I need help selling my 1988 Bayliner Cierra 2850 Needs Transom/stringer work-gctid807614

[re485lily]

I bought this boat in September for my 60th birthday and have driven it once. My first boat, an emotional, sentimental purchase as it was my dream to have a boat. They saw me coming. I paid $9500 for the boat, another $4000 to first mechanic, which is then when I had a survey done, another $2000, another $1010, among other parts purchases. The transom is shot, needs stringer work, engine is an OMC, can't get parts for it, and I have over $18,000 in it. Esthetically it is beautiful. The upholstery, cabin, canvas are in beautiful condition. I love this boat, but I am a single girl, and to put another $7400 into it for hull work, and then most likely replace the engine since the defunct OMC should be replaced is another $8200. I just want to sell it to someone who understands what needs to be done. I will not lie, cheat or deceive anyone like what has been done to me. I really need to sell this boat. It is moored in Stockton, Ca and I live in Sacramento. I have put ads on CL, but hit with Pay Pay scammers, it is far for me to drive to meet looky loos, and leery of going by myself. I am asking $7000 for it. New bilges, electrical, transducer, engine work. It does run and should not have overheating issues any longer. I hope! I have been seriously taken advantage of my these mechanics who preyed upon my inexperience. Please help. Thank you.

[green650]

In good running condition your boat is worth what you are asking. Replacing stringers and transom is a lot of work and marine repair is upwards of $100 hour. Probably $5,000 or more. So you need to reduce your price a lot if you want serious buyers. If you can't show the boat to prospective buyers, you'll have to use a boat sales company which usually charge 10% with minimum of $2,000.

Maybe walk around your marina and look for a livesboard retiree that can show it for you for a fee?

[SKUA_28_Contessa]

That's going to be a real hard sell, at that price, if it needs all that.

[Download_Complete]

From what I gathered, the engine is dead and the stringers and transom need replaced.

And this, folks, is why we recommend getting boats surveyed.

Minor point: Yes, you CAN get OMC parts. What you need depends on the engine you have in it. At this point, you can sell it for a loss (the boat is not even worth $3,000 in the condition you have described) or you can press on.

Some good news: YOu will not find a larger or roomier boat for this price, or even possibly at twice the price, in this size class. The 28 Contessa (what we call what you have, even though by 1988 you had a 2855 Ciera) is one of Bayliner's classic hits.

So even though the boat isn't worth much now, it's still holding its value in good shape - nice ones go for up to $15,000 around me. Yours with new structure and power will be worth more.

SO search your soul, and let us know which way you want to go.

Oh, and I STRONGLY suggest getting second and third opinions here. I value marine mehanics about as highly as I do used car salesmen,

[yachtman]

Sorry to say. From e?experience of buying and selling. A boat boar.with bad stringers that doesn't run is a free boat.

A boat that has bad stringers that does run is usually a free boat. Unless you strip out the motor and sell it separate but the but it's self is still worthless.

That is what the current economy dictates. I just bought a 34 foot boat that has a good hull and runs great but has some mechanical issues along with worn interior issues for $1000.

Its too bad that the labor involved and the cost of that labor unless.you do all the repairs yourself far outweigh the value of pretty much any boat with structural or mechanical problems.

Best bet is to fix it yourself and use it unless you are willing to let it go for nothing or near nothing.

[yachtman]

Sorry to say. From experience of buying and selling. A boat boat with bad stringers that doesn't run is a free boat.

A boat that has bad stringers that does run is usually a free boat. Unless you strip out the motor and sell it separate but the hull it's self is still worthless.

That is what the current economy dictates. I just bought a 34 foot boat that has a good hull and runs great but has some mechanical issues along with worn interior issues for $1000.

Its too bad that the labor involved and the cost of that labor unless you do all the repairs yourself far outweigh the value of pretty much any boat with structural or mechanical problems.

Best bet is to fix it yourself and use it unless you are willing to let it go for nothing or near nothing.