NEED YOUR HELP OL’ EXPERIENCED ONES!

I have the opportunity to buy a 2003 Smokercraft Millentia 171, rebuilt 90HP Evinrude (year 1992) by a great mechanic who will back it, with batteries, 50PD/AP, and bunk trailer for $13,500. This price includes tax.
Could you please tell me if this is a good/fair deal.
I am not real familiar with the Smokercraft line, history, or customer satisfaction. I looked at the website and it looks quite similar to a Mr. Pike or an Alumacraft Magnum. Once again, if you have some advice, could you post it soon or PM me. Thanks to all and hopefully will see some of you on Pool 4 this summer.

mustbefishing

I own a 2000 Smokercraft Millentia DC 17.2′ with a 90 HP Merc on it. The only problem I had was the windshield. I brought it into the Dealer and was told they had problems with the windshield and they would replace it with and new one made by a different Manufacture at no charge. I was a little MIFFED at Smokercraft for not letting me know by letter rather than having to find it out by myself. The first family of boats, so they call themselve, definitely have a communication problem. I don’t know if I would ever buy another smokercraft product again.

Thanks for your input Brad. I will keep that in mind and will mention it to the dealer before I buy it.

Brad S.

price seems high to me. the motor is over 10 years old and been re-built. I think you could do better.

Thanks for the thought SteveO.

I think that’s way too high! A friend of mine just sold his 99 20ft Lund Alaskan with a 2002 115 Yamaha for $14,500.

It is a rebuilt motor, and the thing is that you could probably put a newer motor on there for cheaper, see how much that motor is going to cost you and go from there

I would think you could get a new 90hp motor put on it for very little more. That motor won’t be worth much on a trade in and its usually the motor that breaks down and leaves you stranded somewhere not the boat so I would get a new motor and you should be pretty well set. I figure you are planning to keep whatever boat you buy for quite awhile so it doesn’t make sense to go cheaper on the motor. Personally I like the Lund boats as top quality and resale value. Whatever you buy you will fill safer with a new motor and it should last alot longer. Good luck and let us know what your next ”fishin machine” is. Thanks, Bill

I’ll give you all the lowdown. The dealer/mechanic is my wife’s uncle. He has a very good reputation as a mechanic. I know the motor will be “warrantied”. A local dealer told me that this mechanic is one of a few that he would trust. ( and that is coming from the mouth of a person trying to sell me a boat!) I have priced the boat with the extras and a bunk trailer at all the dealers in the area with a new motor and the difference is about $4000. I plan on keeping this boat for a long time and, quite honestly, I would rather have nicer boat than a new motor, dealing with my limited budget. This is a huge upgrade from my original boat that I was looking for. I am pretty sure this is going to be the one for me. One more night’s sleep and the order is going in. Thanks for all of your thoughts and input on this HUGE purchase. All in all, this is the boat for me.

mustbefishing

Try the Old I’ll give you $1000.00 less trick and thats my final offer. I worked the heck out of the salesman on my boat. He didn’t want to loose the sale to Lund or anyone else for that matter. I got alot of extras thrown in and a discount. It works sometimes. Besides it’s fun to see there eyes roll around. Those boats have a pretty good mark up on them. If he says no. Walk out. You more than likely will get a call from him saying OK I managed to work it out with the boss. Just don’t be a LAY DOWN.< someone who buys at sticker price. That's what they want.

That offering less at Stark’s; don’t work I TRIED several times

Seems high on this end. I have a 2000 Crestliner Fishhawk with a 1997 90HP Evenrude and paid less. When I bought the boat/trailor were new and the motor 2 years old.

Hey…. I make my living in sales. I hate guys who low-ball me. Try giving him a thousand more than he’s asking – – make his day!

I agree with the Stark statement. They do not deal. They will never get my business again.

In SteveW’s defense, here’s one for him:

If you could truly afford what you wanted to buy, would there be a need to haggle price? Think about this………… When’s the last time you walked into a McDonalds and demanded the price of a Big Mac (or any other sandwich) be dropped 10% or you were taking your business to Burger King? You might threaten that over bad service…………..but price?

Reality check. Do the homework, find the best deal, the best service, the most bang for the buck……….and then buy it. There are good salesmen and women out there. Just like some fishermen and women make the rest of us look bad, sales is much the same way.

Try this………just once. After your research is done and you find a person you’re comfortable with, and would actually WANT to give your money to, stop and notice how smooth and FAST the deal can go! Not to mention, because there’s no haggling, you tend to get WAY better service out of them. Sellers like good buyers just as much as buyers like good sellers. PLUS, if you establish a solid relationship there, you’ll get the best advice and better favors as time marches on.

Hey, I figured out why my A: drive keeps spinning up.

Jeff, check the link to your photo – does it have something strange about it?

Can someone else right-click on Jeff’s “box with red X” and hit ‘show picture’ to make sure I’m not insane?

Well, I won’t go as far as declaring your insanity but nothing’s happening for me.

Gianni,
Yep – same thing with the a: drive hammering away – could not even ‘reply’ to your post with IE. Had to reply to the Kid’s post below yours……
barc

Hey all,
I decided to go with a new 90HP instead. A promotion started and for 1500 more, the new one is mine. Thanks again for all of your thoughts and advice. Don, I talked to Guy and he said you had called him. Thanks for doin the homework. See you on the water.

mustbefishing