If you were going to buy my seadoos... - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Bossnass · 02-23-2004, 06:41 PM

Pretend that you're in the market for a personal watercraft or two.

Alright, I've been thinking about my spring plans and I have a pair of seadoos for sale. I haven't really pushed these yet, but I have had a few bought and sold in the past. These are reliable machines, but they are well used, a 1997 GTS and a 1998 GTS.

My first question: there is a noticeable amount of gel coat damage on both machines. They run good but look bad. Should I have the machines refinished before I sell them? The repairing cost would be directly added to the selling price; they would be shiny looking and I'd have to spend some gas hauling money and running around time.

The second problem, and my dilemma, is that I don't have trailers for these machines. Not too many people want to buy a seadoo or a boat without a trailer, but I'm not in any better position then the next guy to get a deal on a trailer or two.

So, should I buy a double trailer and try to sell them as a pair, should I buy two single trailers, or should I try to sell them without trailers?

sky_driver · 02-24-2004, 11:10 AM

Bossnass, I had considered buying used Seadoos this past summer but decided that I really did not need them. But, since you asked for peoples thoughts, I definatly would not buy it without a trailer. And if I had to buy a trailer, I would see what a used one costs and if I could not find a used one, I would have to price out a new one. Then, I might find it to be a better value if i just buy a new Seadoo because usually the trailer comes with the purchase. So if I was going to buy a used one, it would have to be a good deal. Now we come to the problem with the damaged gel coat. Again, I would want my Seadoo to not only run great, but at least look good on the water. How much would it cost to have it refinished? You might find that the cost of the refinishing will be worth it and easier to sell even at the higher price (because it looks good) verses trying to sell it at a lower price because it does not look good. If I was thinking about buying it, my thoughts would be it looks pretty bad, and the engine might be just as bad, so I would probably decide against purchasing your seadoos. As far as trying to sell them as a pair, you might want to discount them by a few hundred if someone buys both. I hope this was helpful. And, good luck.

onetime2 · 02-24-2004, 11:15 AM

Can you tell us what it would cost to refinish, what you'd ask with no work done to them, and the cost(s) of a single and double trailer? I'm not up on jetskis but have sold a fair number of cars and motorcycles.

Scorps · 02-25-2004, 09:56 AM

If you sell them cheap because they look like crap what would the price be???

but I guess it doesn't matter Im over 3000 miles away

Bossnass · 02-25-2004, 03:37 PM

The machines by themselves are each worth 2250 to 2750.

Gel coat will run 300-700, as an estimate, and it depends on the cost of replacement decals if I would put them back on.

Trailers new are about 800, and I wasn't able to track down any suitable used ones in the fall. (CAN$)

edit- just got another rough quote on the phone- last couple watercraft through the shop were 658, 832, and 926. It's labour intenstive.

onetime2 · 02-26-2004, 05:38 AM

I would probably try to sell them as is. It would be great if you could pick up an old used trailer to throw them on, but you're not likely to get the full new price of a trailer back when you sell them. The gel coat fix really depends on how bad they look. Are you only checking with jetski dealers or have you tried boat yards as well?

Another option for helping to move the seadoos is if you know a place that rents trailers. That way, if you do run into a buyer who's interested but doesn't have a trailer, you can give him/her a phone number or two to help them out.

Scorps · 02-26-2004, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bossnass
The machines by themselves are each worth 2250 to 2750.

Gel coat will run 300-700, as an estimate, and it depends on the cost of replacement decals if I would put them back on.

Trailers new are about 800, and I wasn't able to track down any suitable used ones in the fall. (CAN$)

edit- just got another rough quote on the phone- last couple watercraft through the shop were 658, 832, and 926. It's labour intenstive.

so sell them as a set for 5500 a set thats the way they are now

02-23-2004, 06:41 PM	#1 (permalink)
Bossnass Détente Location: AWOL in Edmonton	If you were going to buy my seadoos... Pretend that you're in the market for a personal watercraft or two. Alright, I've been thinking about my spring plans and I have a pair of seadoos for sale. I haven't really pushed these yet, but I have had a few bought and sold in the past. These are reliable machines, but they are well used, a 1997 GTS and a 1998 GTS. My first question: there is a noticeable amount of gel coat damage on both machines. They run good but look bad. Should I have the machines refinished before I sell them? The repairing cost would be directly added to the selling price; they would be shiny looking and I'd have to spend some gas hauling money and running around time. The second problem, and my dilemma, is that I don't have trailers for these machines. Not too many people want to buy a seadoo or a boat without a trailer, but I'm not in any better position then the next guy to get a deal on a trailer or two. So, should I buy a double trailer and try to sell them as a pair, should I buy two single trailers, or should I try to sell them without trailers?

02-24-2004, 11:15 AM	#3 (permalink)
onetime2 Junkie Location: NJ	Can you tell us what it would cost to refinish, what you'd ask with no work done to them, and the cost(s) of a single and double trailer? I'm not up on jetskis but have sold a fair number of cars and motorcycles. __________________ Strive to be more curious than ignorant.

02-25-2004, 09:56 AM	#4 (permalink)
Scorps Lost!! Location: Kingston, Ontario	If you sell them cheap because they look like crap what would the price be??? but I guess it doesn't matter Im over 3000 miles away __________________ A.K.A. PainTrain

02-25-2004, 03:37 PM	#5 (permalink)
Bossnass Détente Location: AWOL in Edmonton	The machines by themselves are each worth 2250 to 2750. Gel coat will run 300-700, as an estimate, and it depends on the cost of replacement decals if I would put them back on. Trailers new are about 800, and I wasn't able to track down any suitable used ones in the fall. (CAN$) edit- just got another rough quote on the phone- last couple watercraft through the shop were 658, 832, and 926. It's labour intenstive. Last edited by Bossnass; 02-25-2004 at 05:07 PM..

02-26-2004, 05:38 AM	#6 (permalink)
onetime2 Junkie Location: NJ	I would probably try to sell them as is. It would be great if you could pick up an old used trailer to throw them on, but you're not likely to get the full new price of a trailer back when you sell them. The gel coat fix really depends on how bad they look. Are you only checking with jetski dealers or have you tried boat yards as well? Another option for helping to move the seadoos is if you know a place that rents trailers. That way, if you do run into a buyer who's interested but doesn't have a trailer, you can give him/her a phone number or two to help them out. __________________ Strive to be more curious than ignorant.

02-24-2004, 11:10 AM	#2 (permalink)
sky_driver Insane	Bossnass, I had considered buying used Seadoos this past summer but decided that I really did not need them. But, since you asked for peoples thoughts, I definatly would not buy it without a trailer. And if I had to buy a trailer, I would see what a used one costs and if I could not find a used one, I would have to price out a new one. Then, I might find it to be a better value if i just buy a new Seadoo because usually the trailer comes with the purchase. So if I was going to buy a used one, it would have to be a good deal. Now we come to the problem with the damaged gel coat. Again, I would want my Seadoo to not only run great, but at least look good on the water. How much would it cost to have it refinished? You might find that the cost of the refinishing will be worth it and easier to sell even at the higher price (because it looks good) verses trying to sell it at a lower price because it does not look good. If I was thinking about buying it, my thoughts would be it looks pretty bad, and the engine might be just as bad, so I would probably decide against purchasing your seadoos. As far as trying to sell them as a pair, you might want to discount them by a few hundred if someone buys both. I hope this was helpful. And, good luck.