (No, it wasn't my brother this time!)
On Monday I got an e-mail from my brother titled "Still Want a Boat?" Inside he outlines how he has found a third PWC and how he could buy it if he sold the boat. He went on to outline what all he had done/bought to/for the boat and what was included.
Price? $850. Went and picked it up last night!
Now the question is can I get it in the water before the nice weather goes away...
Photos courtesy of my 8 yr old daughter. (Pardon the lighting and setting, but they were taken this morning at 7:30am.)
