Buying my first boat! (Please Help)

Garbhan · August 07, 2012, 23:18:19

So I have found a playboat which I like and have met with the seller (Shane Kiely if anyone knows him) who paddles with Trim Canoe Club. Its a Wavesport Project 62. I've adjusted and sat in it and I really like the fit. The weight range also fits me better than most other kayaks. It has lots (and lots) of scratches and scraps but none of them are deep. There is 1 repair on the outer rim of the cockpit which was created when the ratchet system was put in. There is also a dent/concave on the right hand side which I'm not sure if I should be concerned about. The outfitting is worn/old but in good condition and ratchets are not rusted at all. On the Facebook he quoted €350 and on viewing he quoted €300 although Maryanne has all ready told me it should be lower than that again. I know he hasn't had any other offers as there have been none on the Facebook page and as he is not free this week to let me demo it he has loaned me the boat so I can demo it this Thursday. He has done a bit of river running in it according to him and his reason for sale is that he is to light (He has all ready bought the medium sized version). Thoughts, advice, tips, prices, any help at all would be appreciated. A full set of photos can be found here https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.420515504650668.85800.100000766664434&type=1&l=1fd5ca83e1

Douchier · August 07, 2012, 23:46:18

Could be interesting alright.

It looks pretty roughed-up but mostly superficial but it is starting to oil-can. I would find this photo a little worrying. This is the hull becoming permanently mis-shaped and weaker. This happens all boats after a while. It will effect play-boating, but it shouldn't be the end of the world.

If I were you I would let him hang a bit more and get him down to at least €250 and personally wouldn't pay more than that

Matt · August 07, 2012, 23:52:07

That boat looks like it's been well used.... I'd try talk him down to 200 or 250 - see how low he's willing to go. That way you haven't put too much money into it if it does get damaged again or doesn't last all that long.

Garbhan · August 08, 2012, 00:25:43

Thanks. This photo https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/302309_420516394650579_193011296_n.jpg is actually of the small dent in the side which can be seen in the photo after it, or does this mean its still oil-caning?

Tiny Tim · August 08, 2012, 09:37:27

I would be very suspicious, it looks like it may have come off the roof at speed.
I would be concerned about the hull, the dent on the side, the repair (which shouldnt be needed after just installing ratchets), the nose and the general scratches.
Its of course your choice but 300 seems very steep, I would be concerned it wouldnt last. Personally I would wait till something else came along but its your choice.
Best of luck.

Garbhan · August 08, 2012, 19:05:36

Quote from: Tiny Tim on August 08, 2012, 09:37:27
I would be very suspicious, it looks like it may have come off the roof at speed.
I would be concerned about the hull, the dent on the side, the repair (which shouldnt be needed after just installing ratchets), the nose and the general scratches.
Its of course your choice but 300 seems very steep, I would be concerned it wouldnt last. Personally I would wait till something else came along but its your choice.
Best of luck.

Thanks for the advice, the problem is that its an odd sized boat which isn't that common. Just wondering how much do you think it is worth as I have no real idea...

kmck · August 09, 2012, 17:14:32

There is always another boat. Just because this is in your size, don't think you won't get another chance at a boat. The kettling looks like the start of a problem. I wouldn't go higher than 250, the flaws such as the ratchet are a worry. I don't know how you'd put a hole that big putting in a ratchet also it would be a concern if you lean hard back fast will it pull out? So 250 would be my top offer.

Douchier · August 09, 2012, 23:05:53

The ratchet thing looks like he pulled one of the ratchets out of the mounting and decided to go through the cockpit rim to install a new nut for it. It's probably not as bad as it looks, the hole probably isn't too big, he's probably just spread the plastic over a wider area than neccessary.

Personally I'm not too sure how worried I could be about a dent on the side.

Price? It's not worth more than €250 but at the same time, working boats that aren't extremely old never seem to go for less than €200. You could look at it like this, you pay €250 for it and you don't like it or even if it suffers some damage, it would be weird that you would get less than €200 for it. That's not a huge loss, if you even end up making a loss. Screw you depreciation.

I like the colour.

Peter O'Sullivan · August 12, 2012, 12:18:40

For what my 2 cent is worth.

The scratches - I would bet a pint its come off a car roof at some stage. All the rest, looks like the owner swam a fair few times.
The dent on the tail - insignificant unless you smash the same point again.
The dent on the bottom - will make the boat much slower
The damage around the ratchet - the will pull out again and again.
The outline of the hull support is coming through the hull - a crack waiting to happen.

Overall, its flower pot material. Its a classic example of how swimming with no airbags kills boats. It will be very very slow, hopeless for surf. If you paddle flat water and sluice only, its worth 200. Otherwise steer clear